The custom Can-Am MeatEater Defender transforms a six-passenger 2026 Can-Am Defender MAX Lone Star CAB HD11 into a hunting and backcountry exploration rig. Built by S3 Powersports, the one-off Defender combines Can-Am LinQ accessories, custom storage, 35-inch tires, heavy-duty protection and a rooftop tent.
Can-Am created the machine in collaboration with MeatEater, the outdoor media company founded by hunter and conservationist Steven Rinella. The build is intended to demonstrate how the new-generation Defender can support hunting, conservation work and extended trips away from established campsites.
Can-Am MeatEater Defender at a Glance
| Base Vehicle | 2026 Can-Am Defender MAX Lone Star CAB HD11 |
|---|---|
| Builder | S3 Powersports |
| Engine | 999cc Rotax ACE inline three-cylinder |
| Engine Output | 95 horsepower and 70 lb-ft of torque |
| Tires | 35-inch BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 |
| Wheels | 15-inch KMC Impact beadlock wheels |
| Shelter | Go Fast Campers V2 Pro rooftop tent |
| Exterior Finish | First Lite Cerca camouflage wrap by Superior Graphics |
Built by S3 Powersports for Backcountry Hunting
S3 Powersports handled the fabrication and customization, adding equipment intended to keep hunters, passengers and their gear organized in the field. The build uses Can-Am’s LinQ mounting system to secure gun cases, tools and other equipment while still allowing accessories to be removed or rearranged quickly.
Custom MOLLE panels provide additional mounting locations for smaller gear. S3 also fabricated a rear cargo rack, bumpers and other protective components, while upgraded suspension helps the large six-seat Defender manage the added weight of accessories, supplies and camping equipment.
SMART LED light bars improve visibility during early starts and late returns to camp. Integrated side mirrors and expanded storage further adapt the Defender for multi-day trips where equipment needs to remain accessible and securely mounted.
35-Inch Tires and Beadlock Wheels
The MeatEater Defender rolls on 35-inch BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 tires mounted to 15-inch KMC Impact beadlock wheels. The larger tire package provides additional ground clearance and a more aggressive footprint for loose dirt, mud, rocks and uneven backcountry terrain.
Beadlock wheels help retain the tire bead when running reduced tire pressures, while the KM3’s aggressive tread is designed to find traction in soft and broken terrain. This combination also gives the Defender a much more purposeful stance than the stock machine.
Rooftop Tent and Extended-Range Equipment
A Go Fast Campers V2 Pro rooftop tent gives the MeatEater team an elevated sleeping area for overnight backcountry trips. The tent keeps occupants off the ground while allowing the Defender to function as a mobile base camp.
RotopaX containers carry extra fuel and water, extending the machine’s usefulness beyond short trips from a permanent camp. Combined with the rear rack and modular storage system, the setup leaves room for hunting equipment, recovery gear, food and other supplies.
Superior Graphics completed the exterior with a custom wrap based on First Lite’s Cerca camouflage pattern. Designed around colors commonly found in dry, rocky terrain, the wrap ties the hunting theme together without hiding the distinctive bodywork of the new Defender.
Based on the New Can-Am Defender HD11
The foundation is Can-Am’s next-generation Defender MAX Lone Star CAB HD11. Its 999cc Rotax ACE three-cylinder engine produces 95 horsepower and 70 lb-ft of torque, with power delivered through a CVT equipped with a pDrive primary clutch.
Can-Am redesigned the Defender platform for 2026 with a 65-inch-wide chassis, arched double A-arms, 12 inches of suspension travel and up to 15 inches of ground clearance. The Lone Star CAB also includes an enclosed six-passenger cab with heating and air conditioning—an important advantage during cold mornings, changing weather and long days in the field.
A 10.25-inch touchscreen provides GPS navigation, vehicle information, accessory controls and a backup-camera display. The HD11 platform also offers an 11.9-gallon fuel tank and a 1,700-watt charging system capable of supporting the additional lighting and electronic equipment used on a build like this.
Can-Am and MeatEater Partnership
The project reflects a broader partnership between Can-Am and MeatEater centered on outdoor access, hunting, conservation and responsible backcountry recreation.
“I’ve been a long-time fan of Can-Am, so it’s pretty cool to see this custom collab MeatEater Defender come together,” said Steven Rinella. “The team at S3 Powersports did an incredible job bringing the build to life. It feels like a physical representation of our partnership and the kind of machine our crew relies on in the field. I’m excited to get it out and put it to work.”
Jeremi Doyon-Roch, marketing director at Can-Am Off-Road, said the project was designed both to equip the MeatEater team for hunting and conservation work and to demonstrate the potential of the Defender platform.
A Showcase for the Defender’s Hunting Potential
The MeatEater Defender is a one-off promotional build rather than a production package available through Can-Am dealers. However, many of its underlying ideas can be applied to an owner-built hunting UTV: secure firearm storage, modular cargo mounting, added lighting, underbody and bumper protection, all-terrain tires and a way to carry fuel, water and camping equipment.
What makes this build especially useful is that it does more than add camouflage and a gun rack. S3 Powersports organized the vehicle around extended time in the field, using the Defender MAX’s passenger capacity, enclosed cab, electrical output and cargo-carrying ability to create a genuine mobile hunting camp.
