Rotopax on roof; bad idea??

I plan on doing a trip next weekend which requires additional gas to be taken.

In a FB group; I posted a pic of my newly mounted 2 gal Rotopax on the roof of my truck.

I had a few people say that was a terrible idea, especially since I have a sun roof.

I see a lot of pics of roof-mounted Rotopax.

is this dangerous? Should I not do it?

 

It's perfectly fine on the roof, only issue I have ever had with Rotopax products. Is that the cans blow up like a tic even with purging it daily, and the locks rust out quick and become frozen. So just keep an eye on them, and post a pic here and get some feedback.

 

I run one

 

Better pic; same trip

 

And what trip is this, because that looks FUN

 

Trips that don't happen anymore because locals rather be in a parking lot than off the pavement.

 

yea, I heard about the lock rusting... I'm in South Texas, on the coast. Rust is inevitable. I steered away from the mounts with locks.

 

If your trip is going to be in full heat/ full sun, you’ll want to make sure to burp the Rotopax occasionally. (Open the cap to let vapors out). The fuel inside will expand in the heat and it could burst the container itself. Specifically where the latch is holding it in place. Otherwise you’ll be fine.

 

I have seen cases of a rotopax swell so much that it leaks everywhere. This could be caused by heat or elevation change but I think it's a combo of both that does it in.

In my opinion, a high quality metal jerry can (such as wavian) is a better option and you get more capacity.

 

4x4s are the new JDM tuner crowd; change my mind

 

Thanks brother! Great info.

 

I keep my rotopax stored vertically so I can burp them. The is the only issue I see with storing them on the roof is having to take them down to do that.
I do like them for my camping setup but I did just buy 2 wavian cans for a longer distance trip I have planned where 4 extra gallons is not going to be enough

 

Mine is on the side as well, I put a tiny little hole on top so no swelling etc.

 

How large of a hole?

 

Honestly with the smallest drill bit I could find.

 

I'll be the naysayer. Where is your protection in case of spill? Do you have it caged against impact from a tree branch or similar? What happens if you get in a roll-over, is there potential for that canister to come up through your sunroof? If not the canister itself, what about the fumes if the truck ever finds itself on its lid? What about minor spills, is every single part where water normally travels, like door weatherstripping for example, rated to resist non-aqueous solvents?

If it were my rig, volatiles would go in the back, not on the roof. My opinion.

 

I had a stickerbombed prinsu wind fairing....

 

Why would you mount it in a place that's so hard to get to? Don't do that to yourself, just mount it on the side. If you've got a rear swingout then mount it there, way more ergonomic that way.

 

So where is local for you? Because I want off the hard ball. Looking to plan a cross country trip, possibly next summer/fall