Carrying Extra Fuel on a Remote Leg
A remote Quebec trail can turn a relaxed ride into a stressful one when the fuel gauge drops faster than expected and the next village is still far away. Carrying extra fuel helps, but only if you estimate your needs carefully, secure the fuel properly, and plan a route with real stopping points. This guide walks through those decisions before you leave the trailhead.
Work Out How Much Fuel Your Route Really Needs
A machine’s advertised range is a starting point, not a promise about what it will do on a particular ride. Deep mud, steep climbs, cold weather, heavy loads, slow technical riding, and frequent stops can all change fuel use. That matters on long Quebec circuits, where a route may pass through forest for a substantial stretch between services.
Measure your machine’s real-world consumption
The most useful number is the one you gather from your own machine. On a familiar ride, start with a known amount of fuel, record the distance travelled, and note how much fuel it takes to refill afterward. Repeat this on more than one outing if you can. One easy ride on a packed surface may not reflect what the machine uses on a muddy or hilly day.
You can estimate consumption in litres per 100 kilometres by dividing the litres used by kilometres travelled, then multiplying by 100. For example, if a hypothetical machine uses 12 litres over 100 kilometres, its measured consumption is 12 litres per 100 kilometres. That is only an illustration: your machine’s result could be very different, and riding conditions can change it.
Keep notes about what was different on each ride. A passenger, cargo, a trailer, soft ground, or a long stretch in low gear may all affect the result. If you are planning a multi-day outing, Quebec Fuel Range Between Villages can help you think through the practical gaps between places to stop, while Packing for a Multi-Day Ride is useful for considering the added weight of supplies and luggage.
Build in a margin instead of aiming for an empty tank
Once you have a realistic consumption estimate, use it to calculate the fuel needed for the route’s full distance. Then add a sensible reserve for the conditions you expect. Don’t plan to arrive at a fuel stop with the gauge already flashing or the tank nearly dry. A detour, a trail closure, getting turned around, or waiting for a riding partner can add distance or time you did not budget for.
Consider this simple planning example:
| Planning detail | Example only |
|---|---|
| Planned route distance | 120 km |
| Measured consumption | 12 L per 100 km |
| Estimated fuel for planned distance | 14.4 L |
| Additional fuel to carry | Based on your machine’s tank, conditions, and personal reserve |
The example assumes a steady rate that real trail conditions may not deliver. If the route includes soft ground or repeated climbs, use your experience from similar rides rather than relying on an easy-road figure. For an unfamiliar route, a conservative plan is usually more comfortable than discovering you have misjudged the distance after the last convenient stop.
Do not count a fuel station as available simply because it appears near the route on a map. Check whether it is accessible to your machine, open when you expect to arrive, and actually on your permitted route. Confirm trail conditions before departure with Quebec Trail Conditions Before You Go, especially if weather could affect access or force a change in plans.
Choose and Secure a Suitable Fuel Container
Carrying extra fuel is not just a matter of finding a container that fits. Gasoline is hazardous, and a container that leaks, shifts, or sits near a hot component can create a serious risk for you and the people riding with you. Use a container designed and approved for gasoline, and follow its label and the machine manufacturer’s instructions.
Pick a container made for gasoline
A proper fuel container should be clearly intended for gasoline and suited to the way you plan to carry it. Avoid improvised bottles, unmarked jugs, or containers meant for water or other liquids. The container’s cap and seals matter as much as its shell: a damaged seal can allow fumes or fuel to escape even if the body looks intact.
Before loading it, inspect the container for cracks, worn seals, damaged threads, or signs of previous leakage. Make sure it closes securely and that you can identify its contents. Follow the container’s fill line and handling directions rather than filling it to the very top. Fuel can expand as temperature changes, so the manufacturer’s instructions about filling and headspace are important.
A container should also be manageable for the person who may need to handle it on the trail. A very large container can be awkward to lift, pour, and secure, particularly if you are alone or wearing gloves. Think about the whole process: where it rides, how you will remove it, and whether you can refuel without spilling.
Mount it so it cannot move or contact hot parts
Place the container in a secure location intended for carrying cargo, using a firm mount or tie-down arrangement that prevents it from sliding, bouncing, or tipping. Recheck it after the first few kilometres and whenever you stop for a longer break. A strap that feels tight in the driveway may loosen over rough ground.
Keep fuel away from the exhaust, engine heat, sharp edges, moving parts, and any place where a rollover or impact could crush the container. Do not position it where it blocks the rider’s movement, interferes with controls, or makes the machine unstable. If your ATV or side-by-side’s owner’s manual gives limits or specific guidance about cargo placement, follow that guidance rather than improvising a mount.
