| Author |
Message |
blackglasspirate
Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2006
Posts: 1612
|
 Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 10:27 am Post subject: Fuel in luggage rack |
 |
|
So, I've seen a few things posted on here before about carrying jerry cans in the luggage rack, as well as some people wondering why the hell you would want to carry fuel up there. The dilemma I'm in is that I need to carry some extra fuel, but don't have a rear tire swing or anything like that to mount one to.
That got me wondering, how do people who don't have a mount in the back carry around extra fuel?
My only two thoughts right now without making major mods are:
1. The simple solution is something in the luggage rack. One option is a jerry can, but that's really heavy and I don't even think I'll need a full 5 gallons. Maybe I would just fill it part way? The other option is a rotopax in there.
2. Mount a rotopax 2 gallon under the van between some of the frame rails. I haven't been able to measure the dimensions to see if this would actually fit.
Rotopax seem expensive to me, but I don't see any other good option besides a jerry can.
If anyone wants to share their setup or ideas, I'd love to hear!
_________________
'87 Vanagon GL Westfalia
IG: @holidayatsee
FB: https://www.facebook.com/holidayatsee |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16508
Location: Brookeville, MD
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DwarfVader
Samba Member
Joined: July 28, 2015
Posts: 646
Location: Missoula, MT
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 10:40 am Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
|
|
I could have swore there was a commercial product for something of this nature... but I'm having a hell of a time finding one.
Link
Basically a jerry can holder that goes in your hitch...
You could also get one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Basket-Style-Bumper-Carrier-Capacity/dp/B00EF3VOSU
Cheaper than installing swing away, though not by a lot.
_________________
- oderint dum metuant -
I'll find my van someday, or it will find me. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
zak99B5
Samba Member
Joined: December 21, 2014
Posts: 471
Location: Albany, NY
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 10:48 am Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
|
|
Harbor Freight has this for half that price.
_________________
1991 Tintop GL Manual tranny, EJ22 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SCM
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3119
Location: Bozeman MT
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 10:51 am Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
|
|
I wouldn't overthink it. Just buy a small (2 gallon or so) plastic gas container like you would use to fill your lawnmower and make sure to strap it down well.
Sure, jerry cans look cool attached to the back of vans but perhaps are overkill in many situations?
_________________
'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
photogdave
Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2004
Posts: 3053
Location: Vancouver Island, B.C.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
danfromsyr
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 12:08 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
|
|
take a stroll over in the bay forum, it's a veritable requirement west of the mississippi 
_________________
| Abscate wrote: |
| These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
blackglasspirate
Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2006
Posts: 1612
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 12:40 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
|
|
Thanks for the tips, guys. I like the different ideas. Last trip I went on I had a small ~2 gallon plastic container but was worried that on a longer trip it may not last. I vaguely remember it expanding/contracting quite a bit. Since I'll be living out of my van for 6-12 months, I wanted to make sure it would last.
Then again, I could start with that and if it doesn't last, move on to the next option.
The hitch and bike rack ideas are good too. Somehow (don't ask how), I lost my hitch so I'd have to get another for that to work.
_________________
'87 Vanagon GL Westfalia
IG: @holidayatsee
FB: https://www.facebook.com/holidayatsee |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
herramiento
Samba Member
Joined: October 26, 2014
Posts: 29
Location: Vancouver BC
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 1:35 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
|
|
| dobryan wrote: |
If I had to carry fuel in the luggage rack I'd want to use the most indestructible container available, maybe rotopax. That way when I found myself inadvertently rear ending the car in front of me I don't launch an open gas can thru their rear window.....  |
Is it better to launch the bomb when you rear end someone, or crush the bomb when you get rear ended?
