Smooth Bore Question

Hello,

I recently got a good deal on a smooth bore tanker.. Never have pulled a tanker before.

Going to be pulling a lot of water this summer. The problem is that my source of water is on top of a fairly curvy mountain road. I've mapped out the best route without major steep grades. I ran my step deck up loaded with IBC totes yesterday and was surprised how hard the road was only running 55,000 lbs. Much less 80,000 lbs in a smooth bore tanker.

My other concern is that my tanker holds 5700 gallons.. just running rough numbers I'm concerned I might be overweight if fully loaded. I'm estimating 5300 gallons to put my rig at 80,000 lbs.

Will 400 gallons short of full make the tanker slosh a lot worse? At least I don't have any scales on my route but you never know what DOT might surprise you with.

Has anyone ever used baffle balls? They're pretty expensive but are supposed to really reduce tank surge. Although for the cost it might be better to just buy a baffled trailer.

 

Good advice there Cottonmouth85! Thank you

 

Its a springride

 

Thanks for the advice everyone! Sounds like if I go slow then I should be okay.

The chances of being caught only a few thousand overweight is slim. Plus I can run my loads anytime I want. Hoping a full tank will reduce my tank surge.

I guess its a little freaky. I have to load up on the mountain and run an hour down hill. I don't really have a chance to learn hauling a tanker on the nice flat straight road. I'm a slow cautious driver at least and there's not much traffic on my route. So might as well learn to driver the tanker down a curvy road.