Fuel logistics have a bigger impact on field operations than many teams realize. Fuel is often the biggest single line item cost for fleets, construction sites, and other businesses that center around trucks or heavy equipment. Research estimates suggest fuel makes up 40 to 60 percent of a fleet’s total operating budget. According to the U.S. Department of Energy and Business News Daily, long-haul trucks idle for an average of 6 hours per day — or 1,830 hours annually — and burn 0.8 to 1.5 gallons per hour doing it. That would add up to $12,000 per truck, per year, in costly wasted fuel.
Other complications in fuel management abound. Missed deliveries, long refueling runs, the wrong tank setup…all of these can delay equipment and throw off project timelines, ultimately driving up costs when crews are stuck waiting. If your business manages jobsite equipment or vehicle fleets, it pays to ensure your daily operations are more predictable with on-site access to reliable, right-sized fuel tanks.
Explore the core elements of a fuel tank rental strategy: how tanks are selected, where fueling methods differ, and what to know about site regulations, delivery timing, and fuel types. You might be managing backup generators on a worksite or hoping to keep a landscaping fleet productive during peak season. Either way, tank rentals can offer greater control over fuel availability, safety, and cost.
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Fuel is one of the largest operating costs for construction crews (Equipment World pegs fuel at 40% of the operating budget), delivery fleets (Automotive Fleet Magazine puts it at 60% of the total fleet budget), and other equipment-based businesses.
Tank rentals play an instant strategic role in streamlining broader fleet fuel management by:
Crews with the right tank in place can fill up at the start or end of each shift without even leaving the yard. That convenience eliminates unnecessary downtime and logistical inefficiencies that add up across a busy workweek. The time savings might even help you knock out a few deadlines that would have otherwise been missed. Businesses can also choose to integrate tanks with fleet fuel cards for even better visibility into usage (i.e. by driver, or by vehicle).
Some contractors will rent tanks for singleton projects. Others with longer-term locations or bases of operations may consider adding permanent tanks right at their shop — or even layering in on-site fueling support from a local fuel provider. Either approach gives operators more control over margins and more flexibility when projects scale.
It would be easy to presume every project could just use the same diesel tank. Actually, diesel tanks come in multiple capacities and formats: portable, trailer-mounted tanks, larger stationary models with integrated spill containment, tanks outfitted with digital monitoring technology, and more. The right diesel tank rental for your site depends on factors like:
For instance, a smaller portable fuel tank rental might suit a landscaping business that just wants to avoid daily gas station trips. On the other hand, a larger temporary fuel tank rental with remote level monitoring could be ideal for a construction job that needs constant diesel access over a three-month build.
Tank type matters, too. Sites in urban or environmentally sensitive areas are often required to use double-walled diesel fuel storage tanks to meet compliance rules. In rural settings, single-wall tanks may be acceptable as long as there's reinforced spill containment on-site. It’s worth a dive into the pros, cons, and local regulations surrounding fuel tank rentals to prevent costly permitting issues or fines.
An on-site fueling service is one of the best ways for a business to eliminate time employees spend traveling offsite to fuel up. Fuel arrives directly to the jobsite via delivery truck. This could be through bulk delivery into an on-site tank or even a more concierge service like “wet hosing,” where a fuel technician personally fills up each machine or vehicle, individually — often overnight, while the operation is otherwise inactive. This flexibility lets companies keep crews focused on work rather than wasting time or fuel driving elsewhere.
It’s true that a premium service like wet hosing must include the cost of the labor and time it takes to fill up your vehicles. The biggest advantage you’re getting in return is efficiency. Rather than figuring out how to park every vehicle near a central tank, fuel trucks can make their way around your site to fill machines up wherever they’re naturally stationed. This saves you time, simplifies routing, and reduces idle hours across large fleets.
Wet hosing is the most valuable for construction sites with multiple types of equipment or operations where frequent machine relocation makes centralized refueling inefficient. It can also support businesses that don’t have the infrastructure or security to safely store diesel overnight.
