Hauling fuel

37chief

Well-known Member
Location
California
If I stood a 55 gal barrel up in the back of my pickup and, and secured it good, filled it with diesel fuel. Would that be a problem for the police? I am in California, but I am sure other states will have similar laws, if any. I have a air operated drum pump, so removing the fuel will not be a problem. Stan
 
My guess is the police would never stop you for that or know what was in it. If you have an accident...well THAT would be a different story.
 
In Arkansas and Missouri that is a normal sight. If it's secure and sealed so it doesn't leak, why would that be any different than the fuel tank on a truck. I know yall have a LOT different laws than we do but I don't see a problem.
 
I would Google CA DOT regulations and see what they say. Probably not legal, I know there are some new laws in the last few years (fed or state) about hauling fuel. I would load up the empty barrel and haul it around empty for awhile and see if anybody says anything. Then I would haul my fuel at the least busy time, and unload it right away. If you hit a school bus and torch a bunch of kids it's your conscience, that's why there are laws like these.
 
We did that 20 years ago here in NY, iv never seen it done in a long time, and I wouldent do it here today, you would probably get crucified.
 
Don't know if it is legal in your state. But there was a guy in Texas got stopped with two fifty gallon barrels of diesel. Almost got arrested because he couldn't prove where he got it. I would have proof of sale.
 
Hi I wouldn't do it. a friend of mine was down in the states with his truck and approved slip tank/ markings on the back. the codes for diesel up here are the same as kerosene in the U.S.A apparently, you can haul diesel but not kerosene in the states from what he found out.

He got stopped, not by cops but the DOT and it was a whole load of problems, he had diesel in it, and he was lucky the guy couldn't get the hand cuffs on him, he'd still be in jail now! from what he said.
if the things not marked as diesel correctly and not an approved container. I'd be guessing on the strong side, your going to get a day out at the cleaners, and hung out to dry. if there was a problem for any reason.
My granddad used to say anythings legal, till you get caught. All i see now is those in charge have increased the chances of getting caught, with so many laws that you can be stopped for, DOT and the Police. and they find something else, while they are looking.
Regards Robert
 
I'd just stay off the interstates and freeways. CHP can no way stop every pickup out there with a barrel in the back.
 
I m like you Pair Here in Tennessee I probably see that more than once a day. Of course we are red necks from the sticks as far removed from those dudes in California. Glad I don't live out there in that strict state.
 
When I farmed I would haul my 500 gallon tank to walmart and fill it up.Still do with my 150 gallon gas tank.
 
I was told that you can haul 110 gals of Diesel in the State of Colo without any trouble, but it is a good idea to have a sign, so in case of a fire the fire department knows what to deal with.
 
There was a guy here who used to haul gasoline in a milk can that could slide around in the back of his pickup. Talk bout something that made your hair stand on end!
 
(quoted from post at 15:33:08 01/28/15) If I stood a 55 gal barrel up in the back of my pickup and, and secured it good, filled it with diesel fuel. Would that be a problem for the police? I am in California, but I am sure other states will have similar laws, if any. I have a air operated drum pump, so removing the fuel will not be a problem. Stan

I've got three 55 gallon drums ratchet strapped together on a pallet that I plan on hauling down to the reservation soon to fill up with off-road diesel. I use the skidsteer to unload. I also have a 75 gallon slip tank in the truck. $2.22 for hiway and $1.72 for off-road, ya do what ya gotta do! Will fill the truck too

:D
 
Up to 110 gallons is OK without a hazmat endorsement on your license. I don't know if a 55 gallon drum qualifies as a DOT approved container. A normal drum is thin walled but I don't know what the standards are. It's hard to figure out the laws. We can haul new engine oil without a hazmat but we need a hazmat for waste oil, as I understand.
 
As long as we stick to diesel fuel in 55 gallon containers hauled in a truck the rules are.
Gasoline; air or marine vehicles and larger containers do not apply.

Per DOT haz-mat rules diesel fuel is not regulated in non-bulk containers because it can be reclassified as a combustible liquid rather than a flammable liquid.
49 cfr 173.150 f 2
This includes markings; package labels; and placards.
A 55 gallon drum is not considered a bulk container.
A 55 gallon drum is a approved container to haul diesel fuel in.
You must secure the drum in the truck to prevent movement.
You can haul as many 55 gallons drums as your truck will haul as it is the container size and not the total hauled that exempts it from DOT regulation.

Here is a msds. Scroll to section 14 to see transportation rules.
MSDS
 
(quoted from post at 19:34:52 01/28/15) As long as we stick to diesel fuel in 55 gallon containers hauled in a truck the rules are.
Gasoline; air or marine vehicles and larger containers do not apply.

