Spare tire jerry can holder

[ChrisJB]

I was looking on the web for some way to mount a spare jerry can for fuel for my disco that doesnt have a roof rack. The only thing I can find is a bracket that mounts to the lug nuts on your spare tire

http://offroadrecovery.zoovy.com/category/.blitzjerrycansandacc/


To make this work I would need longer studs so they would reach the bracket, yadda, yadda, yadda. My concern is the spare tire carrier itself if it can support the weight. It looks to be made of stamped steel and bolted pretty good to the rear cargo door but I dont know if there is a weight limit on the bracket. Just looking for some foodback or if there is a better solution out there.

[PCRover]

I tried one of those but it doesn't fit through the DII wheel hub. Ended up making my own.



This is the concept. The plate is held in place by the tire. The rods stick out through the wheel spokes. The can holder attaches to the rods.

[Jantiz]

Gary, do you have a machine shop in your garage?

[PCRover]

:D No, just some creative construction ideas and basic hand and power tools! The key is to be creative and figure out ways to build things without a welder and a machine shop....

[Jantiz]

Ha, that's easy. use a sponge!!! :eek::rolleyes:

[HMBRover]

My concern is the spare tire carrier itself if it can support the weight. It looks to be made of stamped steel and bolted pretty good to the rear cargo door but I dont know if there is a weight limit on the bracket. Just looking for some foodback or if there is a better solution out there.

Rocky up in Fernley developed a crack in his tire carrier after having the jerry can & holder (Gary's design I think) and a 265/75R16 mounted. YMMV.

[ChrisJB]

"foodback" ugh I need to start writing my posts in word and spellcheck before I post something :o

Does anyone know the aprx weight of a 5 gal jerry can full of fuel?

[Disco2Guy]

One gallon of gas weighs a little over 6 lbs. So you're looking at 30 lbs. plus the weight of the Jerry can. I was thinking of mounting a Jerry can in the same position, but I too am concerned about the additional weight and stress on the carrier.

[PCRover]

I did not have a problem with the weight, but then I always took the can off when I didn't need to carry it. So it was only on during off road trips that might require extra fuel. If you like the look with it on, just carry the can empty. Plus you don't really want to temp the gas thieves with $25 worth of gold back there.

[ChrisJB]

After doing some more research. Looks like a few people are having the issue with the spare tire carrier failing (bending, cracking) but as far as I can tell none of them have any damage to the vehicle themselves which was my concern. Majority of these are people have a diff brand of SUV and not land rover specifically. And also most those people have a lock on their cans and keep it full and mounted pretty much all the time. I just called my local pick and pull and they did have a spare tire carrier from a 04 disco that they will sell me for $30. Might be worth picking one up just in case.

An idea I had was obviously the failure of the tire carrier was due to the weight of the tire and can pulling it down, was to make some type of support bracket.

I drew up this little picture in MS Paint because I dont have autocad and yes it's not to scale :) What I was thinking is have the support bracket attach on the back of the spare tire bracket, have 1 or 2 support posts drop down and meet up with another bracket that will have neoprene (hell even a sponge) or some type of soft material on the back as to not scratch the paint at the bottom. Bottom bracket wont need fasterners because the weight of the tire and jerry can will hold it in place, and use a large piece of metal for the bottom bracket to spread the load over a wide area as not to damage the rear cargo door.



Probably more work then what it's worth and a crappy idea, but I can't afford a safety devices rack right now :(