Jerry Can Sizes & Dimensions Guide 2026
Getting your jerry can sizes and dimensions right can make or break a long weekend on the tracks or a Big Lap around the country, which is why measuring your available A frame space, holder opening, and remaining payload is the first job before you buy.
A jerry can that looks perfect in the shop can become a real headache if it will not fit your holder, clears your kerb on tight corners, or pushes your caravan over its ATM.
This guide walks through the most common jerry can sizes used by Australian caravanners in 2026, how plastic and metal options compare, and how to pick a size that actually suits your rig.
Jerry cans in 2026 come in 3 common capacity sizes:
- 5 litre jerry cans
- 10 litre jerry cans
- 20 litre jerry cans
There are 3 common jerry can shapes and configurations:
- Traditional NATO style metal jerry cans
- Modern HDPE plastic jerry cans
- Slim or cube style water jerry cans
1. 5 Litre Jerry Can Sizes & Dimensions
A 5 litre jerry can is the handy little sibling of the range. It suits weekend getaways, smaller camper trailers, chainsaw and generator top-ups in the Victorian high country and anyone who simply does not want to lift a full 20 litre can onto a roof rack.
Grey Nomads often keep one or two on board for emergency fuel or as a dedicated 2-stroke container. They slot neatly into tight spots on smaller vans where A-frame real estate is limited.
Plastic 5 Litre Jerry Can
A typical HDPE plastic 5 litre jerry can measures around 24 cm high, 19 cm long and 11 cm wide.
Empty weight is roughly 0.5 kg, and a full can of petrol sits at about 4.2 kg, diesel at about 4.6 kg, and water at about 5.5 kg.
Metal 5 Litre Jerry Can
Metal 5 litre cans built to the traditional NATO profile are similar in footprint, around 25 cm high, 19 cm long and 12 cm wide.
The empty weight climbs to around 1.5 kg thanks to the pressed steel body, so a full petrol fill lands at about 5.2 kg.
2. 10 Litre Jerry Can Sizes & Dimensions
The 10 litre jerry can is the quiet achiever. It is easier to lift and pour than a 20 litre, which matters if you are travelling solo, getting on in years, or loading cans onto a high roof rack.
For couples doing shorter coastal runs or weekenders at the local caravan park, a pair of 10 litre cans often gives enough backup fuel or water without blowing out the tow vehicle payload. They are also a smart pick for topping up portable generators and camp stoves at free camps.
Plastic 10 Litre Jerry Can
A standard HDPE 10 litre jerry can measures around 36 cm high, 25 cm long and 17 cm wide.
Empty weight is roughly 0.9 kg, and a full can comes in at about 8.4 kg for petrol, 9.3 kg for diesel, and 10.9 kg for water.
Metal 10 Litre Jerry Can
An AFAC compliant metal 10 litre jerry can sits around 37 cm high, 28 cm long and 16 cm wide, and weighs close to 2.5 kg empty.
With the heavier pressed steel body, a full petrol fill lands around 10 kg and a full diesel fill around 11 kg.
3. 20 Litre Jerry Can Sizes & Dimensions
The 20 litre jerry can is the classic Aussie choice and the one most caravan A-frame holders are built to carry. It is the go to for serious Big Lap travellers, outback tracks across the Simpson or Cape York, and anyone tackling long stretches between fuel stops in tropical north Queensland.
Two 20 litre cans give you roughly 40 litres of extra fuel or water, which is often the difference between pushing on and turning back. Just remember that two full cans can add over 40 kg to your ball weight and payload, so check your ATM and Tare Mass before loading up.
Plastic 20 Litre Jerry Can
A standard HDPE 20 litre jerry can measures around 53 cm high, 34 cm long and 17 cm wide, which matches the dimensions of the 20L plastic jerry cans stocked on the CARAC website.
Empty weight is roughly 1.3 to 2 kg. Full weights land at about 16 kg for petrol, 18 kg for diesel, and 22 kg for water including the can.
Metal 20 Litre Jerry Can
A NATO style metal 20 litre jerry can is close in footprint but a touch taller and wider, typically around 47 cm high, 35 cm long and 17 cm wide.
Empty weight jumps to around 4 to 5 kg, so a full petrol can lands near 19 kg and a full diesel can near 21 kg.
