How much fuel to put on?

50/50 steer and drives? No modern truck has the fuel tanks centered on the frame between the drive and steers. Each truck is different on % forward and aft of the tanks...even trucks coming off the assembly line no two will be identical...also 5th wheel position will effect the forward aft ratio.

In his example...the steers aren't even a factor in figuring how much he can put on...the only factor is the drives...with 340 lbs allowed (at 34,000 on the drives for legal)...80 gallons would be very close to the 34,000 assuming a 60/40 split aft/forward.

8# is always a good figure to use, since it is higher than actual weight, this will allow for some safety margin. Good call!

As I stated above...he has 340 lbs as his key...the steers are only showing 11,3__, so this group is left out of the equation as they have adequate room for weight adding that will not figure into the issue on the drives.

Had two loads last week, first was 79,580 with 5/8ths tank, going from Ft. Morgan, CO to Oakland, CA...couldn't play with the tandems past the 40" mark, luckily could slide the tandems forward as the freight was forward in the box...but had to consider scales going into UT, then out of UT, then Truckee, CA (#### thing was actually closed after all my figuring) but the scale at Antelope and Cordelia of course were open. Put on 105 gallons at Cheyenne, then 40 in Wells, (just in case the check station in Elko was open) then 55 gallons in Fernley to get me into the bay area..worked out fine.

Then 79,720 from Salt Lake City going to Portland...they loaded it great, just glad I scaled the #### thing, the bills showed 43,565 lbs, but actually was 46,100....I HATE PLAYING TRUCK STOP HOP-SCOTCH!

 

The full weight of the fuel won't go to the steers...100 could be fine depending on how far ahead the scale is...the drives are the determining factor, not the steers!

 

By the time yall get this drivers staightened out on a splash and go, he coulda filled up and cut through the woods...(grin)

 

Was going to suggest that myself.

 

when i pulled a flatbed grain wagon i would fuel up before i loaded. on my last job pulling reefers the co. i worked for would only let me put enough fuel on to get across the states that i was driving threw. in other words i had to fuel in every state that i drove threw.

 

Huh?? How do you strap or chain grain?

 

biscuit 75, back in "78 i drove for Moore Transfer who had steel sided grain trailers with 9 to 12 traps running down the middle. unload half with the traps, the other half with a shovel. they sent me to Houston to pick up a load of steel. easy to load--hard to unload.

 

Very, very small, thin straps....and millions of em...LOL

 

Now you throw in a refer for part of the solution...BTW, fuel into a refer tank will effect the tandems weight...in a small weigh (get the pun?).

You need to check on your 5th wheel position, your steers are far to light, somehow you need to get a better steer/drive balance...in my humble opinion that is. But by now you should understand better the need to know where your weight is in regard to tank fuel, by understanding all the combination's of fuel and weight, fifth wheel, and tandem spread...makes you a better and safer driver.

Go back to my first post on this thread about the fuel ratio with steers/drives you do need to know how much, and which way any fuel will effect the weights of the axles! good Luck at the scale house...hope it isn't OR cause they are getting really touchy for money out there.