Per DOT haz-mat rules diesel fuel is not regulated in non-bulk containers because it can be reclassified as a combustible liquid rather than a flammable liquid.
49 cfr 173.150 f 2
This includes markings; package labels; and placards.
A 55 gallon drum is not considered a bulk container.
A 55 gallon drum is a approved container to haul diesel fuel in.
You must secure the drum in the truck to prevent movement.
You can haul as many 55 gallons drums as your truck will haul as it is the container size and not the total hauled that exempts it from DOT regulation.

Here is a msds. Scroll to section 14 to see transportation rules.
MSDS
Yay, I'm legal!
 
Yes you will be alright,no you can not haul as many as you want, 1001 pounds and you are in the haz mat zone. You can haul USED MOTOR oil, but not WASTE OIL. Waste oil is a hazardous material,used oil is not.(Per EPA Inspector) The pump handle sticking out of the barrel will give them more reasons to stop you.
 
Here in Mn. the dot shows up at auctions and sales
barns and checks the fuel in pickups. If it's dyed
you pay fuel tax on however many miles are on the
truck since new.
 
John, that is only the MSDS - basically spelling out the hazards of handling, precautions needed, chemical properties, and PPE needed. It is NOT the DOT rules on transportation.

FYI - I did go to hazmat training several times over the years, until I finally gave up my hazmat endorsement. What has already been stated by another poster is correct - that is, 1000 pounds or more needs to be placarded. Placards REQUIRE a CDL. Even in a Smart car - if you could get 1000 pounds of hazmat into one. There are also limitations on container size and labeling. This has no direct relationship to the MSDS requirements. They are two different sets of regulations enforced by two different agencies.

FACT - Diesel fuel IS combustible. It is therefore a regulated hazardous material. Period.

FACT - As a hazardous material, there are TWO sets of regulations to be considered. OSHA is the regulating agency for workplace hazards. That pertains ONLY to storage and handling of the material according to its MSDS. DOT regulates the transportation of hazardous materials. Different agency, different rules. DOT specifies the allowed container sizes, labeling of containers, and transportation of those containers.

FACT - Transportation of ANY hazardous material over 1000 pounds requires full compliance with DOT rules. That means placards to communicate the potential risks and hazards to emergency personnel.

FACT - There are heavy penalties for violation of hazmat rules. Be advised that it is best to contact the DOT in your area to get the FACTS on what the rules are rather than to pronounce something legal that could get another person into trouble.
 
And where do you get the 1001 lbs from.

You are most likely referring to the law that states you need to placard your vehicle when hauling 1001 lbs or more of a regulated material.

"of a regulated material" are the key words here.
Diesel fuel in non-bulk containers is NOT regulated by the DOT. Its the same as hauling water as water is a not regulated material.

Oil is oil. The difference in new motor oil and used motor oil is used is regulated by the EPA as a hazardous waste so you can only haul 55 gallons of used oil in a truck.

a181134.jpg
 
They been talking about that here for at least 2-3 years now. Put one used equipment dealer out of business or close to it because they were harrassing his customers so much .
 
In any case, I would still check with state DOT. There would logically be some exceptions for fuel tanks considering most (if not all) large commercial vehicles (tractor trailers) have large fuel tanks and generally carry 300 gallons or in them. As I understand it, fuel tanks used for powering the vehicle are exempt. At the same time, I see fuel oil delivery trucks carrying number 2 fuel oil - which includes diesel fuel as well as heating oil - carrying placards and drivers with hazmat licenses.

The rules here seem to be ambiguous and contradictory. DOT would have to be the authority here, as they are the enforcement agency.
 

Here in Pa I haul 2 barrels fairly often and it is leagl. I think the DOT regs say you can haul 110 gallons without having to use placards , etc.
 
If those 55 gal drums are UL approved go ahead, if they are not you are not legal to haul fuel in them
 
(quoted from post at 20:24:02 01/28/15) Wouldn't that be illegal search and seizure?

I haven't seen em check pickup and farm truck tanks in a couple of years but they did indeed do that with roadside checks just a few short years ago. Pretty expensive if they caught you. Last time I knew someone who got caught he claimed it cost him 750 bucks.


Rick
 
I answered a newer post today before I saw this. I looked up the haz mat plackard requirements before I did what I did. I too read the 1000# limit and 3 ea 55 gallon drums filled below 50 gallons each is less than 1000#.

I had a Haz Mat endorsement on my CDL when I had one but don't need it for this.

Mark
 
I regularly pull a Mazda pickup box trailer with 2 150 gallon field service tanks with 12 volt pumps on them, one with diesel, and one with gasoline. 12 volt deep cycle battery in box on the tongue. Never gave it a thought if was legal. Everyone does it around here.

Dick ND
 
Again it's how they interpret the Law, and then decide to enforce it,, they are wanting to Legalize Marijuana, but make it tougher on the working man,,this will all need to stop and start thinking with common sense,,and soon....
 
John, I also read the same thing as you posted. The only other thing I might add is that some states state that the 55 gal drum can not be higher than the cab.
 

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