Idea - hitch mount rack for 3 jerry cans.

About a year ago three of my buddies and I had an epic five day trip in the Canyonlands. We went to Panorama Point and then way out and spent two days at the Doll house. If you’re not familiar with the Doll house look it up, it’s one of the most remote regions in the lower 48.

In prep for that trip I purchased a roof rack for my 2Door and three 4-gallon rotopax containers. Long story short 12 extra gallons was not enough for my thirsty 2Door. So we loaded all my fuel into the other vehicles and I parked my truck at the ranger station.

So while I have technically been to the Doll house, I didn’t make the drive…so I want to go back and do it again. Next time I’ll skip Panorama point to conserve fuel.

Over time I decided that having a roof rack was not for me, so I sold it. I should also say that in general I loath RotoPax containers. So now I’m dreaming of building a custom hitch mounted rack.

- Yes, I know this would impact my rear clearance.
- Yes, I know this could be very heavy…I have HD springs.
- Yes, carrying 15 gallons of aux fuel is nuts. Who in their right mind would need that much fuel? Me…I’m that guy.
- Yes, this may be expensive…but what are the costs for your dreams?

I’m no fabricator, but I have a few buddies that may be able to help me. Or work with a local metal fabrication biz.

My quasi crazy idea is a raised hitch mounted tray, with a Rig’d Rambleswing (WranglerSwing) set up to swing driver.

Step 1: install Curt receiver. (I couldn’t get one when my Bronco was built)

step 2: Rig’d WranglerSwing

step 3: custom rack for three scepter Jerry cans.

Here are a few bad drawings of my idea and a few pics from Rig’d website.




Anyone know of a Jerry holder like this that holds three? The long way?


These bad drawings are obviously not to scale, just me tinkering with the concept





Let me know if you guys have any ideas or suggestions. If you think I’m nuts let me know! Ha ha ha. Cheers.

You'd need a sticker for it, "Tailgate at your peril" lol.

Could you mount two on the rear side accessory holds? I feel like I saw someone in a 2dr doing that not too long ago.

userdude said:

You'd need a sticker for it, "Tailgate at your peril" lol.

Could you mount two on the rear side accessory holds? I feel like I saw someone in a 2dr doing that not too long ago.

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Rear side accessory holds? Not sure what that is unless your thinking of the TrailRax roof rack with the side accessory supports that tuck under the hard top.

I’m thinking no RotoPax and no roof rack.

thanks for your comments!

Option 1:
1. HD Tire Carrier w/ heavy duty door hinge reinforcing.
2. Mounting arm to underside of the the tire carrier, extend out flush with the tire for disconnect point.
3. Mounting arm that starts at the connect/disconnect at the point you left off, w/ an arm that lifts/lowers the basket high enough so the gas cans be even with the top of your tire (can see the third brake light).
4. Add swing arm if you like, more weight you add, more HD hinge/door support.

Option 2:
1. Get heavy duty door hinge reinforcing.
2. Get Spare Tire Mount Cargo Basket Storage Compatible with 32" - 40"
3. Get rachet straps

This position allows for a number of things:
1. Rear end collision from an average height vehicle not likely to puncture the gas cans
2. Trailering still available for other things

Move your exhaust, do a body lift, put in a 20-gal tank in this space.

Ramble_Offroad said:

Rear side accessory holds? Not sure what that is unless your thinking of the TrailRax roof rack with the side accessory supports that tuck under the hard top.

I’m thinking no RotoPax and no roof rack.

thanks for your comments!

Click to expand...

Yeah, you're right; they probably had a roof rack. Only other thought I have is a swingout tail gate and boxes on both sides. I thought @Metal-tech 4x4 had one that could be ordered that way, but didn't see it on the website.

Minion said:

Option 1:
1. HD Tire Carrier w/ heavy duty door hinge reinforcing.
2. Mounting arm to underside of the the tire carrier, extend out flush with the tire for disconnect point.
3. Mounting arm that starts at the connect/disconnect at the point you left off, w/ an arm that lifts/lowers the basket high enough so the gas cans be even with the top of your tire (can see the third brake light).
4. Add swing arm if you like, more weight you add, more HD hinge/door support.