We carried an empty one around in our luggage rack for a while. We wanted the flexibility of the extra range. I think we only ended up filling it twice over 8 months, so it was only full in the luggage rack for a couple of days each time. VERY well secured, of course. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SCM
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3119
Location: Bozeman MT
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 1:41 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
|
|
| blackglasspirate wrote: |
| I had a small ~2 gallon plastic container but was worried that on a longer trip it may not last. I vaguely remember it expanding/contracting quite a bit. |
Yeah, they do that. The (DOT approved) one that we use at work to top off generators, spends most of the year sitting in the elements outside the office building when it's not in the back of a pick up truck. It's going on 5+ years now and is in fine shape.
_________________
'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
michaelasnider
Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2013
Posts: 369
Location: East Kootenays, Canada
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 1:53 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
|
|
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:
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
GWTWTLW
Samba Member
Joined: April 22, 2008
Posts: 2174
Location: Portland, OR
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 2:10 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
|
|
Being someone that's rolled my van and landed on the roof, I don't know that I'd want to be strapped in hanging upside down with leaking fuel cans right underneath my head.
_________________
89 Syncro Westy - GW 2.5, now with a double knob job
@gwtwtlw |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
michaelasnider
Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2013
Posts: 369
Location: East Kootenays, Canada
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 2:12 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
|
|
| GWTWTLW wrote: |
| Being someone that's rolled my van and landed on the roof, I don't know that I'd want to be strapped in hanging upside down with leaking fuel cans right underneath my head. |
There's also the benefit versus a rear mounted can that it won't explode if I get rear-ended, which seems entirely more likely to happen. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SCM
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3119
Location: Bozeman MT
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 2:25 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
|
|
| michaelasnider wrote: |
| that it won't explode if I get rear-ended, which seems entirely more likely to happen. |
Exactly. You could also misjudge your ground clearance and tear open the OEM gas tank on a jagged rock. Even then, it's unlikely that your van would explode.
It would be helpful to Google "risk assessment matrix" when these sorts of discussions come up. One needs to temper their perception of a hazard with an understanding of how likely a scenario is to occur versus the severity of an outcome.
_________________
'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
joetiger 
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5078
Location: denver
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 2:30 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
|
|
What about the Mercedes spare tire gas can?
Available on Ebay from time-to-time. Then you have a bomb under your feet, but there are trade offs for everything, I reckon. 
_________________
Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SCM
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3119
Location: Bozeman MT
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 2:38 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
|
|
| 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.
_________________
'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
photogdave
Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2004
Posts: 3053
Location: Vancouver Island, B.C.
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 2:44 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
|
|
| michaelasnider wrote: |
There's also the benefit versus a rear mounted can that it won't explode if I get rear-ended, which seems entirely more likely to happen. |
Mine is mounted high enough that this would be unlikely unless I was rear-ended by another Vanagon. 
_________________
89 Syncro GL Westfalia 2.1 WBX/WBXaustSS
My Westy Movies:
photogdave On Vimeo
photogdave On YouTube
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
joetiger
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5078
Location: denver
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 2:44 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
|
|
| 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
_________________
Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
noganav
Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2006
Posts: 1236
Location: San Diego CA
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 2:48 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
|
|
I've got a BMW round spare gas can mounted inside my Burley swing away tire carrier. Modded it to turn the spare tire around and then used a threaded thule knob to lock the gas can in place.
I'll post pics next time I've got my spare tire cover off.
The one I have is for a 15' rim. It won't fit in a 14 unfortunately. They can be pretty pricey. I looked for a while and found a deal. Mine was on german ebay, but there was a spelling mistake so I got it for the reserve, about 35 euros. It cost another 30 bucks to have it delivered here. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
michaelasnider
Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2013
Posts: 369
Location: East Kootenays, Canada
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 3:01 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel in luggage rack |
|
|
| photogdave wrote: |
| michaelasnider wrote: |
There's also the benefit versus a rear mounted can that it won't explode if I get rear-ended, which seems entirely more likely to happen. |
Mine is mounted high enough that this would be unlikely unless I was rear-ended by another Vanagon. |
Ha I'll be driving around looking for ya!
A 3/4 or 1 ton pickup or really any other truck could probably hit most mounted on the rear. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
