Tank wagon vs transport load: which delivery fits your site

Tank wagon (LTL)

A tank wagon carries roughly 1,000 to 4,500 gallons and can split product across several compartments and several stops. It suits small c-stores, fleet yards, marinas, construction sites and any tank that cannot absorb a full transport.

Cost per gallon is higher because the freight is spread over fewer gallons, but you avoid retains and overfill risk.

Transport load (FTL)

A transport moves roughly 7,500 to 8,500 gallons in one drop, often split between two or three products. It is the lowest freight cost per gallon and the standard for high-volume retail sites.

You need ullage: enough available tank capacity to take the full load without shutting down a dispenser or leaving product on the truck.

Sizing the decision

• Add usable capacity across tanks, subtract working inventory, and compare the result to 8,000 gallons.
• Look at turns per week: two or more transports a week usually justifies a scheduled contract.
• Factor in run-outs. A single missed weekend can cost more than a year of freight savings.
• Consider telemetry. Automatic tank gauging lets a supplier keep you full without emergency premiums.

Emergency and after-hours deliveries

Emergency response is a service level, not a product. Confirm the after-hours phone path, the response time commitment and the premium before you need it, and keep a second qualified supplier on file for weather events and terminal outages.