Jerry can and spare tire

[abruzzi]

Towing a trailer into remote areas, I don't really trust the range on my 06 TJ 4.0. I have a Wavian Jerry can which will add a bit over 5 gallons, but I'm trying to figure out where and how to mount it. Since custom building anything simply isn't happening, it looks like my two options for turnkey solutions are both from MORryde. Their side mount bracket and their spare mount bracket.

I'm probably going with the side mount since 5 gallons of gas isn't exactly light, and the can plus the gas in the can plus the spare seems like an awful lot of weight to put on the tailgate leveraged out that far. Nevertheless, MORryde seemed to think that something here should work. So I thought I'd ask--I've just upgraded to 31x10.5R15 tires which are about 6 lbs heavier than what I had (30x9.5R15). I have the factory steel wheels. I don't see the 31s and the steel wheels changing anytime. I've seen discussion from people with 33s or 35s, but I'm going to stick with scrawny 31s.

MORryde sells heavier duty tailgate hinges, and/or some kind of reinforced frame for the tailgate. Under what conditions would adding the tire mount jerry can make reasonable sense with 31in tires? Just the hinges? Both? Never?

I should add that I am not wheeling hardcore stuff (I couldn't with 31s and no lift.) My offroad use is more of the "overland" variety, especially if I'm towing a 1600lb trailer.

Like I said, I'm 90% probability going for a side mount, but I still prefer something in the rear if my weight fears are alleviated.

 

[JMT]

Could go with Genright extended range gas tank underneath.

 

[abruzzi]

Could go with Genright extended range gas tank underneath.

yikes! I suppose I could, but the Genright tank costs a LOT more, basically 10x the cost of the MORryde sidemount before I factor in labor (I can install the MORryde myself, but not a new tank.)

 

[macleanflood]

I bought the Rock Slide Engineering rachet strap mount on your spare for a couple of Rotopax. Used it a few times. Works.

Went to Sand Hollow...drove the Jeep. Eastern Oregon doesn't have enough gas stations.

A couple of 1 gallon cans tuck in neatly between my Hooke Road rack and the side of the tub.

-Mac

 

[rasband]

One option could be swapping out your rear bumper for something else, like the dirtworx (woah this has gotten expensive), if it works with how you use your jeep.

 

[JMT]

yikes! I suppose I could, but the Genright tank costs a LOT more, basically 10x the cost of the MORryde sidemount before I factor in labor (I can install the MORryde myself, but not a new tank.)

We're here to spend your money.

 

[JMT]

One option could be swapping out your rear bumper for something else, like the dirtworx (woah this has gotten expensive), if it works with how you use your jeep.

F and R are only $349, but dang that Rotopax one is muy expensivo.

 

[DaveC]

Many here run the MORryde and a 35” spare. How much do the gas can mount and full can weigh combined? Can’t imagine those plus your current 31” spare weigh more than a 35, would they?

 

[abruzzi]

Many here run the MORryde and a 35” spare. How much do the gas can mount and full can weigh combined? Can’t imagine those plus your current 31” spare weigh more than a 35, would they?

Gas is about 6.1lb per gallon (according to a quick search.) 5 gallons would be 30.5lb for the fuel, plus 9.5lbs for the can itself. So there is 40lbs right there. (it holds a bit more than 5 gal, so maybe round it up to 42lbs.) I have no idea what the MORryde mount weigh, but I'd guess 15lbs at minimum?

So 55-60 lbs. KO3s at 35x12.5 are 61lbs. My 31x10.5 KO3s are 45lbs, so a 16lb difference. A wider rim is heavier, but in the end 35s might account for 1/3 the weight increase that a full jerry can provides.

A more stout bumper with a tire swingaway would be an option, but it would get kind of annoying swinging the tire carrier then the tailgate to get access to the back of the jeep. My current bumper is also the receiver which is class3 rated, so I'd need to make sure a proper tow rated receiver was part of the bumper.

I've also though of mounting the jerry can to the trailer, and I'll investigate that as an option as well, but overall, price and convenience is still favoring the MORryde side mount doohicky.

