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Fuel Tank Placement

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by jonboy29, Jul 26, 2012.

  1. Jul 26, 2012 #1
    jonboy29

    jonboy29 Light Load Member

    297
    187
    Jul 9, 2010
    Home Sweet Home... SW Ont.
    0
    I want to ask why you spec'd a truck to have fuel tanks under the door as a step, or placed back under the sleeper?
    I know theres a million factors, like wheel base, set back axle, tank diameter and holding capacity, but wanted your input and reasons on it.

    Most trucks I have driven had tanks as steps and they were primarily aero trucks.
    I see alot of freightliners and Macks with both set ups. They seem to be the most popular for tank placement, where as W900 and Peterbilts have the tanks back.

    I was wondering if there was something or some formula I was missing as to where the tank gets placed?
    I'm not ready to order or look for a truck yet, but compliling info for that day.
    Thanks.
     
    jonboy29, Jul 26, 2012
    jonboy29, Jul 26, 2012
    #1
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  3. Jul 26, 2012 #2
    fortycalglock

    fortycalglock Road Train Member

    6,150
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    Jun 25, 2011
    Tourist Town, FL
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    There's a number of reasons to do it either way. The aero trucks generally have less frame length, therefore limiting mounting areas. In addition, the less accessories like step boxes and related hardware, the lower the trucks weight. In general though, I think the most used factor is where the fuel weight will have the most affect, ie the front axle vs rear axle group.
     
    fortycalglock, Jul 26, 2012
    fortycalglock, Jul 26, 2012
    #2
  4. Jul 26, 2012 #3
    last 1

    last 1 Medium Load Member

    439
    184
    Nov 29, 2009
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    Set back axle plays into the formula also.
     
    last 1, Jul 26, 2012
    last 1, Jul 26, 2012
    #3
  5. Jul 26, 2012 #4
    DL550CAT

    DL550CAT Road Train Member

    1,427
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    Oct 18, 2009
    Waynesburg, Pa
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    It's a lot easier to climb in and out with steps than a fuel tank. Fuel tank the steps are near vertical while the box steps are well.... more like steps. And steps look better IMO.
     
    DL550CAT, Jul 26, 2012
    DL550CAT, Jul 26, 2012
    #4
  7. Jul 26, 2012 #5
    Hardlyevr

    Hardlyevr Road Train Member

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    2,538
    Jul 30, 2009
    Mapleton Depot,PA
    0
    Tank placement out to be a function of overall wheel base, available frame space, and weight distribution. I could never understand why Freightliner Centurys had the tanks so far forward, making the front axle heavier than it needed to be. Now with APUs and DPF and DEF tanks, the placement of everything is more complicated.
     
    Hardlyevr, Jul 26, 2012
    Hardlyevr, Jul 26, 2012
    #5
  8. Jul 26, 2012 #6
    Freightlinerbob

    Freightlinerbob Road Train Member

    2,234
    1,316
    Jan 15, 2012
    West Coast B.C.
    0
    On my 219" wheelbase Columbia with 2-150 gallon tanks as far forward as they can go, the weight of the fuel distributes 64/36 steer to drives. If I run half fuel and slide the 5th wheel forward, I can pick up over 1000# of payload. That's pretty darn handy and has saved my ##### more times than I can recall.
     
    Freightlinerbob, Jul 26, 2012
    Freightlinerbob, Jul 26, 2012
    #6
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