Extra Fuel

This question is likely somewhere just below.......who's oil do you use.

But, I'm trying to make an(at the moment) uneducated guess.

How much do you carry? (if any)

What's the most you have ever needed? (I know....it depends).

Generalize.....if you will.

 

Have been lucky enough to always have more than enough with the factory tank. With that said, I do plan on buying a can for emergencies. Never know when someone in your group or you will need it.

 

Running synthetic oil (Pennzoil)
Depending on where we going I will carry two - 3 gallon Rotopaxs or the two 3 gallon and a 4 gallon that sums up to 10 gallons and that cut it very close one time however on the average the 6 gallons extra have covered OK.

 

Okay!! I'm gonna toss a quart of Pennzoil in there somewhere.

 

Walmart oil.

I have a 5 gallon Wavian can that I bring on longer trips occasionally. I've never been away from civilization far enough to need it, though.

 

Toyota Oil or Pennzoil.

I just got a 2.5 gallon Rotopax for emergencies. I regularly drive up the coast to an area that doesn't have any gas stations nearby. Almost run out a couple of times

 

While still waiting on its arrival, I have a 4 gallon Rotopax that will mount on my Rigd tire carrier. 2020 4R is still under Toyota care, but will always use full synthetic. Previously in my BMW I used Mobile 1, but undecided yet for the 4R. For those that stated Penzoil, why did you decide on that brand?

 

I like the color.... Actually I have been using Pennzoil products for years.

 

I ran this oil in my 2002 4-Runner for 140,000 miles, and am running it in the 2017 4-Runner since new. I have been using the 0w-20 in the 2017, but today I’m going to go with the 5w-30, i think 0w-20 is a little thin for the climate i am in.

 

Back to Fuel ......here's what is under serious consideration. Note: while it may sound expensive at first glance? Once one considers gallons available per dollar spent - considering the cost of other options & mounting hardware. It's at least comparable - if not a little less costly. Oh, too, especially like that this option keeps the center of gravity low.

Thoughts welcome.

https://www.trailedonline.com/product-page/4runner-and-tacoma-6-gallon-spare-tank-2-pack

6 gallon $175 or 12 gallon $300.00?

As always. Choices?

 

No No No and No again as neat as those seems and I wish that they were real good check out the disclaimer about if you put Gas in it (a) voids all warranty (b) they are Not certified for gas. One of the guys I been wheeling with had <--- yes that is Had 2 of them and after 1 summer of them he trashed them and went with RotoPax because the darn thing are so thin walled and when they got a little warm from the sun they bloated up and leaked yes he had them on the back spare tire location and even attempted to keep them vented we even covered them to keep the sun off but I think it was too late by the time that was done, Quality? not something I would pay even $50 for. the concept I love I just wish that they were better made because the surface had ripples in it (they are rotational molded) and I am not sure if the temperature was high as it should have been when making them or the molds were too cold but they need to come up in the quality a long ways.
The factory blemish Rotopax are better than those and they are certified for fuel (gas or diesel)

 

Thanks for your input. It counts.

 

I like the concept, but I don't know if I trust a plastic fuel can under the truck. There's a 25 gallon auxiliary tank kit, if you really want some serious range.

 

I call it the Pinto effect.
"In April, 1974, the Center for Auto Safety petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to recall Ford Pintos due to defects in the design of the strap on gas tank which made it susceptible to leakage and fire in low to moderate speed collisions." Trust me, the language used in this statement couldn't have been more gentle. It was a nightmare problem.

25 gallons would be nice, but I'm not ready to spend a couple grand. There are too many unthought of options still available, and doubt I'd ever need 25 gallons, but having 10 or so could make a bad day, better.

 

I have been considering that route for the extra fuel however the cost is really much more than the hardware you would have near 3K plus another $1200 or more to relocate the spare tire depending how and where to relocate that to invested by the time all said and done Unless you have a perfect shop of your own to do it in and the experience with this type of install with all the fabrication tools to do it and that I do not have.

