Diesel fuel
Net news
pretty good economy. We have never owned any diesel vehicle and were
wondering if finding diesel fuel is a problem. Do these engines require a
different diesel than the big 18-wheelers require? Is diesel fuel readily
available even in remote areas? I worry that finding diesel may be a
problem in many areas that we like to visit. Please share any experiences if
you have a diesel vehicle... Al and Judy
RAM^3
news:XZmTd.457$C47...@newssvr14.news.prodigy.com:
Finding diesel is rarely a problem any more since so many pickups now
have diesel engines. <G>
The fuel is exactly the same as that used by the "big rigs".
One suggestion: when selecting a fuelling point, try to find one that
_does_ handle the "big rigs" since their supply is more likely to be
"fresh" and free of contaminants. [They may, or may not, also be a bit
cheaper.]
Which "remote areas" did you have in mind?
Tom J
"Net news" <now...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:XZmTd.457$C47...@newssvr14.news.prodigy.com...
I have traveled all over North America and have always found diesel
available where needed. When I say all over, I mean every Province in
Canada, every State in the USA and 14 States in Mexico. The only
precaution I would suggest is, if you don't normally refuel at about
1/2 tank, start doing so. You need to get out of the rig to walk
around and stretch anyway. That way, if a station is out of fuel or
the power is off, you can make it to the next village/town.
Tom J
Tom J
ww...@cwnet.com
I have had a diesel since 1978. (And it was a Mercedes) In those days,
we had to be a bit careful as the diesel stations were not always open
in the boonies. Today, with all the diesel cars as well as trucks and
Motor homes, it is hard to find a place that DOESN'T have diesel. I
wouldn't worry about finding diesel any more than you would for
gasoline.
George
On Thu, 24 Feb 2005 16:08:23 GMT, "Net news" <now...@yahoo.com>
wrote:
Gary L. Smith
wrote:
>We are considering buying an RV that has a Mercedes diesel engine with
In most cases there is no choice in type of diesel. It is the same as
the 18-wheelers use. It is available on a widespread basis, almost
anywhere the truckers go. When you are going into a "remote" area,
where you believe it isn't available, fill up first. Try to get you
diesel from high volume truck stops so you get fresh, and likely less
contaminated fuel.
Gary
RichA
wrote:
>We are considering buying an RV that has a Mercedes diesel engine with
Hi,
All diesel engines use the same fuel. It is a good idea to buy
diesel fuel at truck stops because they have a high turnover rate and
the fuel does not sit for long periods of time. Diesel fuel *IF*
stored improperly and *IF* it sits for extended periods can have algae
start growing in it. That's why it's better to purchase at a high
volume dealer rather then a mom and pop gas station that might only
sell a few gallons a week. Flying J and Love's are two truck stop
chains that cater to RV'ers.
With my pickup truck I can go well over 500 miles between fill ups.
With the motor home 1200 miles. With those numbers if you are
crossing large remote areas you can fill up before hand and not worry
about it. When traveling I try and keep the motor home's tanks above
1/4 tank anyway because the generator also runs off of diesel and if
the tank gets to low the generator won't be able to get fuel.
Diesel is much more widely used then most think. Many farmers use
diesel engine tractors and many boats have diesel engines besides all
of the over the road trucks. One of the most friendly places we got
fuel was at a small restaurant/gas station in the middle of
Minnesota's farm belt with nothing around but corn and tractors. Was
the local major fuel supplier for farmers and local truckers to get
diesel fuel. Got fuel and had a good time talking to the locals and
our grand kids made some new friends.
Finding fuel should not be a consideration when deciding between
diesel and gasoline powered vehicles. Unless you normally go where
there are no people at all for hundreds of miles. But then gasoline
would be hard to find too :)
Take care and Happy Campin...
