Fueling Adventure: A Guide to Carrying Fuel on Long Trips

By IAG Off-Road
5 min read
Fueling Adventure: A Guide to Carrying Fuel on Long Trips

Embarking on an off-roading adventure is an exhilarating experience. The rugged terrain, breathtaking landscapes, and the freedom to explore the great outdoors can make it an unforgettable journey. However, when it comes to venturing off the beaten path, you need to be sure that you have enough fuel to power through your expedition. This article will help you nail down your fuel provisions for your next off-road excursion.

ORV driving down seemingly endless road

HOW MUCH FUEL DO YOU ACTUALLY NEED?

Before hitting the trails, you’ll want to think about the type of driving you’ll be doing, as well as the distances you plan to cover. For instance, your fuel needs for short trails with obstacles will be completely different than a long-distance overland journey. A rough calculation of the distance you plan on covering, along with the type of terrain you’ll encounter and the average fuel consumption of your vehicle should give you a general idea of how much fuel it will take to reach your destination. Also, it’s never a bad idea to do a little research on the area you’ll be traveling through to see what the fuel situation is like. For example, there may be small towns nearby with plenty of fuel, or you could be in the middle of a desert with no gas stations for a hundred miles in any direction.

A little extra fuel may be all you need to keep from getting stranded, but on the other hand, carrying too much could equate to a lot of unnecessary weight on your rig, and a touch more combustibility than you probably want to deal with. Taking a bit of extra time to estimate what you’ll need, plus a little extra is the best way to ensure you’ll arrive at wherever your point B is. Try to account for things like taking a wrong turn on the trail, or hitting the trail again, just for fun.

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KEEP IT OLD SCHOOL: JERRY CANS

Let’s say you do need that extra fuel. What’s the best way to load it up and take it with you? That all depends on a few factors, keep reading and we’ll get into it…

The jerry can has been around since the thirties, and there hasn’t really been a reason to update or improve upon the classic design. It can take all the wear and tear you can put it through and never spring a leak. These rugged and reliable containers come in various sizes, typically ranging from 5 to 20 liters, and are built to withstand the harshest conditions. Jerry cans have been around so long that it’s pretty easy to find a variety of mounting solutions to keep them safe and secure (and not in the cab with you). If you’re going for a roof mount, the ARB Jerry Can mount is a great answer. If you don’t have a roof rack, or don’t want to deal with moving things to and from your roof, a spare tire carrier can be a great place to store some extra fuel, with options like the Fishbone Offroad Spare Tire Carrier Mount.

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Rack for carrying fuel cans on the back of an off-road vehicle.

AUXILIARY FUEL TRANSFER TANKS: CONVENIENT AND SECURE

If a Jerry Can isn’t enough capacity, and you’re really planning to cover some distance, a good transfer tank is worth its weight in gold (and fuel). This is a big choice, both in space and weight, so make sure you’re ready for the sacrifice. Using a high quality transfer tank like the Titan Trekker 40 Gallon (or or 50 Gallon) means you’ll have a few extra tanks of fuel, without sacrificing ground clearance or risking issues with durability. Titan’s transfer tanks are tested by dropping them 30 feet, while they’re full, directly onto a steel plate . Needless to say, they can handle some trail abuse.

Take a look at our selection of fuel tanks here-

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Titan Fuel Tanks Universal (Excl CargoBox/RamBox) 50 Gal Extra HD Cross-Linked PE Titan Trekker Tank, installed in truck

OPTIMIZE YOUR SPACE

Balancing cargo space and fuel storage can be tricky, but there are lots of accessories designed to make the most of your off-road vehicle. Fuel can mounts are great for keeping your fuel storage up and out of the way when you’re out on the trail, and you won’t have to sacrifice any cargo space. We’ve got lots of storage solutions, including rooftop rails, boxes and baskets, spare tire carriers with extra storage capacity and tons of universal options from Builtright Industries. Adding a couple of mounts can really maximize your available space and keep your cargo safe and secure, even over rough terrain.

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Lifestyle photo of Thule cargo rack and basket, camping trip
Camping scene with campfire

SAFETY FIRST WHEN IT COMES TO FUEL STORAGE

Carrying extra fuel on your next off-roading trip can be done safely and easily with a few precautions. Here are some key safety considerations to keep in mind:

Make sure your fuel containers are sealed well to prevent leaks and spills, no matter how you store them.
Speaking of how you store them; make sure you’re using a well-ventilated cargo area, and that they won’t be exposed to heat or flames. Keep that fuel in mind if you’re setting up camp and building a fire at night.
As always, be careful when you’re refueling backup cans or tanks, just the way you would be when you’re filling up your rig’s primary tank.
Always familiarize yourself with local regulations and restrictions regarding the transportation and storage of fuel. Some styles of fuel cans aren’t legal everywhere, know the rules where you live, and where you’re headed!

Make sure your off-roader is ready for your next excursion, shop our engine parts and accessories-

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Safely learning how to carry extra fuel on long off-roading trips is a major part of making sure you stay safe (and moving) when you’re out on the trail. When it comes to equipping your vehicle with the best there is to offer in off-road accessories, IAG Off-Road should be your favorite partner on the trails. From fuel storage and recovery gear to performance upgrades and complete suspension kits, IAG has everything you need to enhance your off-roading experience. If you’re looking for advice, need help with an install, or just don’t know what modification you might want to check out next, IAG Off-Road has the expertise you need. Give us a call at (410) 840-3555 or shoot us an email at sales@iagoffroad.com - we’d love to help!