Petroleum-derived products and other chemicals are a unique type of cargo and require special trailers to move.
These fuel tanker trailers come in various lengths and capacities, catering to the diverse needs of commercial operations. The specifications can vary significantly from large-scale tank trailers designed for heavy-duty transport to smaller units ideal for personal use.
This article will delve into the various types of fuel tanker trailers, including their lengths and capacities, and help you determine which option best suits your specific needs and regulatory requirements.
How Long is a Fuel Tank Trailer?
Fuel tank trailers are essential for transporting liquids such as gasoline, diesel oil, and various chemicals.
The length of these tank trailers can significantly vary, typically ranging from approximately 36.1 to 55 feet, depending on their configuration. The standard height for these trailers falls between 4.7 to 5.9 feet, ensuring they comply with high-level transport regulations.
There are fuel tank trailers that are considerably smaller than this and are short enough to be towed with a pickup truck or loaded into a truck bed.
Commercial Tank Trailer
Commercial tank trailers, commonly referred to as tank truck trailers or semi-tank trailers, are designed for the bulk transportation of various liquids and gases.
The design of these tank trailers often involves a cylindrical tank body that helps maintain the vehicle’s center of gravity. This design consideration is vital for both safety and compliance with government regulations. The tank volume is critical, as it determines the tanker’s maximum capacity, which is limited by state and federal laws.
Each trailer has an internal structure that is tailored depending on the load it’s intended to carry. Petroleum tanker trailers, which typically transport fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and ethanol, often have an aluminum barrel to reduce weight and enhance payload capacity.
Typical tanker sizes can vary. The capacity of common petroleum tanker trailers generally ranges between 9,000 to 9,800 gallons, but the largest tankers can hold more than that.
Operating such tank trailers often necessitates a Hazmat certification and commercial driver endorsements due to the hazardous nature of the materials being transported. Those who handle these tankers must adhere to strict safety guidelines to ensure both the safe delivery of potentially dangerous loads and compliance with environmental regulations.
Commercial tank trailers are built from a variety of materials, with carbon steel and stainless steel being predominant. These durable materials ensure that the tankers can withstand the corrosive nature of different chemicals without compromising structural integrity. Additionally, tank trailers come in various types, including chemical tank trailers, oil tanker trailers, asphalt tank trailers, water tanker trailers, and pneumatic tankers. The choice of tanker is often dictated by the specific requirements of the cargo being transported, with each type designed to optimize the safety and efficiency of transport.
Fuel tank trailers and commercial tank trailers offer versatile and reliable means of transporting a wide range of fluids, adhering to the highest safety standards and maximizing capacity within the limits of government regulations.
Smaller Fuel Tanker Trailer Options
Smaller fuel tanker trailers offer a practical solution for localized and specialized delivery needs.
| Tanker Type | Maximum Capacity | Common Applications |
| Pickup Truck Towed Tanker | 200-1,000 gal. | Agriculture, construction, mobility |
| Fuel Tanker Skids | Up to 200 gal. | Portable fuel storage and transport |
This adaptability in size and function makes smaller fuel tanker trailers a versatile asset in the fuel supply chain, particularly when tailored for precise logistical tasks.
Here’s what we offer:
- No Hazmat multi-tank fuel trailer
- 990 gal. fuel trailer
- 590 gal. tank
- 350 gal. tank
- 200 gal. mobile fueling skid
Pickup Truck Towed Fuel Tanker Trailers
For agricultural sites, construction sites, and other bumpy roads, off-the-beaten-path jobs, pickup truck towed fuel tank trailers are a dependable choice.
These trailers, with capacities varying from just a couple of hundred gallons to nearly 1,000 gallons, come in various shapes and configurations to suit any mobile fuel capacity requirements.
This type of fuel tanker is appreciated for its practicality; and may not necessitate the driver to have Hazmat certification or a CDL endorsement. This is a significant benefit for individuals who need an uncomplicated method for transporting fuel through different terrains for their machinery and vehicles.
