Rotopax

Exploring ways to get some more fuel on board. I am just trying to get 4-5 gallons, to extend the trips, giving me a little safety blanket. My spring bear trip last year was interesting. Can you legitimately store a rotopax on its side? It is really hard for me to believe it's not going to expand or leak?

 

I’ve used one on my old Jeep stored sideways without issue. Just make sure the fuel cap spout is up!

 

They will expand especially in hot weather or full sun. The way the mounting mechanism works, there have even been cases that this causes the lock to puncture the tank and spill fuel. that being said, as long as you burp the cans periodically you can store them flat. I still use mine but I’m always aware of burping them on trips.

 

Do you have to have Rotopax? I've got a cheap Harbor Freight 5gal metal gas can been doing me fine for a few years. I also use it to fuel the lawnmower and generator. Only complaint is I want one of those NATO style metal spouts.

 

I'm against plastic cans in general. They aren't the greatest when it comes to temperature or altitude changes. I've had a few cans that had a habit of spewing gas as soon as you opened them because of pressure buildup. And even though I have never seen it happen, they are more prone to static discharge. Supposedly.

Get a metal can.

 

Despite what the "overlander" retailers will tell you, there are many other brands of gas cans besides rotopax, most are far less expensive, too.

Just get a 5 gallon metal jerry can for like $40-50, whereas a 2 gallon rotopax is like $80

In a pinch, I've used the gas can from my motorcycles

 

What Rotopax (and other plastic gas can manufactures) have done is provided a slim, “lockable” (keeping honest people honest) way to carry additional fuel. I’ve seen brackets for standard sized metal cans, but the cans take up a lot of real estate. If a metal version came out with similar dimensions to Rotopax, I’d be all over it.

 

I was pretty set on getting Rotopax and storing them on my cab rack, but if there's a chance they'd leak, then I don't think I'd want to risk it. So what are my other options? Is there something similar that won't leak?

I guess these https://www.roundforge.com/articles/arb-roof-racks/#ARB_Roof_Rack_Fuel_and_Water_Can_Holder_

 

I ran Rotopax on my roof. Sideways and no leaks. However, you do need to vent them. I ended up retiring them because I forgot to vent them and they've ballooned up pretty good. I don't trust them now. That said, when I was good about venting them I had no leaks. But it is something you have to always remember to do.

 

You can lock ANY gas can with a handle...

5 gallons is 5 gallons. The shape may be different the the volume it takes up is the same. Also, Rotopax only has a 4 gallon tank, vs. a standard 5 gallon jerry can. Personally, I'd rather have that extra gallon for half the cost.

Sure, the rotopax are low profile, but the 4 gal ones are also like 34 inches long which present their own storage issues.

I see people put them on the sides of their trucks, and at least for me, that's a pretty terrible place to store your extra fuel (exposed to getting side-swiped by branches or rocks, etc.). Back bumper is IMO way more protected, and with the number of bumper/racks out there for standard jerry cans, the thin but long size of the rotopax isn't much of an advantage, IMO.

 

I just wish the footprint of metal cans weren’t so bulgy. I’d rather have the 4 gallon footprint... and yes, the burping is off putting.

I think if Rotopax ever made 2.5 gallon metal cans that “stacked” similarly it might sell pretty well.

 

The water pack has never leaked on me. And I store it nozzle down as well

 

The cost of the Rotopax and the mounting hardware is a little absurd for what your getting IMHO

 

Invest in a Wavian NATO spec jerry can and Sceptre 5 gallon plastic water jerry cans. Much better quality and known durability.

 

think about how much free space you have, I'm betting it's a bunch.

I carry two 5 gallon scepter gas cans on trips, never lacked for space. and that's without bolting anything on the outside of my truck.

 

Don't get freaked out by the Chevy or the TJ. The Tacoma is still around but, at 175K was retired from the cross country camping trips and is now used mainly around the farm. So far (45K), the ZR2 has been up to the task. The jeep has been the family favorite for top down beach riding on the Outer Banks - it ain't going anywhere.

I've used Scepter MFC's and MWC's for years hauling gas, diesel and water. The two shown here in the home built cages have been around for at least a decade. They do swell in sunlight, sometimes so much I've had to bleed the pressure off to get them out of the racks, but I've never had one leak, no matter how bloated it became, if the top was secured tightly.

Keep in mind Scepter is what our military uses and they've proven tough enough to handle abuse from eighteen year olds who don't have to pay for what they break. They're no longer legal for retail sale in the states but can often be found on ebay or craigslist especially around military bases. Not cheap but I think the best option out there.

Disclaimer - Scepter also makes the red plastic gas cans you see in the big box stores. They're not the same thing being recommended here.

I've never used RotoPax but do have a good bit of experience with metal jerry cans. If that's your choice, be sure to have a good screen on the fill spout, the inner liner on the ones I used deteriorated over time and they did rust inside.

v