Aluminum vs Stainless Weight

Can’t recall the tare weight of the trailers I used to pull but Columbia Remtec trailers (built in Surrey, BC), were the best for payload -and overall in my opinion.

We had trailers spec’d for just diesel (smaller barrels) and we were scaling 51,500L. The trailers had three compartment and trucks in the 21,000LBS range.

50,000L of diesel is a pretty common payload for most with B-Trains. A straight load of gasoline is around 56,000L. -Trailer dependant though, some trailers the compartment fills up before you’ve reached your max weight.

 

I hear you. The density of the diesel where you’re loading might be something worth looking into.

The density fluctuates and some refineries (like Co-op in Regina) have product that weighs more than everyone else, which negatively impacted the amount of litres you got on.

One trick I am seeing a lot lately is, removing the landing gear off the pup to lessen the tare weight. It’s an option for retail loads but not those who need to split and deliver off road.

 

No reason for a stainless trailer if your hauling fuel.
Stainless is for chemicals.
I haul jet A which is 6.7 pounds per gallon. And normally haul 8500 gallons. It is is single compartment with a 9000 gallon capacity. The AvGas trailers are four compartments and we haul 8000-8500 gallons. It’s 6.1 pounds per gallon.

 

But are they ex. chem trailers or s/s built for fuel? Un-insulated s/s may have been built for denser products [over 10 lb/gal] like dry cleaning solvents.

Remember aluminum is usually thicker than a s/s tank of the same general size so the weight savings is not absolutely a direct comparison of the general weight differential between the two.

 

looks like you have possibilities.

A chem trailer built to DOT spec 406 should not see corrosive service [thickness testing required] and shouold be similar to one built for fuel but usually in US service not equipped with bottom loading/vapor capabilites inless it was dedicated to a product -or- client requiring vapor, etc.

 

Doesn't stainless steel spark? If so, maybe that's why it's not used to haul fuel.