gas tank to carry on roof ?
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Jeremy556
New member
Why would you want to schlep 50+ pounds of gasoline on and off your roof? Where are you going on a regular basis that you need to carry extra fuel? I mean, I hang out in pretty remote areas that have hundred+ miles between gas stations (and I only have about 230 mile tank range), but it's easier to just plan your refueling and top up to avoid carrying extra fuel.
When traveling in truly remote places in the world (North Africa, North West India, and Central China), they don't use "tanks". Rather they use fuel bladders: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=fuel+bladders
They are available from 25 gallons to 5000 gallons(!).
I was once on a trip in Northern India, and our van had a big bladder on the roof, about 50 gallons, I guess.
El Dusty
Member
I only carry a 3.5 gal fuelpax on my roof but Id advise anyone carrying extra fuel to carry an appropriate fire extinguisher and check your fuel for pressure changes and leaks throughout your trip especially when going through temp / elevation change.
Heading out on white rim road or the rim rocker trail it is required. Go out on one of these trails and let me how many people you see without extra packed somewhere.
Its not about using it or needing it regularly. Not having it can mean being stranded or not having the confidence when it comes down to exploring that last few miles or an offshoot of a trail. Mine remains empty 99% of the time and is only filled up and emptied pre / post trip for obvious safety reasons.
Heading out on white rim road or the rim rocker trail it is required. Go out on one of these trails and let me how many people you see without extra packed somewhere.
Its not about using it or needing it regularly. Not having it can mean being stranded or not having the confidence when it comes down to exploring that last few miles or an offshoot of a trail. Mine remains empty 99% of the time and is only filled up and emptied pre / post trip for obvious safety reasons.
Pro-tip: use your stored fuel as soon as you can to prevent having to worry about leaking, or any other problems.
Jeremy556
New member
Those are my backyard. Rim Rocker is only 160ish miles of mostly 2wd/4hi and there's gas in the middle in Nucla and Naturita. White Rim is 125 miles round trip to the gas station at the end of 313. I do carry 5gal when I go to the Maze, just because the nearest station is Hite or Hanksville, that are both a long round trip out.
True, that if you are exploring and don't necessarily know where you're headed, it is a nice safety net.
DAW89446
Member
I’ve never carried fuel, but used to regularly run with others who have. Generally they used standard low profile safety fuel cans, carrying two to four on a roof rack. One friend had a Land Rover Discovery, the other a Tacoma TRD (rack on the camper shell). They tied them down with ratchet straps. They were 2.5 gallon cans to ease placing and removing from the roof. As far as I remember or know, they never had any issues. They used a hinged lid that latched down snug. In short, utilitarian but not fancy.
Extra Fuel
True, that if you are exploring and don't necessarily know where you're headed, it is a nice safety net.
Wife and I spent a week based in Lajitas TX. Basically a wide spot in the road nestled between Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park.
I carried 4 gallons in a Rotopax on the tire carrier. I didn't expect to need it in the National park as there is fuel available in the middle of the park.
Big Bend Ranch is another story. It is very remote and has only one entrance that is 27 miles of gravel road after 30 miles of highway, just to get to the ranger station. We spent about 6 hours exploring Fresno Canyon in the park (14 miles each way) one day and never saw another human being. After a full day of exploring, and the trip to and from Lajitas, I had about 1/4 tank left and the 4 gallons I didn't use. Necessary, probably not. Better to have and not need, than need and not have...Absolutely. Same reason I carry a Garmin Inreach.
AMLOR
True, that if you are exploring and don't necessarily know where you're headed, it is a nice safety net.
Wife and I spent a week based in Lajitas TX. Basically a wide spot in the road nestled between Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park.
I carried 4 gallons in a Rotopax on the tire carrier. I didn't expect to need it in the National park as there is fuel available in the middle of the park.
