Manufacturers Weight GVW

[Chief JD Robinson]

I see many of these trucks built with over 2,000 gallon tanks on single axle chassis. I had a 2300 gallon steel tank mounted on a International 4900 32,900GVW and was almost 5,000 pounds overweight when loaded. How do you mount these tanks on International 4700's and not exceed the GVW?

[COLE_Jeff]

They most likely are overweight - either by request of the customer, or possibly unbeknownst to the customer. Legally I think they can be built that way because the end user could claim he/she would never carry a full load. Perhaps one of the truck manufacturers can chime in here and explain how that works.

[Jim]

I have always said that 9 out 10 trucks in this country are over weight on the rear axle.

For a single axle truck 33,000 GVW. If one were concerned about weights.
For steel tanks keep it to a 2000 – 2100 gallon tank.

I have scaled 2500-gallon aluminum tanks with loaded weights of 12,371 lb.
On the front axle and 23,049 lb. on the rear axle. The truck was 33,000 GVW,
12,000-lb. front and 21,000 lb. rear axle. 2000 lb. over loaded on the rear!

Most problems are the rear weights. One should always be looking at the maximum cab to axle to get as much weight off the rear as possible.

People will also have problems with larger tanks mounted on road tractors with light 12,000 lb. front ends.

It’s not hard to calculate weights and weight distributions of any truck and tank package. Starting with the trucks actual front-end weight and rear end weight before the body is placed.

Great subject that could get lengthy.

[dawzie]

You have to ask alot of questions when trying to get a legal truck. Find out what your state requires first. Here in NY I just had a new tanker made for me. '07 kenworth T-800 18,000lb front axel. 46,000 rears, 20' spread between front and rear most axel, 3800 gallon alum. tank. Truck weighs 24,400 lbs empty. Loaded I'm at 57,600 lbs. 17,600 on the front, 39,500 on the rears. Problem is NY will only let me be at 56,000 without an over weight permit.

Like Jim said, for the smaller trucks, you need a 12,000 front and 21,000 rear and keep that axel as far back as you can. 2200 gallon max.

If you are having someone put a truck together for you ask them if it will pass a DOT inspection and be weight legal when scaled full.

There are some shops here that have been around for a long time and I was amazed at how many can't build a lagal truck. I shake my head when I see some of the vac trucks for sale that have just been built, no way are they legal.
just my 3 cents worth
dawzie

[hockeyologist]

I solved this problem by installing a 15,000 lb. drop axle in front of the rear axle , single wheel , steerable , works great and keeps the DOT off my back !!!!

[mallenk]

I am in the process of putting a new truck together. We are going with an alluminum tank to help with weight, but thee apparently isn't a truck builder out there that knows how to build a LEGAL truck. We are running into that as we go. If you hear of any formulas that can be used that would be greatly appreciated by all. Sound like that drop axle would solve alot of issues.
mallenk

[COLE_Jeff]

I would say that everyone knows how to build a legal truck, it's just a matter of cost. When you start adding dead axles or tag axles you are adding to the cost of the truck. If you are willing to pay for that, then tell them, and I am sure it can be engineered. Most people are not willing to pay the added cost for the extra axle if they feel it's unneeded or are willing to take the chance of possibly being overweight.

[little can]

another thing to think about is if you have a non-cdl 26000# truck, and you scale out more than that,and no cdl, you could get serious fines or jail time!

[jason]

Well I am a little late with this one. The truck builders are only building what we want to buy. If they build legal trucks they will be to small or way to long. I have a copy of the new bridge laws if you want a copy let me know. If you sit down and run the numbers on a legal truck it will make you sick. One gentleman said he had put a 15,000 lbs. lift axle on his truck. If his truck is 24' axle to axle and he put the lift axle in front of the other axle he only gained a ton of hauling weight. Check the DOT numbers for bridge laws.

[mallenk]

We have a 99 International, 4900 series, 2,500 gal Progress tank, 12,000 front axle and 21,000 rear. GVW is 33,000. D.O.T. scaled us yesterday and we were 4,600 over on the rear axle and yes we were full. The only thing we can do now is scale back our pump outs and not try and push it. Looks like if we over 2,000 gallons in that tank we are not going to be legal. The other option is a tag axle I guess.:(

[Trent]

I've got the same chassis with a 2,000 gallon tank on it. It's overloaded on the rears when it's full. I do carry a Spartan 300 cable machine on it too though.

[POOMAN]

To get better weight distribution you need to run a garbage truck style chassis or it will be heavy on the ass. I run a ih7500 & 4000 gal. alum. tank @ 17,500 on the steer & 38,800 on the tail. Overweight for the roads and bridge-laws but the chassis is rated 58,000 {40 rear & 18 front}. That's my only concern is chassis safety. Think of weight fines as just another cost of doing business. Always make sure your chassis is rated for the weight on it or it will bite you in the end. Say you crash {not your fault} but result is a fatality, if your chassis is overloaded they will nail you with negligence.