2024 Complete Petroleum Tanker Trailer Usage and Buying Guide

Petroleum tankers are used everywhere to transport petrol from one place to another. When huge quantities of liquids of gas needs to be transported, tank trailer will be there. There are several types of tanker trailers. The internal structure of each trailer varies according to what is being transported.

Some models are insulated, while others are non-insulated. Some petrol tanker trailers are pressurized while others are not. There are petrol tankers that carry several types of oil at the same time. Compartments are built in tank body to separate the liquid of gas. Some tankers are designed to carry only one type of petroleum.

petroleum tanker semi trailer

Petrol Tank Trailer Types

From the tanker shape, we can distinguish one tanker trailer from another . The size and loading capacity are also not the same for different types of tanker trailers. Other factors such as refrigeration capability, acid resistance, and pressurization capability are also different from each other.

Application of Petroleum Tank Trailer

Petrol tanker trailer is aim to transport dangerous and flammable liquid safely, which is used world-widely to transport a large volume of liquid gas, petrol, and benzene. These tanks are also transported cross-country by road. The drivers of these trailer tanks are specially licensed for the purpose.

Transporting dangerous petroleum by road make the liquid to flow to every direction. Shifts of gravity may cause the axle to get out of control. Since the tanks are with large capacities, the drivers should keep in mind the changes and make quick driving decisions. The stability of the vehicle changes quickly, which only can be controlled by an experienced operator.

A specified petroleum tank trailer serves for transporting liquid gas safely to destination. This cannot be transported by any other vehicle. Tank trailers are safe containers designed and built for the sole purpose of transporting liquids.

The Material of Petroleum Tanker Trailer

Trailer manufacturers use carbon steel, stainless steel or aluminum alloy to make petroleum tank trailers. Every material has its pros and cons, and which one to choose and use depends on the what will be transported by the tanker trailer.

Carbon and Stainless Steel

The advantages of making a petrol tank trailer using carbon steel and stainless steel are:

  1. Since steel is a strong material that cannot be damaged easily;
  2. Steel can be found easily at a competitive rate in most developing countries.
  3. The welding of carbon steel is easy and manageable.
  4. Opposed to aluminum, steel will not be cracked when put under pressure.
  5. Stainless steel is not rusty and highly durable.

The disadvantages of using carbon steel for trailer tanks are:

  1. Carbon steel needs to be galvanized before using to avoid rust. Another option is to paint the surface to prevent rusting.
  2. The density is higher compared to aluminum alloy, so its deadweight is heavier.

Aluminium Alloy

The advantages of aluminum alloy petrol tank trailer are:

  1. The weight is lighter, making it a popular choice in most heavy load carrying vehicles.
  2. Aluminium alloy tank trailer can carry more.
  3. Thealuminium alloytrailers are more secure and safer.
  4. Aluminium does not rust, making it safer for the liquid to stay pure during transportation.

The disadvantages of using aluminum alloy to make tank trailers are:

  1. The strength is half that of steel, making it easier to cracking under same pressure compared with steel tanker trailers.
  2. Cracking will bringhuge losses to the company.
  3. When welding aluminumalloy tanker trailers, it takes more energy and effort than carbon steel.
  4. It costs more than steel,making the tanks very expensive.
  5. Although these tanks are light and carry more liquid petroleum, the strength is lower, making the transport vulnerable. It makes the cost higher to transported by aluminium alloy tanker trailers.
  6. The end user will make the decision of buying which tanker trailer. If the buyer is looking for a high-capacity fuel tank trailer at a lower cost, steel is the best option.

Parts of Petrol Tanker Trailers

Petroleum tank trailers come into different shapes and sizes with a height of gravity ratio of 1:0.79:0.65. The shapes differ from circular to ellipse and rectangular shapes. Larger fuel tankers are usually round rectangular because they need more stability compared to smaller ones.

The different parts of the tanker trailers are:

Tank Body – Head & Cylinder

The tank body includes a head and a big barrel-like tube. The big tube is made by coiling and welding steel plates. The roundness tolerance has to be less than 3mm, so the tube and heads are accurately made.

Manhole Cover

The maintenance hole cover is with important components that keep the loading and unloading safely.

Breather Valve

There is breathing valve in the manhole. It can help to maintain the inside required pressure of tank automatically. A medium-sized tank usually has single breathing valve, while larger ones may have one valve for each compartment.

