How do Fuel Trucks Work?

What is a Fuel Tanker?

Fuel tankers, also known as fuel trucks, tank trucks or truck tankers, are specialised vehicles which transport liquid fuels in large tankers placed where a regular truck would load a cargo trailer. These tankers are designed specifically to contain and safely transport fuels like petrol, diesel and even heavy fuel oil (HFO). Many different types of tankers exist as each type caters to the fuel they transport. Some trucks, like road trains, can carry up to five tankers all filled with fuel!

Different Types of Fuel Tankers

Tanker trucks can be semis that carry tankers, or straight trucks. They vary in size, structure and load capacity. Large trucks often carry out the heavy-duty loads, like transporting huge quantities of fuel to petrol stations. Smaller trucks are used to transport fuel like liquid petroleum gas (LPG) or liquid propane. Depending on their cargo, these fuel trucks can be constructed from materials like aluminium, stainless steel, or fibreglass reinforced plastic. These trucks can also transport liquid materials like milk, sewerage and asphalt, as well as chemicals, grains and sand.

Fuel Truck Tank Trailers 

The tank trailer is the actual component of a fuel truck that carries the fuel. They are usually compartmentalised, meaning their tanks have different segments that are filled with fuel. This is done for two reasons:

efficiency: tanks with different compartments can carry more than one type of fuel at a time

stability: fuel truck drivers will undoubtedly drive on slopes during their journey; the tank compartments ensure that the weight of the fuel does not overload the truck’s axles, thus protects it from breaking, or otherwise stalling the truck.

Tanks can be rectangular, but more often are designed elliptically because this shape ensures high capacity, a low centre of gravity and helps control the movement of the liquid within the tank.

 How is Fuel Contained and Loaded in a Fuel Tanker?

Fuel tankers use highly technical equipment to ensure the process of loading, transporting and offloading the fuel product is as safe and wasteless as possible. Many tankers are fitted with special devices that read the quantity of fuel being loaded, control pressure, and even regulate temperature!  

A specific type of hose is used during the process of loading and offloading the fuel. These hoses are designed to fit the opening on the tankers and usually have gaskets and seals in place to reduce and limit the amount of potential spilling. During the loading process, the vapour of the fuel is carefully monitored as these gases are highly flammable. Once loaded, the trucks are secured for travel and can head off to their destination, which is fitted with the same type of hose to properly offload the fuel.

 Direct Fuel, Directly to You

Limitless World Petroleum offers a variety of petroleum products and supplies to numerous industries. Apart from our direct fuel outlet, we also deliver your required fuel product to you. Contact us today to find out more!