Choosing the right size septic truck tank size is an important decision every pumper faces. Whether you're starting out or adding to your fleet, your tank capacity impacts everything - from how many jobs you can complete to how often you go to the dump station. We're going to walk through how to choose the right tank size based on your business, your goals, service area, and workload.
Why Tank Size Matters
A truck that is too small means more frequent trips to the disposal site, lower efficiency, and overall lost time. A truck that's too large may be harder to maneuver through tighter areas and more expensive to operate/maintain.
Common Septic Truck Tank Sizes (and What They're Used For)
1,250 - 1,500 gallon tanks are most commonly used for portable toilets, residential jobs, startups, and tighter routes. 2,000-2,500 gallon tanks are used for small-to-mid-sized commercial jobs, light rural work, and overall a good happy-medium for most industries. 3,000+ gallon tanks are usually used for large commercial jobs, municipal jobs, rural routes, and fewer dump trucks.
Urban vs. Rural Routes
Urban areas host narrow streets and shorter jobs typically. These jobs prefer smaller trucks (1,500 - 2,500 gal). Rural routes require fewer dump station trips, longer distances, and larger trucks are preferred (3,000+ gal).
Solo Operator vs. Fleet
Solo operators may prioritize maneuverability and ease of use but fleets can specialize in smaller trucks for city routes or larger trucks for industrial or rural contracts.
Cost Considerations
Larger tanks require a higher upfront cost and weight while smaller tanks are cheaper due to the cost to build, lower fuel, and insurance cost. Unfortunately, smaller tanks typically see more wear due to more frequent trips.
Do You Need A Tank?
Need help deciding what size tank is right for your truck? Our team builds and sells fully customizable septic trucks - from 1,250 gallon to 5,000+ gallon models.
Browse our inventory or contact us to talk with a specialist today!
By Riley Reed