How to Carry Extra Gas on ATV 2023
If you plan on going for a really long drive, it is compulsory that you take extra gas for your trip.
But despite its importance, it can also be very dangerous to carry fuel while driving. Here are a few options to consider, some very helpful ideas, and recommendations on the best way to go about this.
Taking extra gas with you is definitely a good idea when you are using an ATV or side-by-side. There is an estimated limit for a full tank to carry you, so if you are going to exceed that limit, then you need extra gas.
It is very handy especially when you are on long trips or in situations where your fuel tank is out of gas.
You can always take about 5 gallons of gas at the back of your vehicle. But we can’t say that it’s a safe idea, and it can cause a bad effect when you are driving.
What Can I Use to Carry Extra Gas on My ATV?
The best options here for carrying extra fuel on your trips are:
- Set of flat gas cans or Gas packs
- Buying a high gas tank for your ATV
- Fuel Bottles inside a holster or saddle bags fixed to the machine
A lot of people prefer using gas packs, and you are going to see the reason below.
Gas Packs
Gas packs are the most convenient way to go to store extra liters of fuel on your ATV. These packs also work great on side-by-side or jeeps. You can get them in most auto shops.
You don’t have to worry about durability because they are high on that because are made with thick walls and leak-proof design.
It should most likely fit into one of your ATV racks and you should be able to easily mount them.
Securing the gas pack is straightforward. You can use a ratchet strap or anything that will enable you to use the strap points on the up and down part of the can.
You can get one with brackets, it will save you a lot of time and the stress of having to deal with straps.
All you need to do here is place the can of fuel on the bracket and rotate the center lock to fasten the can to the can to the bracket.
The brackets will ensure that your gas packs are not obstructing your racks area, in case you want to hang anything. You can place the brackets just about anywhere there’s room.
High-Capacity Gas Tank
The inbuilt gas tanks on your ATVs usually can accommodate a few gallons of fuel. The manufacturers designed the ATVs like this due to some reasons like cost and weight factors.
But since you will be going on long drives, this might not be enough for your trips.
Some far-distance riders will make the effort to change the manufacturer’s gas tank to a higher-capacity tank. We won’t recommend that you do this unless you are so good at repairing machines.
The first thing is to get a tank of higher capacity that would fit your machine. Then you have to disconnect the fuel lines from the old tank. Ensure your engine is off, and key out of the ignition.
You will also have to empty the old tank before attempting to remove the lines or you could have fuel running out badly. You have to take all the bolts connecting the tank to the machine out.
In some cases, you might have to remove other components like your seat so you can achieve this. Take out the old gas tank and fix the new one just the same way.
This is why gas packs are everyone’s favorite option. It is much easy and simple to fix, and they are durable.
Fuel Bottles or Saddle Bags
To get fuel bottles or saddlebags are cheap. It is a very affordable way to get yourself extra fuel for your journey, just so in case of an emergency. You can find quality fuel bottles in offline and online auto shops.
These bottles are made with metal in order to avoid any holes or punctures, and they are leak-proof just to avoid spills.
If you have any storage allocation in your ATV that you can fit these bottles in, then you’ve got saved yourself some money.
But if not, you have to buy a storage box or you can get a bottle holster and mount it at any convenient point on your ATV.
The holster should fit your bottles perfectly well, plus you will have enough straps to enable you to secure it well to your machine.
We always recommend that you get quality holsters and fuel bottles. You can find them in stores for as low as $50, including the saddle bags.
There are ones that also cost a lot higher; just go with something that won’t stress your pocket so much.
Safety Tips
Some safety tips you have to consider while transporting the fuel to your quad are:
- Take along with you as much gas as you need. Inspect the level of your gas before you go out on drives. This way you won’t carry so much or little gas with you.
- You must make sure you have no leaks. Thoroughly check the gas packs or fuel bottles for any leakages before you begin to drive.
- Do not use a backpack to carry the fuel or something attached to your body; it is very dangerous. The fuel can spill on you and it would take a little spark to ruin the whole day. There is also the risk of an accident, or puncturing, which might cause the fuel to spill out or ignite. If this should happen while wearing it, you are going to end up burnt or worse. Please avoid this.
- You should only keep the fuel in containers that are only made or designed for storing fuel. Please note that not all containers are meant to hold fuel, there are special containers made for this purpose. Plastic containers are not manufactured for gas; the plastic can break or warp with time. Take note of this.
- Please do not store the fuel for a long period. This is because gas cans get damaged after some time; this means the fuel will begin to leak out, which spells disaster.
Wrap-up
You should not try to play smart when you want to carry extra fuel for your vehicle; either an ATV or other vehicles. Do not wear the fuel in your coat or any vest despite the quality of the material.
Keep it safely on your machine. You have a lot of options to store the fuel that endangers your life. These products are made to keep you safe, so please use them.
