What Do You Call a Water Truck? Types, Uses, and Buying Guide

Water trucks help keep dust down. They bring water to job sites. They are big tools that make work easier. Let’s learn all about them!

What Is a Water Truck?

A water truck is a big truck that holds lots of water. It has a tank on the back. The tank can be small or big. People also call these trucks:

• Water tanker trucks
• Water lorries
• Bulk water carriers
• Water haulers
• Sprinkler trucks

These trucks do many jobs. They help in building sites, farms, and towns.

Types of Water Trucks By Size

Water trucks come in different sizes. Here’s what you need to know:

The 2025 Peterbilt 548 is a strong truck. It can hold 4,000 gallons of water. It uses a good engine called PACCAR PX9.

How Water Trucks Are Used

Water trucks help in many ways:

1. Dust control – They spray water on dirt to keep dust down
2. Road building – They wet the ground before new roads are made
3. Farm watering – They bring water to crops and animals
4. Fire fighting – They help put out fires in places with no fire hydrants
5. Pool filling – They fill pools in homes
6. Drinking water – They bring clean water to places after storms

Many water trucks have spray heads that can put water where it’s needed. The Kenworth T480 water truck has six spray heads that the driver can control.

Parts of a Water Truck

A water truck has many parts that make it work:

• Tank – Holds the water (made from strong A36 steel)
• Pump – Moves the water from the tank to the spray heads
• Spray system – Puts water where you need it
• Cab controls – Let the driver use the water system
• Chassis – The truck frame that holds everything

Good water trucks use high strength steel. This makes them last a long time. Some tanks have special coatings inside to stop rust.

How to Pick the Right Water Truck

When you buy a water truck, think about:

1. How Much Water You Need

If you work on big sites, you need more water. A 5,000 gallon truck means fewer trips to fill up.

2. Truck Size and Power

Look at:

• GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) – How much the truck can weigh when full
• Engine type – Bigger jobs need stronger engines
• Transmission – Automatic makes driving easier

The Kenworth T480 has a GVWR of 66K which is very strong.

3. Spray System Options

Good spray systems help you do more:

• Front spray heads – Put water in front of the truck
• Side spray heads – Spray to the sides
• Rear spray heads – Wet the ground behind you
• Water cannon – Sprays water far away
• Hose reel – Lets you spray water by hand

Some trucks have air operated valves that make the spray heads easy to use.

4. New vs. Used

New trucks cost more but last longer. Used trucks save money but might need fixes.

You can buy water trucks from special dealers or rent them for short jobs.

Water Truck Care Tips

To keep your water truck working well:

• Clean the tank often to stop rust
• Check spray heads for clogs
• Watch pump pressure to catch problems early
• Empty water in cold weather so pipes don’t freeze
• Get regular service for the engine and truck parts

Popular Water Truck Models

Three top water truck models are:

1. Peterbilt 548 Water Truck
   • Strong PACCAR PX9 engine
   • 4,000 gallon tank
   • Good for tough jobs
2. Kenworth T480 Water Truck
   • Allison 3500-RDS transmission
   • 5,000 gallon tank
   • Six spray heads
3. Freightliner M2106 Water Truck
   • 4,000 gallon Load King tank
   • Good for medium jobs
   • Easy to drive

The Dump Truck and Tipper Truck are like water trucks but move dirt instead of water.

Where to Get a Water Truck

You can get water trucks from:

• Truck dealers who sell many kinds of work trucks
• Special truck stores like Custom Truck One Source
• Rental places for short-term jobs
• Used truck sales for lower prices

Many places also offer financing to help you pay over time.

Water Truck Facts

Did you know:

• Some water trucks can spray water up to 200 feet!
• Mining water trucks can be as big as a house
• Many new water trucks use less fuel than old ones
• Some Electric Sprinkler Trucks don’t use gas at all

Conclusion

Water trucks help in many ways. They keep dust down, help build roads, and bring water where it’s needed. When you pick a water truck, think about how much water you need and what jobs you will do.

Whether you call it a water truck, water tanker, or water lorry, these big helpers make work better and safer for many people.

Need help with other kinds of trucks? Check out our guides on Mobile Workshop Trucks or Road Maintenance Vehicles.