Why do so many Americans hate European trucks?

I’ve gelled up twice in my history , so I probably over react , when it gets below 15 degrees F I treat my tanks ,and when it goes below 0 I double treat , but I’m not freezing up again .
And I don’t run that much severe cold , maybe a few tanks per winter

 

I've honestly never seen anything gel up in the field. Only ever seen 2 machines gel up and that was because they were brand new imports with summer fuel in them. They were dropped off when it was just below 0C and the following week it dropped to -25C.

 

We have no problem in having a fuel that won't gel at sub zero temperatures. However it costs more per gallon and provided less BTUs, and therefore increased cost per mile, less efficiency, and therefore more impact on the environment.
We also have the scenario where a truck can be in Southern California @80f one day, and in -20f in Idaho the next. If one has California fuel in the tanks it will cause problems when entering northern climes, and one hasn't been able to replace the California fuel yet. Even truckers that run from Alberta to California and back regularly can get caught with their britches down occasionally. Then add the problems that bio- fuel creates.

Trucks that stay north have no problems, and trucks that stay south have no problems. It's those that run south to north that have to be careful.

If you have never dealt with a truck that has gelled up with wax floating on the fuel in the tank (which I would bet that you have never dealt with), than you have no idea how much it can take to remedy the situation.

 

At your cost of fuel.

 

Oxbow ,what you describe is something what hasn't happend here since the 80's.
Nobody filling up their tanks will add anything to go to the North or the cold area off the East.
So ......Ceasar has a valid point.

 

So you can fill your tanks in the south of France and go to the arctic circle ...?

 

Both times I gelled was traveling south to north and more then 20 years ago , still gun shy from the experience, LOL like I said I’m sure I’m over treating

 

Yes.

 

I’ve only had it happen once..... that’s enough....

A bigger problem is water in the fuel tanks and filter when the truck is off like Caesar wants that turns to ice......even a tiny bit can screw you.....

 

1000€ cost, nothing significant.
fuel is now about 1€/L without tax.
lets say you will drive 9h per day idle another 20min for different reasons, about 40min between run your engine will be warn so you have max 10h, you will spend 2h at loading or unloading 1h eating in restaurant so 11h you need heating.

keeping idle for 11 extra hours at about 3L/h will cost you 33€, lets say you need heating 6months during year and you spend 22days per month in cab, that is 4350€ of fuel

webasto will use about 4L in this period if you like warm as i do, , so webasto payoff itself in 1.5month.

i think you guys have no idea how much are our trucks more advanced in most things, it is not like i am trying to insult you people. but things you are calling problematic ( like disc brakes ebs ecas ) are here from 20 and more years.
now from this view it is funny to talk about anytihing else.
auxilary heaters are here for 35-40 years or so