8 replies to this topic

[Wallowa]

Not certain if I have the distance between my cab and front of Hawk to mount one these without interference if camper shifts on rough off-road.  I do not like a lot of weight hanging off on back or anywhere but while expensive, 2 gallons of fuel can be gold if needed.

 

If anyone has experience with these, please post it...

 

Thanks..Phil

 

https://atoverland.c...b69751adf&_ss=r

Edited by Wallowa, 12 January 2021 - 08:55 PM.

[heinphoto]

I purchased two of these for our Grandby so I would have 4-gallons of extra fuel (I also don't like hanging things off the back - my truck is long enough as it is!).  They fit well in the space between the cab of our F350 and camper and are very well built.  I don't have any concern with them shifting and striking the cab when off road (although the clearance may be different depending on the truck).

 

I originally bought them for a Mojave Desert trip we had planned to take this week, but cancelled due to the pandemic.  So, I don't have any off-road experience with them yet.  My only concern is that Rotopax have a reputation for swelling with heat and altitude change.  Since these are held in place by rigid brackets with fairly tight clearances (see below), I could see where it might be possible for the Rotopax to swell and get wedged in tightly if you aren't careful about venting the Rotopax regularly.  However, this is just a worry at this point.  Hopefully we will be able to travel safely sometime soon so I can actually test them out!

 

I did run into a minor problem getting the Rotopax containers to clear the bolt heads and lower bracket arm when sliding the Rotopax into the holder.  The lower bolt head pushed the Rotopax out far enough that it caught on the lower bracket and couldn't be  pushed in any farther without damaging the container.  On one side I was just able to get it to clear by removing the washer on the bolt and forcing it a little.  However, this didn't work on the other side.  I was afraid I would make a mess of the aluminum trying to bend the brackets out (it is heavy-duty aluminum), so I ended up purchasing bolts with ultra low profile heads, which solved the problem.

[Wallowa]

I purchased two of these for our Grandby so I would have 4-gallons of extra fuel (I also don't like hanging things off the back - my truck is long enough as it is!).  They fit well in the space between the cab of our F350 and camper and are very well built.  I don't have any concern with them shifting and striking the cab when off road (although the clearance may be different depending on the truck).

 

I originally bought them for a Mojave Desert trip we had planned to take this week, but cancelled due to the pandemic.  So, I don't have any off-road experience with them yet.  My only concern is that Rotopax have a reputation for swelling with heat and altitude change.  Since these are held in place by rigid brackets with fairly tight clearances (see below), I could see where it might be possible for the Rotopax to swell and get wedged in tightly if you aren't careful about venting the Rotopax regularly.  However, this is just a worry at this point.  Hopefully we will be able to travel safely sometime soon so I can actually test them out!

 

I did run into a minor problem getting the Rotopax containers to clear the bolt heads and lower bracket arm when sliding the Rotopax into the holder.  The lower bolt head pushed the Rotopax out far enough that it caught on the lower bracket and couldn't be  pushed in any farther without damaging the container.  On one side I was just able to get it to clear by removing the washer on the bolt and forcing it a little.  However, this didn't work on the other side.  I was afraid I would make a mess of the aluminum trying to bend the brackets out (it is heavy-duty aluminum), so I ended up purchasing bolts with ultra low profile heads, which solved the problem.

 

 

Hey, great input and information..thanks...if it swells up, I guess just release vapor pressure and it should go to original dimensions.

 

Damn, now you have me thinking about two of them!  6.2l gas, 350?...yup, must be a thirsty sucker!

 

Thanks again for the observations...Oh, East Bay?  Probably in the Hills....but still in East bay; too many people!  

 

Phil

[heinphoto]

Hey, great input and information..thanks...if it swells up, I guess just release vapor pressure and it should go to original dimensions.

 

Damn, now you have me thinking about two of them!  6.2l gas, 350?...yup, must be a thirsty sucker!

 

Thanks again for the observations...Oh, East Bay?  Probably in the Hills....but still in East bay; too many people!  

 

Phil

 

Yes indeed - 6.2L F350.  I start getting "itchy" when the gas gauge drops below 1/2.  I figure the extra 4 gallons will get me ~40 miles +/- depending on the terrain.  We live near Mount Diablo, which is my refuge to get away from the crowds.  Bought the FWC to go farther and wilder.

