Fuel Tanks

These auxiliary fuel tanks are jerry-style carriers offered in three sizes — 3 gallon (11.3 L), 5 gallon (18.9 L) and 8 gallon (30.2 L) — designed to extend your driving range between fuel stops on long expeditions. They solve a problem that every serious overlander in India eventually runs into: the distances between reliable pumps on remote routes are longer than your tank, and the margin for error gets thin exactly where a mistake is most expensive. Carrying your own fuel turns a nervous calculation into a non-issue.

The case for auxiliary fuel is really a case about range anxiety in places where running dry has consequences. On the great Himalayan routes, fuel stations are sparse and the gaps between them are unforgiving — the stretch out towards Hanle, Umling La and the remote corners of Ladakh is the textbook example, where the next working pump can be a long, slow, high-altitude haul away. Add the fuel a vehicle burns crawling in low range, idling at checkposts, and grinding up passes, and your real-world economy drops well below what you would see on a highway. A jerry tank lets you plan around the terrain rather than the petrol map.

Choosing a size is about matching capacity to the trip and to how much weight you want to carry high on the vehicle. The 3-gallon (11.3 L) tank is the light, easy option — a sensible reserve for weekend trails and shorter routes where you just want insurance against a closed pump. The 5-gallon (18.9 L) is the all-round choice for most expedition use, a meaningful top-up without dominating your rack. The 8-gallon (30.2 L) is for genuinely long, remote crossings where you need to bridge the biggest gaps, accepting that a full tank of fuel is heavy and is best carried low and secured properly. Many overlanders mix sizes to fine-tune their total reserve.

On the trail these tanks come into their own across very different conditions. In the Rann of Kutch and other sandy country, soft-sand driving and the constant momentum game burn fuel fast, and a pump can be an hour or more away. In Spiti, the combination of altitude, cold and relentless climbing means you plan fuel like you plan water. Across snowbound passes, idling to keep warm and waiting out traffic or weather quietly drains the tank. In every one of these cases, a few extra litres on board is the difference between pressing on and turning back.

Using them well comes down to a few sensible habits. Fill the tank, leaving a little room for the fuel to expand in heat, and seal the cap firmly. Mount it securely — ideally low and on the outside of the cabin, never loose in the passenger space — and check the seal and mounting after the first hour of rough road, then periodically. When you decant into the main tank, use a funnel or a proper spout to avoid spills, do it with the engine off and away from any ignition source, and let static dissipate. Treat fuel with the respect it deserves and the whole process is quick and clean.

Care and maintenance keep a fuel tank safe and serviceable for years. Always store it out of direct sunlight when not in use, because heat builds pressure inside a sealed tank and prolonged UV is hard on any container. Do not store fuel in it indefinitely between trips — fuel degrades, so rotate it through the vehicle. Keep the cap seal clean and intact, wipe down the exterior after dusty or salty drives, and check for any seepage or damage before each expedition. A tank that is inspected and emptied between long trips will outlast one that is left full and forgotten in a hot garage.

In terms of fitment, these are standard jerry-style tanks that suit the racks, bed mounts and rear carriers used across the overland world — on a Mahindra Thar, Maruti Suzuki Jimny, Toyota Fortuner or Hilux, Mahindra Scorpio-N, or Land Rover Defender. They are designed to pair with a dedicated tank mount so the tank rides rattle-free and secure rather than sliding around. Always confirm your chosen rack or mounting point can take the loaded weight, particularly with the larger 8-gallon tank, and prefer to carry heavy fuel low rather than high on the roof.

These tanks are for overlanders who travel beyond the comfort of a dense fuel network — long Himalayan and desert expeditions, multi-day remote routes, and any trip where the honest answer to 'where is the next pump?' is 'a long way'. If your routes routinely outrun your fuel gauge, an auxiliary tank is not a luxury; it is the difference between a planned adventure and an anxious one. Choose the size that matches your longest realistic gap between fills, and pair it with a secure mount.