Fuel can/rotopax setup?

[SnowTrail]

Hello all,

I'll be driving cross country PA to NV come May/June and although it's mostly road trip and not an expedition by no means, I'd like to hit as much trails as I can, Moab/Rockies/monument valley... and camp. For this, with the amazing 250 miles I'm getting per tank I will need some extra fuel.
I am looking at two different setups. I have a Gobi ladder and a low profile basket that goes midway through the sunroof.
One is rotopax on the the Gobi ladder/ still deciding between 4 gallon or 2 3.5 gallon fuelpax.
Two is 2 5 gal NATO jerry cans ratcheted on the roof similar to the picture below.
Concern with the first is opening the lift gate
The second is clearance/bulging from pressure.

jerry cans

Rotopax

My basket/Gobi ladder not installed yet

 

[stphnman20]

I say Rotopax on the gobi ladder. Easy access and more aerodynamic than having the jerry cans on the basket for the road trip.

 

[LawnDart]

I despise the rotopax for anything other than water storage. They tend to balloon really bad as the gas heats up, and then they can seize on the mounts because they're so puffed up. Mine also weeped really bad, but thankfully we caught it in time before it could hurt the paint.

 

[bofa]

Skip the pax. All you need is an unsuspecting trail buddy and a siphon. eep:

 

[Engineer]

I will echo what [MENTION=124732]LawnDart[/MENTION] says, while I have had no issues with the seizing on the mounts ( I do lubricate the locks but not the action mount/pack interface) they do swell ALOT, I rotate out gas every 6m but they will see easily 80F delta so I have went from swollen to sucked in.....never had leaks though so from my perspective its only been a cosmetic issue not functional.

However
That 4 Gallon pack looks to be all one unit?........that's has to be a PITA to fill the truck with.....I don't enjoy filling from my smaller units I would not want to mess with one that size. Its not really that bad I just find them harder to handle then normal Jerry cans

I really like the slim size of Rotopax and for roof mounting I think they are perfect but if I was putting something in the cab (yea yea I know) or mounting on a rear bumper I would go Scepter can over Rotopax.

O and the price for Rotopax is outrageous

 

[LawnDart]

I will say the big mistake I made was doing two fuel tanks joined together, or even one single large one. The weight is too much to wrestle on or off, and getting it on and off the two mounting points is a real pain. Once you add in the swelling that happens it can be a real bear.

One of the things I did when I swapped to water carriers is to push the mounts apart a bit, so that each 2 gallon carrier comes off separate, much easier to work with.

I still use the 5gallon scepter on my bumper more than the rotopax though.

 

[Hltoppr]

I use exclusively the older style NATO gas cans with the metal latch top...they're not CARB approved...but they don't leak either. They are a bit harder to find, but not impossible.

On the 60/40 split bench in the 5th Gen, I've found that with the smaller seat rocked forward, there's perfect room for 3 5 gallon Scepter water cans or NATO fuel cans, strapped down.

Yes...I know some folks have issues with carrying fuel inside the truck...I'm an old Tom Sheppard disciple, and don't have those qualms, as long as it's in top notch cans.

Used the rotopax on SAR...yup...they leak.

I've found that it's pretty easy with the fuel range of the 4Runners to not particularly need extra fuel, if planned correctly. I did just take an extra 5 gallons into Mexico this last weekend, just in case of protests or fuel disruptions due to the recent price increases....

-H-

 

[SnowTrail]

seems like the Jerry Cans are the better solution, based off of the testimonies above, I might do the rotopax for water at this point and have the cans up top!

 

[JSparky]

Depends entirely on your setup. I've carried rotopax on a gobi rack and Yakima mega warrior without problem, just ratchet them down. I'll second what lawndart said in that any can can be a pain in the butt to use.. so think about how often you'll be using it and what you're willing to live with. From ease of use I'd say a rotopax on the ladder makes sense, you can leave it in place and siphon it in. My only concern would be the durability of that ladder as I'm unsure of how it mounts.

I switched back to NATO cans on a bumper carrier with siphon after playing around with rotopax for awhile. The Tacoma bed rack rotopack carriers are legitimate, but that's a different forum.

Lexington container carries Wavian NATO cans if you need a source, I've ordered through them a bunch and have always had great service.

Jerry Can | Nato Jerry Can | Metal Jerry Can | 5 Gallon Metal Jerry can | 20L Jerry Can | 10L Jerry can | 5L Jerry Can | Jerry Can Spout | Jerry Can Nozzle | Jerry Can Mount | Jerry Can Holder

 

[Sno Dawg]

How much gas are you really going to need if you are traveling in the continental US?

How much gas are you really going to need if you are traveling in the continental US?

I have driven cross country 9 times and have done a lot of exploring and off-roading in southern California, Moab, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, and although I always carried an extra couple of gallons of gas, I never used it. Careful planning will get you far. The jerry cans are really cumbersome when full and although they look cool, I would not use them for gas unless I was traveling to South America.

I have used several MSR bottles and/or Rotopax which are easy to fill and easy to dump in your tank. You could carry them vertically if you are worrying about leakage. Also, you are probably not going to keep them full for the entire trip - only when you go to a far off place. When we were off roading and motorcycling in Joshua Tree, that was the only place we were kind of far from gas.

Off roading on the logging roads of Newfoundland is another story.

I live in Philly, and I have a Gobi Stealth rack with a ladder along with Rotopax and jerry cans. You are more than welcome to try them on your truck for size and fill them to experience the weight. My Scepter water jerry cans weigh a lot when filled and I usually only fill 2 of them half way.

Invest your money in waterproof Pelican cases for the roof, a good awning and a good stove. Buy gas at a gas station and plan ahead.

Sno Dawg

 

[AirspeedX]

Scepter jerry cans all the way!

