Designed in a variety of styles and sizes, water trucks are constructed to be durable construction vehicles capable of hauling heavy amounts of liquid to job sites. Water trucks play a valuable role across numerous industries, providing access to water in situations where it would be difficult to tap into a nearby source.
For many businesses, renting a water truck becomes the best option. Renting a water truck provides access to the right size and style of truck for a determined duration of use.
When choosing a water truck rental company, it is important to consider your options. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about renting a water truck. From discussing the types and uses of water trucks to explaining a step-by-step process for renting a truck, we’ll help you feel confident in choosing a water truck rental.
What is a Water Truck?
A water truck features a large tank that is capable of storing and hauling water long distances. These specialty trucks are equipped with front, rear and side sprayers and sometimes a top mounted water cannon, which makes it easy to apply the water to a specific area. In some cases, the spray nozzle will eject a trail of water behind the truck as the vehicle is moving. These water trucks are commonly seen on construction sites and roadways. They help to dampen the earth to prevent dust and help with compaction.
Water trucks can also be equipped with spray nozzles and hoses that can be removed from the truck and used to target a specific area with liquid. The type of nozzle and hose will depend a lot on the use of the truck. These can be extremely powerful, used in everything from putting out fires to providing water for livestock.
Water trucks also come in a wide range of sizes and are rated based on the amount of water they can transport at one time. Water trucks can have a tank capacity of anywhere from 2,000 gallons to 70,000 gallons.
Along with the differences in capacity, water trucks feature different designs based on their use. For lightweight use, a water truck might simply be designed with a standard commercial truck body with a tank attached to the bed. These trucks can drive on typical roadways and do not require specialized transportation. In the case of more rigorous applications, water trucks may be designed with extreme off-duty capabilities. These are the types of water trucks most often used in mining, oil and gas, and agricultural settings. With their large size, these trucks may not be allowed on normal roadways and might require oversize load transportation permits.
What are the Common Uses of a Water Truck?
There are numerous uses for water trucks spanning many industries. The following are a few of the most common applications for a water truck:
- Dust control: On many job sites, a water truck is used to mitigate the amount of dust found in the air. This is common when a particular task, such as drilling or repeatedly driving over a single area, results in the kicking up of large amounts of dust. For example, on a mining site, equipment might erode the ground, leading to billowing dust that is carried across the job site. This dust can be harmful to workers and nearby residents. Large amounts of dust in the air can be irritating to the eyes and can lead to respiratory issues, particularly for those with asthma or other sensitivities. Through the use of a water truck, water is applied to the ground to reduce the amount of dust in the air. In some cases, oil and gas companies are also required to use water trucks to prevent excessive dust in the air due to the continual use of trucks on dirt roads. This helps mitigate the risk to local residents.
- Road, bridge, and building construction: When designing roadways, bridges, or even the foundation for a building, it is important to ensure that soil has been compacted down before pouring concrete or laying asphalt. In order to accomplish this task, many companies will rent a water truck to spray down a layer of water on the ground. This water can then be used to create a sturdy foundation for roads, bridges, and buildings.
- Agriculture: In some cases, when droughts are extreme, farmers and ranchers will rent water trucks in order to irrigate crops or provide water for livestock. Water trucks will deliver a valuable resource to ensure that operations can continue and losses are mitigated.
- Firefighting: In rural communities, water trucks play an important role in fighting fires. When there are no fire hydrants to tap into, a water truck can deliver flame-stopping liquid. Additionally, in the case of wildfires, a community might utilize water trucks to help stop the spread of out-of-control fires. These water trucks usually feature large hoses which are capable of delivering a powerful stream of water over long distances.
Water Truck Rental Guidance
If your team is in need of a water truck rental, the following tips can help you through the process of securing the equipment you need. Remember, if you have questions along the way, you can always reach out to our team at Water Truck Supply.
1. Decide if Rental is the Right Choice
For teams that need a water truck, there are two main options for securing the truck. Your business can either purchase a water truck or rent a water truck. The right method will depend a lot on your business’s specific needs.
