I wanted to get a baseline oil report before switching from Triax Fleet Supreme Synthetic to TSC Traveler Dino.

 

Interested to see what happens going forward as you are somewhat swimming against the current in regard to your oil choices.

Noticed how I avoided the phrase "popular choice" based on Y2KW57 having my back.

See you in a few weeks Eric.

 

I ran Triax for nearly 5k miles with good results. Here’s the Blackstone report.

I recently changed the oil in my ‘99 International Bus 3800 with the T444E and put Travelers in so I’m interested to see your results. How long until you get a Travelers report do you think?

 

5,000 miles more or less...

 

Eric, are you switching just because or not happy with the Triax? Ease of acquiring? I know they have been out of 5w-40 for a little bit. That kinda sucks. Nice report!

 

Interested if engine is ‘louder’ and ‘harder to start’, etc (the opposite of switching to really expensive oils).

 

It take me a year sometimes to put 5k miles on. I was asking for your expected time to get to your next oil change.

 

I spoke to Eric on the phone for a few minutes today and I brought up this thread and thanked him for creating it. He mentioned that "it may be a while" before the next UOA is available. We got into the math of his decision to change from Triax Fleet Supreme to Travelers. Eric, correct me if I am wrong on any of my following points, or if you prefer to have my post moved to another thread or removed altogether, I am OK with that too.

, but it may not be worth it any longer on a personal level for him. (linked 15w40 as that is what he was running, not the 5w40)

Tractor Supply Company (TSC) Travelers comes highly recommended from several people that he and I both trust. Some of these people on the FTE, we have not met in person, but both of us would like to one day if the opportunity ever arose as I would like to thank them for their advice, wisdom and experience. They know who they are and can chime in if they feel the desire.

Eric bought 50 gallons of Travelers 15w40 in 2.5 gallon jugs (no 1-800-REN-TWES required for 2.5 gallon jugs) on sale for $15 for a 2.5 gallon jug. That means his cost for an oil change went down from $106 to $24 without the filter factored in. That is more than 75% off and a big cost savings, but at what additional cost in other ways than financially, that is yet to be determined. Not on sale, a "PAIL" of Travelers 15w40 costs $46 and is readily available across the nation or via mail order. Although, since I priced the Triax by the gallon above at $26.50, it is only fair to do the same with the TSC 15w40, which comes in at $33 for a box of 4 gallon jugs or $8.25 per gallon.

Oil change cost
Triax - $106 per oil change
TSC - $33 per oil change

The figures above are based on nothing on sale, just the normal advertised price.

Eric is newly retired from active duty (thanks for your service Eric) and is beginning to count his pennies a bit more than what he normally has. Many of us know how that goes and are looking for the best bang for their buck too.

We discussed the possibility of having to "augment or boost" the additives in the TSC 15w40 with Stiction RX from @Bitterroot Diesel . At $16.50 per bottle of Stiction RX and ~$7.50 for shipping, that brings the cost of Stiction RX to $24.00. Adding the cost of Stiction RX and 4 gallons of TSC oil, the totals are below.

Oil change cost with Stiction RX
Triax - $106 per oil change
TSC - $57.00 per oil change

So, only Eric can say what the real gut feeling is that made him switch from Triax to TSC, but I feel I got a pretty good handle on it during our conversation today. Keep in mind, because of his discounted costs, his oil changes went down to $24 without the Stiction RX and $48.00 with the additive. Since the TSC 15w40 comes highly recommended from some trusted sources, if the next UOA indicates what he has been told and suspected he will be using good oil in his 7.3L for a great price.

***Archoil or you favorite blend of unicorn blood based additive can be substituted for the Stiction RX, it was example and served a purpose of breaking down the costs.***

 

Switched for a variety of reasons...cost being #1. I've heard from some very respectable FTE'ers that dino oil protects our 7.3's just fine. At the rate I'm putting miles on this truck, I may never need to worry about 300k. The Triax is great though. I've used both 5w-40 and 15w-40 and the engine loves it.

It is kind of interesting going the opposite direction of the 7.3 brethren. My idle does seem a bit rougher with the TSC, at least until the oil gets warmed up. After warm up I can't tell the difference. Since I'm not driving every day due to retirement, it does seem to start a little harder than with the Triax. I'm not sure if it is the oil or my aging batteries.

It could be a year before I get a follow-up UOA on the TSC oil. This latest report was from early December. Maybe I'll get a whole lot more camping in this year and I do it in 6 months?

 

Here is my UOA report from almost three years ago when I was using T6. I switched over to Triax after this report.

 

Finished up my nearly 5,000mi OCI. The Traveller looks pretty good to me. Now that we’ve moved into warmer weather I can’t tell the difference between the Triax and this. When cold out I’m not sure if the difference is because I was running the synthetic Triax or because it was 5w-40? Good thing the analysis looks good as I’ve got over 40 gallons left!

 

Eric, that is great news for those of us considering leaving the "high dollar" oils behind for a readily available oil at 50% the price. Just so we are clear, the 195,021 OCI was Triax Fleet Supreme 5w40 right?

Looks to me the Travelers might have even been better for your Excursion based on the units of measurement.

The MolyB is down a bit, but the Boron is way up, which is a good thing. The aluminum is up by 1, but the iron is down by 3. Again, a good thing in my opinion.

Silicone is down again, did you have an air filter change in there somewhere?

I just read the summary at the top, that is great to hear they suggest you go to 7,000 OCI on Travelers. I fully suspect that if I am not impressed with the Triax Fleet Supreme I just poured in that I will be switching to Travelers, like you did. A couple of friends swear by Travelers anyway and have been running it in their diesels for a long, long time.

Thanks for sharing this with us Eric, you don't have to and we know that. The details in a report of this nature speak volumes to what various oils can and does provide to a healthy engine.

 

Yep Triax Fleet Supreme 5w-40.

No air filter change, although it might be nearly time. I’ve got almost 3 years on the AIS and over 20k miles. Filter minder is hovering at about 50%.

 

Once again, looks like boutique oils are not always the answer. I shunned them years ago when I got over the Amsoil koolaid and went strictly conventional runs. Triax was my first return to them to see what the hype was all about, but I am definitely rethinking my choices when going back to 15w-40 here pretty soon. Thanks for posting Eric. Numbers do not lie no matter how "feel good" an oil might be. T5, Travellers, and Motorcraft have good numbers it seems. That, and I simply hate having to order oil and have it delivered. I'd just rather go buy it and be done. I have TS and Walmarts galore around me here.

 

Oh, one more thought. I DEFINITELY heard a difference and noted a noise level difference with my decibel level app, but I am thinking that may have been the 5w-40 and not the oil itself. Who knows? I tend to avoid oil discussions like gun rights or fuel additive discussions anymore. I simply don't care enough to worry or argue about it. Those are just the things I noticed when I changed over. Numbers are what I look at because they don't lie.