Need to carry more...

[Sifrk]

I'm planning a road trip to Oregon. Yes, you guessed it, for the solar eclipse. In planning for it and seeing what sorts of issues we're going to face with resource (gas, water, etc), I realize how unprepared my rig is to carry some of the essentials. What I have now is the cargo area in the back and a Gobi rack. I carry a Thule rooftop box which takes up about two-thirds of the rack already. There is room on the rack for a few smaller items such as a Weber grill, a 4-gal water container, an ammo box for supplies. The cargo area is packed already with other water containers, a couple of large boxes for food, supplies, etc. Water dispenser, all that jazz.

What I don't have is a way to carry fuel (at least 8 - 10 gals), more water, trash, and a small propane tank. I was thinking about a rear bumper with swing-out(s) which can accommodate all that. Putting the spare on the bumper is not a priority. If I can get more storage, I'm fine with leaving the spare under. I assume I'd have to beef up the rear suspension also? By the way, I'm aware I will not get this done before leaving for Oregon but it's something to go on the list for future upgrades. Feedback and suggestions appreciated.

 

[5280 TRail-Runner]

Get a hitch basket. That should give you some more storage until you get a more permanent solution.

 

[Havik]

I have a RotoPax mount on my Gobi for 2, 3 gallon gas cans that fits well with my Thule box. I have another RotoPax mount on my Gobi ladder that carries 2, 2 gallon water jugs. RotoPax stuff is pricey, but nice.

Picture of my ladder setup:

Not the best picture, but here is what the roof mounted gas cans look like:

 

[cutty01]

Get a hitch basket. That should give you some more storage until you get a more permanent solution.

^^^^^ This

$138 on Amazon.

 

[Crikeymike]

Is your roof box mounted all the way to the one side? Surely you could fit more jerry cans on the roof next to it? Might need to pull off the jerry cans to open the roof box, but there should be some room up there.

The hitch basket thing is an awesome idea too.

And don't forget to NOT shower for the next few weeks before the eclipse, so that you'll fit in with everyone else camping up there!! hahahahaalololol

 

[Tuco Ramirez]

Get a hitch basket. That should give you some more storage until you get a more permanent solution.

This. I have one and it is handy as hell. Little over $100 on Amazon.

 

[Sifrk]

Get a hitch basket. That should give you some more storage until you get a more permanent solution.

^^^^^ This

This. I have one and it is handy as hell. Little over $100 on Amazon.

My bad! I failed to mention I do have a hitch basket. I wasn't planning on using it mainly cuz I'm not sure what terrain I will face in the national forests up there with the greatly reduced departure angle. It might not have any other option but to go with it.

Is your roof box mounted all the way to the one side? Surely you could fit more jerry cans on the roof next to it? Might need to pull off the jerry cans to open the roof box, but there should be some room up there.

The hitch basket thing is an awesome idea too.

And don't forget to NOT shower for the next few weeks before the eclipse, so that you'll fit in with everyone else camping up there!! hahahahaalololol

Yep! I mount the box far to the passenger side, still takes up quite a bit of space. Only tweak available is moving it forward about 6-inches to recover some space in the rear of the Gobi. And yeah, if I don't plan to shower there would be plenty of space to only carry fuel .... LOL

I have a RotoPax mount on my Gobi for 2, 3 gallon gas cans that fits well with my Thule box. I have another RotoPax mount on my Gobi ladder that carries 2, 2 gallon water jugs. RotoPax stuff is pricey, but nice.

Would love to have some Rotopax BUT I'm looking for a local dealer to see what my mounting options are. Because they're so expensive I'm want to avoid it being a on-the-fly buy. Ideally I want to mount them vertically (I hear the caps are prone to leaks) on the roof rack. Question though, with the Rotopax on the ladder how do you get the hatch open?

 

[jayhat]

Ideally I want to mount them vertically (I hear the caps are prone to leaks) on the roof rack. Question though, with the Rotopax on the ladder how do you get the hatch open?

I'd be curious to see what others experiences are with the rotos and leaking as well. I've heard it too but I don't know if it's just anecdotal.


Also what mounts is everyone using for the Gobi ladder? I'd assume you need to take the stuff down to get it open. Or have someone hold it open for you. You would probably get used to rolling down the window or grabbing stuff from the back seats.

 

[Havik]

Would love to have some Rotopax BUT I'm looking for a local dealer to see what my mounting options are. Because they're so expensive I'm want to avoid it being a on-the-fly buy. Ideally I want to mount them vertically (I hear the caps are prone to leaks) on the roof rack. Question though, with the Rotopax on the ladder how do you get the hatch open?

I got the upgraded struts for the hatch, they help with opening when there is extra weight on it. I've run the Rotopax on the side like that for almost 2 years, never had it leak and I've had them like that on some seriously rough trails.

I'd be curious to see what others experiences are with the rotos and leaking as well. I've heard it too but I don't know if it's just anecdotal.


Also what mounts is everyone using for the Gobi ladder? I'd assume you need to take the stuff down to get it open. Or have someone hold it open for you. You would probably get used to rolling down the window or grabbing stuff from the back seats.

Here is the mount I use: https://overlandequipped.com/collec...backing-plate-for-rotopax-ladder-mounting-kit

 

[JSparky]

My bad! I failed to mention I do have a hitch basket. I wasn't planning on using it mainly cuz I'm not sure what terrain I will face in the national forests up there with the greatly reduced departure angle. It might not have any other option but to go with it.



