Choosing the right poly horizontal leg tank for your truck can seem like hard work. In fact, there is a lot to consider. However, the decision process does not have to be difficult. I put together a complete buyers guide that includes helpful tips about choosing the right design and choosing the correct color. In this article, you will also discover 3 must-haves for a horizontal tank that you may have overlooked.
Why this Tank Doesn't Need Hoops or Bands:
Choosing the Right Design:
Having the right horizontal tank design will help you manage the liquid better. There are two popular designs/shapes of horizontal leg tanks to choose from. I have included a diagram of each design to help you understand both options.
- Flat Bottom Design: These horizontal leg tanks have a flat base. They are mounted directly to the trailer at the base of the tank. These are mostly used for hauling water where it does not matter if small amounts are left in the tank.
- Sump Bottom Design: These horizontal leg tanks have a sump in the bottom. This design is the most popular choice because 100% of the liquid can be drained from the tank. The shape of the base channels all the liquid to the center to the sump. Because these tanks have a sump base, they must sit on a frame or custom shape trailer bed. These are used for hauling chemical and fertilizer where it is important to drain every drop to avoid mixing 2 different chemicals.
Consider how the tank is mounted:
The mounting system on horizontal leg tanks can vary. While some tanks have hoops and bands over the top of the tank, other tanks have mounting pins through each leg of the tank. Click here to read an article called, 'Does a Horizontal Leg Tank really need Hoops or Bands?'.
Choosing the Right Size:
There are many sizes of horizontal leg tanks to pick from. It is important you consider things like how much liquid you need and if you have any weight restrictions.
- Small Sizes: This includes sizes from 110 - 1,400 gallons.
- Large Sizes: This includes sizes from 1,600 - 4,500 gallons.
Choosing the Right Color:
Color may not seem important until you consider algae growth in the tank. If you are transporting water, having a color that will block out the sunlight will save you a lot of trouble.
- Dark Colors: The most popular dark color is black. The main reason this is chosen is it will stop algae growth when you are hauling water. Algae needs light to grow. No light coming through the sidewalls means no algae growth.
Pro tip: If you choose a dark color and still want to see the liquid level in the tank, a sight gauge kit can easily be added.
- Light Colors: Light colors are often used when algae growth is not an issue and seeing the liquid level from a distance is a must.
5 Must-Haves for a Horizontal Leg Tank:
Once you have chosen the right size, material and color, I would suggest you consider these three important features that every horizontal leg tank must have.
- Thick Side-walls: When hauling or transporting heavy liquids, it is important the tank structure is strong enough. Sloshing and liquid movement inside the tank can put a lot of stress on the tank sidewalls.
- Durable Stainless Steel Lid: The last thing you want on a horizontal tank is a lid that pops open when liquid hits it while it is sloshing inside.
- Maintenance-free Mounting System: Hoops or bands over the top of a leg tank can be dangerous. When a poly horizontal tank is filled with liquid, it expands a small percentage. This puts extra stress on the tank if it has hoops over the top. When it is empty, the tank shrinks and the hoops come loose.
- 10 Year Warranty: There's no doubt about it. Having an exceptional warranty on your tank makes sure you're covered when you haul expensive product in the tank.
- Internal Baffle: For long hauls especially, having an internal baffle system (either a large baffle or Baffle Balls™) will drastically increase the stability of your vehicle when hauling liquid and cut down the inertia enabling you to stop accurately.
Other points to consider:
- Roto-molded Tank: When cooked and cooled at an even rate, the raw material is bonded together to make this tank virtually indestructible.
- Single Piece Construction: Rotationally-molded in a single mold means the tank is seamless, water-tight and leak-proof.
- Lifting Lugs: Built-in and engineered to take the weight (dry weight only) of the tank, these make lifting the tank on and off the trailer a breeze.
As you can see, although there is a lot to consider, when it is all laid out in one complete buyers guide it is simple to make a decision. I trust these tips will help you choose the right type, size and color horizontal leg tank. If you have any questions or comments, please add them below and I will help out where I can.