As you decide between renting or purchasing a water truck, think through the following:
- How long do you need the water truck? If you only need a water truck for temporary use, such as a job-specific need, renting is often a better option. Renting allows you to use a water truck for the period you need it without requiring the high upfront costs of purchasing one. However, if you plan to use a water truck daily for years to come, it might be worth exploring your purchasing options.
- What type of water truck do you need? If you want to access the latest and best-in-class water trucks, renting can often be the best way to go. Water truck rental companies keep premium fleets in stock, allowing you to take advantage of the best water trucks available. When purchasing a water truck, budget constraints often necessitate purchasing an older model.
- How much business capital do you have available? Purchases usually require a down payment, making it costly upfront. Rentals, on the other hand, often do not require a down payment. This makes renting a water truck a great option for small businesses that must balance operational costs carefully.
2. Determine Your Budget
If you have decided that a water truck rental is the right fit for your needs, the next step is to consider your rental budget. This will help you choose from available inventory and will ensure that your project remains profitable.
As you consider your budget, you’ll want to factor in the total amount of money the water truck will help you earn. Often, investing in a larger make and model will allow you to accomplish a job faster. Even though that water truck might cost more upfront, when you look at your long-term budget, it could actually save you money and earn you more profit over time.
3. Choose the Right Size for the Job
One of the most important considerations when comparing water trucks is the size of the truck. You want to ensure that the truck you rent has the carrying capacity you need. The tank size of the truck will determine how much water you can move from one location to another.
Make sure you think through your long-term needs when choosing a water truck size. A smaller water truck might be adequate for your immediate needs, but if you plan to rent the truck for a long period of time, make sure it will also be large enough to haul the water needed for future projects.
Generally, the more intensive the project, the larger the truck you’ll need. Along with the size of the water tank, you’ll also need to consider the truck’s ability to navigate your job site. Many manufacturers, such as Cat, specialize in water trucks for mining, agriculture, and oil and gas applications where high clearance and off-road capabilities are a must. Be sure to outline the specific terrain you will be driving on when discussing your rental with an associate.
4. Inspect the Rental
Once you have chosen a water truck rental, it is time to complete the transaction, pick up the keys, and head to your job site. However, before you drive away with your water truck rental, make sure you take the time to inspect the truck and all attached equipment thoroughly. Even though your rental company will have already inspected the vehicle prior to renting it to your business, you’ll want to complete a detailed inspection to ensure that any questions about the condition are addressed upfront. While you inspect the truck from front to back and top to bottom, make sure to test the spray equipment.
You can also snap photos of the condition of the truck with your phone camera. Store these images with your rental agreement in a cloud storage drive. This will ensure that if there are any concerns when returning the truck, you have the documentation you can review.
You can also use this inspection period to bring up any questions you might have about the operation of the truck. Specific makes and models will operate differently, making it imperative to review each component before driving away.
5. Ask about Insurance
In some cases, a water truck rental agency will insure the vehicle. In other cases, you’ll need to carry this insurance through your business policy. Make sure to ask about insurance up front and inquire about specific coverage.
Due to the high value of a water truck, you want to ensure that your business is not liable in the case of any damages to the truck. Both your commercial insurance provider and the rental agency should be able to provide you with important details about policies.
6. Always Train Staff on Proper Procedures
Before you hand over the keys to your water truck rental to your job site team, make sure everyone has had adequate training on both driving and operating the truck. Even if a team has utilized water trucks in the past, it is good to review all the information provided by the rental agency before a team member drives the truck onto the job site.
Additionally, always make sure that everyone has the proper safety gear on hand. Water truck operators should be wearing appropriate construction gloves and slip-resistant boots. Water trucks can cause slick conditions, making it important for all operators to practice safety when entering and exiting the truck. Make sure that employees always put away hoses between use to prevent a tripping hazard.
Ask for a Free Water Truck Rental Quote
If you are looking for a water truck rental in Texas, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. At Water Truck Supply, we rent a variety of water trucks. We are a trusted provider of rental equipment for construction companies in civil construction, renewable energy, road and highway, and oil and gas. With over 10 years of experience in the industry, we know how to match our customers with the ideal rental for their needs. We will be happy to discuss with you all the available options for water truck rental in Texas as well as work with you to ensure that budget and time constraints are met. For more information about water truck rental contact our team today or request an equipment quote.
