Foam Jerry Can Mount for the Pioneer Platform by Svnty Offroad
In this post we review the EVA foam jerry can mount (or holder) for the Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform manufactured in Brisbane, Australia by Svnty Offroad.
Any 4WD Adventurer will need to carry at least one jerry can for additional fuel or water and finding the right storage mounting solution can be difficult with the range of products out there. When we were looking for a jerry can storage solution, we considered a few options including adding an additional swing arm to our Uneek 4×4 rear bar with jerry can storage as well as the available steel mounts for the Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform. We decided against using the additional swing arm on our rear bar as we would prefer to use this for another spare tyre at some stage in the future. When looking at the steel jerry can mount options for the Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform there were a few things we did not like about them which we will discuss in this post below.
The result was we decided to go with the Svnty Offroad EVA foam jerry can mount (holder) for the Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform that is manufactured here in Brisbane, Australia. We have had great success with the other Svnty Offroad Pioneer Platform mounting accessories and 70 Series Toyota Land Cruiser accessories. We discuss why we chose the Svnty Offroad foam jerry can mount and how well it has worked for us while touring in the Australian outback as well as many other adventures.
Jerry Can Storage Dilemma
As you plan more remote trips and need to carry additional fuel and water, if you do not have the luxury of a huge, long-range fuel tank or water tank, jerry cans are the next best option for fuel and water storage. Even if you do have a long-range tank, you still might need to carry extra fuel just in case. Either way there is a big chance that you will be carrying at least one jerry can. There are a range of different storage options for jerry cans and the difficulty is choosing the right solution for your 4WD setup.
We highlighted above the different jerry can storage options we considered so let us discuss these in a bit more detail. As we have a Uneek 4×4 rear bar to hold the weight of our bigger 33-inch tyres, we do have the option to add another swing arm. Uneek 4×4 have the option for an additional swing arm with either a double jerry can mount or the option to carry a second spare tyre. As we love to travel remotely and sometimes on our own, we would really prefer to carry another spare tyre once we have the GVM increase to be able to carry another 44kgs. Therefore, carrying jerry cans off the second swing arm on our rear bar is not a good option for us. The next best option is to store our jerry can(s) on our Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform. As the Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform is one of the more popular roof platforms in Australia there is a huge range of Rhino Rack and other aftermarket accessories made to suit this roof platform. We looked at quite a few different options and this is what we found while looking for a jerry can mount to suit the Pioneer Platform.
Most Pioneer Platform Options are Steel
Most of the jerry can mounts or holders for the Pioneer Platform are made from steel. The benefits of steel are obviously strength but with that comes a few disadvantages. Firstly, steel is heavy and weight in any 4WD setup is one of the biggest problems we all try and tackle in keeping within GVM and overall vehicle performance. About weight, any weight stored up high is also something you want to try and keep to a minimum as you do not want a high centre of gravity for obvious reasons. The Rhino Rack jerry can steel mounts only weigh in at around 4kgs which does not seem like much, but 4kgs here and there starts to add up. The second issue with steel is that over time it can corrode. All the steel options out there are powder coated which will provide some resistance to corrosion, but powder coat will not last forever and with a few vibrations and movement in your gear, the powder coat will soon disappear with the steel will be exposed to the elements. Over time any steel storage mount will be affected by corrosion. The third and final issue with steel mounts on your roof rack is that they do not protect your gear or roof platform. If you do not add additional foam or marine carpet between the mount, roof platform and your gear, any sort of off-road driving will send loads of vibrations through your entire 4WD and over time all these components will get damaged in some way. We know this is true as we have had this sort of damage occur on many a trip.
Steel is of course strong but when it comes to roof rack mounting options, they do not need to be steel to still be a strong, secure, and good storage option. This is where the Svnty Offroad EVA foam jerry can mount (or holder) is such a good option as it is not made from steel, it will not rust, will not damage your roof rack or jerry can, and moreover it is super lightweight. Lightweight is not an understatement, the Svnty Offroad EVA foam jerry can mount (holder) weighs in at 600 grams.
EVA Foam
What is EVA foam? EVA is the acronym for ethylene-vinyl acetate. It is also known as expanded rubber or foam rubber and has many uses in all sorts of products. It is used as a substitute in production for a range of other materials due to several benefits gained by using EVA foam over other materials especially in certain conditions. Here are the conditions and benefits of using EVA foam products:
- Impact absorption when experiencing high vibrations.