Before setting off, walk around the machine and check that the container is upright, the cap is secure, and the straps cannot catch on a wheel or suspension component. If you can move the container by hand, it may move even more on a rocky corridor. When you are carrying other equipment, such as a spare belt, make sure the arrangement remains stable; Carrying a Spare Belt on a Long Circuit offers another useful reminder to plan cargo placement before the ride rather than packing at the last minute.
Plan a Remote Leg Around Fuel, Maps, and Possible Detours
A fuel calculation is only as good as the route distance behind it. On Quebec trails, the route shown on your screen may not match the route you can actually ride that day. Seasonal closures, trail conditions, access restrictions, and a missed turn can all change the distance. A little route checking at home is far less frustrating than making those decisions with a low tank in a remote area.
Check the route and likely stopping points
Trace the entire planned leg before leaving, not just the route from the trailhead to lunch. Look for communities, fuel stops, lodging, and other places where you can safely pause. Check whether the proposed route uses open, authorized trails and whether the services you are counting on are reachable without leaving the permitted corridor. Staying on a Federated Corridor is a helpful read if your route planning includes trail access and land permissions.
A trail map can help you understand the route, but don’t treat a line on a screen as proof that a trail is currently open or passable. Check current local trail information, closures, and access notices before the ride. This is especially important during changing weather or seasonal transition periods. If you are planning a longer loop, Planning a Route on the Interactive Map and Quebec Trail Maps and the iQuad App are useful starting points for organizing the route, while local club information can help confirm what is open.
onX Offroad can be part of your route-planning setup, but do not make any single app your only source of navigation. Download or save the information you will need before losing cell service, and carry a backup such as a paper map or a second navigation device. onX Offroad is most useful when you have already checked the route and know how to interpret it; a map cannot tell you that a fuel stop is open unless you confirm that separately.
Make a plan for the ride you did not intend to take
A practical plan includes more than the main route. Decide what you will do if a trail is closed, a rider has a mechanical issue, or the group needs to turn back. A detour may add enough distance to change your fuel needs. Before departing, identify a safe turnaround point and agree that the group will not split up to search for fuel or a shortcut.
Tell someone who is not riding where you plan to go and when you expect to check in. Share the route and the names of the people in your group. If you change plans, send an update when you have service. Remote riding can be enjoyable precisely because it feels far from town, but that distance makes a simple backup plan worthwhile. First Aid on a Remote Circuit covers another part of preparing for the possibility that a routine ride does not go exactly as expected.
Refuel Carefully and Leave No Trace
Having extra fuel does not remove the need to handle it thoughtfully. Refuelling beside a trail can be awkward: the ground may be uneven, the group may be waiting, and the machine may still be hot from the ride. Slow down, choose a safe place, and avoid turning a small spill into a bigger problem.
Use a calm, controlled refuelling routine
Stop in a stable location away from flames, sparks, smoking, and other ignition sources. Shut the machine off and allow hot components to cool before refuelling. Follow the machine and fuel-container instructions, and avoid rushing while pouring. A small funnel or pour spout designed for the container can make the job easier, but it should be clean and compatible with the fuel system.
Do not refuel while the machine is running, and keep fuel away from hot exhaust components. If fuel spills, stop and address it safely instead of continuing the ride and leaving the spill behind. Keep fuel out of waterways, ditches, wetlands, and soil where it can cause harm. Carry suitable spill-cleanup materials if your route and the way you transport fuel make a spill possible, and know how you will contain a small leak without spreading it.
After refuelling, close the container securely and put it back in its secured position. Check for drips, fumes, or a loose cap before riding. If you smell fuel or notice a leak, do not simply continue and hope it clears; move away from ignition sources and resolve the issue safely before restarting.
Adjust your plan to Quebec trail conditions
A route through the Laurentians, Charlevoix, or the forests around Mauricie can feel very different from a short ride close to home. Terrain, weather, and the distance between services vary, so a fuel plan that works for one region may not suit another. On a remote leg, the goal is not to carry the largest possible load. It is to carry enough for the route and a realistic contingency without compromising the machine’s handling.
If conditions deteriorate, reassess rather than pushing on just because you packed extra fuel. Heavy rain, trail damage, or a closure may make the planned route unsuitable. Use onX Offroad alongside local trail information to understand your options, and check the route again before taking a detour. When service is limited, having offline navigation and a paper backup can make a confusing junction less stressful.
Before the next long ride, note how much fuel you used and what the conditions were like. Over time, those notes become more useful than a generic range estimate. Keep the container in good condition, confirm the machine’s cargo guidance, and review the route whenever your plans change. That small routine can help keep the focus where it belongs: on the ride, not on whether the next stop is just beyond the empty light.
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.
