Sorry I have to be vague on this one... Usually I show some drawings and stuff to illustrate what I'm doing but this time, I don't want to spoil the surprise...

Anyway it probably doesn't require that anyone see what it is but I'm wondering just how technical I need to make this thing.

To get to the point, I'm making a Jerry can holder for our spare tire carrier system. The question is, how easy should I make accessing the Jerry cans?

Now, if I wanted to make it really easy, i.e. flipping a clamp and lifting it off, Its probably going to take a bit longer design wise. Still, its something that can be done.

On the other hand, is easy access always the best thing? Now-a-days, with gas being as expensive as it is, as-well as a good Gerry can being pretty pricey as well, would it be a good thing to make them harder to access? the easiest way to do this with the Exp-one Tire carrier is to require partial removal of the spare tire, meaning undoing the lugnut bolts for the tire, but not taking the tire down. Now this is a bit time consuming, but not to bad over all.

Their are a few other ways in which we can configure them to make removal easy, but still make access restrictive, down to having a key lock as the access piece. At any rate I'd like to hear from all of you. I'll add a poll for those that don't want to put in a full comment.

Thanks everyone...




(FYI Expedition One tire carriers will be out as soon as I've been able to take some pictures of the finished piece and do a little write up for Eddie to post..)

 

Make sure you can put a lock on it.

js.

 

Easy access over security.
I only bring extra gas on the trail. Who steals gas on the trail?
I myself am almost never away from my jeep on trail anyway.
Long trips that involve motels I can see the need for security though. Unless you stick to camping during the long trips.

 

i think making it secure as in difficult to knock off when wheeling rather than difficult to steal is important. I would compromise security for ease or use and/or stability because I only bring a gas can when i'm outdoors in the middle of nowhere where i wouldn't find a gas station. Three bolts only takes a minute with a ratchet as long as you don't have to unmount a bunch of frame work or hardware as well. good luck...and of course.........

 

I'd be more concerned about height. There's something about a low slung can that scares the crap outta me. If it's up a bit, then you can use a siphon hose to transfer the gas without ever having to remove it from the rack. So make access to the cap easy and who cares who hard it is to deal with the entire can?

 

I definitely wouldn't want to undo 3 lug nuts to get at a gas can. But I would want something that I could secure. I don't go off-roading in my backyard so I'm usually driving an hour or more. That means stopping at a restaurant afterwards for some food. I hate peaking out every five minutes to make sure everything is okay.

I'd worry about someone stealing a full gas can before a shovel, strap and such things.

Up high is good, but let's not make it a signal flag either, eh.

 

Have you considered an over-center latch with provisions for a padlock? That way, security would be up to the owner.

 

Why not research WWII or WWI and see what they did for good ideas.

You can lock the can down tight and still open the spout and syphon, so rethink your design.

You can strap the can down with a flip clip and make that lockable. Simple easy and inexpensive.

You might want to include clips for an extra spout, and be sure to include an option for a water can as well. Mark it well. Humans need fuel too.

And if you use any of these ideas, you have to negotiate. rotflol

I mean there is over 80 years of gerry can experience world wide, with every idea under the sun or moon tried, and you think you will have something original? LOL

Now... dehydrated fuel or otherwise condensed fuel that would be a winner!

 

On My YJ I had the steel mounting straps with locks. The lock hole was a bit small for a Master Lock but I made it work. Once I was lazy and didn't relock the strap and lo and behold someone needed it more than I did so they took it. So I agree with security.

 

belive it or not, this system will be quite different than the norm...

when we introduce it, their is a possiblity that the reaction will be this:

But my guess is that for most, it will either be this: , this : , or even this: