JL Rotopax Mount - "Adventure Caddie"

[boehml]

Updated Design 2021/03/17

I've brought the Rotopax in closer to centre and added a locking swivel license plate mount to access the rotopax easier. The design was slimmed down and strengthened as well.

Updated Design 2021/02/17

Mostly fully functional with all aftermarket tire carriers now. Powder coated production prototype coming this week or next.

Updated Design 2021/02/02

So here is the design as of 2021/02/02. It has changed a bunch from my original post and is nearly complete. There are some issues to be worked out with the back up camera as I am not happy with the current way it works and lack of compatibility with aftermarket carriers.

Front w/ License plate bracket

Back

License Plate Bracket

Prototype w/ third brake light option

Old Post

I had asked our local member groups if anyone was interested in testing a Rotopax tire carrier mounted "caddie" and while a bunch of people wanted to, none actually had rotopax... So I guess I need to expand my audience. Hopefully this is the right place to post, I am not trying to sell a product.

I have been designing this LVS Signature Series Caddie, and I was hoping for two test mules (the closer to the Pacific Northwest the better), one with stock (or close to) stock wheel/tire setup and another with 35 or 40" tires and aftermarket wheels.

It can be setup in two configurations at the moment (pending backup camera interference).

Mockup on a 33" tire.

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[moodywizard]

I have the rockslide engineering spare tire mount with two 2 gal rotopax and your's looks like an alternate solution. From a quick glance will the right side rotopax clear the tail light housing? I know that is a problem with the rse and ended up having to move them upwards more...

 

[boehml]

I have the rockslide engineering spare tire mount with two 2 gal rotopax and your's looks like an alternate solution. From a quick glance will the right side rotopax clear the tail light housing? I know that is a problem with the rse and ended up having to move them upwards more...

If they are mounted vertically, in theory, no. Working on the updated design at the moment, and this is about how far the rotopax sticks out off a 35" tire, which is almost the same distance as the Vector mount.

 

[Stormin’ Moorman]

Is your design adjustable for aftermarket wheel backspacing?

 

[boehml]

Is your design adjustable for aftermarket wheel backspacing?

Yes, it will have about 8" of adjustability on the updated design to compensate for tire width and wheels. So if you have less than 8" from your wheel mounting surface to tire wall, it would work.

 

[Stormin’ Moorman]

Yes, it will have about 8" of adjustability on the updated design to compensate for tire width and wheels. So if you have less than 8" from your wheel mounting surface to tire wall, it would work.

I’d be down with that. With the sky one touch top I’m pretty limited

 

[Fsttanks]

I had asked our local member groups if anyone was interested in testing a Rotopax tire carrier mounted "caddie" and while a bunch of people wanted to, none actually had rotopax... So I guess I need to expand my audience. Hopefully this is the right place to post, I am not trying to sell a product.

I have been designing this LVS Signature Series Caddie, and I was hoping for two test mules (the closer to the Pacific Northwest the better), one with stock (or close to) stock wheel/tire setup and another with 35 or 40" tires and aftermarket wheels.

It can be setup in two configurations at the moment (pending backup camera interference).

Mockup on a 33" tire.

I would be happy to be test “mule” with my 2020 JLUR I am running 35s on stock rims with stock carrier. Ran with Rotopaxs on my JKU for several years.

Located in SoCal minutes from some of the best off roading on the Pacific coast side of the US. Deserts, mountains, rocks, sand and even snow.

 

[boehml]

Awesome, I will get back to you all with the final prototype design. I am testing more material on Monday with the updated design for strength. Also adding a tab for a sand flag.

 

[OminousSkitter]

I’m in Bend for a few weeks before heading up north. Sport with stock tires and wheels, but I have an aftermarket tire carrier.

 

[boehml]

3D updated carrier with enforcement, minus hardware.

Backplate

Frontplate

 

[Dorian]

Design looks great. Would love to test/try it on my 2019 JLU. Same issue as some of the others. Skytop with few available options. I'm out of Los Angeles.

I'm running stock 33" KO2's and the stock tire carrier. I am trying hard to keep my rig as light as possible. I'll be doing about 1,800 miles of cross country travel and about 300 miles of off-road trails in Colorado, Utah and Nevada just after Labor Day. Mostly easy and moderate trails.

I usually carry one or two Rotopax fuel packs (1.75 Gallons) and one 1.75 gallon Rotopax for water water. I've been strapping them to my roof basket, but this seems like a much more simple and accessible solution.

Either way, good luck with the design.

Dorian

 

[Azbigbear]

Updated design below.

I had asked our local member groups if anyone was interested in testing a Rotopax tire carrier mounted "caddie" and while a bunch of people wanted to, none actually had rotopax... So I guess I need to expand my audience. Hopefully this is the right place to post, I am not trying to sell a product.

I have been designing this LVS Signature Series Caddie, and I was hoping for two test mules (the closer to the Pacific Northwest the better), one with stock (or close to) stock wheel/tire setup and another with 35 or 40" tires and aftermarket wheels.

It can be setup in two configurations at the moment (pending backup camera interference).

Mockup on a 33" tire.

I am running 35’s on a standard Rubicon rim with Mopar tailgate reinforcement. I also have taillight guards installed which caused a conflict when opening the tailgate fully. I would be happy to be a guinea pig if you still need one.

 

[GClouser]

Updated design below.

I had asked our local member groups if anyone was interested in testing a Rotopax tire carrier mounted "caddie" and while a bunch of people wanted to, none actually had rotopax... So I guess I need to expand my audience. Hopefully this is the right place to post, I am not trying to sell a product.

I have been designing this LVS Signature Series Caddie, and I was hoping for two test mules (the closer to the Pacific Northwest the better), one with stock (or close to) stock wheel/tire setup and another with 35 or 40" tires and aftermarket wheels.

Hey if still looking for people to test, I'm currently running stock sport tires with steel wheels.

 

[sportsguy]

Definitely following this! I'm in Camarillo and just started looking for a solution like this. Happy to test, if useful, otherwise, looking for a date we should expect for this solution.

 

[boehml]

Definitely following this! I'm in Camarillo and just started looking for a solution like this. Happy to test, if useful, otherwise, looking for a date we should expect for this solution.

Hey if still looking for people to test, I'm currently running stock sport tires with steel wheels.

Well I am on like the 7th edition (or something) of this design. What's really a challenge is how to mount this to the top two lugs, while ensuring it is adjustable for wheel/tire combinations and also quick/easy to remove the spare tire in the event that needs to happen. This shouldn't hinder someone who needs to change their spare.

If I am able to finalize the design, I have a member of this forum to test, but he leaves on his trip in a week or two and if it's not finalized by then, I will need someone else.

I've now gone to a 1 piece welded aluminium bracket for additional strength rather than 2 piece bolt together. Also, new mounting system to the lugs (see last photo), which will snug the bracket to your tire via torquing your lugs down (after you've correctly set the length via first time installation).

The reason for this setup is adjust-ability without having the pre-measure your tire/wheel setup (like other manufactures), while allowing attachment to virtually all wheels without the bracket itself interfering (like on the first design posted). Taking the tire off should be as simple as:

1. Break the torque on the top two extended lugs connecting the carrier to the tire.
2. Loosen the setscrew on the collar and remove the socket adpater/collar.
3. Slide the carrier off and remove the two lugs loosening by hand.

Re-installation should be:

1. Hand tighten extended lugs, loosening one-two full turns and slide carrier over the extended lugs.
2. Attach the socket adapter/collar and tighten setscrew.
3. Torque down the extended lugs, seating the carrier tightly against the tire.

Feedback is appreciated.