The total weight of a tank truck typically consists of two parts: empty tare weight and load capacity.
1. Empty Tare Weight: This refers to the weight of the vehicle when it is not loaded with any cargo, including the chassis, tank, and accessories. Empty tare weight varies considerably depending on the vehicle type and materials:
- Small Tank Trucks (5-10 cubic meters): Approximately 6-12 tons, with tanks mostly made of carbon steel or stainless steel.
- Medium Tank Trucks (15-30 cubic meters): Approximately 12-25 tons, commonly found in oil tankers or chemical liquid transport vehicles.
- Large Semi-Trailer Tank Trucks (40-60 cubic meters): Approximately 15-35 tons, requiring a tractor unit.
*Data Reference: GB1589-2016 Limits for External Dimensions, Axle Load and Mass of Road Vehicles*
2. Load Capacity: Due to regulations and vehicle type restrictions, the maximum gross vehicle weight for a single-axle tanker truck in China is generally no more than 36 tons, and for a semi-trailer train no more than 49 tons. For example, a 30-cubic-meter oil tanker truck, fully loaded with gasoline (density approximately 0.73 tons/cubic meter), has a total weight of approximately 12 tons (empty) + 22 tons (loaded) = 34 tons.
