Truck Tanks Key Terms

Learn and understand truck tanks key terms to easily communicate with industry experts

By Christine Pollock

Driving a tank truck, sometimes called a tanker lorry, is an exciting job. The vehicles come in many sizes and might have different designs, but they all have the same purpose--transporting dry bulk, gases or liquid loads. Whether you carry dry bulk cargo, liquefied loads or gases in your tank, it helps to know truck tanks key terms.

Knowing truck tanks key terms helps you communicate effectively with others in the industry. Knowing the history behind the terms also gives you the advantage of understanding the purpose behind certain truck tank terminology.

Meter

A meter, also called a flowmeter, is a measuring instrument that displays a reading of the amount of liquid in a tank.
Try: Springer demonstrates how a meter works as it measures a liquid in a tank truck. It also provides a diagram demonstrating the concept of liquid measurement.

Pump

A pump is a type of mechanical device that uses pressure or suction to move liquids or reuse liquids. It also compresses gases. A tank truck pump transfers liquids from a stationary tank to a tank truck or vice versa. The pump often runs on hydraulics and self primes.
Try: Gardner Denver offers several options for tank truck pumps. It describes the working ability of a cargo pump in detail.

Hose

A hose is a malleable type tube that transports gas or liquid. Tank trucks use a hose to transfer milk, oil and other liquid products.
Try: HoseXpress offers hoses specifically designed for tank truck usage. Its seamless hoses are lightweight and very flexible.

Reel

This term refers to a cylindrical device used to hold flexible materials like hoses on a tanker truck. Truckers wind the hose line by turning the reel.
Try: ReelCraft Industries displays images of hose reels. It designs and custom builds reels for tanker trucks.

Temperature volume compensation

Temperature volume compensation (TVC) refers to a device designed to take measurements of liquid volume, adjusting the measurements so the quantity of liquid displays according to a standard temperature for billing purposes.
Try: MDM Services offers a detailed description of temperature volume compensation and how it works. It offers a free temperature compensation brochure as an additional download.

Slosh-proof lids

Tank truck drivers appreciate having slosh-proof lids, which prevent liquid from escaping during a truck's shifting, turning and braking.
Try: Schaben Industries displays images of various tanks with slosh-proof lids. It provides these self-vented lids in various sizes.