Grenadier Utility Belt Bracket for RotoPax Container

[LeonD]

I was looking for a RotoPax gas container solution for extended off-road travel to give me a little more range. I didn't want to mount it on the roof, the rear, or on the back window molle panels. I had Scott from Scott's Welding and Machine Shop (Virginia) build me a bracket for the utility belt. I'm really pleased with the result. If interested, send an inquiry to Scott at https://scottsweldingandmachine.com/ Cool dude who does very nice work. As a side note, I had a very hard time finding anyone who would give me the time of day to do small jobs. Scott did not hesitate, contacted me, we have worked on two projects thus far for the Grenadier, and I think he is really enjoying it to.

 

[Krabby]

Carrying gasoline on the outside of the vehicle (onroad) brings with it some inherent dangers - I'm not sure I'd want it strapped on the door with just it separating us. Not trying to be a hater - I'm coming at it from a safety mindset.

edit - just reread your post for offroad use

 

[84-4runner]

looks good I might trim some of the attachment bolts just to be safe. They look close but it could just be the pictures

 

[LeonD]

Carrying gasoline on the outside of the vehicle (onroad) brings with it some inherent dangers - I'm not sure I'd want it strapped on the door with just it separating us. Not trying to be a hater - I'm coming at it from a safety mindset.

edit - just reread your post for offroad use

Agreed (onroad use). Another option for RotoPax water containers.

 

[LeonD]

looks good I might trim some of the attachment bolts just to be safe. They look close but it could just be the pictures

Agreed, the bolts are the cheap Amazon L bracket ones. I don't have much confidence in them, but its what I had available. Just order the L-Track Double Lug Threaded stud fittings at USCC https://www.uscargocontrol.com/products/l-track-double-lug-threaded-stud-fitting

 

[202Overland]

Thanks, I'm in Maryland I will reach out to Scott.

 

[202Overland]

The bracket is universal, you used it with a rotopax mount, but it seems you can place any mount on the bracket? I'm thinking the RhinoRack utility holder https://www.rhinorack.com/en-us/pro...-it-utility-holder-regular-with-zwifloc_rsit2 could be placed on the bracket to mount a shovel?

 

[parb]

Are the doors and the belts strong enough for this much weight? Especially with lateral forces bouncing the car around?

 

[255/85]

I noticed Dirtbox Overland has some fuel and water containers on the doors of their Grenadier. I don't know about the strength of the attachment points though.

Dirtbox Overland

"Welcome to Dirtbox Overland, your go-to destination for overlanding and off-road enthusiasts! Explore the rugged world of adventure with our Canopy Camper and Flatbed Camper systems. Join us as we dive into the off-road lifestyle, gear reviews, and epic journeys that will fuel your wanderlust...

www.youtube.com

Correction: Here's the page from the owner's manual...

 

[202Overland]

Looks like Dirtbox Overland is using the 2 gallon water rotopax container. Interesting that the container is forward on the door closer to the hinges, more strength? 2 gallons of water is about 17 pounds, with weight distributed between the top rail and lower utility hook.

Looks like Leon has the 3 gallon gas container? 19 pounds of fuel distributed between the top utility rail and lower utility hook.

Front door upper utility rail at 22.05 pounds and lower utility hook at 11 pounds. Thoughts?

 

[202Overland]

I was looking at the WW2 British SAS desert raid vehicles (I think 109 Land Rover), they just mounting everything on those vehicles!

 

[parb]

I noticed Dirtbox Overland has some fuel and water containers on the doors of their Grenadier. I don't know about the strength of the attachment points though.

Dirtbox Overland

"Welcome to Dirtbox Overland, your go-to destination for overlanding and off-road enthusiasts! Explore the rugged world of adventure with our Canopy Camper and Flatbed Camper systems. Join us as we dive into the off-road lifestyle, gear reviews, and epic journeys that will fuel your wanderlust...

www.youtube.com

Correction: Here's the page from the owner's manual...

View attachment 7886914

I wonder if that is static or dynamic load. Static I think would be fine, it's the bouncing I worry about.

 

[255/85]

I wonder if that is static or dynamic load. Static I think would be fine, it's the bouncing I worry about.

Here's what Ineos says...

