Rotopax - how do you carry them?

MattR

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Joined
Nov 16, 2019
Messages
1,175
Location
North Hampshire UK
Google search revealed;
In 1824 the British adapted the Imperial measure in which the gallon is based on 10 pounds or 277.42 cubic inches of water. The Americans had adopted a system where a gallon was comprised of 231 cubic inches of water. As a result, the U.S. gallon is 83.3 per cent of the Imperial gallon; put it another way, the Imperial gallon is about one-fifth or 20 per cent greater in volume than the American gallon.
But why? We had a perfectly good gallon and you had to go and ruin it! No wonder your petrol is so cheap!!


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Saint rob

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Joined
May 26, 2019
Messages
327
Location
Northwest UK
That looks like a thick Rotopax tank! Volume? And can you feel a difference in handling when running with and without it?
7 litres iirc, it's actually not a Rotapax - it's a Chinese knock off copy but I was very pleasantly surprised with the quality when it arrived.
In all honesty I can't tell a difference in handling whether it's there or not (I don't always use it, it just depends where I'm going) but that's probably down to the fact that there's that much other stuff on there a little bit more weight doesn't really make a difference particularly with it being positioned quite low
 

lund

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Jul 8, 2019
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809
Location
Okanagan Valley, Canada.
I'm surprised on how many mount the rotopak to their OE pannier. I would be concern about failure at the mounting(latching system) with that extra weight, especially traveling rough roads like FSR.
From what I have read on here they are holding out ok. But is that tarmac mileage or off road mileage?
I mounted mine on the racking, I will post pictures.
 

Reno

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Oct 6, 2021
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206
Location
Colorado
I like this solution a lot. I never ride with a passenger so this would work great for me.

I m the same as you Bill, I ride one up almost all the time.
Where I mounted the Rotopax it also leaves it out with my soft saddle bags so my dry bag fits across perfect and acts as a backrest.
Enjoy
 

lund

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Joined
Jul 8, 2019
Messages
809
Location
Okanagan Valley, Canada.
This is how I have been using the Rotopax.
The mountings I remove when not in use, I only carry the Rotopax if going off grid or knowing I will need extra fuel. Otherwise most of my travels my dry pack sits directly on top of the racking. When I do use the Rotopax, the dry pack sit very well on top.
I have done many miles of FSR over fairly rough conditions with zero issues.
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Pudgepuss

New Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2021
Messages
22
Location
Western Wisconsin
This is how I have been using the Rotopax.
The mountings I remove when not in use, I only carry the Rotopax if going off grid or knowing I will need extra fuel. Otherwise most of my travels my dry pack sits directly on top of the racking. When I do use the Rotopax, the dry pack sit very well on top.
I have done many miles of FSR over fairly rough conditions with zero issues.
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I like your setup, however finding an altrider pillion rack is next to impossible these days. Would love to find one.
 

Dneprrider

Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2020
Messages
38
Location
Nova Scotia
I watched a Fortnine YouTube video which compared various fuel carrying options. It was interesting to hear that the Rotopax didn't come out as a top choice due to potential weeping and the requirement to vent the tank depending on temp and elevation. I was considering placing mine horizontally on a Pillion rack. For those who have theirs placed horizontally. Have you noticed any problems with weeping fuel or other problems?
 

thughes317

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Joined
May 27, 2018
Messages
1,055
Location
The Bluegrass, KY
On a previous x-country trip with a rotopax (in the desert heat) strapped flat on my rear rack, I found that over the course of a week it pissed out most of the contents....I was not happy.

Sprung for the 2 gal GL Armadillo bag back when it was on sale for 50% off (when GL was switching the branding from Armadillo to GL), best solution I've found yet. I just used it on my most recent trip, no issues at all. Filled it and strapped it on top of my luggage when I felt the need for extra fuel (see pic)......poured it into the tank, rolled it up, and stuffed it in a saddlebag when I didn't feel the need for extra fuel. Convenient as hell but a little pricey. Buy once/cry once, right?


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