tanker experience

You will seldom come across a baffled tanker. Food grade will never have a baffle, same with chemicals unless it is a dedicated trailer or some special deal.

When you try to clean the baffles inside a tank it is impossible to get it 100% clean when you have all the holes and passages in the baffles.

Logs don't move (or at least they shouldn't). Tanks are not necessarily top heavy. It is the movement of the liquid that causes the center of gravity to get higher.

Yes it will push you out into an intersection. IF you are traveling UPHILL you will feel the liquid pull you DOWNHILL. You get used to it.

 

That may be true. I've never hauled gas, but it makes sense.

 

I've hauled fuel in and around southwest Missouri for over 8 years. In my experience, tankers are usually 4 or 5 compartments with separating bulkheads and a baffle within each compartment.

Most fuel tankers, especially the newer elliptical shaped ones, handle as good or better than a standard dry van trailer. Very little surge unless you hammer the brakes on ice or wet pavement. Of course one wouldn't do that anyway.

 

fuel tankers have 4-5 compartments with baffles. Also, liquid nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen trailers have baffles. Most all other tankers are smooth bore and the surge is something you have to learn to deal with. Yes, it can push you out into a intersection if you don't properly know how to stop, and do not keep your applied pressure to the brakes. Also, up north in the winter you need to leave a good 15-20ft in front of you and the next vehicle/intersection because the truck WILL slide forward that much if not careful.

Hauling tankers isn't for everyone and the last 4 drivers i helped train all quit and went back to van's due to surge and the hazard's of the job. Every one of them said at least 5 times that it was much easier backing up and opening a door than having to worry about all these things. That's why I LIKE pulling tankers tho, van's get boring and it takes a true professional with the proper mentality to do the job. I feel like it takes someone with pride to do this and there are not many who do, but then again look at the majority of van drivers and you will see why. A 450lb guy is hardly going to climb out his truck or park away from the front doors of the truck stop, let alone drag hoses and climb ladders to unload a tanker. Plus it's very physical and I enjoy that.

 

I'm not sure exactly what type of fuel hauling you're looking into but if you're looking to haul locally for gas stations and the like, you're going to need 3 things. A positive attitude, a lot of focus and even more patience. If you find yourself constantly irritated at four wheelers then hauling fuel is not for you. They may seem bad on the big road but just wait until you're trying to maneuver into the busiest gas station in town at 5pm.

CHR284broo, I noticed some of your supertrucker comments in your "which motor is best" thread and I hope you're not going to drive the way you talk in a fuel tanker. Careless and imprudent driving takes a whole new meaning when you're hauling 8500 gallons of fiery death. Be careful out there.

 

Also, you should make sure you have the proper endorsements, hazmat and tanker. Depending on what pipeline you pull out of you may also need a TWIC card.

 

Its not that bad mate you'll get used to the load shifting obviously you'd need to compensate for situations like rain and snow however if your used to carrying fixed loads well its going to be alot different, but like everything else though you will adapt.

 

Didn't even realize it was Billy Big Rigger who made this thread until you just said something