What Is a Bobtail Truck?
A bobtail truck is a smaller type of tanker truck used to deliver fuel directly to homes and small businesses. Unlike large tanker trucks, a bobtail has a shorter tank and built-in hoses, valves, and meters that allow fuel to be dispensed easily at the delivery location.
Because of its size, a bobtail truck is more flexible and easier to drive in neighborhoods and tight spaces.
What Is a Bobtail Truck Used For?
Bobtail trucks are mainly used for last-mile fuel delivery. This means they handle the final step of delivering fuel from a local depot to the customer.
You will often see bobtail delivering:
- Propane
- Fuel oil
- Heating fuel
They are commonly used for residential deliveries and small commercial locations.
How They Delivers Fuel
When a bobtail truck arrives at a home or business, the driver:
- Parks the truck safely
- Pulls out the hose and nozzle from the side or rear compartment
- Connects it to the propane tank or fuel port
- Pumps and meters the fuel
- Records the amount delivered for billing
This setup allows the driver to complete deliveries quickly and safely.
Why Bobtail Are Popular
They are widely used because they offer several advantages:
- Easier to drive than large tankers
- Lower operating costs
- Better access to residential areas
- Ideal for short routes and frequent stops
Their size makes them perfect for community and neighborhood deliveries.
Bobtail Truck Capacity
Most trucks carry between 750 and 7,000 gallons of fuel. While this is less than a full-size tanker, it is enough for multiple residential deliveries on a single route.
Who Can Drive This Truck?
To drive this truck, a person must:
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Complete commercial driver training
- Earn a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
- Receive tanker and safety training
Because they carry fuel, drivers must follow strict safety rules during transport and delivery.
Bobtail Trucks and Safety
Safety is very important during bobtail deliveries. Drivers work around flammable fuels and must operate hoses, valves, and meters correctly. Proper parking, grounding, and safe access to the top of the truck are key parts of a safe delivery process.
It play a critical role in getting fuel safely from storage facilities to homes.
It is a small tanker truck used to deliver fuel directly to homes and businesses.
They commonly carry propane and fuel oil.
They are easier to drive, cost less to operate, and can access residential areas more easily.
Yes. Drivers must have a Commercial Driver’s License and proper tanker training.
Most trucks carry between 750 and 7,000 gallons.
