Average DEF expense

When it was $2.69 gallon, it equated to $.01/ mile.
I'll run some new numbers using January and let you know.

 

That's what a new set of tires cost for a tractor. So it doesn't freeze but it's like paying for an extra set of tires? That's awesome! Makes me breathe easy.

 

So when the def is frozen and while the heaters are trying to warm it (def) up your spewing all that nasty exhaust out...... Nice

I guess they get a pass on the regs........ Another give me $$$$

And the bs from the sales/engineer types is the def trucks get better fuel milage which more than offsets the def costs....

 

Also makes me wonder if when you're running that truck to thaw the DEF out are DPF check engine lights and problems going to be in your near term future? Someone suggested leaving the truck running all night. I know a fleet owner with these new trucks and he said anytime a driver had an APU issue and had to run the truck all night he just knew there would be issues within a few days. Really extended idling one of those trucks is an option of last resort. You need the extra expense of a $10,000 APU to avoid idling.

 

I only idle if it's below -30C (-22F), at about 4 or 5 in the morning the DPF will require a regen. I have the Auto Elevate parameter turned on, so it will go ahead and do the regen it's self. Used to be the alarms would come on and wake me up to do it.
I have both a Webasto engine heater and an Espar bunk heater.

 

I've no heater other than the main one, I mean I have sleeper controls, but they work off the engine.
I have to set my cruise on, and let it idle that way, so it does it's clean idle cycle, or it will get AFU.
Last 2700 miles, avg 6.8 MPG, this is idling a lot. Sunday all day, all night in Colorado Springs, Monday all night in Ft.Bridger Wyoming ( 5F / -10 wc ) Tuesday morning was -9 going into Utah without wc, so it's either idle or freeze to death and have ####ed up truck.
Think I have either 20 or 25 gallon DEF tank, never let it go below half.
Been using 5 to 6 gallons DEF for 225 gallons of fuel.
Loads averaging 32000. But that doesn't seem to matter. It's about the same if there is 44000 in the box.
I like to keep the truck ( moving parts ) warm in these kinds of conditions anyway so things don't gel up or resevoirs crack, other things get so cold the crack or snap.
This girl dispatcher I have thinks it's a joke, thinks it's pretty up there. Told her it is, but this isn't vacation and everytime you make that circuit, it's $80 for truck, engine, trailer wash.

BONUS STORY
Landstar driver in ******,** last night.
Asking where this town is so he can make his drop. I mean I always leave not knowing what town I'm going to, and just ask at the truck stop.
He's talking to these guys, and he says he has Freighty, Classic. OK
But it's an older Century, no matter how knee walking #### faced I ever get, I know what kind of truck I have.
He was a nice guy though, trully.

 

One of my other trucks before I got a bunk heater. I used to sleep in it shut off down to -15C (5F). I just used one of those heated mattress pads you can get in the truck stops. Truck always started fine down to that, it was not fun getting out of bed in the morning though.

 

Bass pro shops have big and cozy sleeping bags for arctic winter.
if you have frozen DEF in the tank you need to start the engine and wait 10-15 min. the def tank will be heated by engine coolant. the def lines have electric heater coils from pump to def nozzle.