Water is the most critical supply on any overland route. A Wavian NATO Jerry Can 20-Liter Steel carries 20 liters of fuel or water with a military-spec leak-proof seal. A Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System makes any freshwater source camp-safe at a weight measured in ounces. And a MSR WhisperLite Universal Camp Stove with multi-fuel capability means you can cook on a route where canister gas is not available. The Front Runner Outfitters Wolf Pack Kitchen Module turns a Front Runner rack into a self-contained modular kitchen that deploys at the tailgate without unpacking.
Carry at minimum two Wavian NATO jerry cans for water reserves, a Sawyer Squeeze filter for freshwater sourcing, and a multi-fuel stove for fuel flexibility on long routes. A YETI Tundra 65 cooler supplements a compressor fridge for beverages and secondary cold storage. Front Runner Wolf Pack Kitchen module is the cleanest camp kitchen solution for rack-equipped builds.
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Water storage: jerry cans and capacity planning
A Wavian NATO Jerry Can 20-Liter Steel holds 20 liters, enough for about two days of drinking water per person in hot conditions. For a two-person three-day trip, carry at least four cans: two for fuel, two for water. The steel construction and genuine seals of Wavian's military-spec cans prevent the slow leaks that plastic jerry can copies develop after UV exposure.
Mount cans to a properly rated front bumper mount or rear rack carrier. Never carry filled jerry cans loose in the cargo area: a sudden stop can cause serious damage or injury from a 50-pound projectile.
If fresh water sources will be available on route, a Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System eliminates the need to carry all water from home. The 0.1-micron filter makes creeks and lakes safe for drinking after removing bacteria and protozoa.
Wavian NATO Jerry Can 20-Liter Steel
The military-spec steel jerry can with a leakproof sealing cap and 20-liter capacity, equally usable for fuel or water storage.
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System
A 0.1-micron inline filter that removes 99.99999 percent of bacteria and protozoa from any freshwater source, with a lifetime guarantee.
Camp stove options for overlanding
Most domestic overlanding routes have canister gas available at outdoor retailers, making a standard canister stove the simplest option. For international routes, extended North American routes, or any trip where resupply is uncertain, the MSR WhisperLite Universal Camp Stove burns canister gas, white gas, and kerosene. Whatever fuel you can find works.
The trade-off is complexity: white gas and kerosene require a priming step before lighting, which adds about 30 seconds to setup. Most users learn the procedure quickly and it becomes automatic. In wind and cold, the shielded WhisperLite design outperforms upright canister stoves significantly.
MSR WhisperLite Universal Camp Stove
A multi-fuel expedition stove that burns canister gas, white gas, and kerosene with a WindBurner-inspired shielded design.
Cold storage: compressor fridge plus a hard cooler
A YETI Tundra 65 Hard Cooler as a secondary cold storage box for beverages makes sense alongside a Dometic CFX3 55 Portable Compressor Fridge compressor fridge. Keeping drinks in the YETI cooler means the fridge lid stays closed longer, running the compressor less and saving power. Ice in the cooler lasts 5 to 10 days with the YETI's roto-molded insulation.
The YETI's roto-molded construction and non-slip feet make it safe in the cargo area without permanent mounting hardware. The tie-down channels accept a strap for any route with serious articulation.
YETI Tundra 65 Hard Cooler
A 65-quart roto-molded cooler with Permafrost insulation and a bear-resistant latching system rated for ice retention up to 10 days.
Dometic CFX3 55 Portable Compressor Fridge
The overlanding community's default fridge, with a best-in-class VMSO3 compressor, 55-liter interior, and Bluetooth monitoring via the Dometic app.
Modular camp kitchen: Front Runner integration
The Front Runner Outfitters Wolf Pack Kitchen Module mounts into Front Runner Slimline II Roof Rack rack slots and slides out at the tailgate to create a prep surface and storage drawer. Set a stove on the slide-out, use Front Runner Wolf Pack Pro Storage Box boxes on either side for dry goods and cooking gear, and you have a complete organized meal station accessible from outside the vehicle.
The system works because every component mounts to the rack with the same slot hardware. Nothing hangs from a strap or shifts in transit. It packs as clean going down the trail as it does sitting in the driveway.
Front Runner Outfitters Wolf Pack Kitchen Module
A slide-out camp kitchen drawer and prep surface that mounts directly into Wolf Pack Pro rack slots for a self-contained meal station.
Front Runner Slimline II Roof Rack
The most accessory-compatible modular roof rack on the market, with a low-profile laser-cut steel platform and direct-bolt fitment kits for hundreds of vehicle models.
Front Runner Wolf Pack Pro Storage Box
Stackable 22-liter hard storage boxes that snap into Front Runner rack slots and stack securely for organized roof-mounted cargo.
Wavian NATO Jerry Can 20-Liter Steel
The military-spec steel jerry can with a leakproof sealing cap and 20-liter capacity, equally usable for fuel or water storage.
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System
A 0.1-micron inline filter that removes 99.99999 percent of bacteria and protozoa from any freshwater source, with a lifetime guarantee.
MSR WhisperLite Universal Camp Stove
A multi-fuel expedition stove that burns canister gas, white gas, and kerosene with a WindBurner-inspired shielded design.
YETI Tundra 65 Hard Cooler
A 65-quart roto-molded cooler with Permafrost insulation and a bear-resistant latching system rated for ice retention up to 10 days.
Front Runner Outfitters Wolf Pack Kitchen Module
A slide-out camp kitchen drawer and prep surface that mounts directly into Wolf Pack Pro rack slots for a self-contained meal station.
Front Runner Wolf Pack Pro Storage Box
Stackable 22-liter hard storage boxes that snap into Front Runner rack slots and stack securely for organized roof-mounted cargo.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much water should I carry for overlanding?+
A general rule is one liter per person per hour of active exertion in hot conditions, and at minimum two liters per person per day for sedentary camping. For a two-person three-day trip without reliable water sources on route, carry 15 to 20 liters of drinking water as a minimum. Two 20-liter Wavian jerry cans give you that reserve plus buffer.
Do I need a water filter if I carry enough water from home?+
Only if you plan to use natural sources. If you carry all your water from home, a filter is optional insurance rather than a necessity. However, a Sawyer Squeeze weighs 3 ounces and fits in a pocket, so there is almost no cost to carrying one. On longer routes where unexpected situations arise, having the ability to make any freshwater source safe is worth those 3 ounces.
Can I use plastic jerry cans instead of steel?+
For water, plastic food-grade cans are fine and lighter than steel. For fuel, only NATO-spec approved fuel cans should be used. Cheap plastic fuel containers are not rated for gasoline or diesel storage, degrade with UV exposure, and are more likely to leak. Wavian steel cans are the standard specifically because their welds and seals hold under the rough transport conditions of overland routes.