Tractor Specs for Tank Work

As far as the aux compressor goes my affiliate owner leased to Quality Carriers bought Macks with high capacity compressors and no aux compressors were needed .

 

Matlack had the same setup on their R Models. Dealt w/ a company in Ohio I think the company name was Ross to get the re-man replacements.

You could pick up a spotted trailer w/ a blown brake diaphram and be able to supply enough air to release the brakes & drive off. Used to get lease operators a PTO powered Vee compressor, Emglo? or something like that from Girard Equipment.

First question the OP need to ask is "Does the trans have places to mount two PTOs?" I recall hearing people saying some fleet trucks had the PTO openings deleted. the PTO must be matched to the implement. A pump runs slower than a compressor so the PTO would be under driven for the pump and over driven for a compressor. Allows you to fast idle each implement for max performance at the least fuel cost.

Also seen PTO driven vacuum pumps, bulk blowers and 440V alternators for the electric pumps in Cyro trailers. Had to throttle the puppy dog against the govenor to spin the alternators.

Unless fleets have changed alot, tankers like higher fifth wheels too.

Specs used to be 53" - 54" so a Lo-Pro 51" will have drainage and axle weight problems.

Tankers max out at 42' - 45' long so you don't have any extra to meet bridge and axle weights; you can't slide the tandems!

 

If you are going to run out of New Jersey doing tank work,chances areyou are going to be running some of those mountains quite often in PA, MD, and NY... I'd say get something with some balls to it, 500HP and a 13spd would be nice. I like 244" because no questions when I go into Canada. I have a 435hp with 13spd on a 244" WB pulling a pneumatic, I cry when I get into the hills fully loaded, but everywhere else the truck has plenty of power and I never have a problem with weights, and despite being a Western Star, with tank and full of fuel I am at about 29,300lb tare.

 

Pulling tank shouldn't have too much problem with the wheelbase in the eastern part, I've heard that the western provinces is pretty strict on wheelbase restrictions. There are length restrictions though up there, and if you do ever plan on pulling anything but tank, it might limit you. I just eliminate it with going what their regulations state.

 

Depends on what kind of tractor, your desired turning radius, ride quality, and most importantly, weight distribution. Tankers tend to be heavy on the drives.

13 or 18 speed. There is no substitute for being able to put the RPMs at the optimal place in the power band, regardless of road speed.

Air ride. I like the way the Kenworth AG400 and AG800 systems ride. I am NOT a fan of Freightliner's Airliner suspension.

For tanker work, a lightweight tractor is important. The companies I've worked for have done well with Peterbilts and Kenworths, spec'd with weight savings in mind.

Depends on your budget, and how long you're willing to run before you sell or overhaul.

Since you want to pull a tanker, pay particular attention to the differentials and the fifth wheel assembly. Tanker work tends to place a lot of stress on those components.

 

Resurrecting an old thread as I am in the same situation as OP. Whats a good wheelbase for tanker work? I care about ride quality but also being able to maneuver in some of the god awful, made for cars chem plants.

 

My current truck is a 270" Pete 379 EXHD. The one in my avatar was 250". Despite the longer wb it maneuvers surprisingly well, I haven't been unable to get in anywhere I normally go that is tight. The only downside is that some customers have the shorter scale and I have to drop the trailer to get weighed.