I have two on the back of my rig all the time (empty). Comes in very handy for the longer trips. Not so much for being out of fuel in areas (although that does happen about once a year for me) but more for avoiding areas of higher fuel cost. Especially now that us Canadians are getting a carbon tax.

 

[delloro]

I got these http://www.midwestcan.com/static.asp?path=2840,3461

They are not so tall that I cannot tie them to the roof rack, right side up. No leaks, and not too tall.

I got these too The Official Site for EZ-POUR® Universal Gas & Water Can Spout | SOLID BASE CAP BLACK

And a super siphon.

 

[sting555]

I like Rotopax. I fit three 3.5 gallon rotopax on my gobi rack and they fit perfect 3 straight across.

This is the size that I found that sits flush mounted on the Gobi stealth.

https://rotopax.com/fuelpax-3-5.html

I take my rotopax containers off my vehicle unless I'm carrying fuel or water on a trip. I've haven't had any issues with leaking or bulging, etc. Per the instructions that came with the containers, they need to be vented (cap removed) once a day and/or with extreme temperature changes.

 

[Dorobuta]

I picked up Septre cans in Canada last year and have not looked back...

They aren't saddled with the CARB restrictions that we are.

Canadian Tire is one of my stops when we drive to Winnipeg...

 

[AirspeedX]

I picked up Septre cans in Canada last year and have not looked back...

They aren't saddled with the CARB restrictions that we are.

Canadian Tire is one of my stops when we drive to Winnipeg...

They are also available at most Princess Auto's up here for those interested - don't forget to get the filler spout as well.

 

[SnowTrail]

How much gas are you really going to need if you are traveling in the continental US?

I have driven cross country 9 times and have done a lot of exploring and off-roading in southern California, Moab, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, and although I always carried an extra couple of gallons of gas, I never used it. Careful planning will get you far. The jerry cans are really cumbersome when full and although they look cool, I would not use them for gas unless I was traveling to South America.

I have used several MSR bottles and/or Rotopax which are easy to fill and easy to dump in your tank. You could carry them vertically if you are worrying about leakage. Also, you are probably not going to keep them full for the entire trip - only when you go to a far off place. When we were off roading and motorcycling in Joshua Tree, that was the only place we were kind of far from gas.

Off roading on the logging roads of Newfoundland is another story.

I live in Philly, and I have a Gobi Stealth rack with a ladder along with Rotopax and jerry cans. You are more than welcome to try them on your truck for size and fill them to experience the weight. My Scepter water jerry cans weigh a lot when filled and I usually only fill 2 of them half way.

Invest your money in waterproof Pelican cases for the roof, a good awning and a good stove. Buy gas at a gas station and plan ahead.

Sno Dawg

If Im not mistaken Ive seen you going out of a Flyer's game! Thanks for the advice I'll make sure to hit you up if I get the opportunity! Thanks!

 

[MTN4RNR]

Rotopax

I like the Rotopax for it's modular and slim design. I currently have one 4 gallon fuel can that I mount to the roof rack using a modified cross bar setup I made before I went to Death Valley last fall. It did balloon, but never leaked. I just made sure to 'vent' the pack at the end of the day. Works for me!

​

 

[Sno Dawg]

If Im not mistaken Ive seen you going out of a Flyer's game! Thanks for the advice I'll make sure to hit you up if I get the opportunity! Thanks!

Hey Snowtrail.
That was definitely me coming out of a Flyers game - only sport I watch.

If you want to borrow the the Rotopax and/or jerry cans for your trip, I am happy to lend them to you as long as we are not heading out anytime soon. I am putting a lift on my TRD Pro and 285s soon so it should be sitting a bit higher in a week or two. I also just picked up a set of Shrockworks rock sliders so I need to sell my side steps. The awning and RTT will also be a little higher which should be nice. I am thinking of selling a couple of BIG Pelican cases so if you are interested, shoot me a PM. My wife and I swear by them for long trips, storage is secure and dry and they make great seats out of the truck on the ground.

I am in the Manayunk/East Falls area if you are around - give me a shout.

Jeff Sno Dawg

 

[SnowTrail]

Hey Snowtrail.
That was definitely me coming out of a Flyers game - only sport I watch.

If you want to borrow the the Rotopax and/or jerry cans for your trip, I am happy to lend them to you as long as we are not heading out anytime soon. I am putting a lift on my TRD Pro and 285s soon so it should be sitting a bit higher in a week or two. I also just picked up a set of Shrockworks rock sliders so I need to sell my side steps. The awning and RTT will also be a little higher which should be nice. I am thinking of selling a couple of BIG Pelican cases so if you are interested, shoot me a PM. My wife and I swear by them for long trips, storage is secure and dry and they make great seats out of the truck on the ground.

I am in the Manayunk/East Falls area if you are around - give me a shout.

Jeff Sno Dawg

Your truck is going to look great! My trip will be one way, but thank you, and I am definitely interested in the pelican cases! I will hit you up since I have to find out about a good lift shop once I get my new TEP next month.
You'll hear from me soon!

Ed

 

[Snacks]

I like Rotopax. I fit three 3.5 gallon rotopax on my gobi rack and they fit perfect 3 straight across.

This is the size that I found that sits flush mounted on the Gobi stealth.

https://rotopax.com/fuelpax-3-5.html

I take my rotopax containers off my vehicle unless I'm carrying fuel or water on a trip. I've haven't had any issues with leaking or bulging, etc. Per the instructions that came with the containers, they need to be vented (cap removed) once a day and/or with extreme temperature changes.

With the Gobi Stealth rack, did you need the universal mounting plate to mount the FuelPaX mounts to or did you mount the FuelPaX mounts straight on the mesh?