FAQs

We build some Sulphur trailers out of aluminum.  We would need specs and other information. Please feel free to contact our Heil Texas facility for more information (817.430.1472 ). Thank you for the question.

To ensure proper weight distribution and axle load limits, lift axle ride bag pressures should be set by placing the loaded trailer on a scale and dialing in the ride bag pressure to the legal axle weight limit. The loaded trailer will need to be scaled axle by axle to arrive at an accurate per axle trailer weight. Using a calibrated scale the user can correlate the ride back pressure to the gauge pressure. It is incumbent upon the user to ensure he/she is in compliance with all state and federal regulations.

The British use the same API (American Petroleum Institute) bottom loading valve size as we do under DOT 406. This is in accordance with API RP1004 for total interchangeability with all loading valves used for petroleum liquids. Thank you for your question.

Hello Rick,
Unfortunately we do not have a recommended procedure for cleaning the inside of the trailer. However, I do believe in this situation the aerator itself has come loose and the internal wear pad has rotated inside. We recommend hand tightening the aerators once a week to help prevent the wear pad from turning. At this point you will need to drop the line, discharge valve and loosen the aerator. Then you need to reach up inside the tank and turn the wear pad to its original location. Finally hand tighten the aerator, reinstall valve and piping. Thanks for the question.

Eric, we strongly recommend lining any tank hauling crude, even sweet. If they acidize frac the well, you will get some acid when you pull loads of crude afterward. It will lay on the bottom of the tank and can start pitting rapidly. We have seen this happen on several occasions.  H2S mixed w/ water can start a problem quickly. Thanks for your question.

Glenn, since 1990 there have been revisions to mounting fenders as well as changes to the cabinet mounting, depending on the type and size of the cabinets. Without seeing your trailers to determine the type of fenders / cabinets, it would be difficult to recommend replacements or repairs. If you can tell us your location we can most likely have one of our distributors call you. They can look over the trailers to determine what can be done. Your Heil Regional Distributor or Heil Regional Sales Manager will also be able to either sell you the parts or tell you where they can be purchased most conveniently by you. Please let us know your location and we will assist you in solving your problem.

Heil Trailer International, Co. does not rank tank manufacturers, and we know of no source for such a rating. We respect our competitors for the niche they fill and do not consider their market position when designing our products. However, Heil is the only ISO 9001 certified tank manufacturer in the United States, and therefore held to strict quality standards, which includes custom designed and manufactured trailers. Each order our plant accepts for production is individually engineered per detailed sales specifications in conformance with governing regulations and Heil’s “best-in-class” quality standards. We offer a full line of products in each of the segments (liquid, dry bulk, heavy haul, etc.) we serve, for virtually any axle configuration in order to comply with State and Federal Bridge formulae (as well as international standards). Heil uses the highest quality components and raw materials during their manufacturing processes. A typical Heil owner believes safety, ergonomics, equipment longevity, low maintenance costs, superior technical support and service, high resell value, and aesthetics are the most important features when picking an equipment supplier. Heil strives to meet this “best-in-class” quality standard in an effort to exceed our customer’s expectations. We hope this answers your question. If you’d like to learn more about Heil Trailer International, Co., please contact your nearest authorized Heil Trailer International, Co. distributor found on our web site.  

This is a very good question. We had to turn to our Heil Trailer International, Co. Canadian Distributor (Intrans-Corp, Ph: 218-829-6136, Cell: 320-412-6521, intrans@hughes.net) to get an answer. To the best of our knowledge, their is no specific fall protection requirements. There are however, some general safety requirements such as "no platform can be any higher than the overturn protection" but, these are basic government safety regulations that trailer manufacturers have been required to follow for a very long time and just about any trailer will have this incorporated or just will not have any type of catwalk/walkway. What we have found is that most companies both trucking and shipping have their own requirements as to what their fall protection policy is going to be in accordance to their safety department and insurance company requirements. This means if you are moving product for Ecana or Shell your trailer has to meet their safety regulations which would include fall protection. Our suggestion is that you discuss with your company and the company you are hauling product for and ask them what are their current safety / fall protection requirements. 