Exterior Utility Belt (OPTIONAL) (page 91)

"WARNING: The Exterior Utility Belt (and any items attached to it) can only be used when off-road. On-road use is prohibited. Loading equipment on the exterior of the vehicle may change the handling characteristics.Users should not load the vehicle, any options or accessories (or any part of them) beyond their intended capacities. Improper use of the vehicle or other equipment may be unsafe and could result in property damage and/or injury to users and/or other parties."


And here's the full page from the brochure (page 92)...



There are 30 litre and dual 20 litre (40l) fuel/water setups utilizing the rear quarter panel attachment points. That's 30kg and 40kg respectively plus any container weight and bracketry. (Yes, some of the load is shifted to the grab rails.) Have there been failures?

 

[202Overland]

Here's what Ineos says...

Exterior Utility Belt (OPTIONAL) (page 91)

"WARNING: The Exterior Utility Belt (and any items attached to it) can only be used when off-road. On-road use is prohibited. Loading equipment on the exterior of the vehicle may change the handling characteristics.Users should not load the vehicle, any options or accessories (or any part of them) beyond their intended capacities. Improper use of the vehicle or other equipment may be unsafe and could result in property damage and/or injury to users and/or other parties."


And here's the full page from the brochure (page 92)...

View attachment 7886951

There are 30 litre and dual 20 litre (40l) fuel/water setups utilizing the rear quarter panel attachment points. That's 30kg and 40kg respectively plus any container weight and bracketry. (Yes, some of the load is shifted to the grab rails.) Have there been failures?

In your first post I missed the "Load Per Hook" per the INEOS manual. I was disappointed with how little the utility belt could manage. The "Total Load Per Rail / Tethering Hook" makes much more sense!

For clarity, I an NOT an engineer. To the question about static and dynamic load factors. It appears based on the 2 gallon water container and the 3 gallon fuel container that static load factor is not an issue. It is my understanding that dynamic load you multiple the static by 2 for a conservative estimate and by 3 for a more aggressive estimate to determine dynamic load limits.

Static Load

• Weight of gasoline:

• Gasoline weighs ~6 lbs per gallon

• Total weight for 3 gallons = 3 × 6 = 18 lbs


Assuming the load is evenly distributed between the two L-tracks:

• Top L-track load: 9 lbs

• Lower L-track load: 9 lbs



Dynamic Load


Dynamic loads can increase due to acceleration, vibration, or impact. Multiplied by a factor of 2 for a conservative measure and 3 for an more aggressive measure


Top L-Track (99 lbs limit)

• Static load: 9 lbs

• Dynamic load (×2 factor): 9 × 2 = 18 lbs

• Dynamic load (×3 factor): 9 × 3 = 27 lbs

• Safe? Well below 99 lbs limit


Lower L-Track (33 lbs limit)

• Static load: 9 lbs

• Dynamic load (×2 factor): 9 × 2 = 18 lbs

• Dynamic load (×3 factor): 9 × 3 = 27 lbs

• Safe? Below 33 lbs limit



L -Track System’s Dynamic Load Limit



Weakest link is the utility belts overall limit is the lower L-track which has a 33 lbs limit.

Looks like the 2 gallon water container and the three gallon gas container are within the safe limits of the utility belt.

Again, I'm not an engineer, I'm confident there are many on this forum who are.

 

[Tom109]

Front door upper utility rail at 22.05 pounds and lower utility hook at 11 pounds. Thoughts?

Not good!

 

[202Overland]

Not good!

Tom109, I mis-read the manual section that was posted. It was "Load Per Hook". I misread it thinking it said load per upper rail. I did some new number crunching above.

 

[Tom109]

Tom109, I mis-read the manual section that was posted. It was "Load Per Hook". I misread it thinking it said load per upper rail. I did some new number crunching above.

The utility belt is highly suspect to me, as is mounting anything that widens the vehicle. It just doesn’t work for how/where I use my vehicles.

 

[255/85]

It was my fault. At first I only posted the "per hook" numbers. See post #13.

 

[255/85]

The utility belt is highly suspect to me, as is mounting anything that widens the vehicle. It just doesn’t work for how/where I use my vehicles.

Narrow trails would be verboten.

 

[LeonD]

Are there any known failures of the utility belts on the Grenadier?