RichA
"We Get Too Soon Olde and Too Late Smart"
Anonymous
southeast oregon down through Lava beds, or through some of south Utah
remote areas. We recall a few hundred miles through pretty remote roads and
not much traffic. These diesel fuel units can go 500 miles so I can see
where it's probably OK today... Al
RichA
wrote:
Hi,
Made basically that trip last year but in reverse. Never had any
problems finding diesel. Fill up before you start crossing the wide
open areas to be on the safe side.
My pickup can go over 500 miles empty. If you are going to be towing
or weigh more then 8000 lbs your milage will be lower. When I towed
my 8000 plus pound trailer with my over 7000 pound pickup I got a
little over 300 miles to a tank. Of course again it depends upon the
size of the tank and the MPG you get. My motor home tank is 150
gallons so 1200 miles isn't a problem with it.
Jim Walker
enough. My engine runs cooler than a gasser and cold weather makes that a
bit cooler, but I still get heat for defrosting interior heating. If you
want lots of heat from the Sprinter then maybe the arctic package would be
worth looking into. I don't think it is needed though.
--
Jim Walker
Northern Virginia
<Trekking Tom> wrote in message
news:e1os11pruvujm8sel...@4ax.com...
> You are probably considering a Mercedes Sprinter conversion.
> You may want to check on how much it will cost to change the oil, fuel
> filter, headlight bulbs, other bulbs. A friend has one and was amazed
> at the Mercedes only parts and how much they are. Another thing is if
> you are in areas where you get winter weather you should also consider
> the Sprinter option "Artic" package. Weather below freezing you will
> not have any cabin heat from the motor. The company story is the motor
> is so efficient there is no heat left over from the engine. Sure you
> can turn the furnace on, but you don't get the defroster with that.
>
> Tom
>
>
>
> On Thu, 24 Feb 2005 16:08:23 GMT, "Net news" <now...@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>
Jim Walker
Interesting. I refuel at 1/2 tank also with the occasional instance of
running down to close to empty. The latter is when I know exactly where the
next fuel stop is. Diesel is fairly easy to find, but finding it where I
can get access with my MH reduces that some. I have a maximum range of
about 1000 miles on my DP, so it isn't a problem. I am mostly on highways
and they always have diesel for trucks. Truck service stations are best for
MHs with easy access.
--
Jim Walker
Northern Virginia
"Tom J" <tom...@despammed.com> wrote in message
news:A%nTd.10397$x53....@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net...
Lifelists
finding diesel fuel. (aside)Notice that the train service is not what it
once was and you have to figure that diesel is easy to find.
But a broken RV can be a real headache. I for one wouldn't want to be
the driver of a Mercedes RV that is having problems anywhere. It's
bad enough with a ford, dodge or chevy that have dealers everywhere.
We have a toyota Micro mini Class-C and toyota isn't a walk in the sun
and not all dealers want a RV in the garage. too many things can go bad.
But a Mers' Gosh talk about "cha-ching", and that's if you can get an
authorized Mercedes dealer to take your over sized rig in. Maybe
someone here has had the experience where RV's are not as welcomed
as standard vehicles??? say Aye.
jon
wrote in message news:e1os11pruvujm8sel...@4ax.com...
> You are probably considering a Mercedes Sprinter conversion.
> You may want to check on how much it will cost to change the oil, fuel
> filter, headlight bulbs, other bulbs. A friend has one and was amazed
> at the Mercedes only parts and how much they are. Another thing is if
> you are in areas where you get winter weather you should also consider
> the Sprinter option "Artic" package. Weather below freezing you will
> not have any cabin heat from the motor. The company story is the motor
> is so efficient there is no heat left over from the engine. Sure you
> can turn the furnace on, but you don't get the defroster with that.
>
> Tom
>
>
>
> On Thu, 24 Feb 2005 16:08:23 GMT, "Net news" <now...@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>
Net news
is well supported by Chrysler dealers. Anyone have any experience with VW
campers or other units with engines made abroad, but sold here withr an
american brand had bad experiences?
Now a days it is hard to tell how much of the rig you are driving comes from
parts made abroad. I am counting that Dodge and Chrysler support this RV. Am
I dreaming? Al
"Lifelists" <life...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:bWoUd.1434$wy3...@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net...
