Southern California Club Xterra
Southern California Club Xterra => SCCX General Discussion => Topic started by: scottmen on March 06, 2013, 04:21:18 PM
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I am thinking about getting one of these, a jeep down the street has a couple mounted to his spare and they seem pretty awesome.
Anyone have one or have experience with them?
http://www.rotopax.com/
(http://www.rotopax.com/fpss/slideshows/homepageslideshow/images/rotopax13.jpg)
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I've seen them but haven't met anyone that has one first hand...
Very interested to hear how much they hold, how easy they are to attach...etc.
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Excellent quality...at a price.
The spare tire holder unit with cans and attachments is close to $450 for spare tire/strap mounted with two 3 gallon cans.
I just ordered the spare tire strap mount set from Rebel Off Road.
(http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae195/DzrtX/The%20GhostX/GhostX%20Mods/rotopaxstrapmount.jpg)
No one else, not even Rotopax had this in stock.
Rebel Off Road (http://www.rebeloffroad.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=rotopax)
Talk to Gabe, he will take care of you. He is an FJ Cruiser guy, and a member of the SoCal FJ Cruiser Club/Forum.
They are in Laguna Hills area.
Going to order the Rotopax cans from Off Road Performance Parts, and grab the 3 gallon size for each side of this tire mounted carrier. The owner is an SCCX member, so want to support him as well!!
Off Road Performance Parts (http://www.offroadperformanceparts.com/rotopax.html)
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Scott,
Check out this thread.
http://www.sccxterra.com/smf/index.php/topic,1035.0.html
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I bought a couple 4 gal rotopax on black Friday for buy one get one free, I've used them once so far and will be bringing them to the Mojave run. I like the flat design and just throw them up on the roof, works great
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I want to rig up a mount of some sort to mount it between the spare tire mount and trunk.
Thanks for the link Frank, that is giving me some ideas.
Here are some of my concerns. I want to keep the spare tired pressed against the hoop of the mount to keep it in place and to not have all that weight hanging further out from the mount. If I put the cans behind the tire like Bobby did it would move the tire that much further away.
I would like to be able to get to the gas independently of the spare. So many possibilities. ;D
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Yea I agree with you. They almost fit between the carrier and the hatch but not much clearance.
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I like the rack mounted ideas, with one thought to consider. With placement of the tire farther out, it decreases the departure angle. One solution is to mount the tire higher, which then obstructs rear view.
Seems like mounting opinions are like belly buttons (thx Toro)...everyone's got one. :)
I bought a couple 4 gal rotopax on black Friday for buy one get one free, I've used them once so far and will be bringing them to the Mojave run. I like the flat design and just throw them up on the roof, works great
Jordan...are these heavy/difficult to lift onto the roof when full?
Looks like the average weight for a gallon of gas (depending on temperature, colder = denser, more weight) is between 5.8 and 6.25 lbs.
4 gallons = between 23.2 lbs. and 25 lbs. Doesn't seem like it would be too bad.
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No its not too bad, the length helps as you can just slide it up on to the roof. Depending if I have other things on the roof I carry them either laying down flat or standing up on the long edge on either side of the roof. The latter way helps to contain firewood stacked on the roof.
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Like John said, they're nice, but come with a price.
They don't weigh much when full. Any avg. guy can handle them. More so if you're a he-man woman-hater! (from The Little Rascals). ;-)
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I've been running these for a long time now and they've been fine. Not revolutionary or anything, but I'm happy with them. It weighs more for 4 gallons of water than four gallons of gas more so because you have more bul/material for two separate cans instead on one flow-through fuel can. They do vent up and bulge more than my NATO cans, so you might want to be wary of running them less than full; keeps the amount of vapor down as opposed to liquid.
I only moved the spare tire out the thickness of the can. On one side it slides up and out and the other I can pull out sideways. Nothing impedes access to anything else nor does any one thing have to be moved to access another.
As for departure angle, my spare is so high off the ground that it really hasn't mattered and it will matter even less with the 35s.