 

-Scott

[Wallowa]

Scott,

 

Update...only 3" between cab and Hawk on  '05 Tundra AC so no room to mount there [4" min]...you said that you mounted 2 to the front of the FWC....I can't picture how the right front would mount would attach....holders seem to be directional...LF and RR only?

 

Photo?

 

Thanks...Phil

[heinphoto]

Update...only 3" between cab and Hawk on  '05 Tundra AC so no room to mount there [4" min]...you said that you mounted 2 to the front of the FWC....I can't picture how the right front would mount would attach....holders seem to be directional...LF and RR only?

 

Photo?

 

Thanks...Phil

 

The holders are symmetrical except for the locking plate.  So you just flip the holder 180 degrees to install on the opposite side. The only difference between the two orientations is that the lock is on top on one side and on the bottom on the other side.  There are 4 mounting holes on the holder and 3 on the jack bracket.  So you use the top 3 on one side, and the bottom 3 on the other.  I don't have the holders installed on the camper right now, but will be doing some work on it this weekend.  I would be happy to install them and take photos if that would still be helpful.  I can also measure the clearance between the holder and cap on our rig.

 

-Scott

[Wallowa]

The holders are symmetrical except for the locking plate.  So you just flip the holder 180 degrees to install on the opposite side. The only difference between the two orientations is that the lock is on top on one side and on the bottom on the other side.  There are 4 mounting holes on the holder and 3 on the jack bracket.  So you use the top 3 on one side, and the bottom 3 on the other.  I don't have the holders installed on the camper right now, but will be doing some work on it this weekend.  I would be happy to install them and take photos if that would still be helpful.  I can also measure the clearance between the holder and cap on our rig.

 

-Scott

 

Many thanks..now I can visualize it..still not enough room between Hawk and cab...thought about only using top two bolts and shifting the holder up but still need to see the spacing at that #2 mounting  bolt to the cab...cab slopes away slightly and I may have the requisite 4"...still need to figure out if two bolts will secure the holder..

 

On back  jacket mounts, the window on RR will be partially blocked and not certain if step on RR back wall with interfere...On LR step and external solar jack are issues..

 

No free lunch!

 

Phil

 

Scott..can you please measure the distance from the top bolt hole in the holder to the top of the holder?  I see on web page a photo showing 2 bolts...just need to not run into the overhang with top of holder. if I shift it up.. I can estimate the distance from overall length holder and distance to top bolt hole...but would appreciate an accurate measurement.

Edited by Wallowa, 15 January 2021 - 07:02 PM.

[heinphoto]

Phil,

 

Scott..can you please measure the distance from the top bolt hole in the holder to the top of the holder?  I see on web page a photo showing 2 bolts...just need to not run into the overhang with top of holder. if I shift it up.. I can estimate the distance from overall length holder and distance to top bolt hole...but would appreciate an accurate measurement.

 

 

Sure, here are some measurements:

 

-From the center of the top bolt hole on the holder to the top/high point on the holder = 1"

 

-From the center of the #2 bolt hole on the holder (counting from the bottom) to the top/high point on the holder = 12"

 

-From the center of the top jack bracket bolt hole to the bottom of the camper overhang = 12 3/4"

 

So, the holder will still fit if you shifted it up so that #2 bolt hole (counting from the bottom) on the holder is attached to the top bolt hole in the jack bracket.  I held one of our holders up in that position and there does seem to be about 3/4" inch of space between the top of the holder and the overhang.

 

However, the mounting bracket on the holder also has another set of additional holes that line up with the screws that attach the jack bracket to the camper frame.  In the normal position, the heads of those scews line up with the additional holes so the holder still sits flat with the jack bracket.  When you  shift the holder up, those holes no longer line up with those screws.  So, you would have to drill additional holes and/or grind the existing holes so that those screw heads line up properly.  I will post some photos when I have a chance.

 

I also checked and the steps on the rear of the camper will definitely interfere.  You would either need to remove the steps, or add a spacer to move the holder away from the camper wall to clear the step.

[Wallowa]

Scott,

 

Many thanks...but up front even moving holder up I do not have space between cab and Hawk [3.4"]...in back a spacer is an option..however in back I could drop the holder one hole to clear the step and most of the window but then it would extend the holder below the camper 'wing'....Grrrrr.

 

Phil

Edited by Wallowa, 15 January 2021 - 08:41 PM.