Generally stainless steel general chemical insulated tank trailers (MC307 or DOT407) are equipped with a heat panel. The heat system design uses either a dimple or channel panel. The heat panels are designed for steam (up to 150 psig) and tractor in-transit heat (3.5 to 6 GPM at no more than 10 psig). Steam is usually connected at the rear of the trailer and in-transit is at the front of trailer. Some carriers have designed stationary heating systems for use with a parked trailer. The stationary heater is similar to a home water heater with a pump and closed loop system. The water heater tank contains the same coolant as the tractor. The coolant is pumped to the heat panel and returns to the water heater. The connections at the front of the trailer would be used with the stationary heater. When using in-transit, the tractor coolant is temperature is approximately 175 deg F to 200 deg F based on the specific tractor. Several precautions should be taken with heating. Always make sure the heat panel is filled with coolant if using in-transit heat. Never heat/steam an empty trailer. When you steam a trailer you will loose your coolant. If using a stationary heater, minimize the hose length from the heater to the trailer, make sure the closed loop system is fully charged with coolant and monitor the circulating coolant temperature.

Gasoline is delivered globally in steel trailers. India, Latin America, Brazil and others are exclusive. It is compatible. Local laws might suggest different for you The US and the rest of North America (and Europe) shifted primarily for reasons of weight (among others).  

Thanks for the question, Don. Aluminum brightener removes all surface contaminates and also dulls the finish. The only way to restore the finish is to repolish the unit. If you need any help with this Heil Tank Service in Louisville, KY offers this service. You can contact the head of our Polishing Services Dept, Vince Lombardi, at 423-774-3250. Vince will be able to answer any questions you may have about polish. 

Sorry Mike, we are unaware of any such permit. You should contact the DOT and see if they can be of more assistance.  Thank you for the question. 

Dave, there is no quick way to do this. If a trailer is allowed to build up hardened cement on the inside you are limited to chipping and scraping the material out. We would advise removing the piping to avoid contamination of future loads. 

Hi Richard, assuming you are speaking of a Heil petroleum trailer, it is not recommended to cut holes in the flashing rails of any size. However, Heil has brackets for this purpose. These brackets are designed to be tack welded to the flashing rails. Please contact Heil Tank Service for these parts. 

Thanks for the question Rod. There is generally no "code". We build per specification (specially pressure rating), per TTMA recommended practice and per any applicable road laws both federal and state.

Thanks for the question Ken. Yes you can haul Crude oil in 306-406 tanks as long as the vapor pressure does not exceed the design pressure of the trailer. Most Crude Trailers being built today in the US and Canada are 407 Spec. Basically the same as other petroleum tankers, the requirements for a tanker hauling crude is based on flash point and vapor pressure.  Some crude can be hauled in non DOT tanks but is usually not done due to the versatility needed to haul all crude product, ranging from heavy crude all the way to condensate.  This is the reason why DOT 407 is usually used for crude.

Thanks for the question Dirk!  No, you cannot turn a 407 into a 412 certification. A 412 trailer has to be built to that certification; it must  be built to ASME code and carry a U-Stamp on the plate.  Unlike the 407, all material that goes into the 412 vessel must have papers certifying it meets the proper specifications. The trailer must also be rubber lined to handle hydrochloric acid. Even though some of these trailers are aluminum, the majority of them are made of steel.

Sure, this was a milk tank (usually stainless steel). The 5400 was for 5,400 gallons (probably a two compartment trailer), and the FPU stands for "farm pick up".  These tanks were / are used to collect the milk at the farms and take it to the dairy for processing. They also usually have a two or a three section stainless steel cabinet at the rear of the trailer that houses the valves and piping, the stainless steel sanitary pump and motor, and a "sample chest".

By design, when the tractor brakes are set the trailer brakes will set automatically. This is done to ensure a safe work area is maintained; hence, it is important to leave the trailer brakes set during the loading and unloading process. This prevents the trailer from shifting fore or aft as product is being loaded or unloaded from the trailer.  The actuation of the trailer brakes has no relationship to the operation of the trailer.

You can contact Shane Jenkins at Emergency Response Services, Inc. (256-997-9087 Business; 423-506-6624 Cell; 256-997-9041 Fax).  He will do on site training.

Thanks for your question.  You will want a 407 tanker with insulation and possibly in transit heating capability depending on the length of your haul and outside air temperature.  This is to prevent the Bio-Diesel from solidifying.  For the pros and cons of 406 and 407 tankers, please refer to the simple table below: