[oohsam]

Hey guys,
Im fabricating up a bracket to bolt to the 3 bolts that hold the spare wheel on the rear door of the vitara, that will hold a 20L jerry can for fuel.

Wondering if anyones made such a contraption and has any 'gotcha's' to look out for when making it.

It will be fairly simple, a triangle shaped plate of steel welded to a tube of some sort that has a plate that the jerrycan holder bolts to.

Also, its a hardtop swb, and as such, the hinges are much stronger than the soft tops, so it should support the load with minimal fuss.

Now, i'm not interested in the "its illegal to carry fuel on the back" because that is a myth, so please don't give me legal advice, purely interested in fabrication advice, and that does not mean fabrication of the truth! haha.

Quote:

Thank you for your email inquiry to the Department of Transport and Main Roads regards mounting diesel filled jerry cans to the rear of a vehicle.

The fitting and use of vehicle accessories does not require specific approval from the Department of Transport and Main Roads (the department). As such, the department does not approve or disapprove of vehicle accessories and no written authority is necessary to enable you to proceed with the fitting of accessory assemblies to motor vehicles.

However, further consideration should be given to the following;

1- Allowable load projection, rear overhang.
2- A clear view of the vehicles rear lights, at least 20m from the rear, at a 45 degree angle, with in 360 degree arc (brake, stop, blinkers number plate light/number plate and reflectors).
3- The jerry can holder should be manufactured to engineering standards, Australia.
4- No vehicle must be fitted with any object and or fitting that is not technical essential to the vehicle which protrudes from the vehicle and is likely to increase the bodily injury to any person.
5-The rear axle load rating and tow bar downward load rating, must not exceed specifications as stated by manufacture of both the vehicle and towbar manufacturer.
I trust this answers your enquiry.

[atari4x4]

personally i wouldn't do it to the hinges... they only just cope with the weight of a 31"

[oohsam]

I'm running 235's, they're a tad lighter than 31s I reckon, not 20litres lighter I know! Might beef up.the hinges too.

[atari4x4]

not sure if you'll be able to strengthen the hinges & i doubt the 235's would be 20kgs lighter, which is what the fuel will weigh + the weight of the jerry can & the holder.

[got_bar_work]

Fuel or tire the door skin will rip apart before the hinges

[DarkHorse]

Yeah, I'd be worried about the weight on the door skin - it's only 4 little bolts through into welded nuts. Bounce around off-road a bit and you'll pull it out. Plus the weight is set out from the door, so multiply the leverage.

I've had plans to strengthen the mounting arrangement by replacing the plastic inner door trim with steel and bolting all the way through to that.
There was a soft-top a while back that beefed up the back door:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7197&hilit=spare+carrier&start=30
(about half way down the page.)

Move it up a few inches while you're at it so the 34s will fit...