Where to carry extra fuel?

[papapoopski]

So hurricane sandy is 18 hours away as I write this. I have 4 jerry cans (5 G each) that I need to transport back and forth between my house and my business. I will try to stay on the roads but if I need to go around something I may be in the woods or field. All driving is backroads, under 45 mph.

Where would you put the fuel? on the roof? I do not have a rack or trailer, just the factory rails. Build a roof platform out of wood? This is NOT LONG TERM, it is just to get me through the storm.

Inside the vehicle will be a large generator, chainsaw, tools, ax, shovels, chains, hand winch, sleeping bag, rain gear, etc

 

[momo.75]

First off, good luck with the storm. It is the strangest thing I have seen. Hope you guys will make it through it with minimal damage.

I think you could make a temporary platform on the roof rails. Just make sure it is on the side rails and not just supported by the cross bars. I can't remember how much they are, or how much weight they can hold, but you might could grab one of those hitch haulers. Those are those racks that slide into your hitch and have the expanded metal rack. Just a thought.

Stay safe!

 

[priestsallore]

Safest bet, build a box and keep them in there. But I wish you well and safekeepings! If you need to, I have an extra room available down here in TX if worse comes to worse!

 

[papapoopski]

How sturdy are those tie down points on the factory rails? ...not the cross bars, but the rails attached to the roof itself.

I have a pallet out back that I could fasten to the roof, maybe make a quick and dirty half box out of.

Thanks for the replies.

Before Hurricane Irene last year I didn't think much of storms in this area - I am now a believer. This storm is the biggest that anyone has seen around here. It has the potential to be really, really bad. Hoping that is not the case.

Best Wishes to all

 

[papapoopski]

Safest bet, build a box and keep them in there. But I wish you well and safekeepings! If you need to, I have an extra room available down here in TX if worse comes to worse!

THANK YOU for the offer. I am actually still in temporary housing from Irene in August 2011.

 

[priestsallore]

THANK YOU for the offer. I am actually still in temporary housing from Irene in August 2011.

Youch. Well best of luck, if you need anything, many of us will offer support, though I'm down here in San Antonio, TX. As far as the fuel though, build a box with strap down points, or do as mentioned about the trailer hitch rack mount.

 

[the great him]

i would say either the hitch mount like suggested or inside, and i say this because who knows what the winds could be like, and if you put a piece of plywood up there it could act like a sail and get ripped off your roof along with all your gas cans... if you had an actual rack id say up top cause the wind would not catch the rack like it would a sheet of plywood.

best of wishes and stay safe !

 

[farmerjon]

kid has a good point, with the high winds, this might not be the best idea...

 

[zgensler31]

What if you just slid the cross bars within 1.5-2 feet of each other and ran multiple straps through it. Like through the handles across corners etc. Like literally strap the crap out of it. Or one of those cargo nets things on top of it.

 

[Loaf7]

Best of luck with the storm to you. Down here in Houston we've toughed out many hurricanes however it's never fun. My advice would be to line them up i the cargo area and strap them down using straps to the factory rings that come up from the carpeting. Best of luck from all in Texas!:thumb3:

 

[98OzarksRunner]

I'd think a trailer hitch cargo carrier would be good for that. Strap the cans to it. The receiver hitch on the 4Runner holds 500# on the tongue and 20 gallons of gas, including the cans and carrier should weigh less than 250#.

Folding Cargo Carrier - 2 Sizes Available

You might even find something like that cheap at WalMart.