Slim or Cube Style Water Jerry Can
Slim and cube style water cans are designed to stack flat along a caravan wall or in a boot. Capacities are typically 10 to 20 litres, with 20 litre cube cans measuring around 30 cm high, 30 cm long and 22 cm wide.
Empty weight is around 1 kg and a full 20 litre cube weighs about 21 kg.
5 Jerry Can Considerations
1. Holder clearance
Most Australian A-frame jerry can holders are built to accept a standard 20 litre plastic can up to around 355 mm wide, 180 mm deep and 510 mm high. Measure your existing holder opening before buying, especially if you are moving from plastic to metal.
2. Colour coding under AS 2906
Australian Standard AS 2906 sets out approved fuel container colours. Red is unleaded, olive yellow is diesel, orange is ethanol blends and bottle green is 2-stroke 25:1. Blue is widely used for water but sits outside the fuel standard.
3. Payload impact
A full 20 litre petrol can adds around 16 kg, diesel around 18 kg, and water around 22 kg. Two cans on the A-frame can easily add 35 to 45 kg to your ball weight and eat into your ATM and payload, so weigh before you travel.
4. Ventilation and storage
Fuel cans must be stored upright, out of direct sunlight where possible, and never inside a living area. On hot outback days, allow space in the holder for the can to expand, and open the cap slowly to release pressure.
5. Mounting and compliance
Check that any holder is rated for the full weight of the can, uses the correct bolts for your A-frame, and that the can itself carries the AS 2906 and UN markings if you are carrying fuel.
Top 5 Tips for How to Choose Jerry Can Size and Style
A few practical pointers to help you pick the right jerry can size for your caravan, camper or 4WD setup.
-
Match the size to your trip style.
Weekend trips and caravan park runs rarely need more than a 5 or 10 litre backup can. Long remote trips across the outback usually call for one or two 20 litre cans so you are not stressing about the distance to the next fuel stop. -
Check your A-frame holder before you buy.
Measure the internal height, width and depth of your existing holder. Standard A-frame holders are built around a 20 litre plastic can roughly 530 mm high, and a taller metal can or chunky fast-pour style can may not fit without modification. -
Weigh up plastic versus metal.
Plastic HDPE cans are lighter, cheaper and easier on your payload, which matters if your ATM is tight. Metal cans are tougher, UV stable over years, and preferred for long diesel storage, but add 3 to 4 kg per can before you even fill them. -
Separate fuel from water.
Keep a dedicated water jerry can in blue or white and never reuse a fuel can for drinking water. Slim and cube style water cans also stack better in a caravan boot and are easier to pour at camp. -
Do the payload maths early.
Before you add two full 20 litre cans to the A-frame, subtract their combined weight from your caravan's remaining payload and check your tow vehicle tow ball rating. It is a lot easier to downsize to 10 litre cans on paper than at the weighbridge.
Suggested Jerry Cans and Holders from CARAC
-
20L Jerry Can Plastic Green – $34.95
- 20 litre capacity in tough HDPE plastic
- Measures 170 mm wide x 340 mm long x 530 mm high
- Lightweight body that is easy on caravan payload
- Includes pouring spout for clean refills at camp
-
Lockable Jerry Can Holder Galvanised – $89.95
- Galvanised steel construction for rust resistance
- Fits a standard 20 litre jerry can up to 420 mm high, 355 mm wide and 170 mm deep
- Integrated lockable chain to deter theft at free camps
- Widely used on Jayco campers, pop-tops and caravans
-
Ark Lockable Top Loading Jerry Can Holder – $99.95
- Top loading design for easy one-person lifting
- Heavy duty powder coated steel finish
- Internal dimensions suit a standard 20 litre plastic can
- Lockable lid for secure fuel storage on the A-frame
-
20L Plastic Water Container
- BPA free food grade plastic for drinking water
- Australian made for consistent quality
- Slim profile that stacks neatly in a caravan boot
- Comes with a flexible pourer for spill free refills
Choosing the right jerry can size comes down to matching capacity, material and footprint to your rig, your trip, and your remaining payload. For a closer look at compatible mounting options, browse the CARAC Jerry Can Holders range and pair it with a CARAC Water Container to keep fuel and drinking water cleanly separated on your next trip.