Carrying extra fuel is part of serious touring, but a jerry can full of fuel is heavy, awkward, and surprisingly fussy to mount well. With so many jerry can brands and sizes on the market, getting one to sit securely on your rack has always been hit and miss.

The Wedgetail Adventure Jerry Can Holder is built to fix that, and the latest version has been redesigned to fit just about any can you throw at it.
In this guide, we’ll walk through how it works, how to fit it, and how to carry a jerry can safely on the roof.

The Redesigned Two-Piece Design

The biggest update to the holder is how it adjusts.

It’s now built from two clamshell halves, one sits inside the other, so you can set the width to suit your exact jerry can. That solves a problem we kept hearing about: steel cans and certain plastics never quite sat right in a fixed-width carrier, and with so many brands out there, no single size worked for everyone.

Now you set the fit. Wide or narrow, steel or plastic, adjust the halves and it sits properly.

Every kit also includes a bill of materials and a QR code that links straight to the fitting instructions, so a first-time fit at home is straightforward.

How To Fit It

1. Set the fasteners and open the two halves up nice and wide
2. Position your jerry can on its long edge, vent side down
3. Check your clearances make sure the bolts won’t foul the ends of the can, and leave a little room all round
4. Tighten it up to your set width
5. Drop the channel bolts into the side slots, use the front and rear slots so the holder spans two crossbars (the middle slot is rarely needed)
6. Half-tighten and you’re ready to mount

Threading the Strap

The holder uses a single-ended ratchet strap with no hook. Run it down against the can and out through the holder, tuck it flat around the bottom, no curls or twists, then back underneath, up and over, and through the ratchet. It’s left long on purpose so it works across different can sizes. If there’s excess, cut it to length and burn the end so it won’t flap in the wind.

Carrying a Jerry Can Safely

A few things worth getting right, because a full can is no small load:

• Mind the weight. A full jerry can is around 20kg, that’s a lot of weight in one small spot. (It’s exactly why we don’t make a double holder; 40kg in a single point isn’t worth it.)
• Spread your load. Every roof rack loading rating assumes evenly distributed weight. Don’t cluster heavy items together.
• Mount over a strong point. Position the holder over a rail or mounting point, not floating in the middle of a span, it keeps everything solid.
• Keep it reachable. 20kg is heavy to lift down, so mount it close to the edge of the rack where you can get to it.
• Front or rear is your call. Some prefer it toward the rear, out of the airflow; the front is fine too, just more exposed to wind. No problem either way.

A Note on Fuel Type

Petrol cans are sealed and swell on a hot day, so set the fit slightly loose if you’re carrying petrol. Diesel doesn’t swell as much, but a little breathing room is always better than glove-tight, too snug and you’ll get rubbing over time.

Loading It Safely

A full can is heavy to lift overhead. Use a step stool, or open the door and brace yourself against the frame so you’ve got a stable base. And mounting on the long edge isn’t just for fit, it drops the centre of gravity and keeps the profile low.

Choosing the Right Jerry Can

Here’s the pro tip: buy your holder before your jerry cans. There are so many varieties out there, and sizes vary more than you’d think. The ProQuip cans are a reliable match for most holders and have nice thick plastic, a good place to start if you’re choosing fresh.

Built for the Adventure Range

Like the rest of the Wedgetail Adventure series, the Jerry Can Holder is built for real touring, adjustable, secure, and designed around how people actually carry fuel off the beaten track.