Last summer, on July 15, 2020, Team Pro-Tow got a call for a truck recovery. A tanker truck had gone off the roadway and into the ditch. The tank it was hauling was nearly tipped over, balancing precariously on one wheel. One wrong move, and that tank could tip entirely.
Our team of highly skilled and trained operators arrived at the scene with our equipment to rescue the tanker truck. First, we set up a truck recovery plan and secured the rigging on the truck and tank trailer. Then, we straightened out the casualty using a heavy crane-style wrecker, so it was no longer in danger of flipping. Our team then towed the tanker truck safely out of the ditch.
A tipsy tanker truck requires an emergency towing service. If it flips, there will be damage, and depending on what is in the tank, it might spill hazardous materials.
Why do tankers tip and need truck recovery?
Like any truck that tips and needs an emergency towing service, an imbalanced load is typically the cause. With tanks, they carry liquid. Much of the time, it’s a potentially dangerous liquid like oil or gas. Or it could be caring milk, water, or even liquid animal feed. As the truck goes down the road, that liquid sloshes around the tank and could cause balance issues. It is especially hazardous on winding roads and in the wind.
When you imagine 5,000 to 10,000 plus gallons of liquid sloshing around, you can see why extra measures are required to maintain balance.
What prevents tanker trucks from tipping?
There are a few methods to help prevent tanker trucks from tipping and needing truck recovery. The most recent and commonly used system is an inflatable “airbag” made of rubber installed inside the tank. These airbags fill the empty space in the tank and will absorb the pressure of all those gallons of liquid. Essentially, it stops all that sloshing around during transport.
Even with technologies in place, accidents can still happen and need emergency towing service. For example, wind, weather, road conditions, traffic, and operator error can cause a truck to go into the ditch and lose balance. If this is the case, call Team Pro-Tow for truck recovery!
