Trailrax + Rotopax mounting

[davids240]

I'm getting ready for a trip to Utah in March and seeing that I get the worst gas mileage imaginable (I'm ok with it), I wanted to bring some spare fuel with a Rotopax. My initial thought was to mount the 4 gal Roto on the roof, lying flat. The Rotopax mounts don't mount directly to the crossmember so I assume I would need a roof mount.

Another options it he trailpax side mounts on the roof rack, but I'm not a huge fan of them.

What other options do you like. What about the one with the two 2-gal Rotos on the spare tire? I have 40s right now, but will be going with 39" KO3 by the time of the trip. Just in cas this matters.

Would appreciate some suggestions.

Thank you in advance.

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[ThunderFlash]

I did a 3 gallon Rotopax on the Pak Rax. With the universal mount plates, you don't need the Rotopax mount plates. I have the large plate on top for mounts to my Leitner box. Sorry for the odd angle on the picture, I took it from my deck.

Edit: I was going to buy some 1/4" aluminum plate and make my own mount plate, but aluminum ain't cheap, I'd still have to locate and drill holes, and then paint it. The powder coated pre-drilled TR plate started looking like a better deal.

 

[TrailRax]

I'm getting ready for a trip to Utah in March and seeing that I get the worst gas mileage imaginable (I'm ok with it), I wanted to bring some spare fuel with a Rotopax. My initial thought was to mount the 4 gal Roto on the roof, lying flat. The Rotopax mounts don't mount directly to the crossmember so I assume I would need a roof mount.

Another options it he trailpax side mounts on the roof rack, but I'm not a huge fan of them.

What other options do you like. What about the one with the two 2-gal Rotos on the spare tire? I have 40s right now, but will be going with 39" KO3 by the time of the trip. Just in cas this matters.

Would appreciate some suggestions.

Thank you in advance.

Understand if you are not a fan of our Pak Rax, you can mount 2 RotopaX to the roof using our large mounting deck and the Rotopax DLX mounts, links below. And when you don't need extra gas, you can mount other things to the platform like storage cases, maxtrax, starlink, antennas, and more.

deck: https://trailrax.com/collections/trailrax-accessories/products/mounting-deck?variant=46192848404647
Rotopax dlx mounts: https://trailrax.com/collections/rotopax-accessories/products/rotopax-dlx-mount

 

[Bschurr]

Current Pak Rax Raptor set up

Former RSE Badlands set up

 

[ThunderFlash]

@TrailRax, what about the universal modular plate? Will it fit the 4 gallon Rotopax? If not, @davids240, it should be able to hold two 3 gallon cans on top of your rack. Give you a little more capacity and maybe more flexibility swapping between gas and water jugs.

https://trailrax.com/products/universal-mounting-plate

 

[SeptuagenerianSasquatch]

The spout that comes with any Rotopax fuel container is one of those ridiculous "safety" gizmos. You have to force a lever on the side of the spout against a rigid metal rim of your fuel intake to release the valve which allows the fuel to flow--not easily done with the soft rubber-lined opening of the Bronco fuel intake. (I really detest how these "safety experts" and regulators force these bizarre systems, but that rant is for another thread.)

What you want is at least a good funnel, or get the non-mechanical gravity-flow spout that they sell (only for water, or so they say) for the water tanks. It will fit the fuel containers, and outside the US it is actually sold as such. $15, ridiculously pricey, but it is what it is.

You'll have to pull out a weird perforated anti-vapor (or anti-splash or something--it actually creates more splash at the container neck) from inside the opening of your Rotopax container opening for the spout to fit in the opening for storage.

As a rule, avoid any fuel dispenser with names like "Easy" E-Z" "Safety" or "Safe-tee" "Handy" "Handee" or any such thing. If you have to pull back any kind of valve, trigger, spring, or any type of gizmo, it will not work smoothly and will probably spill fuel.

Gravity works just fine!

Now, how about a friendly discussion of bike lanes....?

 

[ThunderFlash]

The spout that comes with any Rotopax fuel container is one of those ridiculous "safety" gizmos.

