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Fuel treatment while underway

This summer we plan to travel an out 10000 Miles over 7 months. The longest the coach will sit in one place is 2 weeks and we'll generally choose truckstop refueling for multiple reasons.

Does this type of fuel turnover increase or decrease the need for a diesel treatment or biocide. And what's the best product for this type of application (assuming it makes a difference).
Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"

Re: Fuel treatment while underway

Reply #1
  biocide. And what's the best product for this type of application (assuming it makes a difference).

          www.biobor.com              Might as well use it, one never knows!      Have a great trip!  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Fuel treatment while underway

Reply #2
Randy,
The only time I add biocide is when we plan to sit idle longer than a month. We add Amsoil Diesel Injector Clean with each fill up.

Bob
The selected media item is not currently available.Bob & Faith Rozek
1997 U320 40'
Xtreme Remodel
2010 Scion XD

Re: Fuel treatment while underway

Reply #3
You will get many answers to this as it is a personal preference based on experience and belief.  I use Amsoil Diesel Clean to keep my injectors clean and for lubricity.  I also use Amsoil Cetane Boost especially when I am in the mountains or in Texas Hill Country as I am now- helps with power and fuel economy.  I also carry 2 sets of spare filters just in case I get some bad fuel- has happened in over 10 years of full timing. 

My thoughts are to prevent issues but be prepared if/when they happen.

Hope this helps your decision making- do what makes you happy.                  ^.^d
Ted & Karen
2001 U270 36' - sold after 12 years full timing

Re: Fuel treatment while underway

Reply #4
We also use "Sta-Bil" diesel fuel stabilizer. Not as important down here, but we use it mostly to add to a full tank when sitting at the pier. They have directions for in-season use as well as for storage.
         
                                                              Superior Car Maintenance Products & Tips | Gold Eagle
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'


Re: Fuel treatment while underway

Reply #6
In a recent Diesel Additives Forum discussion with 43 replies: 'Topic: Diesel Additives (Read 957 times)' We posted this about Power Service (available from Walmart)
Diesel Additives

Re: Fuel treatment while underway

Reply #7
I add biocide at every fill, we move every 7-10 days usually about 100-200 miles so 100 gal of fuel will last a while. As far a additives I don't know of any engine manufacturer that recommends any of it. With that being said they all sell it. So in the end do what makes you happy, I doubt it will hurt anything. 😎🌵🍺
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Fuel treatment while underway

Reply #8
  So in the end do what makes you happy, I doubt it will hurt anything.

Yup, the only reason I used the "Sta-Bil" was the fact that we were staying at the pier for seven months, and the coach was not moving. Figured it was worth a few bucks just in case!  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'


Re: Fuel treatment while underway

Reply #10
I can't show a copy of the latest article from Professional Boatbuilder  "What grows in the darkness of diesel" due to copyright issues but if you can get your hands on it, Nigel Calder wrote a very thorough article on this subject.  What I can do, though, is give his conclusion based on years of testing pretty much every biocide and stabilizer on the market. 

His recommendation is for a product named Fuel Right.  Calder is highly regarded in the boating world, I'm hoping Brett W., gets a chance to read this and give his take. 
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Fuel treatment while underway

Reply #11
I once had a sailboat  for 10 yrs with a 2 cyl Volvo diesel and I used biobor and never had any trouble.  I have had my coach for 10 years ( 50K miles) and did use an additive (not biobor) the first 2 years and nothing since.  Have not had a fuel contamination problem with the coach so far.  I keep the tank full or nearly full when in storage.  A small amount of biodiesel is supposed to be good for lubricating the injector pump.
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: Fuel treatment while underway

Reply #12
I would add nothing unless you encounter a problem. 

Biocides are important for storing fuel, but much less critical for fast turnover.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

 

Re: Fuel treatment while underway

Reply #13
I've had all kinds of diesel trucks, boats, construction equipment, stationary engines and an rv. Some sit for months at a time before they get used some are used daily with 100s of thousands of miles or thousands of hours. I never use any additives, just clean fuel.
Eric, Mary and Carl the jack russel terrorist
1997 U320, #5143, w/450 hp, 6.9 on the richter scale
Sammie the toad
Live Free or Die