Fuel tanker driving is a highly specialized field. This highly regulated world of transporting petroleum-based products holds significant responsibility. Knowing how to handle this vehicle takes hours of training, and quick reflexes and heightened senses. Providing a safe environment for the public must constantly be on the mind of these drivers. This includes a variety of factors, some of which are watching for erratic drivers on the roads, making sure all pressure gauges are set correctly, and watching that spills never occur while loading or unloading. 

Liquid Surge

Liquid surge results from the movement of the liquid in tanks. This movement can have negative effects on handling. For instance, when coming to a stop, the liquid will surge back and forth. When it hits the end of the tank, it tends to push the truck in the direction the wave is moving. If the truck is on a slippery surface, the wave can shove a truck out into an intersection. 

Bulkheads

Some liquid tanks are divided into several smaller tanks by bulkheads. When loading and unloading the smaller tanks, the driver must pay attention to weight distribution, avoiding putting too much weight on the front or rear of the vehicle.

Baffled Tanks

Baffled liquid tanks have bulkheads in them with holes allowing liquid to flow through (helping to control the surge). Side-to-side surge can still occur, which may result in a rollover.

Unbaffled Tanks

Unbaffled liquid tankers have nothing inside to slow down the flow of the liquid, so forward-and-back surge is very strong. Unbaffled tanks transport food products. Sanitation regulations forbid the use of baffles because of the difficulty in cleaning the inside of the tank. Be extremely cautious and slow while driving these tanks (especially when starting and stopping).

Loading 

Never load a cargo tank totally full. Liquids expand as they warm so you must leave room for this (known as “outage”). Different liquids expand by different amounts so some require different amounts of outage. Drivers must be aware of outage requirements when hauling liquids in bulk.

A full tank of dense liquid (such as some acids) may exceed legal weight limits. Therefore, you often may only partially fill tanks with heavy liquids. The amount of liquid to load into a tank depends on the amount the liquid will expand in transit, the weight of the liquid and the legal weight limits.

Safe Driving Rules

• Drive smoothly. With a high center of gravity and liquid surge, start, slow down, stop, turn, and change lanes very smoothly.
• Braking. If a quick stop is necessary to avoid an accident, use controlled or stab braking. If you steer quickly while braking, your vehicle may roll over.
• Curves. Slow down before curves, then accelerate slightly through the curve. The posted speed for a curve may be too fast for a tank vehicle.
• Stopping distance. Note the space you need to stop your vehicle. Keep in mind that wet roads double the normal stopping distance and empty tank vehicles may take longer to stop than full ones.
• Skids. Never oversteer, over-accelerate or over-brake. On tank trailers, if wheels begin to skid, the vehicle may jackknife. When any vehicle begins skidding, take action to restore traction to the wheels.

About Tobico Trucking Insurance

Trucking insurance is one of the most difficult types of insurance to obtain, but it doesn’t have to be. At Tobico Trucking Insurance, we are experienced and knowledgable about the trucking insurance market and the needs of trucking operations of all types and sizes. You need an agent who has the specialized knowledge of this ever-changing industry, and we have the products and the dedicated customer service to provide you with what you need. For more information, contact us any time of day at (469) 731-0707 to find out how we can help you.