- High UV resistance for the hot Australian climate.
- Low water absorption with waterproof properties – no mould or mildew.
- High strength and tear resistance.
- Will not rust.
The Svnty Offroad foam jerry can mount (holder) has been precision CNC cut out of EVA foam sheeting with an 85kg / M3 density. We have been lucky enough to see these EVA foam products by Svnty Offroad in production, check out the pictures below of the Svnty Offroad foam gas bottle mounts being made in Brisbane.
Foam Jerry Can Mount
Impact & Vibration Absorption
As highlighted above, there are many benefits of using a Svnty Offroad EVA foam jerry can mount (holder) for the Pioneer Platform over traditional steel ones. This includes the ability for the foam mount to be able to absorb vibrations when travelling along corrugations and / or bumpy tracks. Impact absorption means that your expensive Pioneer Platform and jerry can will not get damaged from any movement or vibrations. For anyone that has driven along thousands of kilometres of rough corrugated Australian roads knows what serious vibrations feel like and what these can do to not only your 4WD but also your gear. Because the foam jerry can mount absorbs these vibrations and movements, the likelihood of your jerry can becoming loose is extremely low. If you compare this to using a steel mount or bracket, any vibrations will cause the steel to move in some way, this is guaranteed to happen. This will lead to damage to your roof rack, and with vibrations increasing the chance of mounting bolts or even straps coming loose. This is the last thing that you want to happen while out and about exploring.
Overall, this one feature of the Svnty Offroad foam jerry can mount for the Pioneer Platform makes it the best storage option as it significantly reduces the risk of something going horribly wrong.
Weather & Water Resistance
EVA foam also has high weather resistance properties. This means that the likelihood of damage with prolonged UV exposure is minimised. This is vital in Australia where the UV levels are extremely high. As a result, the foam jerry can mount should not experience cracking as you would see with other materials like rubber. Water resistance or the repelling properties of EVA foam make this another great material as you do not need to worry about water exposure to the mount on your roof rack. Therefore, there is no risk of mould, mildew, rot, or bacteria. This ensures that the jerry can mount will last for a long period of time. When you compare this to steel options that will rust and corrode over time and will need to be repaired, touched up or replaced.
Foam Jerry Can Mount Features
Lying Flat Will It Leak?
The Svnty Offroad foam jerry can mount (holder) for the Pioneer Platform has one big distinguishing feature to all other jerry can storage options out there. That is the jerry can is mounted flat on its side. The main comments or questions we have received from people in person or on social media has been about the orientation of the jerry can and curious about any leakage with lying the jerry can flat. People can get a bit weirded out when a business comes along and does something a little different. This is of course a valid question and there is one key factor here that ensures this Svnty Offroad foam jerry can mount will work for you. This being the quality of your jerry can. Using a cheap poorly manufactured jerry can will more than likely be a problem as they are known to leak badly from poor seals.
We have tested out an old cheap jerry can we have had for a few years that we use for fuel for our mower and other garden equipment and our more expensive Australian made Supex jerry cans we use in our touring setup. The simple test is to fill up the jerry can and lie flat for a couple of days and see what happens. We found that the cheap jerry can leaked slightly from the cap seal and our more expensive ones had no issues. By adding a bit of plastic to the cheap jerry can lid and then resealing we found the leak stopped. We have also tested out our jerry cans (both water and diesel made in Australia by Supex) in many trips and have never had an issue with any leaks. These trips have included thousands of kms on rough corrugated roads in the outback and across the Simpson Desert. Svnty Offroad have also done extensive real-world testing using Proquip heavy duty jerry cans and have also not had any leakage issues.
Less Noise & Wind Resistance
In our opinion after using the Svnty Offroad foam jerry can mount on our Pioneer Platform for more than 12 months we do not see any issues with lying our jerry cans flat on our roof platform. Just because it has never been done before does not mean it will not work. Remembering the quality of your jerry can is paramount here. The real big benefit of lying our jerry can flat on our Pioneer Platform verse standing vertically or horizontally is the reduction in wind noise. This is of course obvious as the jerry can lying flat provides a much lower profile up high on your roof. Wind noise is reduced as well as providing greater wind resistance. Wind resistance is great for engine performance and fuel economy although we are a little unsure as to how great the benefit to fuel economy is with lying our jerry can flat verse standing up.
