I realize theres a lot of factors involved like speed, highway or not, model of truck etc... I was just wondering on average about how far will a truck go before it needs to be refueled?
How far will truck go before needing to refuel
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by navywill, Jul 10, 2014.
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navywill Thanks this.
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I would think it will go until the tanks are empty lol. Sorry, couldn't resist.
Pmracing, Tonythetruckerdude and "semi" retired Thank this. -
I am in a 2015 Cascadia with a DD15 & 10 speed, 2 - 120 Gal fuel tanks, about 6 MPG & I run about 800 miles & have about 1/4 (+/-) tank remaining.
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Most OTR fleets spec them out with dual 100-135 gallon tanks. I know Cowan and Prime give you only 100-125 gallons on their small sleepers. Not too sure about JB Hunt. I usually can tell by the number of straps holding the tanks up and diameter. Three and its most likely 120-150 gallon. Two and its most likely 50-125 gallon. Some macks and newer Volvos have four straps for their square shaped tanks. Freightliner has long and circular tanks on its class 8 while the city delivery trucks have square shaped fuel tanks with two-three straps. They usually hold anywhere from 25-75 gallons.
bergy Thanks this. -
trucks get in a normal range 6 -9 mpg. just do the math on the size of tanks. 2 one hundred gallons tanks at 7 mpg is approximately 1400 miles (it can vary). The biggest variables are weight of load, flat road or hills. Your speed will also be a factor, if you got a lead foot it will be less. If you use cruise and keep her steady mileage will be better.
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Idling and sitting in traffic will decrease the mileage a bit, not to mention a poorly maintained truck/fuel system will also lose some mileage than a properly maintained truck.
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If I'm scheduled to pick up a heavy load that will put me close to maximum weight I try to arrive to the shipper with 1/2 tanks or less. After scaling the load and balancing it then I calculate how many gallons I can add to the tanks and put in that many gallons, then look at the fuel gauge and understand that is the maximum I can fill at any fuel stop.
Usually on these heavy loads I may end up getting up to maximum 3/4 tanks to avoid being overweight on the steers or drives. I did take a load last year where the maximum I could handle was 1/2 tanks, which meant I was fueling about every 400 miles.
You never want to run your tanks dry. The last 1/8 fuel is generally not something I want going through my fuel filter. Usually I try to keep my tanks above 1/4. -
I recall one one truck I drove back in the 70's had two one hundred gallon tanks & if the tanks were topped off I could make it half way to the west coast which was El Paso. If I did not top the tanks out at our yard myself I would stop & buy fuel before I got to El Paso. Of course we were not getting very good fuel mileage back them.
Back in early 70's I drove a conventionalKW with one one hundred gallon tank, I could make a round trip to Greenville, Miss & back which is a bit over 200 miles. Plus I was pulling a cement tanker & we had exhaust turbine run by the engine to pressurize the tank for unloading. All the other trucks had to stop & buy at least 20 gallons of fuel to make that trip, the reason I didn't was mine would pull more fuel out of its tanks than the others. Many a time I made that trip when fueling up afterwards I would put about 97 to 99 gallons of fuel in my tank. Also I would always fill my tank right to the brim, a lot of our drivers would not take the time to do that so they could not go quite a far as I could.
The only time I would stop & buy fuel on that trip was if I had a head wind coming or going & or it took me over 30 minutes to unload the cement. Usually unloaded in about 18 to 25 minutes if I was pulling my trailer.
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