Just sayin', when I used to fly (single engine) whenever I got fuel, I filled the tanks up all the way.
ML/NJ
“...when I used to fly (single engine) whenever I got fuel, I filled the tanks up all the way.” [ml/nj, post 26]
Filling the tanks probably didn’t put you at much risk of exceeding max takeoff weight, depending on ambient temperature and altitude of your airfield.
Most light general-aviation aircraft are deliberately designed to be docile and may have safety margins of large size (though no aircraft manufacturer will admit this): they are typically resistant to being mis-controlled or forced beyond the safe regions of their performance envelope by an inexperienced or clumsy pilot.
But it is possible to exceed max weight on some aircraft, merely by filling all seats, stuffing in the heaviest baggage allowed, and filling the fuel tanks all the way.
Piper’s Cherokee 140 was one such machine. Initially intended for training, it was delivered with but two seats. A later version (Cherokee Cruiser 2+2) was equipped with four seats; it would exceed max gross weight if the fuel tanks were fully filled and four people (of standard weight as declared by FAA) were loaded.
To avoid over-loading, Piper installed tabs in the filler necks of Cruiser 2+2 fuel tanks, projecting down inside some three inches. The operator’s manual stated that if all seats were to be filled, the tanks could be filled only to the bottom of the tabs.
The only time you have too much fuel is when you’re on fire.