Running out of fuel is not an option whether you’re on a jobsite, in the field or on the tarmac. When you must keep the fuel supply flowing, a quality portable fuel trailer should be top of mind. Stringent on-site OSHA storage requirements can present challenges for stationary tanks on short-term and smaller projects. Fuel trucks may also be “overkill” on some jobsites. The portable fuel trailer often hits the sweet spot between stationary jobsite fuel tanks and fuel trucks. Portable fuel trailers also offer the advantage of delivering fuel to where it is needed. However, not every fuel tank trailer is created equal.
Each job has unique fuel requirements based on the equipment used and the project phase. Mass earth moving will consume more fuel than finish grading. Your fueling solution needs to handle these demand fluctuations. This is just one factor that needs to be considered. Where do you start? These tips will help narrow down the field.
Tip 1: Check for compliance with regulations
The first step is ensuring the fuel tanks meet national and local regulations. Fuel trailers being pulled down the road need DOT approval. These trailers must be properly engineered and designed. Depending on your jobsite location, there are many other regulations when handling diesel fuel on a jobsite.
You should look for a supplier who has vast experience dealing with hazardous material regulations. Amarillo Tanks is built on a 100-year legacy of specializing in fuel and oil tanks with field-tested designs and quality craftsmanship to provide peace of mind for fuel storage and transport. The company has a history of building fuel storage tanks out of 12-gauge steel to meet UL 142 Aboveground Flammable Liquid code requirements. This carbon steel is lightweight, easy to clean and doesn’t contaminate the fuel. The thick 12-gauge steel helps ensure long-term durability.
The experts at Amarillo Tanks can work with you to ensure compliance with local fuel transportation regulations.
Tip 2: Leave nothing to chance
Choose a trailer built to handle tough conditions. Portable fuel trailers lead a rough life. They must often traverse rough jobsite terrain while fully loaded. Look for a sturdy trailer engineered to withstand the dynamic forces of the moving liquid while navigating rough, unpaved roads. Internal tank baffles on larger trailers can keep fuel from sloshing back and forth for less tow vehicle surging.
The round tanks of the Amarillo Tanks portable fuel trailers offer advantages over rectangular designs found on many other units. Round tanks evenly distribute stress across the wall surface, reducing the risk of cracks and leaks. They are also easier to clean and maintain since corners and crevices can accumulate dirt, debris and microbes.
Safety features are important, especially ensuring the trailer can withstand extreme conditions without leaking. Consider the quality standards and testing process used by the manufacturers. Amarillo Tanks portable fuel trailers are time-tested and use heavy-duty axles with electric brakes to ensure you get to the location quicker and fuel faster.
“Amarillo Tanks has total control over the manufacturing process, which gives customers confidence that nothing is left to chance,” says Amarillo Tanks CEO Aaron Sage. “We always challenge ourselves to innovate and build the highest quality portable fuel trailers to serve a variety of industries.”
Tip 3: Calculate the volume of fuel required
Determine how much fuel you will be using every week and size the tank appropriately. Multiple trips back and forth for refills add cost, but you also want to avoid fuel from standing too long. Stationary diesel fuel will attract water from condensation as the temperature changes and be subject to storage issues such as algae growth.
In addition to fuel volume requirements, consider space limitations on the site. Smaller trailers are nimbler to navigate confined spaces.
Amarillo Tanks offers 300-, 520-, 700- or 950-gallon portable fuel trailers to meet a wide range of jobsite demands. The company also offers expertise to help you choose the right-size solution for your application.
Tip 4: Consider operation in remote environments
A fuel tank trailer needs an efficient distribution system to transfer fuel. This includes fuel pumps, a hose reel and return lines. The standard Amarillo Tanks portable fuel trailers can move 20 GPM through a manual hose reel to quickly refuel equipment on the jobsite. External filtration is also a good idea when fueling from a remote source. The Amarillo portable fuel trailers use twin 10-micron filters to keep fuel contaminants from entering equipment during the refueling process.
Adding options such as deep cycle batteries paired with solar panels can help ensure the tank will always have the necessary power to run the pumps on portable fuel trailers at remote jobsites. The standard Amarillo Tanks portable fuel trailers use a 12-volt Fill-Rite pump that draws power from a 12-volt deep cycle battery that is recharged by a top tank-mounted solar panel.
Tip 5: Options can drive efficiency gains
Evaluate how add-on options impact refueling operations. Saving time when refueling and being able to top off additional fluids at the same time can have major productivity impacts that quickly justify the additional investment.
The 700- and 950-gallon Amarillo Tank fuel trailers offer an optional 40 GPM engine-drive fuel pump to speed refills. These fuel tank trailers also offer an optional 60-gallon pumpless DEF tank package powered by an air compressor to top off DEF levels when refueling. A 50-foot spring-retracted reel speeds servicing versus the standard hand crank reel.
Don’t be fooled by portable fuel trailers that look similar. Significant differences in build quality, features and options put portable fuel trailers from Amarillo Tanks at the head of the class.
Contact us to get a custom fuel trailer quote.