Rotopax carrier rack and lock

[buckland]

Back in 2014 a forum member posted the photo of how he mounted the rotopax cans under the over cab.
I copied it and now haven't been able to reach him to ask:

What kind of lock is pictured in the photo that goes up with a cable? Anyone seen one of these?

 

[rando]

That looks like a locking quick release pin, something like this:
https://www.mcmaster.com/93750a341

Huge number of options available:
https://www.mcmaster.com/pins

I have not been super impressed with my rotopax - when they expand in the heat/altitude they swell and even their mount becomes hard to release. I wonder if you can get these out of the holder if they expand?

 

[buckland]

Thanks Lars. I’ll check them out. I left 3/8” clearance and they will be out of the direct sun so I hope so. That would be a laughable moment. Have to wait to sundown to fuel up!

 

[takesiteasy]

...
I have not been super impressed with my rotopax - when they expand in the heat/altitude they swell and even their mount becomes hard to release. I wonder if you can get these out of the holder if they expand?

Not unique to Rotopax. I also had trouble getting a Scepter can out of the holder this summer in the heat. They were jammed in there pretty tight. I will leave more air space next time I'm going to be traveling in high temps. Not sure if that will help any.

 

[rando]

Not unique to Rotopax. I also had trouble getting a Scepter can out of the holder this summer in the heat. They were jammed in there pretty tight. I will leave more air space next time I'm going to be traveling in high temps. Not sure if that will help any.

Agreed. The effect may be a bit amplified in the rotopax due to their thin profile (there is really only one dimension for them to bulge in) and the way their mount works. If the rotorpax mount is snug when you install them, by the time they have swelled it can be impossible to remove.

When they do bulge, I have had to vent them by opening the lid to be able to remove them from the mount. However, with buckland's mount, you wouldn't be able to vent them without getting covered in gas. On the plus side, they shouldn't get nearly as much sun, so they may not swell as much. Maybe lining the "shelf" with a 1/4 - 1/2 inch of foam to provide some room to swell but not to rattle when empty?

Not really relevant to the OP, but the other issue I have had with rotopax is their $#%^@# lock - it has rusted and seized on me (twice) and I live in a dry climate. Who uses ferrous metal on a lock specifically designed to be outdoors?

 

[PaulT]

Why not follow the 80% rule for filling propane tanks? It is easier to squeeze the heated air than to compress gasoline that has gone from low 50's in the underground storage tank to the 90's or higher after it has warmed up.

Paul

 

[takesiteasy]

Why not follow the 80% rule for filling propane tanks? It is easier to squeeze the heated air than to compress gasoline that has gone from low 50's in the underground storage tank to the 90's or higher after it has warmed up.

Paul

Sounds like a good plan.