Rotopax + bed rail mount + weight ???

Looking to pick up a 3.5 gallon Rotopax fuel container.

I would like to mount it to the bed rail. It would be hanging from the rail without the bottom of the container resting on the bed floor. The entire weight of the container will be supported by the rail alone.


3.5 gallons of gas weighs 28lbs.

Has anyone mounted a Rotopax like this. Any issues with it hanging on only the rail? I'm worried about the sloshing fuel pulling the rivnuts for the rail outta the composite bed. I've seen smaller (lighter) ones hanging from the rail.

Ive also thought about building a cradle that hangs off the rail to support the bottom of the container from moving around but all the weight will still be on the rail.

 

I'd probably use something similar to this -
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bed-rail-mounts-30-shipped-to-your-door.483857/#post-14889942
Should help to reduce them from moving around. The weight isn't a problem on the rails, but if they wiggle around off road that could pose a problem. Having two contact spots to the bed rather than one should minimize the movement and create a more stable mounting solution.

 

I planned on using something similar. I fabbed up mounts like that for my quick fist mounts.

 

I just got 2 3.5 gal Flexpax that I want to mount in the front of the bed. I agree with you in having two contact points (rail and floor), so a hole in the bottom foot would work. Should be an easy fab for the site you posted. Anyone else fabbing these?

 

The brackets that i make hold up a high lift with 2 brackets. I havent heard an rattle and i did a 3 day trip through big bend, although i fully expected to. Hi-lift is ~50lbs, ~25lbs per bracket, i think it will be ok with an extra 3 pounds. They are made out of 1/8th inch aluminum which is strong. The company makes racing seats out of it, and they are meant to save the drivers life in an accident.

 

I appreciate the input, but the integrety of the bracket isn't the question. The bed rail can easily hold 30lbs of static weight.

I've made brackets for my QuickFists that hold my axe and shovel out of 1/4" steel, so the bracket is no issue.

I'm worried about the bed rail being able to handle the weight of 3.5 gallons of gas sloshing around while driving on forest roads. Specifically the rivnuts in the composite bed with the weight pushing and pulling the rail every which way.

Im thinking of adding a lower mounting point to the bracket. That may be enough to keep the bracket from wanting to move with fuel container when it sloshes around. Simple as adding a rivnut to the bed then bolting a stand off between bottom of the bracket and bed, this would secure the bracket and keep it from torquing over on itself when the fuel sloshes.


Thoughts?