Please help!

[usaf_fire]

About to embark on our 8000 mile cross continent trip. Running into a bit of an issue. I have four 5 gallon gas cans. No crossbars on the top. I was going to get a universal fit $100 basket rack from wal Mart to hold them on the roof but realized it won't just mount to the side rails.

Living in Alaska shipping takes forever and we leave in less than 1 month. I can't afford to buy both the cross rails from the one Toyota dealership nearby (if they have them in stock) AND the basket. Does anybody know of a universal roof basket that mounts to the side rails? There's no room on the front of my trailer (6x4 enclosed) or inside. And I'm not too keen of just setting them on the roof and tying them down with the risk of rubbing the paint away. Hitch mounted carries won't work as I'll be using the hitch for the trailer

Does anybody have some suggestions?

 

[StoneColdSober]

What about mouthing to the top of the trailer?

 

[philsey]

You active duty AF?

 

[usaf_fire]

What about mouthing to the top of the trailer?

I've thought about that but I'm
Unsure of the roof being able to hold 20 gallons of fuel for long periods. Plus it's a single axle short trailer so it'll bounce a lot. 120Lbs of liquid may break the top as it's pretty flimsy. I'll have to look for tie down mounts and maybe place it on a piece of wood to disperse the weight.

 

[usaf_fire]

You active duty AF?

Depends...who's askin?

 

[Keith_PDX]

If you are handy with a welder it would not take much to make something. Lift off the plastic covers on the end of the rails with a screwdriver or search how to remove the stock rack. Then unbolt it. You'll see a very nice place to put a 3/4"x4" mount (Search my Baja Rack failure thread for pics). Use this as your base and the weld up some steel cross bars out of 1" square tube. Use those to attach the basket too. Would not take much time with a saw and welder.

Good Luck.

 

[Okki]

Depends...who's askin?

Resident good-guy [MENTION=51186]philsey[/MENTION] was asking :thumb3::cheers:

Okki

 

[philsey]

Depends...who's askin?

Odd reply, but whatever. It's me, Phil.

 

[philsey]

Resident good-guy [MENTION=51186]philsey[/MENTION] was asking :thumb3::cheers:

Okki

 

[usaf_fire]

Odd reply, but whatever. It's me, Phil.

Well hello Phil, sorry no disrespect meant. Just cautious these days. Should have thought that through better when picking my Username. But yes I'm active.

 

[philsey]

Well hello Phil, sorry no disrespect meant. Just cautious these days. Should have thought that through better when picking my Username. But yes I'm active.

Would a set of crossbars help you out?

 

[usaf_fire]

Looks like it

Looks like that's what I'll have to go with is a basic set of cross bars to mount the cheap basket to. Just don't want to push the weight on those rails too much (I think they have a max weight near 100 lbs...which is sad

 

[Titanpat57]

As a father of 2 SSGT Airmen, and father of Airman of the Year for the 9th...please feel free to use and abuse me...I❤Airmen...fire away

 

[philsey]

Pat, ck yer PM.

 

[Titanpat57]

Just for clarity [MENTION=51186]philsey[/MENTION] ......this kids looking for crossbars....I have the roof rails system that goes back to front...not side to side

 

[philsey]

Just for clarity [MENTION=51186]philsey[/MENTION] ......this kids looking for crossbars....I have the roof rails system that goes back to front...not side to side

Ah Frack! I'm a dumbass. Sorry Airman, guess I'm no help. Ratfarts.

Tks Pat.

 

[usaf_fire]

Ah Frack! I'm a dumbass. Sorry Airman, guess I'm no help. Ratfarts.

Tks Pat.

That's okay Phil! Thank you for trying, I greatly appreciate it! Shipping things to Alaska is so expensive. Lowest rate for a small rack is 800. Overnight shipping is 2000. Most places up here "place orders" with nothing on the shelf. Toyota OEM it is.

 

[CF_Machete]

Due to your time crunch, how handy are you with a saw? As a former cabinet maker, my go to would be wood. Metal would be my fist choice and I therefore have a Gobi on order, but I have zero experience welding and Gobi's are 10 weeks out.

If you go wood, I'd remove the stock rack and use the existing bolt holes to anchor in a custom frame. Try googling "wood roof racks" and click images for ideas. Wood can be cheap and may be worth it even for a one trip use.

 

[DM4RNR]

Maybe you can find another 5th gen on base and ask if they would lend you their crossbars. As long as you're not PCSing and coming back in a few weeks, I don't see why someone wouldn't help out.

 

[usaf_fire]

Maybe you can find another 5th gen on base and ask if they would lend you their crossbars. As long as you're not PCSing and coming back in a few weeks, I don't see why someone wouldn't help out.

Unfortunately I have to leave this beautiful state on a PCS move to Santans *******, NM