Red Fuel

[Schrowang]

OK guys, this may sound like a stupid question, but after reading a dozen or more threads from diesel owners shaking in their boots because some dude put off road fuel in their tank, I've got to ask it.



How many of us have actually been stopped, while driving a non-commercial diesel powered vehicle, and been "dipped" to see if the the fuel in our tanks was off road fuel?



I mean, are the fuel police out there, lurking on the highways and by-ways just waiting for some unsuspecting, diesel powered, light truck owner to come zipping along and then stop him to dip the tank?



Yeah, I know, "its a risk", and yeah, "it could happen", but has it?



I've put about half of my 45K miles in interstate driving, both bob-cat and towing my 5er. I've stopped at Flying-J, Petro, Pilot, TA and a number of independent truck stops, filled up at both the RV islands and at the big-rig islands. I've stopped in rest areas for lunch or to water a dandelion while the state police (and in one case the state MV inspectors) have been present. And never once in all that time has someone from officialdom looked askance at me and said, "Son, you look hinky to me! I'm gonna' dip your tank. " Oo.



Truth tellin' time guys, let's hear it. Has it happened to you? Not someone you know, or someone you've heard about, but to you?



All this, in the interest of logic and reason. :-laf



Mike

 

[mwhals]

I don't know anyone that has had their tank dipped.



Mark H

 

[DBoggs]

Happened to me several years ago at the Heber City Port of Entry in Heber, Utah. Sign on the side of the road said "All diesel powered vehicles stop for... "



It was actually the IRS doing the checking, using the Utah Hwy Patrol for the muscle.



They have these checks here every now and then. I have no clue how they would know if a diesel car or pickup went by without stopping unless it was really loud, guess they were just counting on people being honest. Course having said that it is a wonder anyone stopped.



Duane

 

[jelag]

All of our trucks show our DOT number, and in some cases we have to scale based on the weight of the truck and trailer... . every truck we own has been dipped at least 3-4 times a year as it crosses the scales and has been inspected... .



On the other hand... I've been driving a personal diesel truck... . no logo, no DOT info for 20 years..... back when the 6. 9L Fords first came out... and was never looked at in that pickup... . so I'm betting that in your personal truck you'd be fine... I usually get a new one ever 16-18 months and turn the old one over to the company... .



We drive I-15 through UT every month... . have never seen the above mentioned sign in UT or in any other state... .

 

[McCRam]

"All diesel powered vehicles stop for... "



Thats profiling! They should pull over all vehicles to test the tanks.

 

[DPKetchum]

Well I know its a FREIND but he goes in and out of Kentucky a lot. About 6 months ago he called me on his cell and said got stopped and dipped. He of course had no idea you could run red fuel without harm and never really though of using it etc. He's on the road a lot and first and only time he ever saw anyone checking.

 

[BigPapa]

... state police (and in one case the state MV inspectors) have been present.

It's not the state police or any police that you need to look out for, it's the revenuers. I have a customer who is a "Revenue Regulatory Officer, Special Investigations Section" and he told us that they occasionally set up in rest areas but mainly they hit the cattle sales and places like Tractor Supply stores, Lowes or Home Depot, farm equipment and construction equipment stores. His card even has a 1-800 number to "Report fraud". He said they get quite a few this way, too.



Scott

 

[GOlsen]

This may seem like a dumb question, but what is the penalty for being caught with red fuel?

 

[Alan Reagan]

I got checked in Georgia. I buy off road fuel for my tractor at the same place I buy my truck fuel. Apparently, they were watching me buy fuel from the off road pump. They didn't dip. They just opened the fuel door and removed the cap to make sure there was no dye in the neck.

 

[CBrahs]

Depends on the rig and how much you have onboard. If you are commercial and get caught you get the shaft but a little guy that comes up with a good story might get a break. I had 2 duramax trucks before this one and had the RDS 90 gallon tank in the bed. I filled up with red fuel everytime I went to Idaho to visit family. Never once got pulled over or questioned, I did however get a little questioning when I was hauling cattle with my Peterbilt. Never got caught though.

