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kourt
Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2013
Posts: 1948
Location: Austin, TX
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 Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 3:11 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
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It will cost about $1000 total to do it the way I did, but the RMW swing away tray with NATO fuel/water cans is a good compromise. My post with photos:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7985501#7985501
Note that this setup does not require a special bumper--the RMW swing away tray mounts to the existing Vanagon D-pillar sheet metal.
This keeps the fuel out of the luggage rack. Those fuel/water cans are between 40 and 50 pounds each--so keeping them low is in my interest. I think the weight limit for the luggage rack is around 120 lbs.
kourt |
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Merian
Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014
Posts: 5212
Location: Orygun
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 4:12 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
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| joetiger wrote: |
| SCM wrote: |
| joetiger wrote: |
| What about the Mercedes spare tire gas can? |
Now THAT is cool! Do you know if it would fit inside a 14" alloy? If so, I could put it right next to the other "bomb" that's right beneath my feet. |
I know that they were discussed years ago but I don't know if anybody here ever bought one. I think the Mercedes ones might have only been available in Europe. There are several for sale in Germany and Austria on Ebay right now.
BMW also made one. here's a rather pricey one available domestically. I didn't see any size specs but they might be in the listing somewhere:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-gas-can-fits-in-spare-...mp;vxp=mtr |
I used to have one back in the '70's - not sure who made it but it was red and made of steel.
I bet they are still around somewhere in the US...
yes, the question is where to put the bomb & I suspect the spare tire carrier is the best place
I used to drive all over the Orygun outback with a 5 gal. Jerry can bolted to the side of my bay back in the late holocene period... seemed safe |
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raoul mitgong
Samba Member
Joined: July 05, 2009
Posts: 1338
Location: Denver, CO
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 4:37 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
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That spare tire MB can would be great for the automatics, but the manuals have that metal box in the way.
-d
_________________
84 Westy with a 2.1 (Groover)
86 Tintop Syncro (Crow)
86 Tintop Syncro to Westy project (Tom Servo)
91 Westy (Only the top 12 inches of this van (a burn victim)) |
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PDXWesty
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 6247
Location: Portland OR
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 4:38 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
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Or just bolt the jerry can holder to the bumper.
_________________
89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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GWTWTLW
Samba Member
Joined: April 22, 2008
Posts: 2174
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 5:06 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
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| PDXWesty wrote: |
| Or just bolt the jerry can holder to the bumper. |
What could possibly go wrong... 
_________________
89 Syncro Westy - GW 2.5, now with a double knob job
@gwtwtlw |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16505
Location: Brookeville, MD
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blackglasspirate
Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2006
Posts: 1612
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| Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 8:40 am Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
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Those MB spare tire cans seem awesome - except the only one I see on ebay is $180, plus shipping! I measured between the frame rails on the passenger side and it's about .5 inches too small to fit a rotopax 2 gallon, according to the dimensions on their site. Drats!
I may end up either getting a rotopax to put in the luggage rack, or just a standard plastic gas can and see how it goes.
_________________
'87 Vanagon GL Westfalia
IG: @holidayatsee
FB: https://www.facebook.com/holidayatsee |
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Merian
Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014
Posts: 5212
Location: Orygun
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| Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 1:00 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
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it can't be too hard to make a plastic version of the round cans
not sure how many would need to be made for an injection mold run or if a 3D printer can make a fuel safe plastic... |
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MidwestDrifter
Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2012
Posts: 769
Location: Kicking Around Australia
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| Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 1:18 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
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| Merian wrote: |
it can't be too hard to make a plastic version of the round cans
not sure how many would need to be made for an injection mold run or if a 3D printer can make a fuel safe plastic... |
The easiest method would probably be rotational molding. Custom Roto makes plastic water and waste tanks from polyethylene. Since this material is also used for fuel tanks I don't see any reason why they couldn't be used as such.
You would need to get some kind of filler neck/tube that could thread into the NPT or barb fittings that can be spin welded onto the tanks. But overall cost is quite reasonable, even for low volume production.
_________________
2004 Dodge/Mercedes Sprinter (Custom Camper)
2000 Jetta TDI
1982 Diesel Westy W/ ABA I4 hybrid (Sold)
Epic Road Tripping since 08/05/12 | http://VagariesAbound.blogspot.com/
My Current Build | http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41215 |
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davevickery
Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2005
Posts: 2887
Location: Fort Collins, CO
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| Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 2:03 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
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| blackglasspirate wrote: |
Those MB spare tire cans seem awesome - except the only one I see on ebay is $180, plus shipping! I measured between the frame rails on the passenger side and it's about .5 inches too small to fit a rotopax 2 gallon, according to the dimensions on their site. Drats!
