RotoPaX Gas/Diesel or water containers on your B-Class RV's Bike Rack.

[RSKDSK]

If you have a B-Class RV with a bike rack and want to carry extra gas / diesel or water, here is how I was able to install the Rotopax system onto my Thor RV

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fksd0fV6kHw

[ducksface]

I have the 4 gallon can. It slides under the roof rack on my off-road blazer.
In the heat the fuel will swell LOTS and crack the cap and/or swell the tank so bad you can't get the holder to turn so you can't vet the tank off of the back of the vehicle without having to loosen the cap and spew fuel everywhere under pressure.
Twice.
I have since milled an aluminum cap to fit and I don't use the through holder.

[sportcoupe]

Rotopax makes nice tanks. They are vent free but if you make a lot of elevation changes while traveling, you must vent them manually daily. That will dictate mounting in some cases.

[Chance]

Is there a video with bikes on rack, or how you get them up there? I’m curious because it seems high.

[JamieGeek]

With a 55 gallon gas tank on our Axis we really don't need to carry extra gas--we can go much further on a tank than we can without taking a break...

As far as water I simply throw a couple of these 6 gallon Igloo containers in the toad...
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Igloo-6-G...0?athbdg=L1200

They worked great for our 3600 mile trip last summer.

[sportcoupe]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

With a 55 gallon gas tank on our Axis we really don't need to carry extra gas--we can go much further on a tank than we can without taking a break...

As far as water I simply throw a couple of these 6 gallon Igloo containers in the toad...
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Igloo-6-G...0?athbdg=L1200

They worked great for our 3600 mile trip last summer.

This is posted in the Class B forum. None have large fuel tanks.

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by sportcoupe

This is posted in the Class B forum. None have large fuel tanks.

Still a B will get a lot better mileage than our Axis/Vegas units and will be able to go plenty on the 25 gallons that some have (Transit chassis at least). Even just 12 mpg lets you go almost 300 miles....

[ducksface]

If somethong not so
Me too
Was wanted
I'll suggest a conversation starter that has real value.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerrycan

While they almost all say
Usmc
On the bottom this does mot mean they are MARINE CORPS cans. It means US MetalCan.
Marine Corps cans have different nozzles.

Buy a Marine Corps can and get instant credibility with the
'Starbucks ain't coffee' crowd.

[ducksface]

If somethong not so
Me too
Was wanted
I'll suggest a conversation starter that has real value.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerrycan

While they almost all say
Usmc
On the bottom this does mot mean they are MARINE CORPS cans. It means US MetalCan.
Marine Corps cans have different nozzles.

Buy a Marine Corps can and get instant credibility with the
'Starbucks ain't coffee' crowd.

[Chance]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

Still a B will get a lot better mileage than our Axis/Vegas units and will be able to go plenty on the 25 gallons that some have (Transit chassis at least). Even just 12 mpg lets you go almost 300 miles....

Most B’s should do much better than 12 MPG unless towing or going 80 MPH.

If truly 300 miles to empty, that’s enough to make it a deal breaker for many like me. Look at it relative to your Axis at 8 MPG if having only a 37.5-gallon tank.

[RSKDSK]

Originally Posted by Chance

Is there a video with bikes on rack, or how you get them up there? I’m curious because it seems high.

Yes it is high and difficult if you have a heavier bike. I have to use a step ladder when mounting the bikes up there. However, I refuse to travel without a spare tire and the other Owl spare tire mount (aluminum) is back-order 3-6 months. That one seems to be a bit lower allowing for a lower position of the bike carrier.

The other consideration is the weight as these bike racks are only rated for 42 lbs per bike (84 lbs total). Estimate 15lbs for 2g of diesel and 17 lbs for 2g of water and now you have used up 32lbs. Luckily my bikes are under 30 lbs each.

Side note, I have a friend that has 2 electric bikes weighing in at 54LBS each and he has traveled the USA with the same bike rack and never had an issue ... so the 84lbs rating is probably conservative.

Side note 2: I could have drilled holes into the bike rack instead of buying the light bar mounts but I was afraid of weakening the integrity of the bike rack. Also I do think the the mounting plate adds to the overall rigidity of the bike rack.

[sportcoupe]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

Still a B will get a lot better mileage than our Axis/Vegas units and will be able to go plenty on the 25 gallons that some have (Transit chassis at least). Even just 12 mpg lets you go almost 300 miles....

Not quite....

My 2022 Vegas gets 12.5 mpg and a 55 gallon tank.

My 2019 Transit Class B (3.6L Ecoboost) got 15 mpg with a puny 25 gallon tank.

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by sportcoupe

Not quite....

My 2022 Vegas gets 12.5 mpg and a 55 gallon tank.

My 2019 Transit Class B (3.6L Ecoboost) got 15 mpg with a puny 25 gallon tank.

Not quite?? 15 mpg is better than 12...?

My 2014 Axis barely gets 10 mpg, downhill, with the wind at its back...

[RSKDSK]

Somehow I am managing just over 18MPG with my 2022 Thor sanctuary so far ... mind you that it is diesel with a 25gallon tank.

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

With a 55 gallon gas tank on our Axis we really don't need to carry extra gas--we can go much further on a tank than we can without taking a break...

As far as water I simply throw a couple of these 6 gallon Igloo containers in the toad...
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Igloo-6-G...0?athbdg=L1200

They worked great for our 3600 mile trip last summer.

Same here. 55 gallons of gas gets me comfortably over 300 miles... and that's about my daily driving limit anyway. As for water, I have three 7-gallon + one 6-gallon blue plastic Wally World jugs I throw into the back seat of the toad... just in case.

[waynetaylor55]

I got this set plus one more jug to have the capability to have 20 more gallons while boondocking. All fits in a small box including the pump that fits on a cordless drill.



https://wolverinetuff.com/product/boondocking-kit/

[sportcoupe]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

Not quite?? 15 mpg is better than 12...?

My 2014 Axis barely gets 10 mpg, downhill, with the wind at its back...

12.5 x 55 = 687 theoretical range

15 x 25 = 375 theoretical range

12.5 > 15 true but overall, the 12.5 is way better with the increased range.

The Class B needs the rotopax IMO


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