Carrying Fuel on a Long Loop
A long New Hampshire ATV or UTV loop can leave you farther from a fuel stop than expected, especially when trails cross remote areas. Carrying extra fuel can help, but a loose or poorly secured container creates fire, spill and handling risks. Plan the amount you need, choose equipment suited to gasoline, secure it properly and check the rules that apply to your route.
Decide whether carrying extra fuel makes sense
Start with the route, not the fuel can. Estimate the distance, likely riding time, machine consumption and access to places where you can refuel. A route that looks short on a map may take longer than expected if you ride slowly, stop often or encounter a detour. Terrain, load, tire pressure, riding style and machine condition can all affect fuel use.
Check your machine’s fuel gauge or tank range against a ride you have already completed, rather than relying only on a manufacturer’s best-case estimate. Leave a reserve for unexpected delays. Don’t plan to use every drop in the tank before reaching a known stop.
Before adding fuel to your load, look for practical alternatives:
- Can you refuel before entering the trail system or during a planned stop?
- Does the route pass a business that sells fuel, and will it be open when you arrive?
- Can you choose a shorter loop or turn around at a reliable point?
- Are you crossing between club areas where route details, access or services may change?
Fuel stops can be limited or far apart in parts of the North Country. Check locations and opening hours in advance rather than assuming that a town or trail intersection has a pump. Fuel Stops Across the North Country and Planning Fuel Across Two Clubs can help with that part of the plan.
Extra fuel is a backup, not a substitute for route planning. If the only way to complete a ride is to carry more fuel than your machine can safely accommodate, shorten the route or arrange a proper refueling stop instead.
Choose a suitable container and load it securely
Use a portable container designed for gasoline, in good condition, with a secure cap and no cracks, leaks, swelling or damaged seams. A container made for water or another liquid is not a safe substitute. Avoid improvised bottles and cans: they may not seal against fuel vapors, may soften or leak, and can be mistaken for drinking water.
Select a size that fits your actual plan. A larger container adds weight and takes up space, while a smaller one may be easier to secure and handle. Gasoline weighs roughly six pounds per US gallon, before adding the container. Keep that extra weight in mind when you decide where it will ride.
| Carrying option | Potential advantage | Main concern |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose-built fuel container on a suitable exterior mount | Keeps fuel away from the passenger area and can be secured to a designed mounting point | Must be compatible with the machine and installed so it cannot shift, leak or obstruct parts |
| Container in a cargo area | May be convenient on some UTVs with a suitable, secure location | Fuel can spill or expose riders to fumes; a cargo area is not automatically a safe fuel compartment |
| Container carried loose or strapped to an improvised spot | May seem quick to arrange | Can move, fall, rub against hot or moving parts, interfere with controls or alter handling |
Follow the machine and mount manufacturers’ instructions. Use a carrier designed for the specific container and vehicle, and check that the load cannot slide, tip or strike a tire, exhaust, suspension part or other moving component. A strap looped around a plastic panel, loose cargo or an unsuitable rack may not hold during bumps or a sudden stop.
Keep fuel outside the passenger compartment whenever possible. In a UTV, don’t put a fuel container where riders sit, where it can roll around, or where a spill could spread into the cab. In an ATV, don’t place it where it interferes with the rider’s legs, steering, seat or access to controls. Never let a container block lights, the registration decal, a view of the trail or a safe way on and off the machine.
Pay attention to weight distribution. A load high above the machine or far to one side can affect balance, especially on uneven ground or when turning. Don’t exceed the vehicle’s cargo capacity, and remember that passengers, tools, water and recovery gear add weight too. If the fuel can makes the machine feel unstable or changes how it handles, remove it and revise the plan.
Before leaving, check the container and mount for leaks, loose straps and contact with hot or moving parts. Recheck them at safe stopping points during the ride. If fuel odor becomes noticeable, or a container shifts or leaks, stop in a safe place away from ignition sources and deal with the problem before continuing. Carrying Fuel on a New Hampshire Ride is a useful companion for planning this part of the trip.
Handle fuel carefully at the trailhead and on the ride
Refuel before the machine becomes hot from riding, and choose a stable, well-ventilated place away from traffic, dry vegetation and potential ignition sources. Shut off the engine and allow hot parts to cool before opening a fuel container or tank. Keep cigarettes, flames and other ignition sources away. Avoid spilling fuel onto the machine, ground or clothing.
Pour slowly and carefully. A suitable spout or pouring aid can reduce spills, but it needs to fit the container and be handled without splashing. Don’t overfill the tank; leave room for fuel to expand as it warms. Close the fuel cap and container cap securely, wipe away any small spill, and stow the container upright in its mount before riding again.
Do not refuel while moving, on a trail, beside other riders or where a spill could flow toward water. If fuel spills, don’t start the machine or keep riding through the affected area. Move people away, avoid ignition sources and follow the appropriate cleanup and reporting steps for the location. If you cannot handle the spill safely, get help rather than trying to ride away with fuel on hot components.
Keep the container closed when you are not actively using it. Fuel vapors can collect in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces, so don’t carry a gasoline can inside a cab or store it near heat, electrical equipment or other possible ignition sources. For an overnight stop, remove the container only if you have a safe, permitted place to store it. Don’t leave fuel unattended on a trail or in a location where other trail users may encounter it.
Fuel carried for the trip also needs to stay separate from drinking water and food. Label containers clearly, keep them closed, and don’t transfer gasoline into a bottle that could be mistaken for a drink. Pack absorbent material or another practical way to manage a small drip only if you know how to use and dispose of it appropriately; don’t treat a spill kit as permission to carry a leaking can.
Check route access, rules and conditions
Carrying a fuel can doesn’t grant access to a trail or make a route passable. Confirm that each segment is open to your machine and that you have the required registration and permissions. Rules or restrictions may differ across public land, private land and club-managed trails. Don’t leave a marked route to look for a pump, shortcut or place to refuel unless you have permission and the route is lawful. See New Hampshire Rules for Riding Off a Marked Trail for the importance of staying on an authorized route.
Before riding, check current trail conditions and any closures, seasonal restrictions or notices from the clubs and land managers responsible for the trails you plan to use. Conditions can change, and a route that was open during a previous visit may not be open now. New Hampshire Trail Conditions Before You Ride is a good starting point. Download or carry a suitable map before heading into an area where cell service may be limited. Downloading a Club Trail Map and Cell Dead Zones in the North Country can help you prepare for that possibility.
Fuel transport rules may depend on the place you are riding, the container, the machine and any current fire or land-use restrictions. Don’t assume that because a container fits on your vehicle, carrying or using it is allowed everywhere on the route. Check with the relevant land manager or trail organization if a rule is unclear, especially when crossing property boundaries or riding during dry conditions.
A practical pre-ride sequence is:
- Map the full route, including the return trip and possible detours.
- Identify confirmed fuel stops and check that they will be accessible when you arrive.
- Estimate fuel needs using your own machine’s consumption and leave a sensible reserve.
- Choose a gasoline container and mount designed for the intended use.
- Secure the load, inspect for leaks and make sure it does not affect controls or handling.
- Check trail status, access rules, weather and any relevant restrictions before departure.
- Tell someone your route and expected return time, particularly if the ride enters an area with limited cell coverage.
If there is no safe, lawful way to carry the amount of fuel your route requires, change the route or arrange a refueling stop. A shorter ride is a better choice than gambling on a loose container, an uncertain fuel source or a machine that may run out far from help.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
