How Much Does Diesel fuel (#2) Weigh?
Standard #2 diesel fuel carried in drum or skid tank. Weighs 7.1 lbs per gallon — lighter than water. A 55-gallon drum of diesel weighs ~390 lbs; a 250-gallon skid tank ~1,775 lbs.
Diesel, or #2 fuel oil, weighs about 7.1 pounds per gallon — lighter than water but still enough to matter once you're moving more than a few gallons. It's the fuel of choice for tractors, generators, and heavy equipment, which means truck owners often end up hauling it in bulk rather than buying five gallons at a time.
Unlike gasoline, diesel is less volatile and less prone to vapor buildup, but it's no lighter on the scale — a transfer tank full of diesel carries real weight that shows up fast on a truck's payload. Bulk diesel usually travels in purpose-built transfer or skid tanks rather than jerry cans, which changes both the weight and the securing challenge compared to smaller fuel containers.
What Diesel fuel (#2) Is Used For
- Refueling tractors and combines in the field during planting or harvest
- Keeping job-site generators and heavy equipment running away from a pump
- Topping off construction machinery on remote sites
- Running farm equipment, irrigation pumps, or grain dryers
- Filling diesel pickups or fleet vehicles without a trip to the station
- Supplying backup generators ahead of storms or outages
Weight Facts
- Weight per gallon
- 7.1 lbs
- Category
- Liquid & Tanks
How Much Diesel fuel (#2) Can Each Truck Carry?
| Truck | Payload | Safe max (gallons) | Full bed wt. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Maverick | 1,500 lbs | 211 | 1,768 lbs ⚠ |
| Honda Ridgeline | 1,500 lbs | 211 | 1,800 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Colorado (2nd Gen) | 1,400 lbs | 197 | 2,225 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Colorado (3rd Gen) | 1,500 lbs | 211 | 2,225 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Canyon (2nd Gen) | 1,400 lbs | 197 | 2,225 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Canyon (3rd Gen) | 1,450 lbs | 204 | 2,225 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford Ranger | 1,560 lbs | 219 | 2,299 lbs ⚠ |
| Nissan Frontier | 1,160 lbs | 163 | 2,129 lbs ⚠ |
| Toyota Tacoma | 1,100 lbs | 154 | 1,827 lbs ⚠ |
| Jeep Gladiator | 1,200 lbs | 169 | 1,885 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford F-150 | 1,525 lbs | 214 | 3,308 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 1,600 lbs | 225 | 3,808 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | 1,500 lbs | 211 | 3,808 lbs ⚠ |
| RAM 1500 | 1,240 lbs | 174 | 3,266 lbs ⚠ |
| Toyota Tundra | 1,485 lbs | 209 | 3,484 lbs ⚠ |
| Nissan Titan | 1,460 lbs | 205 | 3,165 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford F-250 Super Duty | 3,000 lbs | 422 | 4,169 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford F-350 Super Duty (SRW) | 4,000 lbs | 563 | 4,169 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford F-350 Super Duty (DRW) | 5,500 lbs | 774 | 4,169 lbs |
| Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD | 3,200 lbs | 450 | 4,434 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Sierra 2500HD | 3,200 lbs | 450 | 4,434 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD (DRW) | 5,700 lbs | 802 | 4,434 lbs |
| GMC Sierra 3500HD (DRW) | 5,700 lbs | 802 | 4,434 lbs |
| RAM 2500 | 1,950 lbs | 274 | 3,967 lbs ⚠ |
| RAM 3500 (DRW) | 6,280 lbs | 884 | 3,967 lbs |
⚠ = full bed weight exceeds truck payload. Safe max is by payload rating, not bed volume.
Hauling Diesel fuel (#2): What to Know
Diesel in a partially full transfer tank sloshes and shifts under hard braking or turning, just like any other liquid load, so tanks need to be strapped or bolted to the bed rather than just set in place. A 250-gallon skid or transfer tank full of diesel weighs roughly 1,775 pounds, and that's before counting the tank's own steel or poly weight.
Use containers built and labeled for diesel — DOT-approved transfer tanks, listed fuel caddies, or drums rated for fuel storage — rather than repurposed containers not designed to hold hydrocarbons safely. Larger volumes may fall under DOT bulk-fuel transport rules, so check local and federal limits before hauling several hundred gallons at once, and keep in mind a 55-gallon drum of diesel alone runs about 390 pounds.
Buying & Ordering Diesel fuel (#2)
Diesel for bulk hauling is typically bought from farm fuel co-ops, fuel distributors, or truck stops with bulk pumps, and transfer tanks themselves are sold through farm supply stores, truck accessory shops, and equipment dealers in sizes from 50 to 500-plus gallons. Skid tanks and toolbox-combo units are popular because they double as secure, lockable storage, but always confirm a tank is rated for diesel, not just general liquids, before filling it.
Calculate Your Load
“Fill Truck” sets quantity to whichever comes first: payload weight limit or bed volume.
✓ Within Capacity — 1,493 lbs remaining
This load is within the published payload rating. Always account for passengers, fuel, and bed accessories in your total.
Standard AWD EcoBoost payload. Tremor drops to ~1,140 lbs; the 2025+ Lobo off-road trim is lower still (~1,045 lbs). Check door-jamb sticker.
Diesel fuel (#2) — Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a full 250-gallon diesel transfer tank weigh?
- About 1,775 pounds of fuel alone (250 x 7.1 lb/gal), plus the tank's empty weight — often 200-400 pounds for steel skid tanks — bringing the total closer to 2,000-2,200 pounds.
- How much does a 55-gallon drum of diesel weigh?
- Roughly 390 pounds of diesel, plus about 40-50 pounds for a steel drum, for a full weight near 430-440 pounds.
- Is there a limit on how much diesel I can legally haul without special permits?
- Yes — DOT rules place thresholds on bulk fuel transport that can require placarding or a commercial license once you exceed certain volumes, so check current federal and state limits before moving several hundred gallons at once.
- How much does Diesel fuel (#2) weigh per gallon?
- Diesel fuel (#2) weighs approximately 7.1 lbs per gallon. Standard #2 diesel fuel carried in drum or skid tank. Weighs 7.1 lbs per gallon — lighter than water. A 55-gallon drum of diesel weighs ~390 lbs; a 250-gallon skid tank ~1,775 lbs.
- How much Diesel fuel (#2) can a half-ton truck carry?
- A typical half-ton truck with a 1,500 lb payload can safely carry about 211 gallons of Diesel fuel (#2).
Related Material Weights
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- What Happens If You Overload Your Truck?
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