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Keep a close eye on those fuel tank straps

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Haulin_regional, Apr 15, 2016.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Apr 15, 2016 #1
    Haulin_regional

    Haulin_regional Bobtail Member

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    I thought I'd share a close call I had today. We never give it a second thought, step on and off, put hundreds of lbs of fuel in them. They hold up on the worst of roads. I was about 80 miles away from home base upon arrival of my last stop for the day. The entrance is beaten from the spring thaw. I went into a big rounded pothole at a slow speed and heard a sharp clang. I wondered what it was but dismissed it for the moment. After backing into a dock I stepped out and nearly fell right off the truck. the step was mush for 3 inches. It didn't take long to figure out the minor rusted strap actually broke in the upper section. I left the truck there and got a ride from another driver to a hardware store and put a ratchet strap on to make it home.

    I'm really thankful it happened when and where it did. Tanks were 1/4 full, I travel the 401 hwy. daily which is also one of the busiest highways in the world. God only knows what could have happened if the tanks were full. Would one strap hold up a full tank on a bumpy road at 60MPH? Who knows. It just could have been worse, way worse. I take great care of my truck but never gave the straps a second thought.

    The worst part of this? $635 PER STRAP! at the INTL. dealer. I located aftermarket stainless straps and ordered 4. I'm not chancing the others.

    Be safe out there.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Apr 15, 2016
    Haulin_regional, Apr 15, 2016
    Haulin_regional, Apr 15, 2016
    #1
    silver dollar, NWAF, amiller and 1 other person Thank this.
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  3. Apr 15, 2016 #2
    swaan

    swaan Road Train Member

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    And this is why I like kenworth and westernstar. Pete,frieghtliner and international have stupid setups if you ask me. It's a fuel tank for God sakes.
     
    swaan, Apr 15, 2016
    swaan, Apr 15, 2016
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    cnsper Thanks this.
  4. Apr 15, 2016 #3
    Superhauler

    Superhauler TEACHER OF MEN

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    A little JB weld would fix that right up! Just sayin, LOL
     
    Superhauler, Apr 15, 2016
    Superhauler, Apr 15, 2016
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  5. Apr 15, 2016 #4
    Haulin_regional

    Haulin_regional Bobtail Member

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    Silly me, I should have thought of that before buying a ratchet strap.
     
    Haulin_regional, Apr 15, 2016
    Haulin_regional, Apr 15, 2016
    #4
    Getsinyourblood Thanks this.
  7. Apr 15, 2016 #5
    Alaska76

    Alaska76 Road Train Member

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    Not saying one could see the failure point in your instance, but that is part of the pre-trip, checking those straps for integrity. Glad you were not hurt or injured.

    Hopefully, others will learn from your experience.
     
    Alaska76, Apr 15, 2016
    Alaska76, Apr 15, 2016
    #5
  8. Apr 16, 2016 #6
    allis327

    allis327 Light Load Member

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    Melrose mn
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    The problem is they rust from the inside out. What ever is used between the strap and tank will hold moisture. I just dismantled a truck with two tanks, they were steel and one tank had rusted through under the strap and the other the strap was significantly rusted under the paint. I always prefer tank setups with a bracket under them carrying the weight but is something not considered when my boss buys a truck.
     
    allis327, Apr 16, 2016
    allis327, Apr 16, 2016
    #6
  9. Apr 16, 2016 #7
    cnsper

    cnsper Road Train Member

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    There is a reason they make stainless straps.
     
    cnsper, Apr 16, 2016
    cnsper, Apr 16, 2016
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    lester Thanks this.
  10. Apr 16, 2016 #8
    allan5oh

    allan5oh Road Train Member

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    Yup international is bad for those. People either make their own or order aftermarket. You will likely have a bunch of corrosion on the tanks too keep that in mind.
     
    allan5oh, Apr 16, 2016
    allan5oh, Apr 16, 2016
    #8
  11. Apr 16, 2016 #9
    379exhd

    379exhd Road Train Member

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    Explain that one to me if u would I'm not seeing where you're coming from
     
    379exhd, Apr 16, 2016
    379exhd, Apr 16, 2016
    #9
  12. Apr 16, 2016 #10
    cnsper

    cnsper Road Train Member

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    Western Star and KW both have brackets under the tank instead of just a strap around the tank holding them up. I believe that is what he was getting at. You can see the brackets under the tank in the photo. The strap just keeps the tank from rolling off the brackets.
    [​IMG]
    Here are some brackets removed from a truck
    [​IMG]
    Where as a Peterbilt hangs the tank by the straps
    [​IMG]
     
    cnsper, Apr 16, 2016
    cnsper, Apr 16, 2016
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    barroll, Getsinyourblood and SAR Thank this.
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