TrailRax - Pak Rax

[John VonJeep]

Drago is getting some mounts in soon, probably going to order one. I asked about install instructions and they said it's just a simple bolt on (so, no instructions). My Mopar reinforcement has caps over what I presume are the accessory holes; anybody know if they just pop out? Look like they are just plastic caps but I haven't tried to deal with them yet. I don't want to have to pull everything if I don't have to.

Oh, and thank you @John VonJeep as Chief Enabler and Spender of Other People's Money (in addition to his own).

The caps do pop out, but be a little careful because they like to break off with part of the body still in the hole.

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[DonH63]

The caps do pop out, but be a little careful because they like to break off with part of the body still in the hole.

Thanks, that was my guess, and for the advice. I managed to break several fender liner plastic push pins working on the skid plate install, d%#$! plastic everywhere...

 

[TEAMSLO]

I had these on my previous JURD and had issues with the bolts being seized a couple of times which caused me to make additional purchases. Also had the same mentioned damage to hardtop with it rubbing the paint off. These were used for my Milwaukee packouts.

I used a sharpie a few times but it's just never the same.

Have a new jeep and will not be doing the pakrax again.

 

[SadRobot]

I had these on my previous JURD and had issues with the bolts being seized a couple of times. Also had the same mentioned damage to hardtop with it rubbing the paint off.

I used a sharpie a few times but it's just never the same.

Have a new jeep and will not be doing the pakrax again.

They look cool and a good idea in theory but I also agree, never again. I also didn't like them blocking my windows. Maybe it would be ok with a 4dr but on a 2dr it just felt kind of dangerous.

 

[DonH63]

They look cool and a good idea in theory but I also agree, never again. I also didn't like them blocking my windows. Maybe it would be ok with a 4dr but on a 2dr it just felt kind of dangerous.

Nothing like the feeling of driving through the desert with a couple of gas bombs right behind your head.

My main concern with side mounting is all the brush, rocks, and trees I've scraped against going along mountain trails. They tend to be narrow in spots. The fenders don't stop things protruding into the trail from above fender height.

I really like the Drago mount, and haven't seen another similar yet, but having heartburn spending that much (plus gas can and attachment handle).

 

[DonH63]

Anyone tried this Garvin mount?

https://garvinracks.com/18-23-wrangler-jl/jeep-jl-rotopax-mount-factory-tailgate-20400-20401

 

[DonH63]

OK, not a lot of good options for a tailgate mount that doesn't go over the tires, and side mounting ain't for me. I found others ranging from ~$100 to $200 but some are not made any more, some have bad reviews for flimsy and such, some don't work with larger tires (in case I want to up to 37" some day) or the Mopar reinforcement (seems odd), and some bang the gas can into the tail light before the tailgate is fully open (!)

The Drago mount pix and videos do not show how it works with the tailgate fully open. I sent them an email, but @John VonJeep or anybody have real-world experience with it and a 3 gal Rotopax can? Does it work with the tailgate fully open? It looks like the metal shelf would not quite clear the tail light, unless the angle is enough to keep it out of the light housing?

 

[DonH63]

Drago responded and said the mount does clear the tail light with a 3 gal Rotopax mounted. I absolutely hate the price but ordering one today. Just not a lot of other options that look as good to me, though I did find a couple of others by small companies in the $150 range. The Drago mount is more solid, using the three accessory holes (that I didn't even know were there until now), instead of the hinge bolts. The tire-carrier/strap versions are promising and cheaper, but I just like this style a little better.

 

[SadRobot]

Drago responded and said the mount does clear the tail light with a 3 gal Rotopax mounted. I absolutely hate the price but ordering one today. Just not a lot of other options that look as good to me, though I did find a couple of others by small companies in the $150 range. The Drago mount is more solid, using the three accessory holes (that I didn't even know were there until now), instead of the hinge bolts. The tire-carrier/strap versions are promising and cheaper, but I just like this style a little better.

Post pics and a review once you get it!

 

[eugeeezy]

OK, not a lot of good options for a tailgate mount that doesn't go over the tires, and side mounting ain't for me. I found others ranging from ~$100 to $200 but some are not made any more, some have bad reviews for flimsy and such, some don't work with larger tires (in case I want to up to 37" some day) or the Mopar reinforcement (seems odd), and some bang the gas can into the tail light before the tailgate is fully open (!)

The Drago mount pix and videos do not show how it works with the tailgate fully open. I sent them an email, but @John VonJeep or anybody have real-world experience with it and a 3 gal Rotopax can? Does it work with the tailgate fully open? It looks like the metal shelf would not quite clear the tail light, unless the angle is enough to keep it out of the light housing?

Just installed mine this afternoon. non XR taillights and Can confirm it works with the gate fully open, though I haven’t just swung the gate open carelessly. The shelf clears just fine. It’s the metal plate that the screws go on that’s a tight fit between the taillight. It just barely leaves a gap between the taillight.

 

[DonH63]

Just installed mine this afternoon. non XR taillights and Can confirm it works with the gate fully open, though I haven’t just swung the gate open carelessly. The shelf clears just fine. It’s the metal plate that the screws go on that’s a tight fit between the taillight. It just barely leaves a gap between the taillight.

Great! Mine arrives Saturday, UPS willing.

 

[DonH63]

Got my mount today! It was incredibly well packaged, with styrofoam pieces inside the box, and the mount itself well-wrapped in soft foam and then plastic film. Started putting it on and noticed the directions (and pictures on the Drago website) do not mention nor show the handle mounting plate that comes with the Rotopax Lox Mount kit; you mount the handle directly to the Drago carrier. Not a biggie, but could have ordered just the handle and saved some bucks.

I got the first pushpin out of the tailgate with my little plastic pry bar set, then broke the heads off the next two. After some futzing, I discovered using needle nose pliers on the stub I was able to just spin them out like backing out a screw. Duh! I could have pried just enough to get a grip on the rim of the pushpin heads and simply "unscrewed" them. Would have been much faster.

Install was easy after that. Drago had red Loctite on their mounting bolts, and I added blue Loctite to the Rotopax handle bolts (I have red but hate to use it unless I really need it). The mount clears the door and tail light on my 392 XR with an inch or two to spare when the tailgate is all the way open, and a 3 gallon Rotopax can clears as well. Only rattles are from the Rotopax lock; may see if a piece of friction tape will help, but they advise leaving it off except when needed so not a biggie.

Happy camper!

Took a bunch of pictures, pasted a few below for fun.

Well packaged!

Installed, ready for the gas can.

Showing clearance from mount to tail light with tailgate full open.

Clearance with the 3 gallon gas can mounted and tailgate wide open.

Clearance to the spare tire. Ignore the bald old fart in the window.

Done, ready to get on the trails! Well, gotta' fill the gas can first...

 

[MeatRack]

Done, ready to get on the trails! Well, gotta' fill the gas can first...

This is my new favorite tailgate mount. Love the short moment arm on the hinges design for minimal load. Thanks for the install details.

 

[eugeeezy]

I used some thin foam tape on the lock to stop the rattling.

 

[DonH63]

I did a nice tight wrap of friction tape, then couldn't get the lock back in, and figured if I could force it in I'd break the key trying to get it out. I ended up with a thin (narrow) strip on the bottom near the keyhole (outer) end for now. It's not rattling at the moment, but need to revisit later.

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