I've been checked here in Mn. 3 times, in 3 years. Three different locations. Twice in one month. Usually,they set up shop on a busy 4 way intersection. One officer and one DOR, on all 4 sides of the intersection.

ANYTHING with a diesel engine is flagged over.

 

So is it illegal to run bio or vege on the road?

 

I am going to ask some of my cop friends especially the weights and measure guys and see what the scoop is. I am running regular road fuel but on occassion get some "RED" mixed in there. Usually taking out old fuel tanks from basements from people updating their furnace systems. I filter it good and run it since they have not harassed us around here yet. But it has been awhile since that opportunity has come around and if it does just run it in the backhoe I guess.

 

It is not illegal to run bio or veg on the road. But you do need to make sure you pay tax. I know some states give a "so many miles per quarter" thing that will save on tax? my state said $2000 bond then report every thing i make to run on road. So i just keep my recpts, for any fuel i buy, and tax i pay. how long does the red stay in the tank?

 

The red seems to stay around like a bad penny. "Rumor" has it the test strips are pretty sensitive and can pick up a trace amount in your tank.

 

Here the dip tube they use has a green tint to it.
Any red at all in the tank will make the fuel look dark, all red makes it look black.
If they see dark, you see red.

You can run any fuel at all, but running a fuel that does not have federal and state highway use tax paid on it is against the law, both federal and state law.
WVO or home made bio does not have highway use tax paid on it unless you pay it yourself. So yes it is against the law to run on the highway since it is untaxed fuel.
By untaxed I mean no highway use tax, sales tax does not count as taxed fuel.

Here in WV the tax is 54.4 cents per gallon for both the federal and state tax.
So to save the 5000 dollar fine, I would have to run 10,000 gallons of fuel through my truck before I would break even with the fine, and several hundred more gallons to offset the court costs.

My total fuel cost last year was 3400 dollars, 1220 gallons.


The highway use tax is used to maintain the highways, and build new roads.
All of the highway use tax goes into the roads.
Since at one time or another I have been in every state in the continental US, I know every state has roads that need fixed or upgraded or replaced.
I also know the rougher the roads get, the more stuff I break on my truck.

Last year I paid $663.68 in road use tax (1220*.544=663.68) to fix a couple pot holes, so next year I might not have to replace my ball joints and tie rod ends.

Ball joints and tie rod ends, the install and the alignment after the install cost more than the highway use tax I paid last year.

The off road fuel here has enough dye in it, if you added a quart of off road fuel to a 20 gallon tank of highway fuel, they would be able to detect the off road.

Some of our equipment that run mostly off road fuel have red metal fuel tanks. To get the dye out you would have to replace the tank and the rest of the fuel system.

 

Actually you paid twice in retrospect. Your road tax and ball joint/labor repair. Not even kissed when they were done. I would love to send the state my repair bill for all the great roads I drive on too and dental bills for my teeth rattling.

 

Not that is and idea! but it won't happen!
And i thought NC had high Tax rates?

 

Well, if no one paid any highway fuel tax at all, repairs and dental work wouldn't be an issue because you would already be frozen solid after getting stuck on the *dirt* highway.

 

I agree totally and finally our money here in NY is going to the roads. I think the politicians are using the complaint letters mixed with tar to top coat the roads now.

I just love the fact that you can kill or rob somebody or both. Get a lesser penalty but if you have a slight tinge of red color in your fuel it is almost the same level as a DWI/DUI. Good thing our priorities are straight in this country.

 

I agree totally. All the people carting around illegal drugs in their cars, and the troopers around here are hell bent on catching that one truck with red diesel in it. They feel as if they have done a great service to America by ensuring there is one less truck on the road with red diesel, all the while he was checking your truck for red dye diesel, 2 or 3 cars with a few kilos of cocain drove by and said "ha ha, thats one less trooper on the road, hes busy checking for red diesel" BS!!!!

 

i dont have the federal file number---but---you can produce up to 200 gal biodiesel---per quarter--per DRIVING member in each household--federal tax free--states are set up diff--iowa--the dont even know how to collect taxes on this--and arent set up for it---guy in iowa city got into a beef with them--and won--

 

There is a simple solution to all of this. You own farm land then get farm/all purpose plates. If they pull you over, dip your tanks and try to give you trouble, then just say that you have to pick up a part for a tractor or other piece of equipment. I have gotten out of 2 tickets for having red diesel with that excuse.

Unless the laws are much different in the states!?!?!

 

Here in Michigan - If it is plated and is on a roadway. It had better be green or clear. Big bucks if tinge of red. No exception except schools and municipalities.

I farm and have NO exeption on road tax except the tractors and combines.

 

Whow, he must have been focused on checking for the off road diesel.
The Troopers in Texas (don't know about your state) have a habit of looking at your suspension before weighing the drive and steering axles, regardless of the reason for being pulled over. He must of not had his coffee yet, passing up a truck with that obvious DOT violation. Sounds like trucks that 'fit the criteria' are being pulled over. I have been driving CDL class trucks, both A and B, all over Texas without any off road diesel checks. May have something to do with the local law enforcement department leadership, or training?

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1988 F250-7.3 IDI-C6-3.55 rear end