I may end up either getting a rotopax to put in the luggage rack, or just a standard plastic gas can and see how it goes. |
I like the size of the longer 4 gallon rotopax. I think it would fit in the luggage rack perfectly and would stay put better. I would probably put something over it to control heat expansion or paint the top side white, but I woudn't hesitate to take something like that along on the few trips where I thought I might need extra gas. |
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Merian
Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014
Posts: 5212
Location: Orygun
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noganav
Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2006
Posts: 1236
Location: San Diego CA
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blackglasspirate
Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2006
Posts: 1612
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| Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 11:33 am Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
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That's awesome! I started looking at those on eBay but the only ones I saw were crazy expensive. I ended up just getting a Rotopax 4 gallon. It's not cheap, but it fits great in the luggage rack with plenty of room to spare for camp chairs, table, and whatever else. I'm sure it will be a pain in the butt to put up there with 4 gallons, but I likely won't keep it that full most of the time. I was worried about it leaking, but I put I put some gas in it and stood it on end, cap side down, for a few days and nothing is leaking.
Now I won't be as scared about running out of gas somewhere in Baja or somewhere else in the middle of nowhere.
_________________
'87 Vanagon GL Westfalia
IG: @holidayatsee
FB: https://www.facebook.com/holidayatsee |
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noganav
Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2006
Posts: 1236
Location: San Diego CA
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| Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 12:20 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
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| Ya, that's definitely a great way to go. Also, the Rotopax holds an extra full gallon compared to mine. |
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Bills85Westy
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2009
Posts: 423
Location: Napa CA
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| Posted: Sat May 07, 2016 4:16 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
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When traveling with my motorcycle, i have traveled with two 5 gallon plastic fuel jugs strapped in the luggage rack. They've been lashed tightly down so coming loose isn't really a problem. Short of a roll over (at which time, i'd be in a world of hurt anyway), this has worked well for me for literally thousands of miles on and off road.
The biggest problem is hoisting a 35 lb container of fuel down off the roof by yourself.
I'm sure some would say these aren't the correct containers, etc., but i've talked with CHP and Rangers who've seen my set up on the road and they've all been pretty cool. The intent is to get out there and do it right?
_________________
89 Tristar Syncro Doka - White
85 Westfalia Syncro (conversion)
SAH 1.8T Conversion - 2005 AWP
Engine Conversion Thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=612144&highlight=
85 Doka L345 Grey - 1.9L |
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fxr
Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2014
Posts: 2325
Location: Bay area CA
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| Posted: Sat May 07, 2016 5:03 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
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I can report that the Rotopax 2 gallon tanks fit flat perfectly either side of the Renogy solar suitcase. 
_________________
Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300 |
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Love My Westy
Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2007
Posts: 1839
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| Posted: Sat May 07, 2016 6:38 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
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| I use two 2-1/2 gal red plastic containers held up in the luggage rack by a cambuckle strap. I figure the odds are greater of a rear ender than a roll over. |
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weswsimpson
Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2015
Posts: 191
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Sat May 07, 2016 11:05 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
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| I hope this isn't off topic... but does anyone know if it's legal to carry 20lb propane tanks mounted to a hitch, either in front or on the rear? |
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Vnyd Dog
Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2015
Posts: 384
Location: Napa
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| Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2019 8:04 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
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| michaelasnider wrote: |
I mounted QuickFist XL rubber clamps in my luggage rack, they hold a can. I have one gas and two water, with the intent of extended ranges and camping.
squegee_boy did it first:
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I might give this a try. Any idea what size the green cans are shown up in the luggage rack? 5L or they the 10L? [EDIT, found em online. They are 20L] Nice Work!
_________________
'87 Westy 1.8T Conversion, Orignal Owner, European Delivery @ Westfalia factory in Weidenbrueck.
The Story:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=713391&highlight=life |
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Corwyn 
Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2009
Posts: 2238
Location: Olympia, Washington
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| Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2019 11:12 am Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
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Why so complicated and expensive? I have a 2-gallon plastic gas can on the floor on the passenger side (travel alone mostly) and I drive like an old lady.
_________________
'90 White Westy ("The Longship")
FAS Gen V 2.0
The Annual Baja Rally
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604813&highlight=baja
"If anything's" gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there"
~ Captain Ron ~ |
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