6 Tips For Buying A New Mobile Diesel Tank

Buying a new mobile Diesel tank can be a tricky process, with a large selection of types, quality and cost available - and some key factors to consider.

To help you find the tank that meets all your requirements and ticks all the key boxes, here are a few quick pointers to help ensure you make the right choice.

1. Keeping compliant
First and foremost you need to ensure you can legally transport the new tank on the highway, so it's a very good idea to familiarise yourself with the rules and regulations if you haven't already - to ensure you, your vehicle and your new tank are all fully legal and in accordance with ADR regulations. More details on this and a full explanation of the ADR requirements can be found here.
You need to equip your vehicle with a basic kit of equipment (commonly referred to as an 'ADR kit'). 

Tanks used to transport Diesel on the highway in the UK must be in accordance with ADR regulations, so this is a key thing to check before making a purchase.

2. Know your requirements
What vehicles and/or machines will you be refuelling with the new tank, both now and in future? What capacity are their fuel tanks? What pump flow rate will you need? These are all important questions to answer. 

With a large range of dispensing pumps and other options available with mobile diesel tanks, having a clear understanding of all your requirements will ensure the new tank is the right tool for the job.

3. Weight
It's important to know the maximum weight your vehicle can carry or tow, to ensure with a full tank on-board you are within legal requirements. If you are unsure, these guidelines on the Gov.uk web site are a good place to start, and for those outside the UK we suggest checking with the relevant authority to ensure you are clear on what you can and cannot transport on the highway.

Also, you need to consider how often you will need to lift and move the tank, and what help or equipment you will have available to do this.

4: Capacity
One of the key things you need to know when buying a fuel tank is what capacity you require. It is well worth doing some quick calculations to work out how much fuel you currently use, and decide how often you ideally want to fill up your tank. 

Drivers transporting tanks above 1000 litres in capacity will require ADR driver training in addition to carrying the ADR kit. 

5. Dimensions
It's no good buying a top spec tank with all-singing all-dancing fuel dispensing system if the thing doesn't fit in your van or trailer, so being clear on the space you have available is also very important. It's not just a case of "will it fit?" - you will need enough space to operate the tank safely and easily and ensure you can easily access everything you need to.

6. Pump type and voltage
Would a hand operated or battery powered pump be best for your needs? If it's a battery pump, double check what voltage you need. ​​