Aux Fuel Needed for Kokopelli trail (140mi)?

KlausVanWinkle · Oct 15, 2015

Kokopelli

Quick sanity check: I'm going do the Kokopelli trail from Fruita, CO to Moab coming up. It's about 140 miles of mostly moderate terrain. The hardest part is making a detour to Top of the World trail in Moab. Do you think I need aux fuel for this? The trip organizers are saying bring at least 5 gallons, but they're running JKs and 80's with 37s and many mpg draining mods. But 140 miles seems well within my Jeep's off road range. And I don't want to invest in a temporary rotopax aux fuel set up, because I'm saving up for the AEV tire carrier and fuel caddy. I'm considering just buying two 2gal Rotopax and reselling them afterward for extra insurance.

My Jeep is a relatively stock 2014 JKUR 5spd 4.10 gearing, AEV 2.5" lift, stock rubicon tires. Heavy with overlanding mods, but nothing that really changes the gas mileage.

I've done most of the Mojave Road trail with plenty of fuel to spare. But you never want to be that guy begging for gas 3/4 of the way through the trip.

Pic for reference.

View attachment 169360

JK_Dave · Oct 15, 2015

Sounds like an awesome trip! I'm afraid I can't help answer your question, but if it were me in your shoes, I'd make the investment in a fuel caddy of some kind. Factor in the mileage to the closest town at several points along the way just in case and you may find your mileage creeping above 200.

dirtlimo · Oct 15, 2015

I took 8 gallons and I did need to dip into it. Another JK on 35s with a RTT did not have to. So you might be ok, but having that extra fuel is never a bad idea.:beer:

hinrichs · Oct 15, 2015

Better to have it and not need it than be stranded

OverlanderJK · Oct 15, 2015

If your 2014 can't go 140 miles and its stock, trade it in for something else.

jeeeep · Oct 15, 2015

even when sitting idling for long periods of time my 2015 gets better mileage than my 2010 lol

how far do you have to travel to the trail? will you refuel before getting on the trail?

KlausVanWinkle · Oct 15, 2015

Thanks for the opinions guys. The trail starts near grand junction and fuita so I could start with a full tank I assume. 140 miles seems more than doable. One of my friends has a triple jerry can rack on his 80-series so he's bringing 5gal for me. AEV tire carrier and fuel caddy is in the works since I need the carrier for 35s or 37s anyway. The fuel caddy is Mostly for Baja and an upcoming Utah traverse trip. I don't need it for most smaller trips. But when you crunch the numbers between rotopax and the fuel caddy, the fuel caddy ends up being cheaper. But that'll probably be more of a Christmas present to myself.

JK_Dave · Oct 16, 2015

Assuming you've got the time, take lots of pics on the way and post them up here. I'm not the only one who'd enjoy seeing them. [emoji106]

LeighP · Oct 16, 2015

There are some new 5Gal Jerry can holders that bolt onto either side of the front fenders......no permanent mods required to fit. Just a thought for people wanting to extend their range without making having to make permanent changes to their vehicle.
MORryde are the company selling these.

skijeeper · Oct 16, 2015

Rotopax mounts on your spare wouldn't be a bad way to go either

jeeeep · Oct 16, 2015

LeighP said:
There are some new 5Gal Jerry can holders that bolt onto either side of the front fenders......no permanent mods required to fit. Just a thought for people wanting to extend their range without making having to make permanent changes to their vehicle.
MORryde are the company selling these.

i don't think I'd want fuel cans mounted to the sides of the front fenders, would be ok on long flat travels but not in some of the rocky areas like you get into in moab.

LeighP · Oct 17, 2015

jeeeep said:
i don't think I'd want fuel cans mounted to the sides of the front fenders, would be ok on long flat travels but not in some of the rocky areas like you get into in moab.

Yeah, you could be right about that........I believe MORryde also sell a spare mounted carrier for a single jerry can, too.....could be a bit safer back there up and out of the way.

jscherb · Oct 17, 2015

Here are a couple of options for carrying extra fuel on a JK...

LeighP mentioned these a few posts back - side mounts from a company called MORryde. They bolt on, no drilling required.

They can carry jerry, NATO and Sceptre cans, and also Rotopax containers:

LeighP also mentioned the MORryde spare-mount carrier, this photo shows it on an LJ but it fits JK/TJ/YJ/CJ Jeeps, also no drilling (this Jeep also has their TJ side mounts, which are different than the JK side mounts)

They also make a Rotopax carrier that mounts on their HD tailgate hinges...

jscherb · Oct 17, 2015

jeeeep said:
i don't think I'd want fuel cans mounted to the sides of the front fenders, would be ok on long flat travels but not in some of the rocky areas like you get into in moab.

If you've got enough clearance for your fender flares, you've got enough clearance for the side mount jerry cans...

If you install Rotopax containers on the side mounts they are even closer to the body.

KlausVanWinkle · Nov 16, 2015

Thanks for all the ideas guys! Those side mounts are pretty interesting.

I was able to complete the trip with a 1/4 tank to spare. The trail conditions were so bad that we had to dip out of the trail a little earlier than expected. We ended up taking Onion Springs Rd back to Moab. But even that usually graded dirt road had been washed out in several places. The Jeep still did 150 dirt miles, including Top Of The World Trail with plenty of gas to spare. Running stock sized tires probably helped with the fuel economy.

I still plan to follow my build plan and get the AEV fuel caddy and 35s for an upcoming Utah Traverse trip this spring.

My Jeep ended up looking like a Utah mud dissection.

WJCO · Nov 16, 2015

Awesome pics. Looks like a great time.

xrocknrollx · Nov 16, 2015

Those are some good pics. Looks like a fun trail

JeepJeep75 · Nov 16, 2015

That looks sooo fun. What a great adventure that must have been. Thanks for the update with pics. Looks like a great time was had. [emoji106][emoji106][emoji106]

JeepDrum · Nov 16, 2015

Wow, amazing pics! Getting my Jeep out west is definitely on my bucket list

MR.Ty · Nov 16, 2015

Great pics! Looks like it was a great couple of days. :yup:

Aux Fuel Needed for Kokopelli trail (140mi)?

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