Jerry Can / External Fuel Pack

[40sixntwo]

Hey all,

I have a 94 4Runner and am getting ready to drive from the east to west coast. This means Texas. I will be driving and night and am looking for options to extend my range. Initially I was looking to purchase a Jerry Can or two and mount them externally but there appears to be little pre-fabricated options availble (or at least that I can find). I was considering a new rear bumper from Marlin and a mount that mates up for a jerry can. Does anyone know of a combination of rear bumper and mounts that works well out of the box? All of my tools are packed and are being shipped and I'd prefer to take it to a shop and let them install the hardware. I am also considering a roof rack with an external fuel pack like this Kolpin but I'd prefer to not have to worry about leaky fuel cells.

The primary goal is to keep it street legal and still plan for future trail use. Any suggestions or thoughts are welcome.

 

[KidVermicious]

Do you have a hitch? I think your least expensive option is going to be a cheap cargo carrier like this one (Highland 1042000 Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier : Amazon.com : Automotive) and a couple plastic 5 gallon cans with some bungie cords. That'll get you out the door for about $100, and you won't need to worry about leaks if you put thread tape on under the caps and remember to stop and vent the cans during any significant elevation changes. If you don't have a hitch and can't find one to install real quick, you could grab a couple Thule or Yakima guttermount bars from your local classifieds, I see those go for $50 to $100 around here. Another $100 might get you some kind of rooftop cargo basket (Amazon.com: Highland 1041900 U-Venture Steel Rooftop Cargo Basket: Automotive) to bolt to the bars, or again you can hit Craigslist and see what pops up.

Buying a prefab rear bumper with a tire and gas can carrier is certainly an option, but after you have it bought, shipped, painted, and installed, you're talking over a month and probably over $1000.

The last time I needed extra gas, I strapped a couple plastic cans to the roof. Easy and cheap.

 

[Chuckles89]

:iagree:

KidV has the best idea- hitch hauler or roof rack with 5 gallon gas cans.

 

[40sixntwo]

Thanks Kid for the reply. I do have a hitch but I'll be needing to flip it up and down to get the dog in and out. I'm thinking about getting a Curt roof rack and a Kolpin fuel cell. Would you recommend a regular 5 gallon tank over a Kolpin? Does anyone have any familiarity with the Kolpins? I'd probably get two to keep on the roof.

*EDIT* Regarding the bumper, I have about 4 weeks until I make the trip. If there are any prefab components that bolt on I could possibly have them shipped and installed in time.

Chuckles I see you are in Middle Tennessee, I'm actually leaving out of Nashville/Clarksville.

 

[KidVermicious]

I don't have any experience with that fuel can. I don't know what those flat cans offer over a regular can except a different way to mount up. If you're going to put them on the roof anyway, I'd go with the $20 can over the $75 can.

But I'm a cheap-ass with no money, so if you like the Kolpins and can afford them, go for it. Let us know how they work out.

edit - something like this maybe? The fellow who owns this is selling it for $250, I can send you the link if you want:

 

[helo-mech]

If you are doing it solely for a trip through or to Texas, I didn't really understand what you meant, there are plenty of gas stations that are open 24hrs. Since you are going to have to have access to your tailgate, your going to be up in the 250-300 range by the time you have a shop install a roof rack. Not to mention, adding the roof rack is just going to hit into you gas mileage.

There is really no where you would be driving on the highway system that you are going to have gas issues. In the few places where the stations are stretched out on some back-roads, there are generally signs that will warn you about it being the last stop for gas in certain number of miles. Even some of those are there just to scare people into stopping.

 

[RiFF RaFF]

Aluminum Hitch Cargo Carrier - 500 lb. Capacity

:usa2:

:high5: