Does anyone have any input on RotoPax Cans? I've been looking at them but wanted to see if anyone had them OR anything like them? I'd like to mount the cans to my roof basket.
RotoPax Fuel/Water Cans
- Thread starter murps
- Start date
Influencer II
Pathfinder II
They've been on my list to help extend the 4Runner range. I'm just skeptical of mounting them flat on the roof rack with the temperature fluctuations we have in New Mexico. I would hate to spill 4 gallons of gas down the side of the rig. They say they can be stored flat, but don't guarantee it to stay sealed... :-/
@stringtwelve i was thinking of mounting them on the side of my rack for that exact same reasoning you have about leaking on the roof.
Influencer II
im all for grabbing a normal fuel can but i really like the snap and play along with the portability/ storage of these styles
Traveler III
I've seen the Rotopax in photos and videos, but never looked at the prices before this thread. They seem handy, but wow, are they expensive!
I have four 20L steel Jerry cans that each cost half what a 3 gallon Rotopax cost. Here's what I have. Get 'em now, because they can't be sold without attached nozzles after these are gone.
For water, I have four of the 3.5 gallons WaterBrick containers. Again, not as handy as the Rotopax, but stackable, can be held down with straps, and cost $18 each vs $50 for the two-gallon Rotopax.
20 gallons of fuel containers: $196 vs $600
15 gallons of water containers: $72 vs $400
Convenience has a price.
I have four 20L steel Jerry cans that each cost half what a 3 gallon Rotopax cost. Here's what I have. Get 'em now, because they can't be sold without attached nozzles after these are gone.
For water, I have four of the 3.5 gallons WaterBrick containers. Again, not as handy as the Rotopax, but stackable, can be held down with straps, and cost $18 each vs $50 for the two-gallon Rotopax.
20 gallons of fuel containers: $196 vs $600
15 gallons of water containers: $72 vs $400
Convenience has a price.
I took a combination of them fuel and water, across the US on my roof laying flat and stacked in the June heat. I didn't completely fill the fuel so that they would expand and that was the largest thing I noticed. I checked them at every stop for leaks. Once I even pulled them down to release the pressure when I saw them expand. The expansion was significant but then again it was on the top of a black grand Cherokee in direct summer heat 24/7. They never leaked. Not one drop. At night they cooled and the "bulge" contracted but the packs never did return to the original flatness. They still stack just fine but you can easily tell they've been expanded out at one point.
That said, I would use them again easily. I might just check the seals aren't worn or replace them. Hope this helps.
That said, I would use them again easily. I might just check the seals aren't worn or replace them. Hope this helps.
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Influencer II
Traveler III
@jordanbrooks When I bought mine ~5 years ago, there were a zillion on eBay, but most reviews had them as pretty horrible quality. Thin, prone to leakage and internal rust, poor venting, poor sealing, etc. I opted to spend a bit more and get new made in Germany (at that time) cans made to NATO spec specifically for Deutsche Optik. It looks like they are now made in Latvia. I'm not saying they are better than the eBay ones linked. I was just more confident at the time that I was getting the best possible can available for a reasonable cost.
One of mine did spend about 40 days strapped down on top of my basket (albeit, empty) without any rust. And I regularly fill them at the gas station, and carry them laying flat inside the cargo area of my Outback, and have never had so much as whiff of gasoline smell. They do not have safety vents, so if pressure builds up, you need to take care in opening them, but that would be the case with any well sealed container.
Sorry for thoroughly derailing Murph's Rotopax thread.
One of mine did spend about 40 days strapped down on top of my basket (albeit, empty) without any rust. And I regularly fill them at the gas station, and carry them laying flat inside the cargo area of my Outback, and have never had so much as whiff of gasoline smell. They do not have safety vents, so if pressure builds up, you need to take care in opening them, but that would be the case with any well sealed container.
Sorry for thoroughly derailing Murph's Rotopax thread.
This is all good info, I never thought of a safety vent till you posted it. Keep it coming
Influencer II
You are completely correct, I can tell yours ARE better quality, I can see that just looking at pictures. But, so far mine have been fine. My main one spent nearly a year in the holder on my swing out tire carrier on the back of my Blazer and other than paint fading it never rusted or leaked and I used it quite often. But, I think the ones in your link would definitely survive more abuse than mine for sure. And i could have just gotten a good batch or something, because i have seen bad reviews on the "knockoffs" like mine in the past.
I really love the idea of Rotopax, but damn they are expensive!
Traveler III
I'm right there with you, we use Rotopax all the time and have not had any issue. They are a simple way to carry our fuel and water.I took a combination of them fuel and water, across the US on my roof laying flat and stacked in the June heat. I didn't completely fill the fuel so that they would expand and that was the largest thing I noticed. I checked them at every stop for leaks. Once I even pulled them down to release the pressure when I saw them expand. The expansion was significant but then again it was on the top of a black grand Cherokee in direct summer heat 24/7. They never leaked. Not one drop. At night they cooled and the "bulge" contracted but the packs never did return to the original flatness. They still stack just fine but you can easily tell they've been expanded out at one point.
That said, I would use them again easily. I might just check the seals aren't worn or replace them. Hope this helps.
