If you’re going off-roading or anywhere that a gas station might be far away, getting an extra can to get you through is a great idea.
Plus, they look cool. And it’s an intelligent choice to be prepared in case you need extra fuel.
Military gas cans or Jerry cans are still some of the most popular models for this reason.
But, there are plastic designs as well, and in many cases they are easier to mount. We put together options from both categories to help you make an informed choice of what style suits your setup.
Here are the 3 best gas cans for offroading on the market:
Rotopax is a durable gas can with a unique look. Made in the USA.
If you’re planning on rocking this while navigating bumpy terrain, it’s a good choice and can be stored horizontally.
The thick plastic materials and safety seal guarantees it won’t leak. It comes in 5 different volumes: 1 gallon, 1.75 gallons 2 gallons, 3 gallons and 4 gallons.
For most off roaders, this is the common style and you’ve probably seen it out and about. They’re easier to mount than metal options and lighter too. If you want the “old school” can, we have one below.
But, for modern uses like off roading, it’s hard to compete with a heavy-duty design. If you’re looking to mount this as well, here is RotoPax’s Deluxe Mount.
This Jerry Can is the old man on the block. It has a design that’s proven reliable since its inception.
They’re made in Europe, this is one of the only company that still produces a metal can.
In addition to the metal construction, there’s a quality spout, and a locking latch for a secure tight feel. If you’re looking for something that will outlast your car, you are in good hands when using a NATO can.
The anti-corrosive coating means it’s made specifically to hold fuel. Pick from 3 different colors to match the scheme of your vehicle. This is a true authentic Jerry Can.
The Midwest Gas Can is not something that you can easily mount to the back of your vehicle.
But, if you’re planning on storing gasoline on the interior then you can’t beat this price.
It’s an incredible value for someone who just wants some spare gas without all the rigs and mounts that some offroaders are looking for.
Can a gas can explode in the sun?
Your gas can won’t explode, BUT if you fill it all the way up it’s important to note that gas fumes expand with temperature.
So say you have a 20 liter gas can and you fill it up in the morning to 20 liters – if there is a significant heating during the day the volume of that fuel can increase as much as two to three liters.
Your can might be rated to hold up to 21 liters, so if it expands to 22 liters with heat that extra volume is going to need somewhere to go – past the seal. So don’t fill them up all the way to the top, give your can room to expand.
A general rule is for every 40 degree F change in temperature, density will change a half a percent. This is also a great reason why you fill up your gas in the morning. It has a higher density than it would at hotter times of the day. Be careful when opening your can on a hot day just in case, fuel may go everywhere.
Can you put a gas can in a car?
We do not recommend putting a gas can in the car, but it’s still going to be safe in nearly all cases. The main reason we say to store a gas can outside is in the very rare instances when there is a leak past the seal. Fumes can affect the driver and cause a hazard. If you fill your tank up to the correct volume(not all the way) then it’s going to be fine.
For Jerry/gas cans you should only have them filled up when you really need them. If you have them filled up constantly, make sure to use that fuel for your vehicle every 500 miles or about every 3 months.
If they sit for years unused – the expansion and contraction of temperature over that time will have affected the quality of your gasoline negatively. We know this is common sense and most of you are probably shaking your head, but we all learn sometime!
Are there cans for water too?
Yes, you’ve probably seen some in your search. Water containers in the shape of Jerry cans are available. The concern many people have is that when water gets heated in a plastic container – chemicals can leech into it. These are called BPA and are used in plastics.
Here is a BPA-free water can. Many drivers have a combination of a gas can and a water can for emergency scenarios.
If you’re planning on taking your car off roading a gas can is a welcome addition to any setup.
For us, we think the NATO can and holder is the superior option. It’ll last forever and it has a track record of durability. But, the plastic composite options are heavy duty as well. Being able to lay your can on it’s side instead of needing to mount it is a big plus and convenient.
Whether you want something permanent or something that you can move around is going to be the deciding factor in your purchase. Good luck and let us know what you got!