Fuel and Water Cans

What this category includes

Extended trips and remote trails call for carrying fuel and water beyond what the vehicle holds. The listings include plastic modular packs in capacities such as 1.75, 2, 3 and 4 gallons, steel jerry-style cans, Daystar Cam Can containers made for Jeeps, and mounting hardware such as backing plates, pack mounts, extensions and fuel cell mounts. Some packs are sold empty as storage or emergency kits.

Plastic packs versus steel cans

Modular plastic packs are designed to lock onto a mount and can be stacked. They are light and corrosion free, and approved versions carry EPA and CARB compliance notes. Steel cans, such as the military-style jerry can, are sturdy and common, and they use a locking lever and a spout that can be stored with the can. Both types should be rated for the liquid you carry, so use fuel-rated containers for gasoline and diesel and keep water in a separate container intended for it.

What to check

• Capacity and shape: a flat pack fits a tailgate or rack better than a tall can.
• Intended liquid: gasoline, diesel or water. Do not switch a container between fuel and drinking water.
• Spout and venting: a good spout and vent cap reduce spills.
• Mount compatibility: many listings say the mounting kit is sold separately, and each system has its own mounts.
• Material and finish: powder-coated steel, anodized aluminum or molded plastic.

Safe use

Fill cans outdoors, away from ignition sources, and avoid filling them while sitting in a truck bed with a plastic liner, where static can build up. Leave a little expansion room in the container, since heat expands fuel. Keep cans secured so they cannot shift or fall, ideally outside the passenger cabin, and tighten caps fully. Check local rules for transporting and storing fuel, and never exceed the weight capacity of your rack, hitch carrier or mount.

Capacity planning matters. Gasoline weighs roughly six pounds per gallon and water about eight, so a few containers add real weight to a rack, tailgate or rear bumper carrier. Check the weight rating of whatever you mount to, and keep heavy loads low and close to the vehicle center, which keeps handling more predictable. Mounting plates, brackets and straps should be tightened and rechecked since trail vibration loosens fasteners.

Think about convenience in the field. A well designed spout with a vent allows a smooth, fast pour without gurgling, and a backing plate, pack mount and extension let you build a modular setup that matches your vehicle. If you carry water, rinse and sanitize the container as the maker recommends, and store it out of direct sunlight to slow algae growth. Keep fuel containers away from the exhaust, and never fill them completely. Remember that rules for carrying fuel on roads and in campgrounds or parks vary, so check local requirements for your area.

Inspect gaskets and seals before each trip. Spout gaskets and cap seals harden with age and fuel exposure, and a worn gasket is the most common cause of a slow leak that smells in the cabin or stains a carrier. Keep a spare gasket and a funnel with your recovery kit, and wipe any spilled fuel off the container and the vehicle right away.

Fitment

Mounting parts are model specific, so check your vehicle fitment and the manufacturer's specifications before choosing a product below.