Option 2:
1. Get heavy duty door hinge reinforcing.
2. Get Spare Tire Mount Cargo Basket Storage Compatible with 32" - 40"
3. Get rachet straps

This position allows for a number of things:
1. Rear end collision from an average height vehicle not likely to puncture the gas cans
2. Trailering still available for other things

Click to expand...

Yup! I have the Turn HD tailgate reinforcement. I’ve considered this type of tray mounted above the tire. However 15 gallons is bloody heavy. Plus my 37’s. I should also say that I need to retain the ability to carry a spare/wheel mounted trash bag. Gotta pack out the wag bags.

Valhalla said:

Move your exhaust, do a body lift, put in a 20-gal tank in this space.

Click to expand...

Man I wish. Thats beyond my skill. I’d love that however.

Well, actually, doesn't someone make a platform that goes on a trailer hitch? Like a 4x2ft box with a grate material like a grill as the bottom? Definitely make you longer than what you're suggesting. What you're suggesting seems fine.

userdude said:

Yeah, you're right; they probably had a roof rack. Only other thought I have is a swingout tail gate and boxes on both sides. I thought @Metal-tech 4x4 had one that could be ordered that way, but didn't see it on the website.

Click to expand...

I had a CBI bushmaster rear bumper on my old Tacoma and I loved it. However so far I’ve not seen a rear bumper that I’m wild about. Plus I’d prefer to avoid the full time weight burden. Plus the Bronco is pretty narrow so three Jerry’s plus a 37 would likely block the taillights. Thanks for the suggestions!

Just an idea, if you’ve got somebody to fabricate stuff for you, if you get rid of the stock muffler, there is a huge space in the back where the muffler used to be where you can fit 15 or 20 gallons of fuel under there and you could use a transfer pump to pump it into your tank. I’d be worried about 150 pounds leveraged off the trailer hitch bouncing around back there offloading if you’ve looked to see how the trailer hitch is mounted I’m not sure I would want to leverage on that very hard. I’m in the same boat. I’m trying to figure out how to carry more fuel in my two door because when I go to Baja, I am super short on fuel and like you I don’t like carrying Roto packs.

userdude said:

Well, actually, doesn't someone make a platform that goes on a trailer hitch? Like a 4x2ft box with a grate material like a grill as the bottom? Definitely make you longer than what you're suggesting. What you're suggesting seems fine.

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Warrior Products makes this tray, so that’s an option. But it’s “deeper” front to back than I would like. And I’d have to raise it up more. Thanks!!

B-Rad said:

Just an idea, if you’ve got somebody to fabricate stuff for you, if you get rid of the stock muffler, there is a huge space in the back where the muffler used to be where you can fit 15 or 20 gallons of fuel under there and you could use a transfer pump to pump it into your tank. I’d be worried about 150 pounds leveraged off the trailer hitch bouncing around back there offloading if you’ve looked to see how the trailer hitch is mounted I’m not sure I would want to leverage on that very hard. I’m in the same boat. I’m trying to figure out how to carry more fuel in my two door because when I go to Baja, I am super short on fuel and like you I don’t like carrying Roto packs.

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Yeah dude, I wish we had a aux tank option from Long Range America.

Ramble_Offroad said:

Yeah dude, I wish we had a aux tank option from Long Range America.

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Yeah, exactly! I had read on a thread a month or two ago that they were supposedly working on one, but there’s still nothing on their website hopefully soon… They have one for the Ranger and for other rigs. Just not the bronco yet.

B-Rad said:

Yeah, exactly! I had read on a thread a month or two ago that they were supposedly working on one, but there’s still nothing on their website hopefully soon… They have one for the Ranger and for other rigs. Just not the bronco yet.

Click to expand...

Really? For the 2Door?