precision powder
Backwoods Explorer
So I have been looking for a good way to carry extra fuel on the outside of my jeep without a roof rack or wanting to mount 50 pound cans on my spare tire and I couldn't find anything that I would be happy with. I looked at the normal receiver cargo basket and it was just too wide and would not be a very secure mount at all. I wanted something that was rock solid, would hold multiple cans for extended trips where I wouldnt see gas stations for days, would allow me to lock the cans to the mount so someone could not run off with them, and something that was removable and was not a destructive mod that included making changes to the vehicle its self.
This is what I have come up with so far. I have a few things to finish up still, mainly I need to powder coat (zinc primed base textured black top coat) it still and I need to finish the bar system that covers the can lids so they cannot be taken off by someone without the key.
I used 1" x 1" tubing .125 wall, .25" x 1.25" flat bar, 2" angle iron .25 wall, and 2" x 2" tubing .125 wall. Everything was welded on all sides for added durability but also so there was no place water could potentially get inside. I knew building this that shaking and moving would be a killer if it was allowed to rattle around, receivers are not a perfect fit. So I added 2 tabs to attach turn buckles to the receiver so I could tighten it down and prevent any movement at all. The result was zero shake or give. Any attempt to make it do so actually move the entire Jeep in the process. There is not even the slightest wiggle now. I also ran the 2" tube straight out the back of the receiver within an inch of the muffler so when I get around to making my new bumper I can drill a new hole sit close and still provide the clearance needed.
Happens to be the perfect height to use a siphon to refuel with as well.
Now I am sure a lot of people may think it ruins departure angle, and yes it does but this weekend proved that even with that much hanging off the back I still am better off the full size trucks. I try to avoid places on these kinds of trips I would experience those kinds of departures anyway or I just find a different route. I only hit it once on a very nasty section and that was driver error for not taking a better look at what I was going over at night. Either way it accomplished the job wonderfully and was made with all stuff I just had sitting here already.
This is what I have come up with so far. I have a few things to finish up still, mainly I need to powder coat (zinc primed base textured black top coat) it still and I need to finish the bar system that covers the can lids so they cannot be taken off by someone without the key.
I used 1" x 1" tubing .125 wall, .25" x 1.25" flat bar, 2" angle iron .25 wall, and 2" x 2" tubing .125 wall. Everything was welded on all sides for added durability but also so there was no place water could potentially get inside. I knew building this that shaking and moving would be a killer if it was allowed to rattle around, receivers are not a perfect fit. So I added 2 tabs to attach turn buckles to the receiver so I could tighten it down and prevent any movement at all. The result was zero shake or give. Any attempt to make it do so actually move the entire Jeep in the process. There is not even the slightest wiggle now. I also ran the 2" tube straight out the back of the receiver within an inch of the muffler so when I get around to making my new bumper I can drill a new hole sit close and still provide the clearance needed.
Happens to be the perfect height to use a siphon to refuel with as well.
Now I am sure a lot of people may think it ruins departure angle, and yes it does but this weekend proved that even with that much hanging off the back I still am better off the full size trucks. I try to avoid places on these kinds of trips I would experience those kinds of departures anyway or I just find a different route. I only hit it once on a very nasty section and that was driver error for not taking a better look at what I was going over at night. Either way it accomplished the job wonderfully and was made with all stuff I just had sitting here already.
. Wife and I were just talking about a someday trip hopping up the east coast, hitting historical sites and also places neither of us have ever been... like Maine.
