Tank Trucks Upcoming Auctions

About Tank Trucks

Transporting liquids is a unique proposition and requires the right new or used tank truck. Different models are designed to carry different materials. TreeTrader.com includes separate pages tank trucks designed to carry: 

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Ford F-750 Water Tank Truck
• Asphalt and hot oil 
• Chemical and acid 
• Gasoline and fuel 
• Propane 
• Septic tank cleaning tools
• Sewer-cleaning gear
• Vacuum and industrial equipment
• Water 

Each type may be governed by specific Department of Transportation regulations. It’s a good idea to consider compliance and/or certification when buying a tank truck. There are some medium-duty tank trucks on the market, but most are heavy-duty models with gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWRs) greater than 26,000 pounds (11,793 kilograms). 

Key Tank Truck Features

Tank trucks are cab and chassis trucks upfitted with a tank. Asphalt or chemical tank trucks, for example, may feature related equipment such as a spray bar for asphalt application. They may also have a pumping mechanism that provides a safe, approved way to load the tank or access the chemicals they contain. 

Manufacturers typically use application-specific materials to construct a tank truck. They may use high-density plastic or steel for liquid preservation or leak prevention. Some have internal bulkheads that allow transporting multiple substances. Others have internal baffles that prevent surging, which can make a truck unbalanced and cause it to tip during turns.

Asphalt & Hot Oil Tank Trucks

Asphalt and hot oil trucks transport asphalt and hot oils while maintaining a temperature between 275 degrees and 320 degrees Fahrenheit (135 to 160 Celsius). Both types of vehicles typically comply with DOT 406 regulations. 

Also known as “asphalt distributors,” operators use asphalt trucks to lay new blacktop or fill potholes in existing pavement. Hot oil trucks (or “hot oilers”) are made to transport oil, tack, and other materials to hot mix asphalt plants. They can also be used to clean paraffin wax from oil wells, clear debris away from oil extraction equipment, heat water for fracking, defrost pipes, and more.

Chemical & Acid Tank Trucks

Chemical and acid tank trucks can transport hazardous materials. They are commonly equipped with stainless steel tanks and can be used to carry mild acids and combustible liquids. 

Other liquids, such as hydrochloric acid, are highly corrosive to metals, including stainless steel and aluminum and must be moved in either FRP (fiberglass-reinforced plastic) or stainless steel tanks lined with rubber or plastic. Tanks on chemical and acid trucks are governed by DOT 407 requirements.

Gasoline & Fuel Tank Trucks

Gasoline and fuel tank trucks typically transport fuel over long distances to make deliveries to filling stations, farms, and other destinations. Some models have a bulk tank that holds a single type or grade of fuel, while others have compartmentalized tanks that can hold different fuel grades.

When fuel trucks deliver gasoline to a storage tank at a filling station, operators typically connect both a fuel hose and a vapor recovery hose; the latter reduces emissions by carrying vapors from the storage terminal to the tank truck. These trucks can also be used for refueling purposes at airports.

Propane Tank Trucks

Propane tank trucks feature a pressurized, temperature-controlled tank that transports propane in its liquid form, or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). You’ll find LPG trucks equipped with a wide range of tank sizes; which one best fits your operation depends on whether you’re transporting propane over long distances, hauling it regionally, or making a series of local deliveries. 

Many propane tank trucks come with safety packages that include the necessary DOT decals, as well as additional equipment such as fire extinguishers, reflector kits, and more.

Septic Tank Trucks

Septic tank trucks are designed primarily to clean out the contents of a septic tank and are fitted with vacuum pump systems and tanks for transporting waste. In addition to septic tanks, these vehicles are often used to clean out sewer pump stations and portable toilets. 

They use suction hoses and vacuum systems to pump feces, sludge, and wastewater out of underground reservoirs into the tank for transport to a wastewater treatment facility where the water may be processed and used for other applications, such as to irrigate and fertilize crops.

Sewer-Cleaning Tank Trucks

Sewer-cleaning tank trucks often include both jetters, which create a high-pressure stream of water to blast away clogs, and rodders, which use a cable and rodding head or cutter to break through clogs and flush them out. The systems are similar to what plumbers use to flush blockages in toilets and sinks in houses but on a much larger scale. 

Some sewer-cleaning tank trucks also have built-in vacuum systems to suck sludge and other materials out of sewer systems to prevent future clogs. These vehicles are commonly used in storm sewer lines to clear away leaves, roots, and other blockages.

Vacuum & Industrial Tank Trucks

Businesses, municipalities, government agencies, and other organizations use vacuum and industrial tank trunks to collect and remove human and animal waste, grease, sewage, spills, soil, rock, sand, water, and other materials. These versatile vehicles often include water tanks, pipes, and high-pressure spray hoses used to break down clogs and debris that may impede material removal. 

Some models are designed specifically for collecting hazardous materials, while others are geared more toward hydro-excavation applications, such as drilling holes, trenching, and removing the resulting debris and water.

Landscaping companies often rely on hydro vac trucks to excavate soil using high-pressure water without damaging underground utilities.

Water Tank Trucks

Tree care and landscape professionals often use water tank trucks to transport large quantities of water to jobsites for irrigation, dust control, and tree planting.

These trucks deliver large volumes of water and are used for jobs like dust suppression, fire suppression, power washing, potable water delivery, road cleaning, and soil compaction. Water trucks are often equipped with components like a water cannon or a spray system designed to suit a particular job. 

When suppressing dust at mining and quarry sites, for instance, water trucks might use dribble bars or sprayers for ground-level application. Alternatively, water trucks on construction sites might equip a water cannon to manage soil density and create the best conditions for soil compaction. On a farm, a water truck might use a hose and hose reel to supply vital drinking water to livestock where water is scarce or during a drought.

Find Tank Trucks For Sale

Shop and compare a big selection of new and used tank trucks for sale at TreeTrader.com for use in a variety of situations and for hauling many different types of loads. You’ll find trucks from leading manufacturers such as Ford, Freightliner, International, Isuzu, Peterbilt, Mack, Ram, and others.