Extra fuel is the piece of overlanding gear you hope you never need and can't do without when you do. The can carrying it rides outside your rig for thousands of miles of washboard, heat and dust, and then has to pour cleanly when you're tired, it's windy and the nearest station is 100 miles back. So what is the best jerry can for overlanding? This guide covers what actually matters, how the main options compare, and the setup we recommend for most off-road rigs.
The short answer
For most overlanders, the best jerry can is a genuine NATO-pattern steel can in the 20L (5.3 gal) size, in the color that matches your fuel, carried in a locking holder outside the cabin. Our pick is the Wavian NATO jerry can: 0.9 mm cold-rolled steel, fully welded seams, an anti-corrosive coating, a bayonet-style spout with a safety lock, and EPA and CARB compliance as supplied. It's made in Latvia to the original NATO spec, and its standard footprint fits standard jerry can holders.
If you only carry a little reserve fuel, or you have a smaller rig, add or swap in the half-size 10L (2.6 gal) Wavian.
What makes a jerry can good for overlanding
A can that's fine in a garage can fail on the trail. These are the things that separate an overlanding can from a utility jug:
- It doesn't leak or vent fumes. Hours of vibration and off-camber tilting will find any weak seal. Look for a positive locking closure and welded, not crimped, seams.
- It survives the rack. UV, heat cycles, gravel strikes and strap chafe are constant. Steel with a protective coating holds up for years. Thin plastic can bulge, fade and go brittle.
- It pours cleanly. A spout that glugs and splashes wastes fuel and soaks your hands and paint. A well-designed spout with a locking connection makes refueling a two-minute job.
- It fits a standard mount. The NATO footprint is the de facto standard. Nearly every swing-out, bumper and rack holder is built around it.
- It's legal where you drive. In California and other CARB states, the can and spout you buy need to be compliant.
Steel NATO can vs plastic can vs RotopaX-style packs
| Steel NATO can (e.g. Wavian) | Plastic utility can | Flat plastic packs (e.g. RotopaX) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durability on a rack | Excellent. Welded steel, coated inside and out | Fair. Can bulge, fade and crack with UV and heat | Good. Thick plastic, built for mounting |
| Sealing | Locking closure, no venting in normal use | Varies widely. Often screw caps | Screw cap with gasket |
| Pouring | Spout system included, locks on | Often slow, awkward safety spouts | Spout sold separately on many models |
| Mounting | Fits standard NATO holders | Usually no dedicated mounts | Needs its own proprietary mount |
| Weight (empty) | Heaviest (about 9.5 lb for 20L) | Lightest | Light |
| Best for | Long-term rack carry and remote trips | Garage or occasional use | Tight spaces where a slim profile matters |
Plastic packs make sense when you need a slim shape for an odd spot. For a can that lives on the outside of your rig year after year, steel is the safer long-term choice. For a deeper head-to-head, see Wavian vs RotopaX vs Scepter.
20L or 10L: which size?
The 20L (5.3 gal) is the classic NATO size and gives you the most range per mount. On the trail one 20L can is typically worth around 55–65 extra miles for a mid- to full-size rig, though your own trail mpg is what counts. A full 20L can of gasoline weighs roughly 40 lb, so most people can still lift it onto a rear carrier alone.
The 10L (2.6 gal) is about 11.5 in tall versus about 18.5 in for the 20L. It's far easier to lift and pour when full, and it fits spots a full-size can won't: a Jeep tailgate, a side rack, a trailer tongue or a motorcycle carrier. It's a good second reserve or a generator can.
Not sure how much fuel your route needs? Work it out with our overlanding fuel range planning guide. Comparing sizes in more depth? See Wavian jerry can sizes.
Pick the color for your fuel
Color-coding keeps the wrong fuel out of the wrong tank. That matters most when a group runs mixed gas and diesel rigs.
