Fire department tankers spend their life hauling large volumes of liquid over all types of roadways. One of the most important design features of fire department tankers is baffling. The design "trick" is to have sufficient baffling to prevent "surging" while the vehicle is in motion...while at the same time have sufficient opening inside the tank to allow the rapid off-loading of water. Most all tanker manufacturers have worked out this "equation." The problem lies in the home-made tankers that spent a previous life hauling some other liquid.

While out installing a bridge-mount dry fire hydrant last month we were able to shoot a short video clip showing the movement of liquid in a tank in transport. While the tank in the video is small, the concept is the same...just envision a 3,000-gallon tanker!