Such trailers boast high mobility and transportation efficiency because they can access remote or rugged locations where larger, heavier equipment may struggle to reach. This attribute makes them an essential tool for those in industries requiring fuel transportation over diverse landscapes.
Fuel Tanker Skids
Fuel tanker skids are a special design of tanker trailers, and they are the epitome of compact and convenient fuel transportation solutions.
A very basic design, these are essentially tanks mounted on sturdy skids and are tailored to carry small quantities of fuel, often no more than a couple of hundred gallons. They are designed to be loaded into the back of a pickup truck, making them highly portable and easy to transfer from one location to another.
Despite their modest size, a fully equipped fuel tanker skid includes all the necessary fuel storage, monitoring, and pumping features. They represent a condensed yet complete package for on-the-go refueling needs. This mobility and convenience make fuel tanker skids valuable for quick response, emergencies, or simply for providing a supplemental fuel source in remote locations.
The inherent versatility of these fuel transportation options underscores the innovative solutions available to meet the diverse needs of fuel distribution across different industries and applications.
What Kind of Fuel Tanker Trailer is Right for you?
Selecting the right fuel tanker trailer is crucial for operational efficiency and meeting your specific business requirements. When selecting the right type of trailer, consider the following:
How much fuel do you use?
When selecting a fuel tanker trailer, one vital piece of information you’ll need is an estimate of your daily fuel usage. This data is essential in choosing the right size and type of fuel tanker that will meet your needs.
Having an average consumption figure can help narrow down your choices when considering fuel tanker trailers. It will inform the required capacity, thus ensuring that you opt for a trailer with a tank volume that is neither excessively large nor too small for your needs.
What kind of trucks do you have in your fleet?
When considering the addition of a fuel tanker trailer to your fleet, it’s essential to survey the vehicles you currently operate.
Smaller operations such as farms, ranches, or construction companies often maintain fleets of pickup trucks. In these cases, selecting a smaller fuel tank trailer that matches the towing capabilities of existing vehicles is not only practical but also cost-effective.
By aligning new acquisitions with the vehicle weight rating of your current trucks, you can eliminate the need for additional heavy-duty equipment, thus optimizing your existing fleet’s utility and minimizing expenses.
Do you have a CDL?
Simply put, larger tanker trailers may require a CDL to haul.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the governing body that stipulates regulations for commercial vehicles. The FMCSA delineates which drivers require a CDL, basing its mandate on the type and vehicle weight rating.
For those moving high-volume capacity trailers, such as bulk tank trailers or fuel tanker trailers with a substantial tank volume, carrying goods such as diesel oil or chemicals, possessing a CDL is required.
Do you have Hazmat Certification?
Transporting hazardous, liquid cargo materials (hazmat), such as diesel, gas (and other petroleum products), chemicals, and corrosive products, is heavily regulated to ensure the safety of people, property, and the environment.
Compliance is not just a formality—it’s paramount. A CDL may be required depending on the amount of fuel being hauled.
Picking a Pickup Truck Towed Trailer
We have what you’re looking for if you’ve evaluated your requirements and are now perusing pickup truck towed trailers for sale.
Boss Trailers, a family-owned business operating for nearly two decades in Texas, specializes in manufacturing these essential pieces of equipment.
Our fuel tank trailers are designed with versatility in mind, offering a range of sizes, capacities, and configurations to meet the varied demands of farmers, ranchers, construction workers, and anyone needing mobile fuel solutions.
With Boss Trailers, customers can ensure they are investing in a product that will support their operations and keep them running smoothly, thanks to nearly two decades of expertise in building durable tankers.
Whether one is managing a small farm or overseeing vast construction sites, there is a fuel tank trailer ready to serve.
Get in touch with us or one of our dealers today to discuss your needs, the types of trailers we offer, and various configurations of those trailers that can be customized for your specific requirements.