Tanker Terminology 101

No. The Spec means DOT specification. Each time they changed the allowed design standards the number was changed. The original non pressure [gas wagon] was the MC303 which morphed into the MC306 and graduated to the DOT406.

General purpose pressure vessel, usually insulated, was the MC304 which became the MC307 and finally the DOT407. This is the workhorse of chemical transport.

High pressure [acid] wagons were MC310, MC312 and DOT 412.

Each design is based on a prior standard and is not based on metal gauge.

 

Here is an example:

 

603-1.04a. Non-pressure liquid tanks (MC-306/DOT-406)
603-1.04b. Low pressure chemical tanks (MC-307/DOT-407)
603-1.04c. Corrosive liquid tanks (MC-312/DOT-412)
603-1.04d. High-pressure tanks (MC-331)
603-1.04e. Cryogenic liquid tanks (MC-338)
603-1.04f. Tube trailers tanks

 

Yes, you are correct. I thought our dot407 were thicker guage because the tare was way more than the mc307.
Anyways, wisbang is bang on.....

 

but the picture is really an f-train

 

View attachment 60110

And another one found today in Texas craigslist.

 

Thanks for starting this thread, and thank you to all who have posted with excellent information!! I just have a few questions that I wish to ask. Hopefully, someone experienced and/or knowledgeable will answer....

1. Do you think starting out doing tanker, out of (private) trucking school, is a good idea? (I'm talking primarily about: money and difficulty for newbs....physical labor is not a factor or worry for me)

2. What are some good companies that hire newbies fresh out of (private) trucking school? I will be 21 years of age, have my CDL Class-A with tanker and hazmat endorsements (along with a few others), will have a TWIC card and a passport, and I live in downstate NY (about 20 miles from the PA border....60-70 miles north of Scranton, PA).

Thanks everyone!!

 

I wouldnt recommend it right out of school. You hear this all of the time on the forum. here is why:

1. Braking. Learn to follow the correct distance and control your braking distance. This involves some trial and error. There is no room for error with 45000 pounds of restless liquid behind you. If you let off the brake while slowing to a stop, then brake to a stop, that whole rig is gonna shoot forward....how close is that SUV with kids in the back seat?

2. Turning. Figure out that turns require very slow speeds, and how wide do you have to go to not remove the front left corner of the suv waiting to turn from the opposite lane. In a tanker, that liquid will be pushing you past your turn...again, not a good learning scenario.

3. Shifting. It is quite difficult learning how to shift for noobs pulling any kind of trailer. With a single compartment liquid tank, you have the added challenge of timing your shifts to control surge. If you dont time correctly, you create dangerous lurching of the whole rig, put stress on the tractor, and it makes for a very uncomfortable ride. You could easily get stuck climbing hill, lose a gear going down the hill....the freight train effect, or just grind your tranny to an early grave....floating gears is the preferred way to control liquid tanks.

These are the big things .... A new CDL holder should learn the basics before hauling a load that likes to do its own thing!!!! good luck in your endeavors!

 

I second this. But if you have a good trainer that let's you drive during training you will get the hang of it quickly. Main thing is don't pump the brakes when coming to a stop. Constant pressure will keep the liquid at the front. If you pump and get that liquid moving it's deadly. I had a surge push me 3 feet into a intersection when I first started. I was use to pumping the brakes. Luckily there was no one around as it was early in the morning but if there had been a car coming or stopped in front of me I had no control. I would of hit them. Learn from mistakes. I don't do that anymore. Ramps and corners aren't bad. Just look at the recommended speed and minus 10. Then constant steering. No jerky steering or you get side to side movement and that plus a turning truck will roll you over. Remember smooth movements in a tanker. The liquid is angry and wants out. It's your job to keep it calm.