Anyone run a marine fuel tank on the roof rack when off-roading?

jayhat · Jan 19, 2020

I’ve never found a solution I really liked for storing extra fuel when off-roading. Jerry cans on the rack are heavy and cumbersome. You have to strap them down and Unstrap to use them. You also basically have to store them on their sides which I’m always afraid of leaking. I don’t have a bumper either so the rack is really the only fuel storage option.

I picked up a nice 6 gallon marine tank on sale at a local store the other day. It’s really sturdy feeling, fairly flat/horizontal, got really nice grooves for strapping down, cap is on top, and generally seems pretty great. The plan is to leave it mounted on top of the rack, and use a shaker siphon to fill my tank.

Any input on this? Anyone done something like this? How did it work?

Tank like this: Scepter Rectangular Portable Fuel Tank : Cabela's

johnbt · Jan 19, 2020

I own a boat with an outboard and so do a number of my friends. The newer gas tanks swell like an sob in the sun due to the government regulations against venting gas fumes to the atmosphere.

"All manufacturers of Portable Outboard Marine Fuel Tanks must
certify compliancy with the EPA standard: (73 FR 59034, October 8, 2008) 40 CFR Part 1060. "

www.nmma.org/assets/cabinets/Cabine...Announcement Portable Tanks JUN2012 Final.pdf

But they say they're tested and safe, even when they look like a basketball.

Drobs · Jan 20, 2020

On my list of things to buy is a Ladder for fuel storage. Fuel on the roof gives me the heebie jeebies.

Either Baja
4Runner Baja Rack Ladder | 4x4 Ladder | Metal Tech 4x4

Or Gobi
GOBI Toyota 4Runner Rear Ladder

And mount a Rotopax

Heavy-Duty Rotopax Backing Plate with Mounting Hardware – Overland Equipped

or Jerry Cans

PK930 · Jan 20, 2020

If you must, vent it anytime you stop.

bring_it_on · Jan 20, 2020

jayhat said:
I don’t have a bumper either so the rack is really the only fuel storage option.

Between an Ultraswing like hitch carrier and a ladder you can probably carry 8 gallons in additional fuel. Not sure how much fuel you want to carry but it could be a potential solution at less than half the cost of a full rear bumper.

jayhat · Jan 20, 2020

Drobs said:
On my list of things to buy is a Ladder for fuel storage. Fuel on the roof gives me the heebie jeebies.

Either Baja
4Runner Baja Rack Ladder | 4x4 Ladder | Metal Tech 4x4

Or Gobi
GOBI Toyota 4Runner Rear Ladder

And mount a Rotopax

Heavy-Duty Rotopax Backing Plate with Mounting Hardware – Overland Equipped

or Jerry Cans

I’ve got a gobi rack and ladder. I’ve got a rotopax mount and a 2 gallon can. It’s ok’ish but I’d rather have ~5 gallons. Also all the added weight makes keeping the hatch open a *****. Constantly trying to keep it held with 1 hand or my head. In fact I keep an adjustable tent pole in the back when I’m running a rotopax for that reason.

jayhat · Jan 20, 2020

PK930 said:
If you must, vent it anytime you stop.

Are you saying that for these specifically or just cans on the roof in general? My rotopax swells, my scepter swells, my wavian Jerry swells. They all do and the wavian violently equalizes pressure when you open it. A screw cap will at least give you the option to SLOWLY open it.

jayhat · Jan 20, 2020

bring_it_on said:
Between an Ultraswing like hitch carrier and a ladder you can probably carry 8 gallons in additional fuel. Not sure how much fuel you want to carry but it could be a potential solution at less than half the cost of a full rear bumper.

Yeah thought about that. I do like those for the fuel, tire, and trash storage options.

I have a gobi ladder with a rotopax mount. It’s only 2 gallons though and I want at least 5. It also makes keeping the hatch open a pain.

jayhat · Jan 20, 2020

johnbt said:
I own a boat with an outboard and so do a number of my friends. The newer gas tanks swell like an sob in the sun due to the government regulations against venting gas fumes to the atmosphere.

"All manufacturers of Portable Outboard Marine Fuel Tanks must
certify compliancy with the EPA standard: (73 FR 59034, October 8, 2008) 40 CFR Part 1060. "

www.nmma.org/assets/cabinets/Cabine...Announcement Portable Tanks JUN2012 Final.pdf

But they say they're tested and safe, even when they look like a basketball.

Thanks, yeah I have a couple higher quality plastic cans and they all swell up. I just crack the lid and vent them from time to time.

GripT4R · Jan 20, 2020

My scepter mfc swells.

I plan on using a Wilco offset tire carrier with their jerry can mount.

I originally thought it was a good idea to go the ladder/rotopax mount....but i hate the idea of the hatch not staying open.

bring_it_on · Jan 20, 2020

GripT4R said:
I originally thought it was a good idea to go the ladder/rotopax mount....but i hate the idea of the hatch not staying open.

