where to put jerry's on roof rack

Submitted: Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 13:27

ThreadID: 21046 Views:2535 Replies:7 FollowUps:4

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Pyalong

Hi all,
Read some posts re jerry cans on roofracks, but would like to get your opinions about if they would be better placed at the rear of a full size roofrack or the front?.....I was thinking of puttiing them at the rear, for ease of getting them on/off, but then thought that the weight inside at the rear of the vehicle will be quite heavy....so started to think the front might be a better option, to balance out a bit (going to put 4 up there).

Cheers,
Mick.

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Reply By: Moggs - Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 13:55

Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 13:55

If they are steel jerries then I would lay them flat on their sides, spread in a line stright downthe middle to spread the weight over as many rack legs as possible. This is what I do, or sometimes put one lying flat in each corner.

AnswerID: 101572

Reply By: fozzy - Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 14:28

Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 14:28

pyalong
technically most roof loads are rated approx 200kg carrying weight spread evenly over rack.
depends on what else i needed to put on roof but if say it was only the jerry's and short distance say one day i would put on back as easy to load and tie down all together.
if for long rough trip then perhaps spread out over rackand most likely you would unload one at time into car as needed not wait for all 4 to fit in the tank
personally approx 80-90kg on back i would consider ok depending on what your rear suspension set up is like.
if h/d springs and car doesnt sag when loaded then may get away with all at back
if standard springs or slightly h/d then may struggle with 4 on back.
heaps of differing opinions on this
good luck
fozzy

AnswerID: 101574

Reply By: Moose - Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 14:49

Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 14:49

Make sure the rack is up to it and that the roof itself can handle the weight. Empty them ASAP to reduce strain and top heaviness. Tie them down securely. If you load them all at one end you'll be severely stressing the roof at that end - better to spread them out as much as possible. Better yet - get a long range tank and have the roof rack for carrying light gear.

AnswerID: 101579

Follow Up By: Member - Beatit (QLD) - Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 15:17

Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 15:17

"and have the roof rack for carrying light gear"

Hi Moose,

You mean like tinnies? (No not the drinking type)

Kind regards

FollowupID: 359475

Reply By: Member -Dodger - Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 15:57

Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 15:57

Carry them mt until you know you may need them after the next fill then fill and place in the middle of the rack using them each time you think that one will fit in the tank. When full sit upright , when mt lay down to reduce wind resistance.
Using this system you can get the best out of the vehicle reducing the roof load a.s.a.p.
A long range tank is the best way but exy if it is only used occasionly.

I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.

Cheers Dodg.

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AnswerID: 101588

Follow Up By: Jimmy90 - Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 18:45

Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 18:45

Top advice Dodger...best to minimise top heavy loads as far as possible thus maintaining lower centre of gravity of vehicle.

Cheers,
Jimmy.

FollowupID: 359495

Reply By: Willem - Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 20:21

Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 20:21

When I carry the 'extra' two jerries with me I position them in the middle of the roof area of the wagon. I lay them flat on a tarp and tie them down with adjustable straps. Then I use that fuel first when refuelling out bush.

AnswerID: 101613

Reply By: The Rambler - Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 23:16

Tuesday, Mar 08, 2005 at 23:16

Just a tip when carrying Steel jerry cans on a roof rack---Cut some old carpet and use contact to stick to sides where it will rub on roof rack which eliminates all rattles and wear when travelling long distances on corrugations.Ionly carry one lying on its side protected by as said with no problems.Also make sure and replace the rubber seal on the filler before each trip as a leaking jerry is not very nice.

AnswerID: 101651

Follow Up By: V8troopie - Wednesday, Mar 09, 2005 at 00:48

Wednesday, Mar 09, 2005 at 00:48

I would be wary of carrying a full jerry can lying on its side on the roof rack. Especially while traversing rough country, too much pressure on the filler seal.
I had 3 full 20 l jerrycans on the roofrack plus a lot of other gear while doing the full lenght of the CSR some years ago. Well, the cans were empty until well 23 when they got filled, they were emptied as soon as there was room for more diesel in the troopie's tank.
The jerry cans were carried on their back while full, so that the filler was uppermost. I had no leaks from them but did have the 5 l spare engine oil container ( plastic) up there rub a pinhole through. What an oily mess, luckily I caught it before it got too bad.
It was a strong, home built steel roof rack, still have it, it survived the bashing it did get on that trip.
The steel jerries are still intact too, all 6 of them ( 3 were carried on a rear bumper rack). Anybody in Perth interested in 3 or 4 good steel jerry cans? I don't need that many now with a long range tank fitted.

Klaus

FollowupID: 359534