Rotopax Fuel Packs on roof - Swelling problems?

[ColoradoFrosty]

About to pull the trigger on these to mount up top on the Gobi but I was told there would be swelling issues when mounted flat up there.

Anyone running these had any issues with them being up there in the hot sun?

 

[Okki]

I had no issue with either my gas or my water rotopax on my trip out west. Only issue I've had with the gas rotopax is the frikking stupid US EPA spout... but that was fixed by ordering the international fuel spout.

Okki


Edit: fuel canisters will swell a little anyway by natural evaporation of the fuel. even your lawnmower can in your garage does that.

 

[eddiebx]

Like with any seal container holding gasoline, I think the proper thing to do is to vent the fuel tanks periodically if you are going to experience a sharp temperature change...even Rotopax can't defy the laws of physics, lol.


Here is what Rotopax says: Gasoline Fuel Packs : Gasoline Containers : RotopaX.com

PLEASE NOTE: WHILE ROTOPAX STANDS BEHIND ALL PRODUCTS AND ANY FAILURE WE CAN NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGE DUE TO FUEL LEAK. A LARGE NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS CARRY OUR FUEL PACKS ON TOP OF OFF ROAD VEHICLES WITHOUT ISSUE BUT THIS IS AT YOUR RISK. PLEASE ALWAYS REMEMBER TO VENT THE FUEL PACK ONCE PER DAY IF THE ELEVATION OR TEMPERATURE CHANGES SIGNIFICANTLY.

 

[ColoradoFrosty]

That's good to hear Okki, thanks.

I have heard nothing good about those spouts!

I know you have the 2 gallon, would you recommend going up to a 3? Got a trip coming to SE Utah and where I'm going it could be 100+ miles to a gas station.

 

[ColoradoFrosty]

Like with any seal container holding gasoline, I think the proper thing to do is to vent the fuel tanks periodically if you are going to experience a sharp temperature change...even Rotopax can't defy the laws of physics, lol.


Here is what Rotopax says: Gasoline Fuel Packs : Gasoline Containers : RotopaX.com

Right. It's tough in Coloado sometimes. You can go from 5 to 12,000' in elevation and temp swings from below freezing to 70+... all in a matter of hours. It may be a little harder to stay on top of the venting task.

Thanks

 

[Okki]

That's good to hear Okki, thanks.

I have heard nothing good about those spouts!

I know you have the 2 gallon, would you recommend going up to a 3? Got a trip coming to SE Utah and where I'm going it could be 100+ miles to a gas station.

I used to fuel up before I hit the trail, so that gave me plenty of range for the day trips I took.. your mileage may vary. depending on the type of trail you are doing and the length, you may need more, but it's hard to give a specific number.

I don't like the huge (heavy) fuel containers. I have two rotopax spots on my roof. one I use for fuel, the other for water. I can always move the water inside and put another fuel up there.

Okki

 

[1engineer]

Like with any seal container holding gasoline, I think the proper thing to do is to vent the fuel tanks periodically if you are going to experience a sharp temperature change...even Rotopax can't defy the laws of physics, lol.


Here is what Rotopax says: Gasoline Fuel Packs : Gasoline Containers : RotopaX.com

The Ideal Gas Law Strikes again! No matter if it's tires or fuel tanks if it has liquid, gas and temperature changes then pressures will change too!

 

[phillyd2]

That's why I always drill a few small holes in my gas containers. imp:

 

[Bay33saw]

That's why I always drill a few small holes in my gas containers. imp:

:redbrick: Dave..........I Dunno man!!!! LOL

 

[ColoradoFrosty]

That's why I always drill a few small holes in my gas containers. imp:

That'll certainly solve "swelling issues".

 

[1engineer]

That'll certainly solve "swelling issues".

Seriously though, do these vessels have a rubber washer between the hard mount and vessel wall? If so you should be fine.

 

[ColoradoFrosty]

Seriously though, do these vessels have a rubber washer between the hard mount and vessel wall? If so you should be fine.

Not sure on that 1e. Maybe Okki can fill us in.

I heard if you get swelling it can be hard to get off the mount.

:hiding:

 

[Ol'Baditude]

Seriously though, do these vessels have a rubber washer between the hard mount and vessel wall? If so you should be fine.

The only rubber washer is in between the spout and the opening to prevent leaking while in the closed position, or when filling.

Not sure on that 1e. Maybe Okki can fill us in.

I heard if you get swelling it can be hard to get off the mount.