 

Do you have a Roof rack? one of the guys has me looking at his setup and that is with the outside rear window mol and the rotopax 4 gallons mounted on both sides

 

Roof rack limit is 110 pounds and it's spoken for. Have and will be installing a RIGd next week. So that's why I'm hoping to find a spare replacement, tank option. If need be I knew some fabricators in another life, and may reach out to them.

 

Yeah, I'm definitely passing on it myself.

Those Pintos were pretty sweet! Lol!

I'm relocating my spare to the cargo area. It's going to be practically free.

I'm surprised yours isn't already relocated, as you were talking about needing ground clearance in another thread. You must be running smaller tires than me if you're not relocated.

 

Two different articles were written, and both said they were installing the tanks(for fuel storage).

Wonder if they have a follow up article they'd like to write?

https://trail4runner.com/2020/05/30/trailed-spare-tank-install-for-5th-gen-4runner/
.

 

You got that right I have not yet relocated the Spare tire because still have not decided what route to take for that ( I have that extra weight phobia) and I have decided to stay with the *gasp!* stock tire size due to previous travel experience finding out that the nonstandard tire sizes are not always available everywhere at the moment notices when you need to purchase new tire 1800 miles from home port and it is a freaking late Saturday afternoon. I no longer do the extreme off road see if I can climb that I have found that looking for that remote place to go fishing and camping is my cup of Tea... Er cup or Glass of something more like it well something that is very relaxing and I'm staying by a nice roaring camp fire...

 

The last i read on them they had been using them extensively off road with gas and had no problems, they just did not shell out the $$$$$ to have them certified, so they can not really advertise them for that use.

 

I carry 2 Gallon rotopax. I’ve never needed it, thankfully, but I’ve been on a lot of trips where I’ve been a long way from a gas station and it’s a nice peace of mind.

 

I'll let you know how the cargo area relocation turns out. I haul a lot of stuff regularly, so if I can fit it back there, I bet most people will be able to.

I can see not wanting to run an oddball size when traveling. I'll bring a spare and hope for the best.

Finding the quiet spots to fish and camp is a big part of what I'm using the 4Runner for. A campfire and a nice Scotch in the middle of nowhere is my idea of a good time!

 

I did have someone ask me the other day as I pulled into the hospital for work, “is there anything in those cans or are they for decoration?” Hahahaha

 

Dreams. They're full of dreams.

 

Thanks for the info.

Have not spoken with the folks at Trail'd but intend to in the near future.

 

The RIGd swing out tire carrier has some rotopax mounting options as I recall.
https://www.rigdsupply.com/collections/rotopax-mount/products/rigd-ultraswing-rotopax-mount



I'd go that route if I were you.


For me, I have a ladder (need to install) plus am still debating what fuel container to mount to the ladder. Am now considering 2 x 3 gal rotopax. Figure they would be the lightest weight.

It will look something like this:


https://trail4runner.com/2019/02/03/rotopax-ladder-mount-bracket-4runner/

The problem with the ladder mount, is you need to take the full fuel pack off to lift the hatch. Sure you can just roll down your window from the outside.

 

Here's my situation and what my research has revealed.

All the real estate on my RIG'd is spoken for - camp table on one side and Maxtrax & spare on the other. Since I'm going to be cooking in that immediate area - having fuel that close doesn't set well with me. That said, I'm not ruling anything out.

Ladder mounted Rotopax?
Every ladder system I've read up on says their ladders are not recommended for mounting more than - 1 each - 2 gallon Rotopax.

Lifting struts - I've read there are stronger replacement struts available - if memory serves me - they're from Cadillac's SUV.

Appreciate your ideas. Keep them coming.

 

Did we discuss the gas bag in another fuel thread:


https://www.giantloopmoto.com/product/gas-bag-fuel-safe-bladder/

Did a quick search on Fuel Bladders and found this one 20L (5gal) Desert Fox Fuel Bladder which is almost 1/2 the price of the gas bag:

https://www.amazon.com/Desert-Fox-M...ox+Gas+Bag&qid=1616156172&s=automotive&sr=1-2

 

You'd probably want to take the fuel container off and move it away from your cooking area.
Pretty sure the majority of those tire swing rear bumpers have the ability to carry spare fuel + have cooking options.