Well, it does let you get the nozzle fully inserted into the fuel filler before it starts flowing. That can be a bit messy with a traditional spout and a very full can, or with the super tiny Bronco funnel.

Besides, the very slow flow gives a guy time to enjoy a smoke.

 

[davids240]

@TrailRax, what about the universal modular plate? Will it fit the 4 gallon Rotopax? If not, @davids240, it should be able to hold two 3 gallon cans on top of your rack. Give you a little more capacity and maybe more flexibility swapping between gas and water jugs.

https://trailrax.com/products/universal-mounting-plate

Ah. Good idea. Thank you! Hope @TrailRax responds cause this might be a great option.

 

[TrailRax]

Ah. Good idea. Thank you! Hope @TrailRax responds cause this might be a great option.

Responded this same suggestion up above yesterday evening! If you have anymore questions, let us know.

 

[Diller]

I run the rotopax on the Pack Rax. 4 gallon water on one side, two 2 gallon gas cans on the other side.

 

[Ape Factory]

I thought along the same lines as the OP but decided against roof rack mounting for a few reasons.

First, access. My shoulders aren't the best and it needlessly puts me in a precarious situation where I could do further damage (but that's just me).

Second, while the rotopax will get hit by the sun in either mounting position, you're essentially laying it all out there to get exposed to direct sunlight along it's full length. They do expand and you'll need to burp them on occasion. Having them on the side makes that far easier.

Third, I have two of the 4 gallon containers and they do take up quite a bit of space. I don't think it'd be safe to "stack" two of them without some serious mounting hardware.

I don't have the Trailrax but the JCR system instead (roof rack and side mount plates). I installed the side mounts, used non-brand Rotopax mounts, installed both pax and then filled them up with gas. I didn't get the locking Rotopax mounts as the locks are prone to failure.

From there I drove around for a few weeks, rotated the gas into the tank, etc...just to see what issues I'd run into. I also ended up purchasing a battery-operated portable gas pump and can connect the driver's side directly to the fuel port, pumping most of the gas into the tank (it leaves a bit behind due to the internal shape of the Rotopax). It won't reach the passenger's side unfortunately and I'm trying to find one with a longer hose.

But I will say, if you're on a trip, it's far easier to just leave the Rotopax on the side mounts and fill them up as needed. You don't have to remove them while at the gas pump. I removed the nozzles and associated hardware and rely on the pump exclusively.

 

[ThunderFlash]

Responded this same suggestion up above yesterday evening! If you have anymore questions, let us know.

If I'm not mistaken, you responded with the $200 large mounting plate, not the $60 universal mounting plate. I believe either should work for @davids240, though.

 

[vrtical]

I wouldn't run gas cans flat on the roof, but that's just me. All my mounts are for vertical. I have a Hammer tire plate that has one vertical that will fit a 3 gal with a true 37. The other is I have external molle to either mount duals or a single 4 gal.

 

[ThunderFlash]

I wouldn't run gas cans flat on the roof, but that's just me. All my mounts are for vertical. I have a Hammer tire plate that has one vertical that will fit a 3 gal with a true 37. The other is I have external molle to either mount duals or a single 4 gal.

I agree with you and use my Rack Pax. The thought of dumping a couple of gallons of fuel all over my hot vehicle because a cap comes loose or other rupture just doesn't seem appealing, but people do it.

 

[JediMcMuffin]

Thought I'd add to this if only for ideas. This is how I am running right now. I've added additional crossbars and relocated some on the Trailrax to provide support to the Leitner boxes without additional mounting plates. four bolts hold each Leitner bracket. I prefer the PaxRax for fuel like others have said, having them flat up on top when changing elevation might make burping them a little messy. The PaxRax are pretty quickly removable if you want to run without them for daily driving and only put them on for a trip.

I'm mostly happy with the TrailRax, good selection of accesories. It would be very nice to have the MaxTrax mounted off those two upper holes on the PaxRax brackets. I may 3D print a custom spacer/bracket to make that happen but I also want it to be detachable.

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