Tom J
>
> Now a days it is hard to tell how much of the rig you are driving
> comes from parts made abroad. I am counting that Dodge and Chrysler
> support this RV. Am I dreaming? Al
Not at all. There is not a single auto, truck, suv, rv, tractor,
trailer, you name it, that is made with 100% US parts. That's been the
case for well over 20 years now.
Tom J
RAM^3
news:bWoUd.1434$wy3...@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net...
>
> the driver of a Mercedes RV that is having problems anywhere. It's
> bad enough with a ford, dodge or chevy that have dealers everywhere.
> We have a toyota Micro mini Class-C and toyota isn't a walk in the sun
> and not all dealers want a RV in the garage. too many things can go bad.
>
> But a Mers' Gosh talk about "cha-ching", and that's if you can get an
> authorized Mercedes dealer to take your over sized rig in. Maybe
> someone here has had the experience where RV's are not as welcomed
> as standard vehicles??? say Aye.
> jon
Any Dodge dealer can work on one of these since you can buy the identical
basic Sprinter with a Mercedes, Freightliner, or Dodge nameplate on it.
After all, all it is is a gussied-up delivery van as far as they're
concerned!
of Spam@primus.ca Geoff
"RAM^3" <S31924...@netscape.net> wrote in message
news:38f0ikF...@individual.net...
I don't think you will have a problem with Mercedes. They like to keep their
name on the good guys list, and Chrysler knows this. I was in the business
before retiring.
But! I have 2 friends who are both German descent, and have always bought
Volkswagen.(I'm not German.)
They have both changed to other makes because of the many problems they have
had over the past 5 years.
Geoff.
RAM^3
>I would never say you could go to any Chrysler dealer and get a
> sprinter worked on. You may be able to find some that can fix it.
> You'll will find many that are willing to take your money and try to
> do something to it! How many other diesels do they work on? Just like
> any VW, the German built stuff has a lot of different problems ask any
> car repair place. I would like to take my rig to a place that knows
> the vehicle inside and out. I have met people with the VW based
> winnebagos, the winne dealers don't know what they're doing and the Vw
> dealer can't fit them in the shop...... Economy is not cheap.....
>
> Tom
>
>
> PS. Personally I would never again own a rig where I had to change a
> table into a bed or some such daily event.
If they work on Dodge pickups then they "do" Diesels - and quite regularly
since most Dodge pickups have Diesel engines. <G>
If you want a Gasser buy a GM.
If you want a Diesel buy a Dodge.
RichA
wrote:
>Well, hopefully this RV on a Dodge chasis with a Mercedes Benz diesel engine
>is well supported by Chrysler dealers. Anyone have any experience with VW
>campers or other units with engines made abroad, but sold here withr an
>american brand had bad experiences?
>
>Now a days it is hard to tell how much of the rig you are driving comes from
>parts made abroad. I am counting that Dodge and Chrysler support this RV. Am
>I dreaming? Al
<bunch snipped>
Hi,
Before you buy ask the dealer. Buying an RV on wheels is not like
buying a car. You will have service on the engine chassis done one
place and service on the house part done somewhere else. Unless the
dealer you buy the unit from offers both.
If it's a Dodge Chassis and Mercedes engine Freightliner should also
be able to work on it. If it's on a Sprinter chassis they definitely
can because they are the ones who assemble them in South Carolina.
Sprinters are vans that any Dodge dealer that sells them can work on.
Meaning the chassis and engine. Everything else will be the
responsibility of the manufacturer of the RV. At least until the
warranty period is up. Any appliances should also have their own
warranty and can be worked on by any certified dealer for that
appliance manufacturer.
Take care and Happy Campin...
Take care and Happy Campin.
Ron Recer
>
> If they work on Dodge pickups then they "do" Diesels - and quite regularly
> since most Dodge pickups have Diesel engines. <G>
>
> If you want a Gasser buy a GM.
