Off road diesel

[chart1]

Has anyone ever had there fuel checked for die. If you had a chance to get some off road fuel for a lot cheaper would you use it. I work for a company that uses a lot of diesel generators and and gets them filled daily and they are willing to provide my fuel for my generator, but my tank is the same as for the engine.

[DaveG]

IF you should get checked, you could be in big trouble....is it worth the risk?

Then the thought process goes on, do you have a problem paying for highway maintenance?

[Highway Yacht]

Cory....I would have to say "No, I wouldn't put it in my bus". Yes, it would be tempting and the odds of getting caught are slim but the fines are very pricey if you do get caught. I would hate to spend my hours behind the wheel worried that the Man is right around the corner checking for dye. Also, it takes several fill ups after you quit using non highway fuel to get rid of the dye.

Jimmy

[Jaime]

If the price is right I would invest in an auxiliary tank for the generator, allows you to know how you generator is doing on fuel consumption as well.

[opus]

Yep, $10,000 fine from our ranch pickup, sitting on a used dealer lot.  They came and dipped it there, we got the fine. 

[rv_safetyman]

As has been mentioned, get a second tank.  I suspect you can find a space for some sort of standard one, or have one made up out of 1/8 inch plate (overkill, but you won't have to worry about strength).  I would guess you will pay for the metal in the first few tanks, if you get the fuel free.  I made mine so that it holds 40 gallons.  That feeds both the generator and the Aqua-Hot.  Best approach in my opinion.

You will be legal and not cheating the highway folks.

Jim

[Ed Hackenbruch]

Have never used it, would have been checked a couple of years ago between Quartzsite and Yuma but they had 4 or 5 rigs pulled over already so they just waved us through.

[buswarrior]

Tax evasion is the crime.

And the folks who find you using dyed fuel are close relations to the IRS...

How do you like an audit?

If you use enough generator/webasto/etc to make a difference, do as Jim suggests and get an auxiliary tank to go with your auxiliaries, and then use it legally.

Most busnuts do not use the coach enough for an aux tank to pay for itself, never mind another tank of stale fuel...

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[luvrbus]

Not worth the hassle of adding a separate tank unless you do have the diesel fired heat then when you use around 10 gals a day with a generator that will be a 4.00 dollar saving and you will use up that 4 bucks chasing around to buy it when you get away from you local suppliers Texas has both at most stations in farming towns fwiw 


good luck

[TomC]

The only way I would use off road Diesel is the method I'm using-a 150gal tank for the main engine and a 75 gal tank for the generator.  Both are connected by a cross over with valves just in case.  Good Luck, TomC

[robertglines1]

one question/comment. Why does highway fuel have a lower centane rating than off road? why did I get 1plus mile more per gallon.? not worth the fine! Never been dipped.   Bob

[luvrbus]

It was that way in the past Bob but not any longer they make one grade of fuel now expect for the home heating oil it can be up too 3000ppm sulphur contents


good luck

[roadrunnertex]

On my coach I have a separate 35 gallon fuel tank for the generator set.
Where we live in Texas you must have a permit to buy off road red diesel.
I buy my red diesel from a local company where a copy of my permit is on file.
I have a diesel Ford farm tractor for maintenance on our property.
So most of the red off road diesel that I buy is for the tractor.
And very little for the diesel generator set.
I would not advise using red diesel in the main fuel tank it could get costly.
jlv

[luvrbus]

If you buy from a bulk station in Texas a permit has to be on file but in the stations around Brady to Killeen that sells the red fuel at the pumps you sign a affidavit with each purchase or you can buy clear fuel and sign a affidavit for non road use then the state will refund the taxes 


good luck

[Merlin-PV]

___Beware of red fuel!___ last year I fueled up in vagus when I got the receipt from the cashier on the bottom in capitol letters NO DIE DECTED. sensors on the fuel nozzle hard to defeat that