Have you tried these?

Amazon.com: Qty (2) Fits 4Runner 2010 To 2018 Liftgate Lift Supports Models with Added Ladder: Automotive

Drobs · Jan 20, 2020

jayhat said:
I’ve got a gobi rack and ladder. I’ve got a rotopax mount and a 2 gallon can. It’s ok’ish but I’d rather have ~5 gallons. Also all the added weight makes keeping the hatch open a *****. Constantly trying to keep it held with 1 hand or my head. In fact I keep an adjustable tent pole in the back when I’m running a rotopax for that reason.

I'd take rotopax off the hatch if I wanted to open it.

How about mounting a 2nd 2 gallon (or 3 gallon) Rotopax to the ladder.

Grug556 · Jan 20, 2020

The idea of being in a wreck and having a fuel bomb strapped to the roof is not appealing..all that liquid fire coming in sun roof.

Also it screws up center of gravity. Why not buy an actual fuel cell and mount it in the cargo area. Safe, reliable and low COG.

GripT4R · Jan 20, 2020

Grug556 said:
The idea of being in a wreck and having a fuel bomb strapped to the roof is not appealing..all that liquid fire coming in sun roof.

Also it screws up center of gravity. Why not buy an actual fuel cell and mount it in the cargo area. Safe, reliable and low COG.

Because we all know gasoline just ignites when shaken violently....

jayhat · Jan 21, 2020

Grug556 said:
The idea of being in a wreck and having a fuel bomb strapped to the roof is not appealing..all that liquid fire coming in sun roof.

Also it screws up center of gravity. Why not buy an actual fuel cell and mount it in the cargo area. Safe, reliable and low COG.

People have been running fuel cans on their roof racks and rear bumpers for decades. I agree that it the perfect storm it could be dangerous but there is some degree of risk to everything.

Where would I mount a fuel cell and how much are those? Seems like there have been tons of people asking about second fuel tanks and I feel like it was as easy/safe as you’re saying, some folks would have done it by now.

delloro · Jan 21, 2020

jayhat said:
I’ve never found a solution I really liked for storing extra fuel when off-roading. Jerry cans on the rack are heavy and cumbersome. You have to strap them down and Unstrap to use them. You also basically have to store them on their sides which I’m always afraid of leaking. I don’t have a bumper either so the rack is really the only fuel storage option.

I picked up a nice 6 gallon marine tank on sale at a local store the other day. It’s really sturdy feeling, fairly flat/horizontal, got really nice grooves for strapping down, cap is on top, and generally seems pretty great. The plan is to leave it mounted on top of the rack, and use a shaker siphon to fill my tank.

Any input on this? Anyone done something like this? How did it work?

Tank like this: Scepter Rectangular Portable Fuel Tank : Cabela's

I have thought about it and it seems like a great idea.

It is safer than any way to attach a fuel can at collision-level on the rear.

I guess a fuel cell up top would be marginally safer, but I never seen it done.

SojuSteve · Jan 21, 2020

I think a fuel can on the roof could work depending on capacity. The change in CG wouldn’t be so bad. A lot of RTTs weigh a good deal. I agreed,though, that the tank should vent.

Drobs · Jan 21, 2020

Next step after a ladder and roof rack is:

15 Rear Bumpers for the 5th Gen 4Runner - Best rear Bumper? Start Here!

-E5J- · Jan 21, 2020

jayhat said:
I’ve never found a solution I really liked for storing extra fuel when off-roading. Jerry cans on the rack are heavy and cumbersome. You have to strap them down and Unstrap to use them. You also basically have to store them on their sides which I’m always afraid of leaking. I don’t have a bumper either so the rack is really the only fuel storage option.

I picked up a nice 6 gallon marine tank on sale at a local store the other day. It’s really sturdy feeling, fairly flat/horizontal, got really nice grooves for strapping down, cap is on top, and generally seems pretty great. The plan is to leave it mounted on top of the rack, and use a shaker siphon to fill my tank.

Any input on this? Anyone done something like this? How did it work?

Tank like this: Scepter Rectangular Portable Fuel Tank : Cabela's

Just a thought... you could put your spare on the roof and mount a decent amount of fuel under the truck in the spare mount location.

ryguytheman · Jan 21, 2020

I had the same idea as you a couple of weeks ago. Bought a Scepter marine can. It leaks, my roof has been coated in gasoline a couple of times. Going up and down through the mountains caused the tank to fail/leak at the stupid little gauge that tells you how full the tank is (dumb dumb dumb, it's a semi-transparent 3 gallon can, I don't need a gauge). I'm constantly checking it to make sure the pressure is released.

Would not recommend.

Anyone run a marine fuel tank on the roof rack when off-roading?

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