October 10, 2014

An Intro To Food Grade Tanker Trucks

Tanker trucks are specially designed to safely transport condensed gases, liquid loads or dry bulk cargo across the roadways of the nation. Kan-Haul specializes in bulk liquid food transportation, which makes tanker trucks our specialty.

Tankers And Their Design

Tankers are best distinguished by their unusual shape. Tankers are comprised of a cylindrically-shaped tank lying horizontally upon the vehicle’s body. Less common characteristics include the tank’s compliance with human food regulation standards, refrigeration capabilities, acid resistance and pressurization capabilities. The largest vehicles in the tanker family are those that are similar to railroad tank cars; these are designed specifically for liquid loads. There is a wide variety of tanker trucks available, each adapted to the different types of loads the vehicle transports. These vehicles are challenging to drive due to the high center of gravity.

Tanker Construction And Materials

Tank trucks are constructed from aluminum, carbon steel, stainless steel, or fiberglass-reinforced plastic, depending on the product being transported by the truck.

The Uses Of Large Tanker Trucks

Large tank trucks, typically ranging in capacity from 5,500 to 11,600 United States gallons (or 20,800 to 43,900L; 4,580 to 9,660 imperial gallons), are the vehicles most commonly used to transport gasoline to gas stations. Other uses of tankers include the transportation of liquids such as concrete, water, milk and industrial chemicals.

Some tankers have up to six compartments inside the tank to allow for the delivery of multiple products at the same time. This is particularly convenient when a truck is carrying different grades of gas to a gas station simultaneously.

The Uses Of Small Tanker Trucks

Small tankers, having a capacity of no more than 3,000 United States gallons (11,000 Liters; 2,500 imperial gallons), are used for transporting light liquid cargos across small areas. An example frequently seen throughout the nation is the septic service truck used to vacuum-clean multiple septic tanks and transport the waste to a collection site.

Another common use of these small tankers is transporting liquefied petroleum gas to residential households. There is approximately 1,000 United States gallons (3,800 Liters; 830 imperial gallons) of the liquefied, pressurized gas stored in these trucks.

Food Grade Tanker Trucks

Food grade tanker trucks are specifically designed to transport liquid food. The most common food item carried by tanker trucks is milk, but there are a variety of other products that fill these hollow metal tubes. 

Common products transported by tanker trucks:

• Alcohol
• Milk & Other Liquid Dairy
• Vegetable Oils
• Fruit Juices
• Corn Syrup
• Sugar Alcohols
• Vinegar 

Sanitation Of Tank Trucks

Food grade tanker trailers are required to meet stringent safety and sanitation codes before they are certified to transport foods. Several examples of the strict requirements are listed below:

• “Tamper Evident Seals” must be one-use only, non-resalable, virtually impossible to tamper with, easy to identify and must be constructed of non-toxic, non-corrosive, cinchable material.

• Cleaners of food grade tankers must food grade themselves and have been third-party confirmed as to meeting its advertised performance.

More about the sanitation guidelines can be found here.

Contact us for liquid food transport today!

Tanker trucks are a critical part of our food delivery system, allowing for quick, safe delivery of perishable goods to stores across the country. If you need reliable bulk liquid food transportation, call Kan-Haul at (800) 959-9501 or fill out our online form. 

 

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