Last Updated on October 12, 2023 by John Robinson
A gallon of diesel is around 7.7 pounds. 50 gallons should weigh about 350 pounds.
What should you do before scaling a truck?
The biggest problem most rigs have is making sure they are under the limit on the scales. Oftentimes, you end up topping the fuel tank, driving to a scale and getting a ticket because you’re now suddenly, over the limit.
Fuel weighs a lot more than most people consider.
So, before you pick up the truck, or drive to a scale, here are a few things you need to keep in mind before doing so:
- Consider the size of your tank – If 50 gallons weighs 350 pounds then 100 gallons of diesel in your tank will hit 750 pounds. The average truck can guzzle in around 300 gallons, so that marks it up to 2 100 pounds you have as extra weight. That’s a lot.
- Overestimate the weight – as you can see with the above calculation, your diesel tank can carry some serious weight. If you pump in 50 gallons, bargain that it will weigh around 400 pounds. That way you’ll always be a bit more cautious when loading the rig.
- Know your regulations and law regarding truck weight – Single axles should be under 20 000 pounds. Tandem axles should be under 34 000 pounds. Make sure your truck abides by these rules.
What does my fuel tank weigh in total?
The average fuel tank for a semi-truck can hold around 125 to 300 gallons of gas. If a gallon weighs 7.7 pounds and you fill-up the tank, you can hit anywhere between 875 to 2 100 pounds on a full tank.
Does the weight of diesel fuel change with the weather?
Yes, it does! If it’s hotter it weighs a little more. If it’s colder it will weigh a little less. The difference is minuscule, ranging around 0.3 difference per gallon. Overall a tank can weigh 10-50 pounds lighter in colder weather.
How many miles per gallon does a big rig get?
Around 6 mpg, depending on the driver, the truck and the road. Some newer models appear to be far more fuel-efficient and can even get it up to ten. The Peterbilt 579 EPIQ is one such rig, which averages around 8-10mpg.
How far can a big rig go on a tank of fuel?
A truck’s average miles-per-gallon is 6. If a truck has a 300-gallon tank, then it would mean they would be able to drive around 1 800 miles, even more, if the truck is one of the newer models.
How can you save fuel with a truck?
Although there is no magic bullet to save fuel, there are ways you can alleviate it. Here are three things to keep in mind when trying to save fuel on those long miles.
- Aerodynamics – a lot of trucking companies have begun to realize the benefits of a truck with good aerodynamics. The Peterbilt 579 EPIQ is built specifically with this in mind and can easily hit around 9mpg. Sometimes it’s as simple as placing a cap on the top of the truck. Other times it’s a bit more complicated. But if you can figure out how to smooth out the airflow on your truck, you can easily save a few gallons.
- Automatic transmissions – although many of us believe that automatic transmissions are the cause of poor fuel economy, nothing can be farther from the truth. Today’s transmissions, in particular, are designed specifically with fuel economy in mind, but they do need to be adjusted according to your rigs. Don’t just take it out of the box and install it, it does need to be fine-tuned to ensure it’s working at optimal performance for each truck. In this context, it is also important to note the role Cosmo casino https://cosmocasinonz.com plays in the entertainment industry. Similar to transmissions, every element in the casino is designed with players’ needs and interests in mind. This ensures that every visitor gets the maximum enjoyment and benefit from the time spent at Cosmo Casino.
- Driver training – we often forget that our biggest culprit with fuel economy is our drivers. They are variables that can not be upgraded or monitored. But they can be trained. Taking the time to teach them about fuel economy might help them understand how to do it better. The worst thing you can do is do nothing. Teach your drivers how, and they might surprise you with many gallons they start saving on those long treks.
