Remount Authority
Is your tank worth remounting?
Most petroleum tanks outlast their chassis by 5-10 years. Remounting extends a paid-for tank's working life on a new trailer — but only if the tank is actually worth remounting. Our assessment process gives you an honest answer.
The question
The math is usually about the tank, not the trailer.
Petroleum tanks are expensive. A new DOT 406 tank trailer can run $80K-$150K depending on configuration. The tank itself accounts for most of the cost — the chassis is comparatively cheap. When a trailer ages out of useful service, the chassis is what's usually worn out: suspension, brakes, frame, electrical. The tank can have years of useful life left.
Tank remounting takes the still-useful tank, inspects it thoroughly, and mounts it on a new trailer chassis. Cost is typically half to two-thirds of a new trailer. Useful life of the remounted unit is often 8-12 more years.
The real question isn't whether to remount in principle. It's whether your specific tank is worth remounting.
Quick indicators
Some signs a tank IS worth remounting.
Tank is under 15 years old
Most DOT 406/407/412 tanks have 25-30 years of useful life if maintained. A 10-12 year old tank typically has another 13-18 years of service in it.
Clean tank test history
If your tank has been passing pressure tests, lining inspections, and internal inspections without major issues, the tank itself is probably fine.
No major incidents
If the tank hasn't been involved in rollovers, low-clearance strikes, or significant damage events, structural integrity is likely intact.
Chassis is what's worn
If your trailer is in service today because the tank holds compliance, but the brakes/suspension/frame are at end-of-life, that's a remount candidate.
Tank shows shell corrosion
Localized corrosion can often be repaired during remount. Widespread shell thinning detected during NDT may push the math toward replacement instead.
Internal lining is failing
Lined tanks with failing linings can be re-lined during remount. Tanks with persistent lining failures suggest underlying tank issues worth investigating.
Tank is 25+ years old with active issues
A tank pushing 30 years with active compliance issues isn't usually a remount candidate. We'll tell you that honestly.
Major structural damage
A tank that's been in a serious incident with significant shell or bulkhead damage may not be economical to repair. The math has to be honest.
The process
From question to answer.
Send us photos and details
Tank year, manufacturer, configuration, recent inspection history, any known issues. Photos of the tank, fittings, valve mounts, manhole assemblies.
Preliminary read in 48 hours
We give you an initial assessment based on the photos and history. Sometimes we can tell remount is the right call from the photos alone. Sometimes we need a closer look.
Optional in-person inspection
If the preliminary read is positive, bring the unit to Knoxville (or schedule a mobile inspection if it's within radius). We do NDT, internal inspection, and full assessment.
Final quote with timeline
Detailed quote: tank work needed, chassis preparation, mounting, testing, documentation. Realistic timeline. No surprises after approval.
The numbers
Remount vs. replacement — rough math.
Every situation is different. These are illustrative numbers for orientation, not quotes. Your tank, your chassis condition, and required compliance work all affect the actual economics.
New trailer
- New tank + new chassis: $100K-$150K typical
- Lead time: months for delivery
- New manufacturer warranty
- Useful life: 25-30 years
Tank remount
- Existing tank + new chassis + remount work: $50K-$90K typical
- Lead time: 2-4 weeks from chassis arrival
- R-stamp work documented and reported
- Useful life of remounted unit: 8-15 years
For most fleet operators we work with, remounting is the better economic choice when the tank is in good condition. We'll only recommend remount if the math actually works in your favor — we don't push remount work for the sake of doing remount work.
Questions fleet managers ask.
How much does the assessment cost?
The preliminary read based on photos and history is free. If we proceed to a full in-person inspection, that's included in any remount quote you accept. If you decide not to proceed, in-person inspections are billed at our standard inspection rate.
Do you need to do the remount work, or can I take your assessment elsewhere?
You can take the assessment anywhere. Our preliminary read isn't locked to a Post Onsite commitment. That said, R-stamp work has to be performed by a certified shop, and not many shops on the I-40 and I-75 corridors hold the certification. If you go elsewhere for the remount, verify R-stamp certification first.
What if my tank isn't a candidate for remount?
We tell you. Honestly. Sometimes the math says replace. We'd rather lose a remount quote than mount a tank that shouldn't be mounted.
How long does the full remount process take?
From decision to mounted unit: typically 4-8 weeks. The variables are chassis lead time (if we're sourcing) and any R-stamp work required before mounting.
Can you handle multiple remounts for a fleet?
Yes. We work with fleet operators on multi-tank remount programs — sequencing the work over 6-12 months to fit operational schedules. Talk to us about volume.
Take the assessment.
Send us photos and details. We respond with a preliminary read within 48 hours. No commitment.
Include tank year, manufacturer, configuration, recent inspection history, and any known issues. Photos help us give an accurate preliminary read.