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A fuel bladder is the most space-efficient way to carry extra diesel or petrol on a remote 4WD trip. For anyone heading into country where the distance between fuel stops exceeds your tank range, a quality fuel bladder removes the stress and the bulk of trying to strap enough jerry cans to your rig to cover the gap. This guide covers how Fleximake fuel bladders work, which size suits your trip and how to use one safely.

Browse our Fleximake fuel bladders at Campalot - available in 75L and 100L, Australian-made for remote 4WD touring and marine use.

Why Remote 4WD Touring Demands Proper Fuel Planning

Australia has some of the longest distances between fuel stops of any country in the world. The Nullarbor, the Gibb River Road, the Oodnadatta Track, Cape York, the Canning Stock Route and dozens of other iconic routes all include sections where running low on fuel is a genuine emergency rather than a minor inconvenience.

A 4WD towing a loaded caravan or camper trailer typically consumes 15 to 22 litres per 100km depending on terrain, load and conditions. On a corrugated dirt road at low speed, consumption increases. On a highway section it drops. Planning your fuel for the worst case rather than the best case is what keeps you moving.

A fuel bladder gives you a flexible, storable supplementary fuel supply that can bridge those gaps without the mounting hardware, bulk and rattle of a full jerry can setup.

How a Fuel Bladder Works

A Fleximake fuel bladder is a flexible container made from materials specifically rated and certified for fuel storage. The internal lining is compatible with diesel and petrol and does not leach contaminants into the fuel.

When full, the fuel bladder takes the shape of the space it is placed in. It can sit in the back of a canopy, in a flat storage area in a trailer, under a false floor or in any space that fits its dimensions. When empty it collapses completely flat, folding to a fraction of its filled size.

The bladder includes stainless steel fittings with a fill port and an outlet connection. Fuel is transferred in and out using a hand pump or 12V fuel pump through the standard fittings. The sealed design prevents spills and fuel vapour escape during transit.

Fuel Bladder vs Jerry Cans: The Honest Comparison

Storage Efficiency

A 20L jerry can takes up the same volume whether it is full or empty. A fuel bladder in the same capacity collapses flat when empty. For a fully loaded touring rig where every cubic centimetre of storage space has a job to do, this flexibility makes a significant difference.

A 100L fuel bladder folded flat takes up roughly the same space as a couple of blankets. Four 20L jerry cans take up 80L of rigid volume even before you account for the space lost around the irregular shapes.

Weight Distribution

A fuel bladder can be positioned low and central in your storage layout. Jerry cans on an external rear carrier or bull bar sit high and off-centre, affecting vehicle dynamics and towing stability noticeably on a heavily loaded rig.

Noise

Jerry cans rattle. Even well-secured cans produce noise on corrugated tracks over long distances. A fuel bladder full of diesel makes no noise. On a multi-day corrugated track section, this is a genuine quality-of-life difference.

Leak Risk

A quality Fleximake fuel bladder with sealed fittings and welded seams has fewer potential leak points than a jerry can with a cap, a separate spout and a vent. Bladder fittings are designed to stay sealed under vibration and flex. A jerry can cap that works loose on a corrugated track is a fuel spill inside your canopy.

Choosing Between 75L and 100L

75L Fuel Bladder

At 75 litres, this bladder gives most standard 4WD tourers an additional 350 to 500 kilometres of range depending on consumption. This comfortably covers most of the significant fuel gaps on popular Australian touring routes including long sections of the Gibb River Road and Cape York.

The 75L is the right choice for tourers who want meaningful extra range without committing to maximum weight, or those working within payload limits where every kilogram matters. Diesel weighs approximately 0.85kg per litre, so a full 75L bladder adds around 64kg to your load.

100L Fuel Bladder

The 100L option extends your range by 450 to 650 kilometres and is the right choice for the most remote Australian routes where fuel stops can be genuinely 600 kilometres or more apart. The Canning Stock Route, parts of the Outback Way and certain remote station tracks fall into this category.

A full 100L bladder adds approximately 85kg of load. Confirm your vehicle and trailer are within payload limits before filling a 100L bladder and departing. Weight matters significantly on rough terrain and affects your tyres, suspension and recovery risk.

Safe Use of a Fuel Bladder

• Always use a fuel bladder that is explicitly rated and certified for fuel storage. A water bladder is not suitable for fuel and should never be used for it.
• Fill the bladder in a well-ventilated area away from ignition sources. Fuel vapour is heavier than air and accumulates at ground level.
• Secure the bladder so it cannot shift in transit. A full bladder is heavy and concentrated load movement affects vehicle handling.
• Transfer fuel using a proper fuel-rated hose or 12V pump. Do not use a siphon by mouth.
• Keep the bladder out of direct sun when stored and in transit where possible. Heat causes fuel to expand and increases vapour pressure.
• Inspect fittings and seams before each use. Fleximake bladders are built to last but any flexible fuel container benefits from a quick pre-trip check.

Marine Use

Fleximake fuel bladders are equally popular on boats. Marine storage is typically more irregular in shape than land vehicle storage, and rigid jerry cans or fixed tanks often do not make efficient use of hull cavities and under-seat storage areas.

A fuel bladder conforms to the available space and sits low in the hull, improving stability rather than adding weight high on the deck or rail. The welded seam construction handles the movement of a boat underway without weeping fuel into enclosed storage areas.

The Short Version

A Fleximake fuel bladder is the practical choice for remote 4WD touring and marine use when extra range is needed without the bulk and hassle of jerry cans. Choose 75L for most popular Australian touring routes and 100L for the most remote destinations where 600km-plus fuel gaps are a genuine reality.

Flexible, quiet, space-efficient and Australian-made. For serious remote touring, a fuel bladder belongs in the kit.

  Shop Fleximake fuel bladders at Campalot -- 75L and 100L, Australian-made for remote 4WD touring and marine use.