> If you want a Diesel buy a Dodge.
>
Ron
who loves his '01 Chevy 3500 Crew Cab Long Bed Dually Duarmax Diesel
steve
> If they work on Dodge pickups then they "do" Diesels - and quite regularly
> since most Dodge pickups have Diesel engines. <G>
Just because a Dodge dealer "does" sell a diesel truck "doesn't" mean
they know how to fix them. You may find one that thinks you have a real
bad case of spark knock when you drive up and want to give you a tune up. :)
--
Steve -
From behind a hill somewhere in WV
Carrying a gun is like voting, a duty of citizenship that marks a
citizen from a serf.
RAM^3
news:KwHUd.10533$6p7....@news01.roc.ny...
> RAM^3 wrote:
>
>> If they work on Dodge pickups then they "do" Diesels - and quite
>> regularly since most Dodge pickups have Diesel engines. <G>
>
> Just because a Dodge dealer "does" sell a diesel truck "doesn't" mean they
> know how to fix them. You may find one that thinks you have a real bad
> case of spark knock when you drive up and want to give you a tune up. :)
>
Hasn't happend to me yet - although I _have_ been "referred" to a dealership
in a nearby town. <G>
BTW, it's the Fords that have the "spark knock": the glow plugs short out.
<G>
[REAL Diesels don't use glow plugs. <G>]
steve
>>Just because a Dodge dealer "does" sell a diesel truck "doesn't" mean they
>>know how to fix them. You may find one that thinks you have a real bad
>>case of spark knock when you drive up and want to give you a tune up. :)
>
> Hasn't happend to me yet - although I _have_ been "referred" to a dealership
> in a nearby town. <G>
If you can find a good diesel mechanic regardless of who they work for
they are worth the money.
> BTW, it's the Fords that have the "spark knock": the glow plugs short out.
> <G>
Somehow I think you may have opened up a can of worms. <g>
> [REAL Diesels don't use glow plugs. <G>]
You won't get an argument out of me on that! <g>
--
Steve -
From behind a hill somewhere in WV
During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a
revolutionary act. --George Orwell
can...@sbcglobal.net
wrote:
>Somehow I think you may have opened up a can of worms. <g>
>
>> [REAL Diesels don't use glow plugs. <G>]
>
>You won't get an argument out of me on that! <g>
My 240D Mercedes Benz used glow plugs. That wasn't Miller Draft I
poured into the fuel tank. <ggg>
Canoli
DaveD
> "steve" <eye-...@i-4-got.invalid> wrote in message
> news:KwHUd.10533$6p7....@news01.roc.ny...
> [REAL Diesels don't use glow plugs. <G>]
Maybe so but REAL Diesels are stamped either "Caterpillar" or
"Detroit"....<Bigger G>
DaveD
Ron Recer
"DaveD" <dave...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:11283hs...@corp.supernews.com...
Ron
D.R
"Net news" <now...@yahoo.com> wrote:
I am seeking comments -- pro or con -- from anyone who has
experience with bio-diesel fuel in the common diesel Ford or Chevy RV
engines.
Regards,
Dave R.
deed...@hotmail.com
SF Bay Area
--
RAM^3
news:deedotare-09B05...@news1.west.earthlink.net...
>
>
> I am seeking comments -- pro or con -- from anyone who has
> experience with bio-diesel fuel in the common diesel Ford or Chevy RV
> engines.
>
Try http://www.thedieselstop.com and/or http://www.thedieselpage.com and see
what _they_ say.
Biodiesel [aka Filtered Used Frying Oil] is what Herr Diesel actually had in
mind as a fuel when he invented this type of engine . <G>
While the older [non-HPCR] engines seem to function with Biodiesel, the
newer ones (with far smaller injector ports) are susceptible to injector
fouling and the manufacturers have cautioned against its use.
If you escape to "the Real World" - ABC (Anywhere But California) - you
won't find Biodiesel very often unless you buy Wesson Oil at Sam's.