How accurate are the gallons in fuel tanks ?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by b947, Dec 19, 2019.

  1. Ffx95

    Ffx95 Road Train Member

    1,368
    2,628
    May 18, 2017
    0
    You’ll get better fuel mileage if you drive like there’s an eggshell under your pedal and build up momentum on downgrades so you don’t have to step on it on small upgrades.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    The light comes on differently based on how level the truck is, both nose up/down and roll left/right. You really ought to run the experiment yourself and prove to yourself what YOUR truck will do. Whatever answer you get online you aren't likely to fuel to the same level as the guy giving you his info. On my truck I have a Trip Counter and a Leg Counter. Each counter tracks miles and gallons used since last reset. I religiously use the counters and reset them when I fuel. My fuel gauge will show 1/4 tank remaining when it's actually half empty. On my truck, I have no problem driving 100 miles AFTER the "low fuel" light comes on. I sometimes consume 120-130 gallons of my 140 gallon capacity. You need to know your truck.
     
  4. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

    34,017
    42,135
    Mar 5, 2016
    White County, Arkansas
    0
    I had a pair of tanks totaling 345 gallons volume. However it's only able to get to 335 usable gallons.

    DO NOT run your tanks down that much in winter. Always go fill them at half tanks. Its a defense against getting stuck and having to wait a while. Being able to wait in a warm truck at -40 is defense against death. (For a while anyway...)

    I am taught the differences between volume inside tank and actual fuel capacity that you can get to is allowing for expansion in hot temperatures, be it the fuel coming back from the engine or in really tough and extreme hot conditions where the pavement is approaching 200 degrees.
     
  5. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    The data printed/engraved on my tanks show the physical capacity of the fuel tank and the 95% capacity of the tank. Most cylinder saddle tanks I've ever seen are installed so the filler neck is turned to prevent filling the tank to 100% capacity.
     
  6. Mid-May Trucker

    Mid-May Trucker Road Train Member

    1,118
    2,079
    Oct 23, 2018
    0
    Measure the length and radius and put it into a volume calculator for cylinder
     
  7. Spyro2112

    Spyro2112 Medium Load Member

    604
    416
    Mar 17, 2018
    0
    Change float
     
  8. HillbillyDeluxeTruck

    HillbillyDeluxeTruck Road Train Member

    5,933
    30,328
    Mar 3, 2013
    San Antone
    0
    172.5 gal tanks. Sounds credible.
     
  9. Chubby Fly

    Chubby Fly Medium Load Member

    569
    797
    Nov 25, 2019
    0
    I’m sorry but I don’t see where he states fuel mileage. I see fuel prices
     
    PE_T, Swine hauler and tinytim Thank this.
  10. b947

    b947 Light Load Member

    98
    33
    Aug 25, 2017
    san bernardino california
    0
    Thank you!!! That’s really what it was just having that bit of info about my truck.
     
  11. b947

    b947 Light Load Member

    98
    33
    Aug 25, 2017
    san bernardino california
    0
    I never mentioned mileage. But I get about 740 miles befor I have to fuel up again. It’s a Peterbilt 337
     
    tinytim Thanks this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.