[Orvis25]

Hey guys,
So in preparation of taking my ATV off-road camping (still trying to find some good trails) I wanted to mount some water and fuel cans to my ATV.

I know that those Rotopax and other products exist, but my issue was that they are very expensive and take up storage rack space (if you don't buy the additional extra mounting options things).
So i came up with something SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper, so here it is!

Parts:
total at end in "($XX)"
- 2x "HFS R Gas Can Holder" ($58)
- 1x Scepter 5 Gallon ECO Jerry Can ($35)
- 1x Scepter 5 Gallon Water Container ($8)
- 2x Mini-Carabiner clips (free)
- 1x Spare sticky foam (free)
- 2x Handle Velcro anti jiggle straps (hand sewn, Free)
- 4x 1/4" x 3/4" U bolt (top bar, $3.50)
- 4x 1/4" x 1 1/8" U bolt (Bottom Bar, $3.50)

What I did:
- The gas can holders requires modification. I had to cut off the bottom riser bracket, and then cut the unit in half, and weld on an extra 1/4-1/2" (eyeballed it) extension (made from the bracket steel i cut off) to make it wider for the gas cans (the Specter ones have a slightly wider bottom than official military Jerry cans).
- Drill new 1/4" holes on the Jerry can holders so that i can mount them on the rear storage wrack, using the top and bottom bar of the rear rack.
- Mount the gas cans to the rack using the U bolts and used blue thread locker on the nuts + crush washers.
- Power wash the thing (remove overflow thread locker) and then painted over it.

Why I did it this way:
- it was SIGNIFICANTLY CHEAPER than buying the roropax option for a of-rack mounting option with cans ($107 VS. $350+)
- Universal and uses hardware store parts.
- I can also mount lighter 2.5 Gal cans in there also.
- Wanted all my rear/front storage rack space
- Does not block my rear light, or impede with opening the rear storage case.

_________________________________________

Let me know what you think and leave a like if it helps!

 

[Orvis25]

More Pictures

 

[Jeepwm69]

I like it. Looks really good and functional.

 

[Goober]

5 gals water and 5 gals gasoline plus containers weight looking around 80 lbs. plus the other stuff on there you got that one loaded down. Your design gets the CG higher and puts that 80 pounds far behind the frame.

It seems to be a good compromise on cost, gives you range, but considering the effects of the weight on frame geometry, I’d be more comfortable with the 2.5 gal containers.

How bout a trailer instead?

 

[_Wilson_]

taking my ATV off-road camping (still trying to find some good trails)

What type of terrain, Very hilly ??

 

[Orvis25]

5 gals water and 5 gals gasoline plus containers weight looking around 80 lbs. plus the other stuff on there you got that one loaded down. Your design gets the CG higher and puts that 80 pounds far behind the frame.

It seems to be a good compromise on cost, gives you range, but considering the effects of the weight on frame geometry, I’d be more comfortable with the 2.5 gal containers.

How bout a trailer instead?

I looked into its capacity, and the rear rack is rated for 133Lb of weight. Grandted, i admit i put it slightly more rearward of the frame due to mounting limitations, but i am withing the officially recommended weight limit. I would rather not drag a trailer with me on a multi-day trip, just more that can go wrong and i would need to now then haul the ATV AND a trailer to were i wanted to go (id need to invest in an over sized trailer).

I was really considering the Rotopax, but considering it would have cost me well over 3x more to get the same thing, i went this rout, because i would have to mount it handing over the racks regardless if i wanted to keep my storage containers mounted (which i do for the trip). I did think about mounting one forward on the ATV, but it conflicted with the lights, and i did not want to obstruct visibility any more than the box already does.

The only thing I would say is yes, it will differently effect weight distribution slightly, but i am not planning on taking it on like extreme off-roading trails were i am doing semi-vertical hill climbs over large rocks and stuff. That and i already have the front weighed down by about 20+ LB already from the winch and brush guards, so its not like i have no counteracting weight, just not equal.
The gas cans are the only weight that's not directly over the frame/tires which could be an issue, but like i said, i am not planning on taking vertically hilly trails anyway.

taking my ATV off-road camping (still trying to find some good trails)

What type of terrain, Very hilly ??

Not sure, but i am not planning on doing extreme trails with near vertical all rock climbing.

 

[Goober]

Just keep in mind you haven’t actually put the load on the center of the carrier where the rating was established. You’ve placed it on the edge—concentrating the load over only half of the support structure.

 

[Orvis25]

Just keep in mind you haven’t actually put the load on the center of the carrier where the rating was established. You’ve placed it on the edge–concentrating the load over only half of the support structure.

True, however, at this point in time (subject to change) I do not feel like it will be an issue personally.

People step on them all the time when mudding and going through water to dig the rear tires in, rock them to get unstuck and keep the air intake above water, and that's distributing 200+LB on weight on the rear rack edge.

I get what your saying, and you comment is 100% noted (not trying to diss you or be rude, please don't interpret it that way), but at this time I feel like its not much of a concern outside the center of gravity issue.

However, it will 100% report back in if there are issues in the future!

 

[Goober]

Sounds good. no worries—I didn’t want to assume you considered those things.

The likelihood that you would experience a catastrophic failure is low

 

[Orvis25]

So just for show, here is a picture of the system fully loaded down (both cans filled to 5 gallons) and on the most intense angle i can find on my property. No extra weight in the front.
Its a bit steeper than it looks in the picture because the ground itself was also slightly inclined.


As long as your not planning on climbing a mountain at extreme inclines, I am very confidant you wont every have to worry.

 

[_Wilson_]

I believe ya got the weight distribution nailed my concern was like goober,

catastrophic failure

 

[Orvis25]

I believe ya got the weight distribution nailed my concern was like goober,

catastrophic failure

Honestly i was the flip side, more concerned with weight distribution than catastrophic failure to the frame.

I guess only time will tell, but i have the feeling it will be ok. Already went over a few small tree stumps and stuff, looks ok to me still (outside of its original damage. Was bent, I unbent it best I Could)

If it ever does damage/break the rear rack/frame, I will be sure to report it