 

[FYarcho]

Well your right, I am a police officer in Calif. I have never stopped somone to inspect a tank, and as far as I know neither does the highway patrol. I have also driven commercial trucks for year and again never had my fuel inspected. But!!!!! there is a risk involved. For example I responded to a traffic accident once, involving, You guessed it a diesel pick up, The fuel tank had ruptured and guess what came out. Red Deisel. The owner of the truck owned a gravel plant with a permit to purchase red diesel for his equipment. When it was all said and done. He and gotted about $10,000. 00 in fines and lost his permit to purchase red diesel. So I'm the loss of the pemit was far more expensive than the fine!!!



So you always have to be aware of Murphy's law, and ask yourself it is worth the risk!!

 

[JensenC]

Happened to me for the first time about a month ago north of Sacramento in the middle of nowhere in farm country.

 

[RogersM]

From what I've "heard" it's about a $20k fine AND loss of vehicle in Ca. Whatever it is, it's not worth it to try.

 

[Mobius1]

So what is the major advantage of running red fuel? Is there a price differene? Does it make more power?

 

[RogersM]

No Highway taxes so it's somewhat cheaper... maybe 25 cents or so per gallon. Whatever the amt. it's not worth the risk. It's the same diesel but just has red dye so they detect the scofflaws... . no more power.

 

[DocDetonancour]

I know of dozens of Midnight farmers that run the off road and have never heard of them being checked. Doc

 

[JWChessell]

Mike Schrowang:



GREAT THREAD! REAL Info! Good on ya, son!



PS: No, I haven't used red diesel and I haven't been dipped. However, I'll keep you posted.

 

[raksasa]

This may seem like a dumb question, but what is the penalty for being caught with red fuel?

I copied this from the Washington State Patrol Website. Interesting info regarding how much of the cost/gal is tax. The article is dated August 15, 2006 and specifically mentions commercial vehicles.



WSP TO INCREASE DYED DIESEL CHECKS



Captain Coral Estes of the Washington State Patrol (WSP) Commercial Vehicle Division (CVD) announced today an increase in the number of checks for the presence of dyed diesel in commercial motor vehicles. Diesel with a red dye in it indicates no tax is collected on the fuel.



Currently the federal government collects 24. 4 cents per gallon of diesel in tax while Washington State collects 34 cents a gallon on regular diesel. Red dyed diesel can be used in unlicensed vehicles such as backhoes and some farm equipment. “With the additional 3 cents on the state tax effective July 1, 2006, we are seeing an increase in the illegal use of red dyed diesel”, stated Trooper Brian Messer. Emphases are planned for around the state in coming months.



A fine of $1,000 is assessed by the Department of Licensing when red dyed diesel is found being used illegally in a fuel tank. Violators are also subject to a citation and additional court fines. To report the illegal use of red dyed diesel, you can call 1 (800) 497-FUEL. All calls are confidential.

 

[JLovas]

No Highway taxes so it's somewhat cheaper... maybe 25 cents or so per gallon. Whatever the amt. it's not worth the risk. It's the same diesel but just has red dye so they detect the scofflaws... . no more power.

Its more than that... Red fuel doesn't have any state or federal tax. Federal tax on diesel is 24. 4 cents/gal and for North Dakota the state tax is 23 cents/gal, so for me it would be 47. 4 cents/gal cheaper to run red. My personal pickup has never been dipped, but I've had lots of farm trucks dipped, and all by our local HP (Highway Patrol). I have heard lots of neighbors complaining about being dipped with their pickups at farm auctions and livestock shows/sales.



As far as the fine, I'm sure it varies between states, but since there is a large economic incentive to run red, you can bet the fine is really nasty.

 

[PSchwering]

I have been checked once, & my brother has been checked twice. It is interesting to note, that he wears a "Farm" license Plate. The One time I was checked, I was pulling his trailer, With farm plates. Talk about profiling!



Also, In Indiana, the fine for the first offense is not to bad - something like $500. For your second offense they really stick it to you. I Don't know anyone who has been busted twice. Pat.