Long trip and need to carry some extra gas....

[BigRogers]

Hey guys, i am currently in the planning phase of a trip the first week of October to New Mexico. I plan on starting in the trip in Carlsbad (where I grew up :bravo and making a week/week and a half long trip taking as many dirt roads as i can find and heading north. Hoping to end up in Questa/Red River area. I know that there is the possibility of running through some sections that may be extremely limiting on fill ups and would like to have a few spare gallons on hand if i do need them.

So i have been toying with the idea of the long baja rack and some rotopax for gas and water storage. Wanted to see if anyone has ever used these products and if you have any comments on them (good or bad).

If you have any other suggestions on racks/gas can carriers I am all ears.

Also to the guys in NM if you could throw out some good roads/drives to take I would like to hear what you have to say.

 

[theizzardking]

get the gobi full length rack and some jerry cans if your rich, if not go the route your planning, i'm leaning heavily this way, i'm just pissed the gobi rack cost so much if the jerks could make their product at 1k i would have ordered mine a week ago, but at $1,300 plus shipping that's over $500 more than the price of the baja rack which is a VERY well built rack, i just cannot justify that so i'm sitting in the boat next to you waiting to see which sink hole you go down, good luck bud and will be watching where this thread goes.

 

[4-Ripcord]

I would be more than willing to show you around a few spots near Abq. Bigfish knows a lot about more up north in NM, maybe he will chime in too.

 

[zgensler31]

There's a member on here that makes a full length rack similar to the Gobi for like half the price. I believe whitson Metalworks is his screen name....

 

[Dark Lord]

^What this guy says...

I don't see the point in spending that much money on a Gobi or Baja, when you can buy a Whitson Metalworks one for $650 I believe. I don't really see myself ever having a use for a roof rack, but if I ever did need one I'd probably hit Whitson up myself.

I would just mount the gas can to the stock roof rack with some fasteners I've seen floating around on these forums. I forget what they're called....

 

[KidVermicious]

I don't see the point in spending buckets of dough at all. Get a couple 5 gallon gas cans and ratchet-strap them to your cargo bars.

I think those rotopacks are a gimmick, and spending more than $500 on a rack that you could make yourself with a $200 welder is silly.

 

[BigRogers]

get the gobi full length rack and some jerry cans if your rich, if not go the route your planning, i'm leaning heavily this way

Gobi is sweet but i actually really like the solid rack all the way up to the front that the baja offers, just my two cents.....

There's a member on here that makes a full length rack similar to the Gobi for like half the price. I believe whitson Metalworks is his screen name....

^What this guy says...

I don't see the point in spending that much money on a Gobi or Baja, when you can buy a Whitson Metalworks one for $650 I believe. I don't really see myself ever having a use for a roof rack, but if I ever did need one I'd probably hit Whitson up myself.

I would just mount the gas can to the stock roof rack with some fasteners I've seen floating around on these forums. I forget what they're called....

I actually have a great hook up through my local club and a offroad parts business who helps us out. Im looking at roughly what Whitson wants for his.

Anybody around hear have a long baja rack? I am curious what they have to say about those front feet. For the Rotopax, i have put my hands on them more than once. There extremely low profile and lock up real nice. I am a fan.

 

[theizzardking]

Gobi is sweet but i actually really like the solid rack all the way up to the front that the baja offers, just my two cents.....

the gobi has a drop in plate that goes over the sunroof to make it a "solid rack"
and i agree with everyone about the price, you'd think it had been dipped in the blood of virgin unicorns or something....

and who is this "whitson Metalworks" guy and why isn't he posting more?
i'm off to google to check this out...brb!

 

[jrm]

A possible plan B

might look like mapping your route so that the roads you choose are linked to reservations and/or towns that have facilities like motels, hospitals, auto repair and water and food.

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

Crap, sorry i missed this thread guys. Yes, my full length rack was built to be an affordable alternative to the g-word. I use the same materials, some even stronger, and mine ends up an inch wider, 41x84. I can offer the full length mesh floor. As standard, it stops aft of the sunroof. Happy to hear about custom options you need too. My rack is fully notched, welded and solid, and, fits the 3rd gen like a glove!

 

[JasetheDamager]

Hey Whitson, every time I see you post, I wish I could buy one of your racks and support your business. However, at this point, I just can't justify spending money on a rack I'd use so rarely. I hope you get some takers. You certainly deserve them.

BTW, it's incomprehensible to me why the Gobi racks cost so much, though I'm certainly no metal guru.

 

[spectre6000]

My intent to this end is to put the spare on a bumper mount, then fill that area with an auxiliary fuel tank. I haven't had the time yet to really dig too deep into that, but if you have the time check out these guys: Transfer Flow Fuel Tank Systems

Supposedly they'll custom make stuff and have the fuel management systems (pumps, regulators, etc.), and that's the route I intend to go.

My backup in case something doesn't fall into place there is to just fab up a larger single tank and reuse the existing equipment from the stock tank.


Whitson, do you have a website? Google just comes up with your signature from every post you've ever made, nothing in your signature is a link, and there's nothing on your profile. I'd like to learn more about your rack, but without any information readily available it might as well not exist in the market.

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

sorry, no website, pretty costly and i am admittedly small time. as for the market, this forum is my market since most folks who like upgrading their runners take the time to join a forum and share (i hope). I'm easy to get a hold of via pm if you have any questions, happy to answer.