Yep! I mount the box far to the passenger side, still takes up quite a bit of space. Only tweak available is moving it forward about 6-inches to recover some space in the rear of the Gobi. And yeah, if I don't plan to shower there would be plenty of space to only carry fuel .... LOL



Would love to have some Rotopax BUT I'm looking for a local dealer to see what my mounting options are. Because they're so expensive I'm want to avoid it being a on-the-fly buy. Ideally I want to mount them vertically (I hear the caps are prone to leaks) on the roof rack. Question though, with the Rotopax on the ladder how do you get the hatch open?

I believe 4wheel parts carries them, as much as I avoid going there if you just want to test fit them that could work. I've ratchet strapped rotopax stacked 4x high on a gobi and a mega warrior without problem. Could also find a friend with a pickup who wants to come .

 

[Salvo Jimmy]

You can carry a lot with this type of setup


http://www.toyota-4runner.org/attac...1458930242-front-hitch-receiver-rack-2016.jpg

 

[badhabits]

Have you thought of something like this?

 

[mscot]

:roll:

You can carry a lot with this type of setup

 

[DesertCanyons]

More Storage space

Take out the back seats and leave them at home - Assuming there are two or less people in your truck. It only takes about an hour to remove them, once you get the hang of it. Then you'll have room for lots of water.

Yes, put the gas on top. Tie it and other stuff down with good cheap rope. When is the eclipse? I don't think you have time to get lots of new parts and equipment ordered and delivered. I would not put gas or water on my ladder. The ladder is barely bolted onto the tailgate and you can't open the back with 5 to 10 gallons of anything on there. Tie it down until you need it and then put it all in your tank and tie down the empty cans. The gas is a one time use during your trip. Propane on top too. I put it in a box which I tie down. You don't want gas or propane inside your vehicle.

I carry a 5 gal Sun Shower in a Styrofoam cooler, a discarded meat/fish market delivery box. Low and wide with a lid. Free! It's bulky so I tie that all down on top with ratchet straps and take the lid off when I get where I'm going. It keeps my sun shower hot. I put a clear plastic over it on my last trip and it got darn near too hot to shower with. I want to make one of those black tubes from 6" PVC pipe for my roof rack.

Wish I could go on this trip. I know you'll find some remote peak to camp on and photograph the eclipse, or just see it.

 

[dlongoria3880]

If you are need a little more height on your basket for departure angles try this

https://www.amazon.com/Roadmaster-0486-048-6-Hi-Low-Hitch/dp/B001FCAY8U/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1501784535&sr=8-18&keywords=hitch+drop

Just turn it upside down. I use one with my hitch basket and can still get the back hatch opened as long as I don't have anything tall in the basket where it is closest to the vehicle.

 

[Salvo Jimmy]

If you are need a little more height on your basket for departure angles try this

https://www.amazon.com/Roadmaster-0486-048-6-Hi-Low-Hitch/dp/B001FCAY8U/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1501784535&sr=8-18&keywords=hitch+drop

Just turn it upside down. I use one with my hitch basket and can still get the back hatch opened as long as I don't have anything tall in the basket where it is closest to the vehicle.

I use a similar one on the rear with a Hitch-Haul Z-Bar. Using just a Z-Bar on the front.

 

[DesertCanyons]

Photographing the Solar Eclipse

The solar eclipse occurs on August 21 at 17:16 UTC .The eclipse shadow makes landfall in Oregon and begins its supersonic transit across the country. The entire transit of the shadow across the United States will take 1hr 33m 16.8s.

Here are two articles about how to photograph them from places that supply the filters. These are helpful if you want to look at or photograph the eclipse. Solar telescopes too. The first link at B&H Camera has a bit of factual info about the eclipse.

You could do a search and find several sites with more scientific info. These are a good source for filters, etc.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/sola...170802&utm_content=Retail&utm_term=top-banner

Shooting the 2017 ?North American Total Eclipse | Olympus

 

[MTN4RNR]

Would love to have some Rotopax BUT I'm looking for a local dealer to see what my mounting options are. Because they're so expensive I'm want to avoid it being a on-the-fly buy. Ideally I want to mount them vertically (I hear the caps are prone to leaks) on the roof rack. Question though, with the Rotopax on the ladder how do you get the hatch open?

I'd be curious to see what others experiences are with the rotos and leaking as well. I've heard it too but I don't know if it's just anecdotal.

400+ off road miles of Death Valley driving and plenty of other trips with this setup and the Rotopax being mounted flat. I only had one day where I had a few drops of residue on the roof that I saw, but no physical leaking. Just take them off at night to vent them.

And good luck with Oregon. I am opting for a 70-80% eclipse viewing in the Sierras to avoid the cluster that going north will be.

 

[Sifrk]

Have you thought of something like this?

Thought about it but it's too much for what we do. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have one in the garage ready to go on a whim.

Take out the back seats and leave them at home - Assuming there are two or less people in your truck. It only takes about an hour to remove them, once you get the hang of it. Then you'll have room for lots of water.

Quite honestly, it sounds like a lot of work. I'm going to be tying down as much to the roof rack as possible, and the roof top box is going to be loaded to the point of just being able to close and lock

If you are need a little more height on your basket for departure angles try this

https://www.amazon.com/Roadmaster-0486-048-6-Hi-Low-Hitch/dp/B001FCAY8U/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1501784535&sr=8-18&keywords=hitch+drop

Just turn it upside down. I use one with my hitch basket and can still get the back hatch opened as long as I don't have anything tall in the basket where it is closest to the vehicle.

Huh? That might be a good way to go. I would need another hitch stabilizer. Thanks for the link!

 

[MTN4RNR]

Have you calculated your MAX distance between fill ups? You would probably be surprised how far you can venture... 8-10 gal extra seems excessive seeing as I carry max 4 gal extra.