W900 good for tanker?

With smooth bore trailers the weight balance is only adjusted by changing fifth wheel height and/or trailer axle ride height (if air ride).
Take a tape measure to the tractor of a company truck that carries the weight balanced well and measure the height of the fifth wheel from the ground and then set your fifth to that height by changing fifth wheel pedestal height and/or putting full length spacers under the fifth wheel plate.
Another way of adjusting height is tire size.
There is also the possibility of running steer tires to maximum weight to carry weight off the drives.
Steer axles are rated at 12k, 12.8k 13.8k and more.

 

A W900 built light (light frame, 38k or 40k drive axles, smaller fuel tanks, small bunk etc) can be a great truck for smooth bore.

 

You’ll have to spec it light , with a high 5th wheel to net 45K in a stainless tank……..

 

Good luck finding a used W900 built how you need it. I’ve only ever met two O/O’s with lightweight W9’s and both custom ordered them.

The most recent was a short hood, studio sleeper, short wheelbase, 100gal tanks, no Vortox air cleaners, no stacks, aluminum 5th wheel, no frame steps, and some other lightweight tactics. Its looks were why I asked about it, because I’d never seen another W9 like it. It was an ugly thing, with its odd proportions and stripped looks.

 

I have numerous OO running W900 trucks and they can all haul 45,000. It's close on the gross, like 79,700 with full tanks, but so far I only have 1 OO who can't haul 45,000. (He has an 86" studio sleeper)

 

I drove a '21 W900 mid roof sleeper spec'd for tanker and flatbed, I was 33k empty with a 6,000 gal stainless tank with the fuel gauge on 1/2. You can get 46k easily, even more with some lighter specs, granted you have a light trailer. Macks are light trucks, I'm not even 30k with a stainless tank now, 27,500 with an aluminum lol