I have modified the water cans, though. I drilled the sides top and bottom to add a drain and vent. After adding a screw on hose fitting, they now have an easy on/off place to draw water, wash hands, head, etc.
FYI if you want to pick up a spare spout/gasket, skip the $10+ ones sold at the sites. Go to Pep Boys or the like and just get one over by the water jugs -- it's the same sceptor spout but they sell it for $4.99.
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I have one of these. Reliance Rhino Pak BPA-Free 5.5 Gallon Water Storage Container. Toro can probably even fab a mount for them. ;)
Rhino Pak Heavy Duty Water Container (http://www.campmor.com/reliance-rhino-pak-bpa-45-5-5-gallon-water-storage-container.shtml?source=CI&srccode=cii_23393768&cpncode=31-98021607-2)
(http://www.campmor.com/wcsstore/Campmor//static/images/acc/80928/80928_gra.jpg)
BPA-Free
Puncture resistant
Leakproof - can be stored on it's side
Stackable - locks in place when paired with another Rhino-Pak
Premium vent cap
Fits most ATV racks
Dimensions: 18"L x 15"W x 6"H
Capacity: 5.5 Gallon
Weight: 3.5 lbs (Empty)
No on/off spigot. :-\
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Great idea on the drilled water cans.
BTW - took delivery of my rotopax gas cans. They are very stout. Waiting for the deluxe handles to arrive and I will mount up and take a few shots.
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That Reliance Rhino is nice. Probably could fab a on/off valve pretty easy.
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Excellent quality...at a price.
The spare tire holder unit with cans and attachments is close to $450 for spare tire/strap mounted with two 3 gallon cans.
I just ordered the spare tire strap mount set from Rebel Off Road.
(http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae195/DzrtX/The%20GhostX/GhostX%20Mods/rotopaxstrapmount.jpg)
No one else, not even Rotopax had this in stock.
Rebel Off Road (http://www.rebeloffroad.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=rotopax)
Talk to Gabe, he will take care of you. He is an FJ Cruiser guy, and a member of the SoCal FJ Cruiser Club/Forum.
They are in Laguna Hills area.
Going to order the Rotopax cans from Off Road Performance Parts, and grab the 3 gallon size for each side of this tire mounted carrier. The owner is an SCCX member, so want to support him as well!!
Off Road Performance Parts (http://www.offroadperformanceparts.com/rotopax.html)
thanks for the plug john...;) If you anybody ever need some rotopax I am always willing to take care of the local X guys!!
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Here are a few shots of the Rotopax spare tire strap mounted kit on my Xterra.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/21/peva3ema.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/21/a7ydubyr.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/21/esusura4.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/21/ymyga6u9.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/21/puhe2ugu.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/21/nu6e8ypy.jpg)
These are the 3 gallon size cans. The strap is essentially a ratchet strap.
Very easy to install and remove once you set it up. Set up was a little tedious at first, but once I figured it out very simple. Oiling the ratchet mechanism helped a lot. WD-40 silicone spray to the rescue.
Since I only plan to really use this set up off road, I'm no too concerned about the drivers side mounted can blocking the tail/brake light. Or, if you had to drive around town, I suppose you could just remove it by emptying in your tank and storing inside. Again, my goal was to provide extra off highway fuel storage.
The eventual goal is to have another 4 gallon Rotopax on the roof, totaling 10 gallons of fuel.
I also didn't want a permanent mount on my Shrockworks bumper, since again, only off highway use.
This was an expensive package, almost $425 shipped. I realize not for everyone, but it worked for me. Also, I realize not theft proof at all. Again, wouldn't be using in areas where that risk was high. If constant locking fuel storage is your goal, probably a set up like Bobby's or roof mounted is the way to go.
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Now that I see how that strap goes around the tire I wonder just how secure that will really be bouncing around off-road. Those cans can't be light, and that strap will surely flex somewhat. Is there any sort of extra strap running horizontally around the center of the tire? Maybe even around the outside of the cans? Or, maybe I'm just being paranoid, and someone with more experience has already tried this determined it works okay. Granted, I'm basing my comments solely on looking at the photos here.
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Looks really good.
