My vehicle is a 2006 Toyota Sequoia. It was devoid of any substantial external mounting points except for a stock roof rack, so for many years I ran it stock except for a Yakima rooftop carrier which provided significant additional storage space as shown below.
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When I began taking longer trips and needed to take additional gasoline (in particular, a Grand Parashant trip where I calculated needing 30 extra gallons), the only place to store this was in the cabin. I strapped Wavian NATO gas cans down as best I could to eyes bolted into the threaded holes made available after removing the second row seats, but knew it was a disaster just waiting to happen.
The Wavian cans do seal well. I never noticed any gas smell inside the cabin.
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On shorter trips where additional gasoline might be needed, I stored gas next to propane cylinders inside the cabin. (These are 11-pound narrow propane cylinders.) Still unsafe!
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I finally decided to get a Front Runner roof rack which has various storage accessories for water, gas, and propane, plus lights, etc. It would be safer and provide more cabin storage to mount such supplies on the roof rack.
Front Runner didn't make a rack specifically for the 2006 Sequoia. Let's just say "some assembly required".
The Sequoia has a curved roof, so even with Front Runner rack supports which allow limited height adjustability, the roof rack bends a bit to conform to the roof. So far, this hasn't been an issue.
The rack seemed almost a reasonable expense for the safety and additional space. The Front Runner accessories are in my opinion way overpriced.
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I got two Front Runner Double Jerry Can Holders since 1) I felt it best to balance any load across the rack, and 2) some trips take at least four additional cans (16 gallons).
It is a real pain in the @$$ for this old man to climb a ladder and put gas cans weighing about 48 pounds each on the roof of a vehicle. That being said, I always bring at least two additional gas cans to handle any unexpected travel.
These can holders do not hold one can securely. You must have two cans. I always bring at least two additional gas cans, so I purchased two cheap, totally beat up and rusty NATO cans (marked 12-1951 and 4-1955) simply as filler. Each holder then has one full can plus one empty can saving about 90 pounds.
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Front Runner was out of their propane tank holders (luckily, since they run $200 each
), so I fashioned propane tank holders out of these rugged plastic holders available on Amazon by bolting them to the rack. They have held up very well. - Propane Tank Holder.jpg (13.67 KiB) Viewed 3053 times
Here's a picture of the gas can holder bolted to the rack. With the "cage" that surrounds the gas cans, it seems very secure, and has a latch which can be locked if desired.
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Laying out the accessories on the rack took a bit of planning. I tried to use every square inch of space, but also was aware that the rack might flex with a heavy load, so made sure that the gas cans were directly over a roof support.
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Like wise for the lighter propane tank holders. The eyes which 1) hold down tank holder to the rack are 2) used to secure the propane tank by hooking flexible bungee cords around each tank.
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These Bihlerflex Stretch Cords have so far been very durable.
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Note: Front Runner uses low quality bolts and nuts which are too soft and--while black oxide coated--rust easily. The bolts and nuts I've added are all higher grade stainless acquired through McMaster-Carr.
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I've changed things around a bit, but this is an aerial view of my rack layout loaded with gas cans and propane tanks. Propane is a very efficient fuel and lasts a long time, even when bringing a propane fire pit, so I use two 11-pound squat tanks which are like cut down 20-pound tanks. This also keep the vehicle height at just under 8 feet.
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Here's a side view of the vehicle with loaded rack.
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I have since tried to get more space out of the rack by moving the propane tanks to the side and putting a self-made aerodynamic
"ugly box" (exterior grade plywood, waterproof glue, waterproof wood sealant) down the middle of the rack. I use the box for anything long and narrow, such as tent poles, chairs, Dutch oven tool bag, etc. The box is much uglier after being discolored by mildew, though I now spray it with a mold control agent.- Ugly Grey Box.jpg (2.01 MiB) Viewed 3046 times