Big Bend Ranch is another story. It is very remote and has only one entrance that is 27 miles of gravel road after 30 miles of highway, just to get to the ranger station. We spent about 6 hours exploring Fresno Canyon in the park (14 miles each way) one day and never saw another human being. After a full day of exploring, and the trip to and from Lajitas, I had about 1/4 tank left and the 4 gallons I didn't use. Necessary, probably not. Better to have and not need, than need and not have...Absolutely. Same reason I carry a Garmin Inreach.
AMLOR
patkelly4370
New member
I was on a backroads roadtrip just before Thanksgiving (during Covid).
One of my planned fuel stops was locked up tight.
Sweating bullets as the low fuel light came on in the middle of nowhere and no cell service.
Made it to a "very rustic" place with a fuel pump. (Que Twilight Zone music).
Topped off with 21.7 gallons. A Rotopax or 2 would have been reassuring. I'm considering a basket just for pax n trax. Maybe a hylift.
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
One of my planned fuel stops was locked up tight.
Sweating bullets as the low fuel light came on in the middle of nowhere and no cell service.
Made it to a "very rustic" place with a fuel pump. (Que Twilight Zone music).
Topped off with 21.7 gallons. A Rotopax or 2 would have been reassuring. I'm considering a basket just for pax n trax. Maybe a hylift.
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
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I’m looking into the same thing right now. I tow a trailer which limits my range to 250 I’m which obviously isn’t great.
The leading contender at this point is a 12 gallon marine fuel tank. Easy to strap down and the cap is on the top which should limit the chances for a leak.
The leading contender at this point is a 12 gallon marine fuel tank. Easy to strap down and the cap is on the top which should limit the chances for a leak.
xtra fuel placement... a never ending search
I'd like to keep things off my roof due to increased aero drag and to an extent, the higher CG that comes with placing items up there. I was pulling the trigger on a hitch mount setup but that comes with ground clearance... mostly departure angle issues... so back to looking at the roof for options. The best seems to be a rear mount using replacement bumper mods... great looking stuff but pricy and not fully secure from thief. right now... still thinking of a better way forward...
I'd like to keep things off my roof due to increased aero drag and to an extent, the higher CG that comes with placing items up there. I was pulling the trigger on a hitch mount setup but that comes with ground clearance... mostly departure angle issues... so back to looking at the roof for options. The best seems to be a rear mount using replacement bumper mods... great looking stuff but pricy and not fully secure from thief. right now... still thinking of a better way forward...
Michael-Dallas
New member
I bought 2 10L Wavian cans to strap down on my Yakima basket. They are half the height and half the weight (when filled) of the 20L Wavian cans.
The only bummer is that a 10L Wavian can costs as much as a 20L Wavian can.
The only bummer is that a 10L Wavian can costs as much as a 20L Wavian can.
Sea_ledford
New member
Wavian is what I used on my roof as well. Didn't like having it up there, but it was either that, inside the vehicle, or spend $1200+ on a bumper with swingout/hitch tire carrier/etc
Went from sea level to 12,000 feet, no leaks.
I've used my spare fuel a couple times. Once because a planned fuel stop was closed, the other was because I was a dumba55 and forgot to fill up prior to starting a trail.
I almost needed spare fuel on the highways/back roads between Boise ID and the Oregon/California border last summer. Took so many back roads, I ended up unintentionally going around most gas stations. I was on the highway, another one was bound to come up soon, right? I eventually turned around and drove back about 15 miles and detoured another 10 miles to a town with a gas station. I was 10 miles past "0 miles remaining" at the time. Super fun.
Went from sea level to 12,000 feet, no leaks.
I've used my spare fuel a couple times. Once because a planned fuel stop was closed, the other was because I was a dumba55 and forgot to fill up prior to starting a trail.
I almost needed spare fuel on the highways/back roads between Boise ID and the Oregon/California border last summer. Took so many back roads, I ended up unintentionally going around most gas stations. I was on the highway, another one was bound to come up soon, right? I eventually turned around and drove back about 15 miles and detoured another 10 miles to a town with a gas station. I was 10 miles past "0 miles remaining" at the time. Super fun.
Speaking of which!