Your fuel delivery partner can certainly supply diesel or gasoline, as appropriate, for your vehicles. However, some equipment prefers specialty fuels. Landscaping equipment, for example, generally runs better on ethanol-free gasoline because assets like mowers, trimmers, and small-engine tools tend to break down quickly when exposed to ethanol blends.
Ethanol can attract moisture, corrode components, and shorten the life of critical machines. Non-ethanol gasoline helps protect small engines and reduce maintenance-related downtime. A dedicated fuel tank rental with regular delivery is a great way to keep this important specialty fuel available on-site during peak season and maximize the productivity of your crews.
Any fleet operating diesel equipment will also require diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) to meet emissions regulations. Since a comparatively low volume of DEF is needed vs. the diesel itself, many operations get stuck in the trap of picking it up ad hoc at convenience stores. This multiplies the long-term cost dramatically.
You can rent and place DEF tanks on-site alongside diesel tanks for easy access to the 5, 10, or even 50 gallon increments fleets need to keep equipment going. It makes compliances a lot easier and reduces the number of supply stops needed during the week. Some DEF tanks come with weather-resistant housing and easy-to-use pump systems that are designed for jobsite conditions.
Machinery like hydraulics, engines, transmissions, and cooling systems all depend on fluids that match your unique circumstances (workload, temperature, equipment specs, etc.). Yet, many operations treat lubricant selection as an afterthought — or worse, pick based on price alone.
Poor lubricant performance leads to accelerated wear, higher maintenance costs, and shorter equipment lifespan. It’s always best to consult with a Certified Lubricant Specialist (CLS) to match your spec to the right hydraulic fluids, diesel engine oils, and gear lubricants for every machine you run.
Storm season poses a unique threat to business continuity. This goes doubly for businesses with critical infrastructure like hospitals, grocery stores, data centers, and municipal operations. A reliable generator fuel tank is invaluable in an extended outage.
For many operations, diesel generators serve as a last line of defense against power loss…but only if they’re full and functional. It’s also not unusual for rarely used backup systems to be infrequently tested or refueled. When you’ve lost track of generator fuel levels and a storm rolls in, the last thing you want is to be caught on empty.
Always prep ahead of hurricane season with scheduled generator fuel deliveries, fuel tank checks, and backup refueling strategies. Generator fuel demand predictably spike just before a major storm hits. If you (like many people) wait until the forecast looks bad, that could leave you waiting in line and without fuel when demand surges.
Businesses that already use on-site tank rentals for fleet fueling will often integrate generator fuel delivery into the same plan. That way, power and production can both stay online, even during severe weather.
There’s a big difference between renting a tank for a three-month jobsite and managing a long-term fueling strategy for a regional fleet — both in financial strategy and in regulatory compliance. Diesel fuel storage tanks are subject to a broad range of federal, state, and local regulations. These often include:
Pay close attention to approved tank types and permit requirements so as to head off costly violations before it’s too late. Jobsites near waterways or within city limits, for example, often require double-wall diesel tanks with spill containment and overfill protection. Others may require temporary fueling permits or documentation of off-road diesel use.
Fleet managers should also be aware of requirements around fuel taxes and usage, particularly when using dyed (off-road) diesel. Never fuel up an on-road vehicle with off-road diesel, even by mistake, or you could face serious penalties.
(On the flip side, if you aren’t taking advantage of tax-free off-road diesel for your off-road construction equipment, you’re leaving major dollars on the table.)
Whatley Oil serves facilities across Georgia and Alabama with scheduled fuel tank rentals and fuel deliveries. We’ve helped customers save money and time for 70 years with safe, compliant, and cost-effective fuel systems. Call us up for everything from short-term solutions for construction sites and temporary generator support to long-term fueling strategy for year-round regional fleet operations. Whatley provides the equipment, fuel, and support to keep your operation running:
We’re local, experienced, and ready to help! Contact the Whatley Oil team to find the right solution for your site or learn more about our fuel tank rental services.
Have any questions not already answered in the discussion above? Check out this skimmable Fuel Rental FAQ.