:hiding:

My fuel and H2O rotopax swell a bit on long trips in the sun, pretty much any container will when it's up on the roof. However, the slot that the mounting peg goes through basically acts as a bit of a brace so that the circular area immediately around it(that the spinning retainer clips bite into) doesn't swell quite as much as the rest of the container. It's no harder to spin the retaining clips in this case, than say, when you've screwed them down really tight. Regardless, it hasn't been a problem for me.

 

[Okki]

The only rubber washer is in between the spout and the opening to prevent leaking while in the closed position, or when filling.

My fuel and H2O rotopax swell a bit on long trips in the sun, pretty much any container will when it's up on the roof. However, the slot that the mounting peg goes through basically acts as a bit of a brace so that the circular area immediately around it(that the spinning retainer clips bite into) doesn't swell quite as much as the rest of the container. It's no harder to spin the retaining clips in this case, than say, when you've screwed them down really tight. Regardless, it hasn't been a problem for me.

^^^ all that.

This is a picture of the mount (during installation). There is no rubber between the rotopack and the mount.

More pics and details are in my build thread here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/94578-okkis-build-thread-4.html#post1065652

Okki

 

[Johnny4runner]

Reading this thread reminds me why Scepter MFCs are superior to any of the fuel containers that the EPA has "approved." MFCs are nearly indestructible. Pressure from altitude, or heat? Who cares, MFCs were meant hold fuel in any environment. Just make sure you get a viton seal for carrying gasoline.

And if you don't want 5 gal. of gas, just half fill the container, or get a 10L MFC. Also it is very convenient that MFCs are backwards compatible with generic "Jerry Can" holders of the past.

Not to mention, you can pick up used 20L MFCs for less that the same volume of Rotopax, and new MFCs for about the same as Rotopax.

 

[2013Trail]

I had no issue with either my gas or my water rotopax

I didn't see a storage pack on the rotopax website that was made specifically for water? Did I miss it or are you using one of their gas packs for water?

 

[Okki]

I didn't see a storage pack on the rotopax website that was made specifically for water? Did I miss it or are you using one of their gas packs for water?

RotopaX Gas Packs- 1,2,3 and 4 Gallon Gasoline

2 Gallon Water
Capacity
Each single pack holds 2 gallons

Dimensions
17 3/4 L x 13 1/4 W x 3 H

White Water container only, mounting kit sold separately, Spout included, Made in the USA

Roto-molded water can that is durable with thicker walls and stronger construction make it leak-proof along with a sure seal gasket to guarantee your spout wont leak or vibrate loose. Rotopax are the only EPA and CARB compliant containers available for sale in the United States. This is thanks to a patented three layer Roto-Molding process, along with specialty formulated plastic barrier material to meet the governments new extremely low permeability requirements.

There you go :cheers::tea:

Okki

 

[gmercier]

I was concerned about having to vent all the time in the sun so I went under instead. I've just completing the install of a Roto Pax 4 gallon fuel pack in the empty spare wheel well of my Runner. It went in super easy and looks like it was made to fit there, it fits tight across the cross beam that the spare was on. It is tucked out of the way to avoid trail damage and it's invisible unless you look under there (I still put a Roto Lox on it). Yes, you do need to get under there to get it on or off, but I will only use it in emergencies... Let me know if you'd like pics.

 

[ColoradoFrosty]

I was concerned about having to vent all the time in the sun so I went under instead. I've just completing the install of a Roto Pax 4 gallon fuel pack in the empty spare wheel well of my Runner. It went in super easy and looks like it was made to fit there, it fits tight across the cross beam that the spare was on. It is tucked out of the way to avoid trail damage and it's invisible unless you look under there (I still put a Roto Lox on it). Yes, you do need to get under there to get it on or off, but I will only use it in emergencies... Let me know if you'd like pics.

Definitely want to see some pics. Is it solid off road?

I did get two fuel packs on the roof and used them on a week long remote trip in Utah. Went through numerous elevation changes and temp swings from below freezing to maybe 70 degrees and never had an issue.

I did dump in the fuel as soon as the tank had room though. I suspect if you kept those filled and up top all the time in hotter weather you'd run into issues.

 

[gmercier]

RotoPax install in spare wheel well

Definitely want to see some pics. Is it solid off road?

The rack for it is bolted to the frame with 6 bolts, I am confident it will stay put. The only down side is you have to pretty much lay on your back to get it out... It's out of view of a casual glance.