"Real world" (i.e. Arctic use) 4th gen Ram fleet review

[seafish]

Thought that you 4th gen guys might want to read this subjective but interesting review of a small fleet of Rams used in Arctic oil field maintenance.


http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...th-gen-fleet-review-after-year-arctic-321543/

 

[NWatchel]

Nice.
Worst of all possible conditions and they worked as well as can be expected. Cold is rough on everything, don't matter who is building them.

 

[JR]

Not too surprised about the Fords. Virtually every Power Stroke owner I know have problems of one sort or another in below zero weather.
I'm more than surprised they are even running diesels in those conditions. Extreme temps, long idle times, no hauling/towing. A gasser would outperform any diesel in those circumstances. Interesting comment on the "flammability" line of the gas trucks. Lots of guys running gassers in the oil fields in the lower 48. I would imagine it has more to do with available fuel supply, being so remote it is probably much easier to haul in one type of fuel for all the equipment. I would like to hear more on that comment he made, but I'm not a member there so I can't ask.

 

[Dl5treez]

I would imagine it has more to do with available fuel supply, being so remote it is probably much easier to haul in one type of fuel for all the equipment.

Pretty much. That, and it is easier regulation-wise to have diesel (combustible) around than gasoline (flammable) when it comes to storage, transfer, etc. Some people frown on spark ignition engines around areas where there is a risk of flammable vapors but these days with the ignition systems being mostly solid state and completely weather-proofed connections it is kind of a non-issue.

The legends of gasoline engines causing explosions when leaks occur and trucks are started to move away from the area is real. ...from back when distributors and such weren't completely "air tight" but it was more of an issue with people not following protocol----"screw the equipment, evacuate the area now"----than with the gaspot truck.

 

[RustyJC]

The legends of gasoline engines causing explosions when leaks occur and trucks are started to move away from the area is real. ...from back when distributors and such weren't completely "air tight" .....

That's what always puzzled me - people are worried about things like distributors and tend to ignore or dismiss the starter motors themselves. Have you ever looked inside one at the brushes and commutator when a starter is operating?

Rusty

 

[Tuesdak]

Unless the "motors" are marine rated with spark screens gas or diesel doesn't matter except for the fuel type. This be alternators, blower motors, etc.

Looks like they need an arctic emissions package for the diesels, otherwise, yes gasoline trucks are the better choice for that kind of use. Weather doesn't matter as much as the no-load, low power, low speed use. Even then you get to the spark plug fouling never warm the engine up problems. The Ice Truckers TV show touches on the emissions issues as well.

It would be interesting to know if they are buying USA emissions trucks when this level of emissions are not required for the area the trucks operate in?

Last company my dad worked for had 600 1/2 ton GM pickups with the 4.3 V6 gasser over in California oil fields. Most went over 200K with zero engine issues and 5K oil changes. The GM fuel pumps and level sensors didn't last while muddy weather broke axles in the fields from getting stuck. (Couple pickups even broke the frame although I think they were Fords.) The 1/2 ton V6 was the choice for fuel economy. Heavily loaded trucks were 3/4 tons. So I doubt the gasoline engine concern in oil fields. Welding is common in oil fields, eh? So I vote it's a fuel supply issue or blind incorrect for use diesel truck choice.

Halliburton loved their 1 ton diesel Fords.

 

[Dl5treez]

Very true on the electric motors. As I said some folks blame the gas engines but it was really a failure of protocol. Even a fire pump can start a fire if the motor had been tinkered with at one time and rendered unsealed.

Gas is available on the Slope but diesel is more abundant and being able to cross pollinate is helpful sometimes. That and many of those brand new trucks are test rigs, essentially free from the OEM in return for a long term report at the end of the "test" period/beatdown.

In very cold weather a gas rig has a chance of diluting oil when idled for prolonged periods. Not as much an issue with properly operating new stuff but O&G and other fleet departments are full of "in 1976 it sucked so we ain't doing that no more" thought processes.

I are one. To a point. LOL