Spare wheel on the roof...

MojaveKJ · **Posted:** Mon Jan 17, 2011 11:08 pm

...or keep it on the tail gate?

I'm trying to decide if I should move the spare wheel (heavy kevlar MTR and MOAB rim) to the roof rack and have an aluminum bracket made for the tail gate to carry 2 Jerry cans there, back to back, as close to the Jeep as I can get them. Or...

...keep the spare where it is and put the Jerry cans up on the roof rack. I have yet to weigh the spare wheel but I don't think it will weigh more than the 2 Jerry cans and mounts which are approx 100lbs together by my estimations.

I worry about putting either in either place, for different reasons, like.... becoming too top heavy or bending the tailgate are the ones I think of first. Also considering the wind resistance from the wheel vs. the Jerry cans, while on the highway. Gas spillage, spare accessability....etc...

What do you all think?

waywardtravel · **Posted:** Tue Jan 18, 2011 12:05 am

Weight up top is never a beneficial. But if I had to choose one I wouldn't want gasoline above me ever. I think you estimated the Jerry can weight about right and the wheel/tire is close enough. What about a bumper with swing away tire/Jerry can combo. Not cheap though. Where I've lived the Kj with about a 3inch lift and a roof rack you are really close to not clearing some drive through's or parking garages when necc. I'm pretty sure either would make you not clear many. Imagine the cans full of gas hitting the overhead concrete and dumping all that fuel on the car. Do you smoke? Just my 2 cents

jafstl38 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 18, 2011 12:17 am

I have my tire on the roof, its been there for about 8 months now. Only issue is when it gets windy! I have a custom made jerry can mount on the rear using the existing bolts.

...parking can be a pain though, and this was without the spacer lift, clevis rings, and rear isolators I just added!!

MojaveKJ · **Posted:** Tue Jan 18, 2011 2:59 pm

[quote="jafstl38"]I have my tire on the roof, its been there for about 8 months now. Only issue is when it gets windy! I have a custom made jerry can mount on the rear using the existing bolts.

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That's very much like what I have in mind for the dual can mount for my KJ should I go that route. I want to mount 2 cans, back to back so that they are as low and close to the body of the Jeep as I can get them. I'm thinking of attaching 2 Jerry can holders from Adventure Trailers to a fabbed aluminum plate that would bolt in place of the spare wheel carrier on the tailgate. Does your glass still open OK or is it obstructed by the can?

jafstl38 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 18, 2011 8:29 pm

The glass won't open without pulling the can back about 1/4 of an inch, it doesn't bother me in the least

805gregg · **Posted:** Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:38 pm

Bad idea, where are you going that you need more than 20 gallons. There is gas everywhere now. Put the gas cans on the roof empty, if you need them fill them then.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 19, 2011 1:08 am

I've been several places that required an additional full tank of gas to get where we were going, luckily for me we had a "4x4 service truck" with us that had a 150 gal tank in the bed of the truck so I've yet to actually rig the two jerrys I have for transport

as for riding around with a loaded jerry on the tail gate while not on the trail etc (being subject to city traffic etc) .. yeah.. I probably wouldn't do that, a busted jerry draining into some poor idiot's honda accord's hot motor wouldn't be a good idea

Kingmick217 · **Joined:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 7:35 pm **Posts:** 27

JeepinJarhead03 wrote:

a busted jerry draining into some poor idiot's honda accord's hot motor wouldn't be a good idea

Am I the only one that immediately thought of the old Spy Hunter video game?

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 19, 2011 2:18 pm

That's exactly what I had in mind

Perhaps we should instead design a latch and plunger system that will allow us to dump it off at will? lol

METCRD · **Posted:** Sat Jan 22, 2011 6:30 pm

JeepinJarhead03 wrote:

I've been several places that required an additional full tank of gas to get where we were going, luckily for me we had a "4x4 service truck" with us that had a 150 gal tank in the bed of the truck so I've yet to actually rig the two jerrys I have for transport

as for riding around with a loaded jerry on the tail gate while not on the trail etc (being subject to city traffic etc) .. yeah.. I probably wouldn't do that, a busted jerry draining into some poor idiot's honda accord's hot motor wouldn't be a good idea

This problem could most likely be avoided prior to accident by installing more lift. If an accord could hit the jerry can that high up either you are really low or that is some lifted honda. :ROTFL:

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 22, 2011 6:57 pm

Haha, well, ya know what I mean

an accord actually hit me last year which made me giggle

+1 for gas tank skids being brutally strong +1 for rustoleum flat black primer to touch up the scuff on the powder coat on the underside of my TR rear bumper

-1 totaled honda accord

at the same time, there's plenty of vehicles out there, passenger /suv/ trucks that could easily meet a loaded jerry

1. I don't want my cans all jacked up
2. I'm not tryin to have to explain a possible bonfire at the scene of an accident

i think digger has a roof tank, i've seen FJ's with 20-30gal roof tanks too - primarily for aux fuel such as kerosene for running generators etc while camping

spoiled individuals

jeepskate · **Posted:** Sun Jan 23, 2011 1:16 am

I carry a second spare sometimes, and when I do it goes on the roof. Old-style (non-Kevlar) MTR in 245/75/16. Honestly I don't notice any difference whatsoever in tippiness or handling when it's up there. I do have an ARB bullbar, boulder bars and all the skids, so that weight helps lower the center of gravity some. I wouldn't be real concerned about the weight of a spare on the roof.

durangotang · **Posted:** Sun Jan 23, 2011 3:25 am

Sorry, but driving around on any regular basis with a full gas can is just dumb.

Fill it up when you need it, then use that fuel first when you're done with your trip.

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Sun Jan 23, 2011 10:32 am

I drive around with extra fuel at all times and rotate it into the main tank each season. You never know when you'll have to go on the lam or need to repel zombie hoards with a molotov cocktail or two.

EAGLE01_2002Libby · **Posted:** Sun Jan 23, 2011 8:22 pm

I actually Love the look of a roof mounted tire, BUT
i had a friend with a trailblazer, he pulled up close behind me when i was parked. He started messing around and got really close, then bumped my rear mounted tire. It took off his front bumper but didnt even put a dent in the Jeep. :BANANA:

durangotang · **Posted:** Mon Jan 24, 2011 12:51 am

JL Rockies wrote:

I drive around with extra fuel at all times and rotate it into the main tank each season. You never know when you'll have to go on the lam or need to repel zombie hoards with a molotov cocktail or two.

Yeah, but you keep yours seatbelted in the passenger seat. That's a reasonable way to store them.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 24, 2011 4:55 am

seatbelt would slow down it's tactical acquisition.

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Mon Jan 24, 2011 11:20 am

Left 4 Dead style.

Spare wheel on the roof...

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