So at work Im making a safari rack, I wanted to make something to hold about 5 gallons of gas, Im wondering instead of using gas cans like most I would like to build an external gas tank on my rack with a hose and shut-off valve. would this be a good idea or bad? I would be using stailness steel for the tank and I would make it flush with the walls of the rack and will be enclosed with some bars. any ideas or thoughts?

If you ever drive it on the road, SUV's are at a higher rate of rollover. Regular gas tanks are underneath, and protected by the frame.

When you rollover, you tend to go, roof first, towards the object you were swerving from.

So the good news is, your impact will be slowed by the napalm bomb between you and the object in front of you.

If you survive, that would be good as it's best to be able to defend yourself in court from the lawsuits of the people you hit, rather than having your estate do it.

Sorry to be a downer, but I would not have a bomb on my roof, up in the sun getting hot (how much pressure will it be under?) making me more top-heavy, then coating me with flaming gasoline if I get in an accident.

As Randii says, "Your mileage may vary." ;-)

You may want to read my post " How to add a second tank" over in the diesel section. I show how to add a second tank to the 1st Gen Troopers. No reason why it can't be adapted to the other Isuzus if you find the right pickup tank.
I have a 13 gallon Isuzu short bed pickup tank under my wifes 89 Trooper. So with both the stock 26 gallon and the pickup tank she can haul 39 gallons at a time. No need for a gas can.
Curtis

this was posted on planetisuzoo a while back

http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?t=12153&highlight=trooper+spotted

I would advise against putting fuel up on the rack. Saftey is a reason that could be justified if it weren't so easy to find another place to mount a jerry can or transport extra fuel safer. First thoughts are, rear tires jerry can mount, rear ladder mount, or even secured in the rear cargo area.

The only time my can would be full wherever it was mounted was on a wheeling trip where extra gas would absolutely be needed. So far wheeling all over california with my Rodeo, I have not come into the situation where I could have possibly been stranded becasue I ran out of gas. I just make it a point to fill up at the last gas station before I get to the trail head.

-Ashby

Good point Ashby. I often take gas can(s) with me, transported in the cargo area of the Amigo. They then get left at camp, as we go on day runs. Without exception, they have been used for other people or I empty them into my tank for the drive home.

If I am on a multiday trail ride, camping along the way, my Isuzu has never been the weak point for gas consumption. There is usually a very thirsty Jeep somewhere.

The later model Rodeos (and Amigos)are a weak point with the 15 gallon gas tanks. Before that, Isuzu was very generous with gas capacities in all of their vehicles.

you know the tank on the yellow trooper could also be water - the sun would heat it, thus a gravity fed shower.....