What is center of gravity (CG) and why is it critical in tanker operations?

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Multiple Choice

What is center of gravity (CG) and why is it critical in tanker operations?

Center of gravity is the point where the combined weight of the vehicle and its cargo effectively acts. In tanker operations this matters because it directly governs stability and how the vehicle handles. If the center of gravity is too high or shifted to one side, the truck becomes more prone to rollover during turns, lane changes, or sudden braking. Liquids add another layer: as the cargo moves inside the tank, especially when the tank isn’t full or has sharp turns, the weight can shift, raising or shifting the CG and making handling less predictable—the free surface effect. To keep things safe, the CG should be kept low and centered, with the load distributed evenly and liquid motion restrained by tank design features like baffles. Improper CG makes rollover risk increase and handling become less controllable, which is why managing CG is critical in every tanker operation.

Center of gravity is the point where the combined weight of the vehicle and its cargo effectively acts. In tanker operations this matters because it directly governs stability and how the vehicle handles. If the center of gravity is too high or shifted to one side, the truck becomes more prone to rollover during turns, lane changes, or sudden braking. Liquids add another layer: as the cargo moves inside the tank, especially when the tank isn’t full or has sharp turns, the weight can shift, raising or shifting the CG and making handling less predictable—the free surface effect. To keep things safe, the CG should be kept low and centered, with the load distributed evenly and liquid motion restrained by tank design features like baffles. Improper CG makes rollover risk increase and handling become less controllable, which is why managing CG is critical in every tanker operation.

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