Running offroad diesel fuel in highway use trucks

[frank1]

I have a friend who runs a landscaping business and has an on site diesel tank to fill his farm tractors. Lately, (to save a few bucks) he's been filling his diesel trucks with it. He runs it through his CAT engines, two Sterling (w/cummins engines), and a couple of Fords and one Durmax. Besides being illegal, what potential engine problems will he encounter if any???

 

[Gonzo 1066]

The ONLY issue is the potential legal one. The red dyed fuel is exactly the same fuel as on road anymore. 2 years ago Offroad was still the higher sulfur. Most states have very stiff fines for illegal offroad fuel use. He has to know that ANYONE can turn him in, be it a disgruntled employee, boss, neighbor or wife. Here in Washington state the fine is quite high. Not worth the risk.

 

[BSMcCauley]

And that dye is to fuel, like stench is to propane (anyone who's tried to use a propane tank as an air compressor receiver knows what I'm talking about - you can't wash that out). It's gonna take a LOT of legal fuel to diminish the evidence.

 

[goodguys75]

I figure if i drive my truck in the dirt a couple of feet, then it is off road use... lol Im sure a lot of people do it... . and if you carry spare tank in the back of truck, like a farmer or someone does, and you use it, I would think you have a good chance of your tank being checked on the truck, if the police officer is bord... . lol... but the price aint that much cheaper anyway. . at least in las vegas..... not worth the risk,,,,:{

 

[RAton]

In Calif. CHP sets up road side checks and dips your tank.

 

[jgillott]

In Calif. CHP sets up road side checks and dips your tank.

Happens in PA also.

 

[BIGNASTY]

And that dye is to fuel, like stench is to propane (anyone who's tried to use a propane tank as an air compressor receiver knows what I'm talking about - you can't wash that out). It's gonna take a LOT of legal fuel to diminish the evidence.

Do you really think so Gee I used to haul 7600 gal of Reddye to jobsites and then turn around and load 7600 of ULSD to a station never had any problems doing that !

 

[Road Dog]

A friend has a single axle tractor unit and the tanks have baffles so you can't dip if it's less than half full. Since it's a construction vehicle (he hauls his excavator with it) he's allowed "10% marked fuel" whatever tha means. With a 100gal fuel pod on the back he's his own fuel station.

 

[Wingate]

The fine has become quite expensive here in Texas.

Texas DPS has stepped up enforcement and checking of trucks... . Most of the trucks i've heard of them checking are roughnecks coming off rigs...

 

[rscurtis]

Do you really think so Gee I used to haul 7600 gal of Reddye to jobsites and then turn around and load 7600 of ULSD to a station never had any problems doing that !

You never had a problem because you would completely empty the tank. This is not practical on a vehicle that you don't want to run out of fuel.

 

[CBlack]

In Louisiana I've heard of them checking any dually, especially those running the back roads.

Word on the street is that the fine is around $10,000 per incident.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Pretty much empty but you cant ever get it REALLY empty. Your rite it doesn't take much to taint the fuel

 

[Bill Stockard]

The fine has become quite expensive here in Texas.

Texas DPS has stepped up enforcement and checking of trucks.....

I have a license to buy off road diesel fuel and buy it regularly and I've been driving diesel pickups since 1984, but have never put a drop of red dyed fuel in any of them. The risk isn't worth it...



On the licnese application, it askes if you own on the road diesel powered trucks so the state knows I drive a diesel powered vehicle. Also the dispatcher at the wholesale fuel outlet where I purchase my off road fuel writes down the tag number on my truck for his log book each time I bring in my off road fuel tank to be filled.



Bill

 

[RustyJC]

I haven't been around West Texas recently, but it was commonplace for the state revenue boys to dip tanks in the parking lot of livestock and farm equipment auctions.



Rusty

 

[Bill Stockard]

I haven't been around West Texas recently, but it was commonplace for the state revenue boys to dip tanks in the parking lot of livestock and farm equipment auctions.



Rusty

I attend a pesticide applicators seminar every January to keep my pesticide applicators license current. The parking lot is filled with diesel farm pickups and I've thought that would be an ideal place for the "revenuers" to dip some fuel tanks.



Bill

 

[Yo Hoot]

Happens in PA also.

I've been driving diesel pickups since 96 and have never been dipped or heard of anyone getting dipped in the PA Tri State area. I'm sure it happens but I've not seen it. Unless you are talking big trucks.

 

[jgillott]

I've been driving diesel pickups since 96 and have never been dipped or heard of anyone getting dipped in the PA Tri State area. I'm sure it happens but I've not seen it. Unless you are talking big trucks.

It was very common here at the intersection of I-70 and the PA Turnpike in New Stanton when fuel prices were high the last time around. I understand that it has started up again recently. We have a ton of gravel, waste, and drill water haulers here that they tend to look at fairly closely. The only non-commercial guy heard of getting dipped was actually at the Donegal exit of the Turnpike on Rt-31. I don't know what the fine is, but from what I have heard, it ends up being pretty steep.

 

[Yo Hoot]

And I guess with my big diesel decals I'm a moving target

 

[Wingate]

I attend a pesticide applicators seminar every January to keep my pesticide applicators license current. The parking lot is filled with diesel farm pickups and I've thought that would be an ideal place for the "revenuers" to dip some fuel tanks.



Bill

About 6 months ago, i was passing thru Buffalo Texas and the weights and scales DPS officer was at the livestock sale barn there in town... he appeared to be checking tanks that day.....

Reason I was paying so close of attention was that I had my little 3/4 ton way overloaded with round bales!!!... .

 

[DennyDay]

They check on a regular basis in North Carolina and the North Georgia area