- Red: gasoline. Wavian 20L Red · 10L Red
- Yellow: diesel. Wavian 20L Yellow · 10L Yellow · Diesel jerry can guide
- Blue: kerosene. Wavian 20L Blue
- OD Green and Black: the classic military and stealth looks. These are popular on overland builds. Label them clearly for the fuel you put in them. 20L OD Green · 20L Black
Wavian rates its fuel cans for gasoline, diesel and kerosene, but not for drinking water. Keep each can dedicated to one fuel. For water, carry a separate food-grade can such as the Wavian 22L water can. The full breakdown is in Jerry Can Color Codes Explained.
Mounting: where the can goes matters
Carry fuel outside the cabin whenever you can, so fumes stay out of your living space. Keep the can upright and locked down so it can't shift, rattle or chafe through its coating on corrugations. Common spots:
- Rear swing-out or bumper carrier. Easy to reach and keeps the weight low. This is the most common overland setup.
- Roof rack. Uses otherwise empty space, but raises your center of gravity. Keep heavy full cans to a minimum up there.
- Trailer drawbar or tongue. A great spot for off-road camper trailers.
- Jeep Wrangler tailgate or rear rack. Check your hinge's load rating before you hang a full 20L can on the tailgate. A 10L can is the easier fit.
We recommend the ARK jerry can holder. It comes in top-loading and front-loading versions, with a padlock anti-theft bar, an anti-siphon lid protector, an anti-rattle strap and rubber pads on all sides. Not sure which version fits your can or mounting spot? See ARK holder: top or front loading? Measure your can, handles included, before you order.
Overlanding fuel-can checklist
- Know your worst-case trail mpg and the longest gap between reliable fuel stops.
- Use the right color can for each fuel, and label it if you run green or black cans.
- Check the closure gasket and spout before every trip.
- Fill to the fill line, not the brim, so fuel has room to expand in the heat.
- Rotate stored gasoline every few months. Ethanol blends absorb moisture and go stale.
- Strap or lock the can upright in a proper holder, never loose in the cabin.
- Pack the spout where you can reach it without unloading the whole rig.
For step-by-step filling, storage and pouring, read How to Use a NATO Jerry Can Safely.
Why we pick the Wavian
Lots of cans copy the NATO look. Fewer copy the build. Wavian cans are made in Latvia to NATO spec, from 0.9 mm cold-rolled steel with fully welded seams and an anti-corrosive coating. They come with a bayonet-style quick-release spout with a safety lock, and they're EPA and CARB compliant as supplied. That's the combination you want on a can that rides outside your rig and carries the fuel that gets you home. We put one through real backcountry use in our Wavian 20L overlanding review.
FAQ
What is the best jerry can for off-road use?
A steel NATO-pattern can with a locking closure and a matching spout, carried in a padded locking holder. The steel body handles rack life, impacts and UV far better than thin plastic.
How many jerry cans should I carry for overlanding?
Two 20L cans cover most weekend trips into moderately remote country. Longer expeditions may need more. Plan from your real trail mpg and the distance between fuel stops, using our range planning guide.
Can I carry a jerry can inside my vehicle?
It's best not to. Even a well-sealed can should ride outside the cabin, upright and secured, so fumes and spills stay away from people and gear.
Will a Wavian fit my jerry can holder?
The 20L Wavian is the standard NATO format and fits standard jerry can holders. The 10L is half-size. Holders differ, so measure your can, handles included, against the holder's maximum dimensions.
Are Wavian jerry cans CARB compliant?
Yes. The Wavian cans we sell are EPA and CARB compliant as supplied, with their spout system.
Ready to build your fuel setup? Shop the full Wavian range or browse more overlanding and 4WD gear.
Shop the parts in this guide
- Wavian 20L NATO Steel Jerry Can, Red (5.3 Gal)
- Wavian 20L NATO Steel Jerry Can, OD Green (5.3 Gal)
- Wavian 20L NATO Steel Jerry Can, Yellow (5.3 Gal)
- Wavian 20L NATO Steel Jerry Can, Black (5.3 Gal)
- Wavian 10L NATO Steel Jerry Can, Red (2.6 Gal)
- Wavian 22L Water Can, 5.8 Gal Food-Grade
- ARK Jerry Can Holder, Top or Front Loading
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