HELP!!! FUEL TANK STRAP BROKE

My codriver with over 20 years experience said since a full fuel tank would weigh about 800 pounds and you have straps rated to hold over 6k pounds on it, you wouldnt get a ticket or be put out of service, however they would tell you to get it fixed quickly as they roll their eyes lol. I think you are okay to get down the road and have it fixed. Our shop mechanics said the same thing.

This is what I was thinking in my head but I was also thinking about that officer who has a stick up his azz or needs a quota... I know it's secure they know it's secure but because it looks like mcgyver put it together with parts from Sanford and son it scares me a little bit guess God made trucker path for scale skipping days like these Lol: )

My codriver with over 20 years experience said since a full fuel tank would weigh about 800 pounds and you have straps rated to hold over 6k pounds on it, you wouldnt get a ticket or be put out of service, however they would tell you to get it fixed quickly as they roll their eyes lol. I think you are okay to get down the road and have it fixed. Our shop mechanics said the same thing.

Good thing I was only WILLING to bet!

Well, I'm sure everyone is going to agree that the smart thing to do would be to get it fixed asap.

But to answer your question, I have no idea what an officer doing an inspection would think, but looking at the regs, it just says that a fuel tank has to be attached in a "workmanlike manner". Apparently that's a legal term basically meaning that it has to be done right. So I'm guessing that what you have doesn't qualify. Does that put you out of service? I don't know.

Its strapped tight isn't that workman like Lol it's not like I tied a bow or something: )

Yeah, you're looking for someone with experience or some knowledge to tell you if it's legal, and that's not me. But like I said above, "workmanlike manner" seems to mean the way you would expect it to be done if you took it in to be repaired. You wouldn't expect to pay to have it repaired then come out and find nylon straps, so it probably doesn't qualify, IMHO. But maybe as a temporary repair that's secure it would be ok, I don't know.

In any case, I hope it works out.

True true but if u went and asked for the cheapest legal fix would this maybe be the way i mean just cause my ratchet binders are rusty and old and yours are brand knew do they not secure the same

Jusr remember a DOT officer CAN find something wrong with ANY truck.. Even a brand new one.

Being neat, organized, and having a great attitude will go a long way to appease any DOT officer.

Jusr remember a DOT officer CAN find something wrong with ANY truck.. Even a brand new one.

Being neat, organized, and having a great attitude will go a long way to appease any DOT officer.

True and my wife's boobs normally help although they wanna waste more of my day chatting with us ( really her ) it normally keeps them chilled out

Dude, just get it fixed and get o.k. with your life

Late to the party here - but I'd opine that: rolling through a weight station with tie downs securing your fuel tank - while it may "technically" be secure (and may or may not get your put OOS/cited) is going to cause an officer to probably want to take a look at WHAT ELSE on your truck may be held together with spit/bailing wire/bungee cords/duct tape.

From the sounds of it - you just can't call road service - so you're probably a lease, or O/O - or driving some O/O's "older model truck" (being kind here).

Fuel tank strap - while a pretty "generic part" - may not be something just sitting on the shelf (depending on where you're located).

Typically - these things don't "break" - they get loose until they fall off. You DO like - check your tanks and stuff when you PRE-TRIP (sorry - had to ask).

Rick

I've never seen a fuel tank held in place by cloth straps, and I think I know why. As an ex steel mill mechanic, I'll chime in.

Fuel tanks are normally held in place by metal straps that have rubber between them and the fuel tanks. The rubber is a vibration absorber to keep the metal straps from wearing through the fuel tank.

Any flatbedder will tell you that vibration is also a serious issue for cloth straps. Especially vibration combined with excessive dirt. Your fuel tanks are close to the ground, and any strap holding it in place will be exposed to road dirt and trash.

Dirt + vibration of a 800-1000 lb tank is going to damage that strap. Probably slow, gradual wear, but if a few rock chips get in the wrong place, they could cut up the strap pretty quickly.

I suspect that DOT would write you up for it, though a lawyer might be able to get you off. Maybe. It's probably not an experiment you want to try.