I think if anything I would be worried about the mount sliding down along the strap. Does the mount "grab" the strap?
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Frank and Scott,
Yes there are metal C shaped mounts that hug up against the tire. As the strap tightens, they flatten out and grip the tire as well.
I will be playing with this over the weekend and testing out on a bumpy road. Bill over on TNX had the same comments, and suggested filling with water and doing a shake test.
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These look like they have potential. "For showers, drinking, and cooking, this slim upright water tank fits inconspicuously behind the rear seat." (10.57 gallons) $274 frontrunneroutfitters (http://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/Water-Solutions-c47/)
(http://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/images/products/1938.jpg)
Keep 10 gallons of water within reach with this quick, simple to use footwell water tank. 2 drains with hoses are positioned on each end for easy access from either side of the vehicle. $220
(http://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/images/products/2741.jpg)
This 40 liter (approx 10 gallon) BPA free plastic water tank with hose fits in the Front Runner double jerry can holder but can also be used alone strapped to any flat surface. $203
(http://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/images/products/3699.jpg)
For showers, drinking, and cooking, this universal 10.57 gallon water tank mounts to the Front Runner Slimline Roof Rack or any flat surface. This water container was designed specifically to fit into the supplied Double Jerry Can holder. $250
(http://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/images/products/2730.jpg)
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Nice post on water storage options Marshann! :)
An update on the spare tire/Rotopax shake test over the weekend in Truckhaven. They performed really well, with a little perceptible vibration, and no issues with movement of the mounts over 130 miles of highway/desert washboard/sandy wash/whoop see doo's/rock crawling/hill climbing/and general trail navigating terrain.
If this were Mythbuster's, we would have CONFIRMED the Rotopax during our test session.
They easily poured all six gallons in to the tank, covering a quarter tank of gas and topping off for the trip home.
I do need to remember to pack some hand wipes, as even the most spill free gas filling gets some gasoline residue on the hands, especially when affixing the spouts to the cans. 87 octane is not the best cologne. :)
Sent from Planet Claire using Tapatalk
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I'm digging the floorboard and behind seat water tank options, pricey but easier to store in the truck and more capacity than my current blue cube 5 gal tank
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I do need to remember to pack some hand wipes, as even the most spill free gas filling gets some gasoline residue on the hands, especially when affixing the spouts to the cans. 87 octane is not the best cologne.
They will also come in handy if you happen to run across a fire hydrant in the middle of the desert. :P
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/19/se4e5ysu.jpg)
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Touche' Marshann!! ;D ;D ;D
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The footwell and behind-the-seat ideas are interesting, but I don't know about that roof-mounted one. Combined weight of the water, container and rack is probably pushing 100 pounds, in a relatively small area on the roof rack. Sounds like trouble to me.
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Yea I don't like too much hanging out on the roof. I like the 4 gal rotopax up there since they are low profile.
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Check out this link to TNX: http://www.thenewx.org/forum/showthread.php?t=50573&highlight=rotopax
The guy is no longer on TNX but his thread has some pretty good info. He runs four of the three gallon rotopax cans on his roof with a simple mount that he fab'd up.
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I'll be building myself a drop in gas can roof rack. Kind off like a half Dep-Hep. It would be easy to adapt RP's to work with it.
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(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/19/se4e5ysu.jpg)
It is MARK your territory
NOT! soak your territory :)
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I'll be building myself a drop in gas can roof rack. Kind off like a half Dep-Hep. It would be easy to adapt RP's to work with it.
Hey Danny - John probably hopes you get the removable rub rails built first. He has a tendency to do things in 2s and 3s, such as popping beads. ;) Haha! I went to my Azusa Canyon pictures to get this link and the 350+ pictures I was going to weed out are all still there. :-\ About 200 of them are of your rig Danny. :D
(http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-chxnDnR/0/L/i-chxnDnR-L.jpg)
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(http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-chxnDnR/0/L/i-chxnDnR-L.jpg)
Marshann...these photos shamed me into the procurement of my own Powertank. Based upon your tanks help at Azusa in reseating my bead...I am now prepared.
Now Danny about the rock rails...:)
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