Understanding Tank Trailers: Key to Efficient Bulk Transportation
Tank trailers, often referred to as tankers, are essential vehicles designed for transporting large volumes of dry and liquid goods in bulk. These trailers play a crucial role in industries such as petroleum, natural gas, construction, and agriculture, carrying everything from hazardous materials like LPG and petroleum fuels to dry bulk products like cement, frac sand, sugar, and flour.
In North America, tank trailers are available in a variety of capacities, shapes, and configurations to meet diverse transportation needs. Leading manufacturers such as Polar, Retesa, Tremcar, and LBT continually innovate, designing tankers that maximize payload efficiency and ensure durability, often lasting 20+ years. Their advancements help businesses transport more product safely and cost-effectively.
Download Capacity Guid Chart provided by Trailers of Texas
Tank Trailer Sizes and Capacities
Small Tank Trailers:
Small-capacity tank trailers, typically holding 1,000 to 3,000 gallons, are ideal for transporting liquid cargo within local communities. Commonly seen at airports fueling aircraft or delivering liquefied petroleum gas to homes, these trailers are built with safety and compliance in mind for carrying hazardous materials.
Large Tank Trailers:
Large-capacity trailers, capable of transporting over 11,000 gallons, are designed to handle a variety of liquids, including hazardous chemicals. Many feature multi-compartment designs, allowing them to carry different products simultaneously—such as various grades of gasoline, diesel, or industrial chemicals. It’s important to consider product density when calculating capacity, as this can impact how much the trailer can hold.
Specialized Trailer Types
Storage Pig Trailers: These horizontal silos, also known as guppies, are constructed from carbon steel and typically hold 4,000–4,100 cubic feet. They’re ideal for storing dry bulk materials like cement, lime, and sand on-site, protecting them from the elements while minimizing project downtime.
Chemical Tank Trailers:
Designed for products with varying densities, chemical trailers range in capacity from 3,800 to 8,000 gallons. They are typically made without baffles to prevent contamination and ensure a seamless transfer between loads.
Petroleum Fuel Tankers:
These trailers can hold 9,000–9,800 gallons and often feature four or five compartments for hauling multiple fuel types, such as gasoline and diesel. Double bulkheads are common to prevent cross-contamination in the event of leaks.
Pneumatic Tankers:
With capacities ranging from 500 to 1,650 cubic feet, these trailers are built for easy loading and unloading of dry bulk materials like cement and frac sand. Their vacuum-sealed systems protect products from moisture and contaminants during transport.
LPG Tank Trailers:
Ranging from 10,600 to 19,600 gallons depending on configuration, LPG trailers often feature a dual-tank design, enabling the transport of two different gas types simultaneously.
Crude Oil Trailers:
These tankers typically carry 8,400 to 12,680 gallons, with larger configurations in regions where weight limits allow for higher capacities.
Sanitary/Food-Grade Trailers:
These stainless steel tankers hold 6,000–7,000 gallons and feature polished welds and Clean-In-Place (CIP) systems to ensure safe, contamination-free transport of liquid food products