The comments are helpful though, if nothing else to convince me to go the cheap route.

 

[rasband]

The comments are helpful though, if nothing else to convince me to go the cheap route.

This is a great answer. We all use our Jeeps differently, so optimize it for what you use it for (hopefully cheap also means the most reasonable way to solve for your needs in how you use your jeep).

Be sure to share with us what you land on and how your various trips go!

 

[TurboTJ]

I know you said building something is not in the cards, but what the heck! This is my “slightly” modified Smittybilt XRC with a 3 gallon Rotopax on one side and a 2 gallon on the other. I’ve had this for ten years and guess what? The Smittybilt has held up very well. The ridiculously priced Rotopax’s have not faired as well.

 

[KennethS]

Towing a trailer into remote areas, I don't really trust the range on my 06 TJ 4.0.

Can’t you put as gas can in / on the trailer?

 

[Codfish]

Can’t you put as gas can in / on the trailer?

That’s what I was thinking

 

[Gilaguy23]

You want cheapest, safest and easiest, put the gas cans in or on the trailer. Them side mounts are right up there with hood mounted Hi Lifts, ducks and angry bird grills.

 

[abruzzi]

Can’t you put as gas can in / on the trailer?

I'm considering that as well. There is a tongue box, but its not that tall, so in order to mount the can and still be able to open the box I'd have to mount it with spacers. This probably isn't an issue but even though there is a metal box in the way, I also feel a little wary about bolting 5 gallons of gasoline 8 inches away from a large lithium battery, inverter, transfer switch, etc.. There are not many other good places on the trainler to mount a gas can, though the trailer is new to me, so I'm still trying to figure it out.

You want cheapest, safest and easiest, put the gas cans in or on the trailer. Them side mounts are right up there with hood mounted Hi Lifts, ducks and angry bird grills.

I'll be sleeping in the trailer, so I'd rather not put gas inside, and I don't care much about looks--plus the can will only be mounted when I'm headed 100miles from the nearest gas station. I'll be fine with any opprobrium I receive.

 

[macleanflood]

How about putting a hitch on the back of the trailer and a basket for gas cans?

-Mac

 

[abruzzi]

How about putting a hitch on the back of the trailer and a basket for gas cans?

-Mac

huh, I never thought of that. There is already a 2in receiver. Its rated to 150lbs or so, which could cover a mount plus two cans (two cans would be way overkill.) There is also a roof rack on the trailer. I haven't put anything on it like a basket, and I wasn't planning to, but its rated for 800lb static load. So a basket with somewhere to strap down the gas can could work as well, but its starting to get expensive again. I'll look for some receiver options though.

 

[Mr. Bills]

. . . A more stout bumper with a tire swingaway would be an option, but it would get kind of annoying swinging the tire carrier then the tailgate to get access to the back of the jeep. My current bumper is also the receiver which is class3 rated, so I'd need to make sure a proper tow rated receiver was part of the bumper.

This is my spare tire and jerry can solution: Rockhard 4x4 rear bumper with swingaway carrier and can mounts.

There is nothing annoying about unlatching the swing-away for access to the tailgate. Mine unlatches with one finger, automatically locks in the open position with a spring-loaded pin, and easily slams shut. The location of the gas can allows me to use a super siphon to transfer fuel from can to fuel tank without removing the can.

https://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-2001-c.htm

 

[Mr. Bills]

How about putting a hitch on the back of the trailer and a basket for gas cans?

-Mac

huh, I never thought of that.

Be careful with carrying jerry cans on the back of your trailer.

You need to maintain adequate tongue weight on your hitch for stability while towing (10-15% of the trailer's total weight, 15% being preferable.) Putting weight on the rear of your trailer takes away from the tongue weight.

Also, gasoline containers carried low in a receiver hitch basket on the rear of your trailer are an inherent safety risk.

There are better locations.

 

[GoldenGorilla]

Shame the old OR Fab carrier isn't around anymore. The company OR Fab has been gone for a decade. This carrier has served me longer than that.