200 gallon tanks

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Mcg0958, Aug 12, 2018.

  1. Mcg0958

    Mcg0958 Bobtail Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2018
    Messages:
    13
    Thanks Received:
    15
    0
    recently I was running on fumes. I was getting a bit worried. So i finally reached my fuel stop and filled up. The 200 gallon tanks only took about 137 gallons. I’m I to assume there’s over 60 gallons when the low fuel light comes on?
     
  2. WesternPlains

    WesternPlains Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2017
    Messages:
    6,296
    Thanks Received:
    52,036
    0
    The tank will have it engraved on it what it’s max actually is.
    I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re right. They try to make warnings so millennial that you’ll never run out.
     
    Lepton1 and Zeviander Thank this.
  3. Trucking in Tennessee

    Trucking in Tennessee Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2018
    Messages:
    3,740
    Thanks Received:
    5,740
    Location:
    Nashville
    0
    At 1/4 tank my Volvo will take 150 or so. At 1/8 I have put in 180.
     
  4. magoo68

    magoo68 Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2011
    Messages:
    3,393
    Thanks Received:
    5,385
    Location:
    st malo mb canada
    0
    Did you verify that both tanks took the same amount... many trucks will suck more from one than the other sometimes .. AkA drivers side with the gauge takes 80 gal and passengers side 57 gal hence the low fuel warning
     
  5. Kyle G.

    Kyle G. Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2016
    Messages:
    3,804
    Thanks Received:
    19,890
    Location:
    Eastern Iowa
    0
    I have a single 150 gallon tank. My low fuel light comes on at about 60 gallons. I once ran it down to E and barely squeezed 130 into it.
     
  6. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2011
    Messages:
    22,234
    Thanks Received:
    114,381
    Location:
    Michigan
    0
    You guys need to know that the sending unit has a limited amount of swing on the sensor, it will only go so far down when the level drops and no farther. Once it hits the low end then it shows empty. They don't use special sensors for large tanks, it is pretty much the same one for all.
     
  7. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2016
    Messages:
    34,017
    Thanks Received:
    42,132
    Location:
    White County, Arkansas
    0
    Cut a clean stick, no splinters or material coming off it. Dip the tanks. You should come up with a certain height of liquid. In the old days that was what we did to determine if it is low or out.

    200 gallons is stingy. I prefer 300 and over in two tanks. I'll tell you why. ATS gave me a tractor with a single 140 gallon tank and it required me to fill twice if not more daily to do OTR. I had more episodes of running out to where both fuel is out, hours is out and sit until next midnight to get more fuel. I got plumb sick of that.

    The most Generous was FFE. We were a team and I think 320 gallons useable out of 335 or so in two tanks. Burn through that in 24 to 30 hours roughly, fill em. If we are good and the winds are with us, we got 1700 miles out of it give or take a percentage depending on the terrain situation somewhere criss crossing the USA. I think roughly in 2001 we burned 85000 dollars worth of fuel that year. I sure hope and think FFE made their money to pay that bill.

    I am probably the last of my kind, big sloppy 35 gallon tank in a great fat barge pulling up to a .28 cent per leaded gallon gasoline station (With spilled fuel in puddles to roll through no less...) and watch relative pay a dollar for the weekend because he could not be bothered to fill it until Sunday night for the work week.

    During the odd even days my father's Datsun took 5 dollars to fill I think about 10+ gallons and it's good all week and then some while everyone else begged gas during the arab oil embargo.

    I have a 25 gallon tank and deliberately keep the fuel somewhat short against theft and literally do not fill it but once every 19 t0 24 months on a hundred dollar bill and a hatful of stabil additive.

    Your fuel is not low until you are on enough a incline to pile the fuel in the bottom of the tank on the end where the feed intake to the engine is not. (That's where your stick comes in) Remember you can always call out a fuel dealer locally to deliver fuel to you either on your own cash, credit or company card if they recognize it. Never allow it to run out. It causes no end of problems.
     
  8. bigkev1115

    bigkev1115 Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2009
    Messages:
    2,364
    Thanks Received:
    3,618
    Location:
    Alexandria, AL
    0
    Some of the Cascadia fuel gauges are about a 1/4 of a tank off what the needle is showing. If needle is showing 1/4 tank, it actually has closer to a 1/2 tank. I drive a 2018 old body style Cascadia. Now Volvos on the other hand are accurate with the fuel gauge
     
  9. LoneCowboy

    LoneCowboy Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2009
    Messages:
    1,466
    Thanks Received:
    3,600
    Location:
    Colorado
    0
    you know how i can tell you drive a Cascadia?

    cuz they all do that. it's ridiculous. it's so inaccurate it's useless

    just reset your trip odometer every time you fuel and fuel up about every 1000 miles. unless you are ridiculously heavy there's no way you get less than 5mpg and won't run out of fuel.
     
  10. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2015
    Messages:
    11,560
    Thanks Received:
    47,010
    0
    Next time your fuel warning comes on stick the tanks and see how much is left. I run dual 90’s and when my light comes on the most I’ve ever put in was 145 gallon. But my caps are up under the bunk so I have no way of sticking them or shining a light into them.
     
    SingingWolf and Lepton1 Thank this.
  11. KB3MMX

    KB3MMX Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2014
    Messages:
    3,069
    Thanks Received:
    2,589
    Location:
    Orrstown, PA
    0
    Don't forget there is a large portion that is unusable in your tanks.... True empty is when you start sucking air... Then bad things happen
     
    Farmerbob1 Thanks this.