What's in your tank?

[JR]

Thank goodness we don't have any of this crap in Alaska. We have heating oil and ultra low sulphur diesel.......and it's all the same here. They don't even put dye in it.

I could​ be wrong but it's been my understanding heating oil is ULSD everywhere by fed standards. I also thought the dye was for fed tax purposes. When I buy off-road fuel here it is generally about ¢25 a gallon cheaper at the pump, but then I have to pay sales tax.

 

[jhenderson]

I could​ be wrong but it's been my understanding heating oil is ULSD everywhere by fed standards. I also thought the dye was for fed tax purposes. When I buy off-road fuel here it is generally about ¢25 a gallon cheaper at the pump, but then I have to pay sales tax.

You are correct on all counts. I buy my off road at the on road pump then apply for a refund on the road tax at the end of the year. I have to wait for my tax refund but it actually works out cheaper than putting in a storage tank and having off road fuel delivered. Plus I know the fuel is fresh. I only use about 20 gals a week so a home tank might make enough condensation to give me grief over the long run.

 

[JR]

You are correct on all counts. I buy my off road at the on road pump then apply for a refund on the road tax at the end of the year. I have to wait for my tax refund but it actually works out cheaper than putting in a storage tank and having off road fuel delivered. Plus I know the fuel is fresh. I only use about 20 gals a week so a home tank might make enough condensation to give me grief over the long run.

Is there a difference price wise between doing what you do and just buying off-road at the pump? Don't have to pay sales tax doing it your way?
I average 40-50 gallons a month of off-road and previously just filled my in bed tank when I needed it. That was on my long bed which I got rid of last week and is no longer feasible to keep a tank in my new (short bed). I still have the tank and also have a 250 gallon storage tank but am hesitant to use it for the reasons you mentioned. It's a 150 gallon minimum delivery here which would be close to 4 months supply for me. Depending on the season I'd have to treat it.

 

[jhenderson]

That depends. Are you talking about sales tax or road use tax? There is no off road fuel available near me at a retail gas station. I still pay state sales tax but file for a return of federal road use tax on the gallons that I use in my woods equipment. I do the same with my chainsaw fuel. When I take off the fed tax, the fuel I buy at the pump is cheaper than I can buy off road delivered to my house.

 

[JR]

There is no off road fuel available near me at a retail gas station.

This is where I was confused, I thought you were saying you intentionally buy on road fuel over off road at the pump.

There is a fuel terminal near me that is mostly used for fuel deliveries. It is open to the public but not many people other than the local farmers are even aware of it. They offer competitive prices including a discount for cash sales. It is where I generally go for both on and off road fuel.

 

[DonFitzwater]

I could​ be wrong but it's been my understanding heating oil is ULSD everywhere by fed standards. I also thought the dye was for fed tax purposes. When I buy off-road fuel here it is generally about ¢25 a gallon cheaper at the pump, but then I have to pay sales tax.

We don't have fuel dye here....just a different price for what you buy.