Cheaper than Steel Options
The Svnty Offroadfoam jerry can mount (holder) for the Pioneer Platform is a cheaper option than the comparable Rhino Rack mounting solution at $96 for the foam mount only or $125 for the kit. To secure the jerry can you will need four eye bolts and channel slot nuts so if you do not already have these you will need to purchase the kit. The foam mount kit includes all the mounting hardware required being four eye bolts, washers, and slot nuts. You can see from our pictures in this post that the Svnty Offroad foam jerry can mount (holder) has been CNC cut to follow the shape of the jerry can. On each side of the foam mount there are cut outs where you need to mount the eye bolts to the Pioneer Platform channels. These cut outs are the perfect dimensions to match the distance between each Pioneer Platform channel on both the old and new designs of this roof platform. If you have another branded roof platform you will need to double check the dimensions between the channels to see if the Svnty Offroad jerry can mount (holder) will work for your setup. When securing the jerry can you simply run two straps between the eye bolts and over the jerry can and tighten. We have not had any issues with the straps coming loose after days of driving rough roads which is one of the big benefits of the impact absorption of EVA foam.
Feature Summary
Here is a summary of the features of the Svnty Offroad jerry can mount (holder) for the Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform:
- Australian made, in Brisbane.
- Safe roof rack mounting.
- Made specifically for the Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform (check dimensions for other brands).
- Protects your roof rack from scratches and rub marks.
- Impervious to mildew, mould, rot, and bacteria.
- Superior petrol, oils, chemical and grease resistance.
- High strength and tear resistance.
- High shock absorption and impact resistance – anti shock and vibration.
- No corrosion as per steel products.
- Super lightweight weighing only 600 grams.
- High UV resistance.
- Tested in Australia’s weather and outback road conditions.
- Costs $96 for the foam insert only.
- Costs $125 for the kit which includes all fixing hardware.
- You need four eye bolts, slot nuts and washers.
- You will also need two short tie down straps.
- Svnty Offroad made this specifically for the Proquip jerry cans so double check dimensions we use another Australian made jerry can.
- Suitable for only quality made jerry cans that do not leak when lying flat.
- Can add a small piece of plastic to jerry can lid to reduce likelihood of leakage.
Jerry Can Foam Mount Specifications
These are the Svnty Offroad foam jerry can mount (holder) technical specifications:
- Material: EVA foam 85kg /M3 density.
- Precision cut with CNC in Brisbane.
- External size: 510 x 410 x 40 MM (L X W X H).
- Internal size: 430 x 350 x 30 MM (L x W x H) – maximum jerry can dimensions.
- Eye bolt provision / recesses: 230 x 375 MM (L X W).
- Base: 10MM thick.
- Weight: 600 grams.
Overall Verdict
Overall, after 12 months of use in all sorts of Australian road conditions and weather we have been extremely happy with our Svnty Offroad foam jerry can mount (holder) for our Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform. Not only is this jerry can mount cheaper than the Rhino Rack product options it is much lighter at 600 grams compared to 4 kgs. In comparison to the steel jerry can storage mounts on our off-road camper trailer DOT373 which has created large scuff marks to our jerry cans as well as damage to the paint on the trailer, we have not had any damage occur to both our jerry can or Pioneer Platform due to the EVA foam. We have since purchased 5mm EVA foam pieces and stuck these to our steel trailer jerry can mounts with adhesive to protect our trailer and jerry cans when we store them on DOT373. We have also not experienced any leakage from any of our jerry cans while lying them flat when stored on our Pioneer Platform after extensive days of driving on rough and corrugated roads. The quality of jerry can will be a big factor here. Moreover, we have also not had any issues with our jerry can moving or the straps becoming loose from the vibrations caused while driving along these bumpy roads. Overall, we would highly recommend the Svnty Offroad foam jerry can mount (holder) for the Pioneer Platform if you are looking for a great jerry can storage solution that is lightweight, not expensive, is Australian made, works, and keeps your gear both safe and secure.
For more information on the Svnty Offroad foam jerry can mount (holder) for the Pioneer Platform check out the foam insert only here and the complete kit here. We do use a few other Svnty Offroad Australian made products in our setup so you can read these other reviews here. If you have any questions or comments about our Svnty Offroad foam jerry can mount, please comment below this post.
Use discount code 4WDADV for 10% off any Svnty Offroad products.
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Thanks for reading legends.
The thoughts of Peter.
