Question: Did Max know the tanker was full of sand before it crashed?
zendaddy621
21st Feb 2021
Mad Max 2 (1981)
Answer: No, because it was necessary for Max to believe he was hauling the tanker filled with fuel so that the ruse leading the marauders away from the settlers' compound could work. After Max drove the decoy tanker away with the marauders in pursuit, the settlers were able to smuggle the fuel away in oil drums concealed in other vehicles.
It wasn't necessary for Max to believe he was hauling the tanker filled with fuel for the ruse to work. He could have known but still chosen to go along with the plan.
Answer: No, Max even puts his hand under the stream of sand pouring out of the trailer as he couldn't believe what he was seeing.