[HydroHarold]

Been looking at these hitch racks @ Northern Tool to haul fuel cans with Wifey's Explorer. Anyone had any experience with them with the equivalent weight of 3-4 5gal. fuel cans?

 

[Brian]

I have 2 of them. One I bought for my Jeep and another I built for my Jeep. The one I built is about 150 pounds :lol: and only gets used for very heavy items behind my truck.

They are great for gas or for hauling other items that you can balance back there. I find them awkward on my jeep, (Light vehicle that's lifted), because they will cause the back to want to "keep turning" or feel like it can cause under steer.

I would not use them on light vehicle to go on a long trip.

 

[lost in wisconsin]

At 20 gals of gas or about 120 lbs, you seem to be well within the capabilities of the 2 you have listed. I agree with Brian in that we too feel the weight back there for our Jeep Grand Cherokee's. Most of the time, ours is used in the winter for hauling wood behind the jeeps or hauling hay behind the 2520.

 

[meburdick]

You're looking at about 165 pounds of cargo for four cans (a little over 8lbs per gallon plus weight of the cans) plus the weight of the rack. All told, you're probably in the 250-300 pound range. They should hold up well, especially if you can evenly balance the weight on each side. Putting more weight on one side may cause some bending of the rack if the weight bounces in transit.

I see those sort of racks in use quite a bit, so I'm guessing they hold up well. Be mindful of having the cans exposed to direct sun while in transit... Don't drive too far on a really hot day.

 

[Unluckyty]

Use mine for fuel cans primarily. I have aluminum type, will hold five 5 gallon cans, with no problem.

 

[meburdick]

Just looked it up... My weight estimate for the fuel was a bit to the high side. Average weight for a gallon of diesel is just north of 7 lbs (not 8 like I had estimated at). So, drop my weight estimates by about 20 pounds overall.

 

[HydroHarold]

"My weight estimate for the fuel was a bit to the high side."

You know, the instant I read that figure I thought, "Hey, he's got to be off at least 10 or so ounces there!:laugh:

AND, using it on the back of a tractor hitch... dynamite! Never gave that a thought since I'm not thinking up on that large a scale yet. I'm still a "Compact Guy trapped on a garden tractor seat.":laugh:

 

[meburdick]

You know, the instant I read that figure I thought, "Hey, he's got to be off at least 10 or so ounces there!:laugh:

AND, using it on the back of a tractor hitch... dynamite! Never gave that a thought since I'm not thinking up on that large a scale yet. I'm still a "Compact Guy trapped on a garden tractor seat.":laugh:

My brain automatically goes to "8 pounds per gallon" when it's a liquid instead of actually thinking about *which* liquid it is.

Using on the tractor hitch could certainly have its advantages, unless you stop and refuel the tractor (which would remove the ballast!).

 

[Zebrafive]

I have an aluminum carrier, bought from Harbor Freight. Hauling fuel is the only reason I bought it. Not wanting to haul fuel inside the vehicle. I use mine on a 1/2 ton Chevy Suburban and never know it's there. I bought aluminum for the weight saving when putting it on and taking it off. It's rated to haul 500lbs. I suspect steel ones are rated higher.