Spill-Proof Sensor

When the height of the petrol is higher than the recommended limit, the sensor starts an alarm that alerts the operator to stop refueling or change the fuel limit.

Oil Line System

This system has several components, including the bottom valve, the fuel outlet valve, and the oil vapor recovery valve.

Bottom Valve

The bottom valve can be found on the tanker’s outlet. Also, the pipeline can be cut off within five seconds in case of a crash. This guarantees the safety of the people in the vehicle and the cargo. The quick cutting off can prevent explosions.

Fuel Outlet Valve

The outlet valve helps in quick unloading the tank while maintaining the pressure inside the tank. In large flows, the pressure does not change, and there is zero leakage when the joint is removed.

Design of Petrol Tanker

Some countries have different regulations that provide guidelines about the tanker trailers’ design, but the purpose is the same around the world. While the petrol tank functionality does not differ, the design sometimes may be different. All manufacturers make tanker trailers with some customized design to help carry heavy loads of liquid or gas petroleum.

The Loading and Unloading of Petroleum Tanker Trailers

The petrol tank trailers can be loaded and unloaded in two ways, either from the bottom or top. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages.

Top Loading

When loading petrol inside a tank, it is highly unsafe, and the risk of explosion is very high. While loading a tank trailer from the top causes gasoline to evaporate and stay within the atmosphere making the air around highly explosive. Although loading the fuel from the top seems like a reasonable idea, it takes more time, and it evaporates, which reduces the total loading volume .

Bottom Loading

Unloading fuel from the bottom of the tank saves time while making the environment for the workers safer. The petroleum stays within the internal circulation, and the unloading speed is quite fast.

Petrol Transport Safety

When transporting petroleum, safety for both the workers and the cargo are quite important. There are a few accessories in tank trailer that guarantee safe transport. There is a safety valve, an electrostatic eliminating device, and an emergency shutting-off system.

Safety Valve

As soon as the tank’s pressure exceeds the set limit, the relief valve opens automatically to allow the gas to escape immediately. This brings the pressure down to the optimum level. The safety valve shuts down soon after, and the danger of over-pressure drops immediately.

Used Petrol Tanker Trailer

When buying a used petrol tanker trailer, there are a few things to consider. Steel tanks are recommended when buying second-hands since the durability is higher, and these are available at a lower cost. All the valves should be in working condition, with the spill-proof sensor still in working condition. The safety of petrol tank trailers is the most important thing to look at when buying a used trailer.

How to Buy Petroleum Tank Trailers?

Firstly, buying from famous manufacturers is better because of their high quality. Secondly,  ask someone who knows the tanker trailer quite well to help you to inspect and buy the suitable tanker trailer. Additionally, what kinds of oil will be transported should always to be kept in mind before making the purchase. This will help in deciding whether to buy a stainless steel tank or aluminum alloy one.

What are the commonly used tank trailers?

The most commonly used tank trailers are 30KL, 40KL, 45KL.

45,000 liters petrol tank trailer

Transport medium: Petrol, Gasoline, crude oil, lubricants, coal tar, etc.

Tank shape: oval tank, round tank, square round tank.

Features: Single Tire.

Supply Ability: 2000unit/Sets per Month.

45,000 liters petroleum tank trailer

The 40 KL petrol tank trailer is mainly used to transport gasoline, diesel, petroleum, gasoline, oil, etc. It is mainly used for long-distance transportation. The tank trailer can load 30-60Kl liters.

40KL potrol tank semi truck trailer

30 KL petroleum tank semi trailer

Panda Mech is a petrol tank trailer with a bogie manufacturer from China. We supply 30,000 liters fuel tank trailers for sale. The fuel tank trailer price depends on specifications. We can customize according to your needs.

Panda Mech manufacturers have been successful in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and South America, such as the Philippines, Tanzania, Nigeria, etc…

30 KL fuel tank trailer

CONCLUSTION:

If you want to purchase petrol tanker trailer, or have doubts about the petroleum tanker types, then leave message for us. PANDA MECH is your best choice. As a professional manufacturer with decades of production experience, we have provided various production solutions for tens of thousands of users at home and abroad. We can not only help you choose the petroleum tanker trailer that best suits your needs, we can also provide comprehensive after-sales service, whether it is about the operation, repair, and maintenance of the petrol tanker.