What's with Bio diesel?

[way2roll]

As we continue our search for the perfect part time RV next year, we are narrowing our search into FW's. If we go that route, I've decided the truck of choice would be a newer, used, F350 SRW. So, not only are they hard to find, many of the ones I am finding run on Bio Diesel. Now, I don't know much about diesel trucks in general (my current truck is a 5.4 f150) but what I have learned is that touring the US with a bio diesel truck is a bad idea due to fuel availability. Am I wrong? And why are these trucks so hard to find - let alone one that runs on regular diesel?

Thanks for any thoughts.

[Wadcutter]

way2roll wrote:

Curious though why F350's are so hard to find? I've looked at countless places for these trucks and at best there are only a handful for sale. I can't stomach the sticker on a new one but even those seem pretty rare. I guess it's just supply and demand and people probably keep them forever.

Mine isn't for sale. Once you find one you won't be selling yours either.

[way2roll]

Thanks again for all the replies. Super helpful. I started looking at the F350 mainly because it's about the same price as a comparable F250. But it sounds like there isn't much difference. I know most FW's need a truck bigger than 1/2 T, especially with a W/D.

If an F250 with tow package has the same capacity as a 350 then that opens up a little more options. I know it's all in the numbers. All we've ever owned is Class A's and it's a different set of calculations. I want to get the most bang for my buck with a truck and also have extra capacity should we ever decide to buy a bigger RV. You can't have too much truck.

[jdc1]

Wait until someone tells you bio-diesel will gum up everything, or eat seals.
None of it is true. I have a 2000 F350. I put whatever is cheap and close. Never a problem....EVER.

[ShinerBock]

way2roll wrote:
Thanks for the replies. It makes sense and no reason to exclude these.

Curious though why F350's are so hard to find? I've looked at countless places for these trucks and at best there are only a handful for sale. I can't stomach the sticker on a new one but even those seem pretty rare. I guess it's just supply and demand and people probably keep them forever.

All brands sell more 250/2500's than 350/3500's so there will be less of them out there in general.

Another thing to consider is an F250 with the camper package which is identical to an F350(suspension and all) depending on the year models you are looking at. They are basically the same truck, but with different badges on the door. I believe the 2011-2016 F250 w/ camper package and F350's are exactly the same, but there are slight differences in the 2017 and up truck.

You can use this website to verify if a truck has a camper package. Just input the VIN and it will give you the window sticker. You might have to save the window sticker PDF and open outside of the website to view a larger version depending on your browser.

VIN LINK

[BB_TX]

way2roll wrote:
..........
I guess it's just supply and demand and people probably keep them forever.

With the price of new high level trim F350 going over $80,000 sticker it is no surprise there is high demand for good used ones similarly equipped.

[way2roll]

Thanks for the replies. It makes sense and no reason to exclude these.

Curious though why F350's are so hard to find? I've looked at countless places for these trucks and at best there are only a handful for sale. I can't stomach the sticker on a new one but even those seem pretty rare. I guess it's just supply and demand and people probably keep them forever.

[Labman7]

Get on any diesel forum and ask.. Bio is a solvent that is better than straight diesel due to its keeps the fuel system clean and adds lube quality to the fuel. Up to 20% bio works in any newer vehicle. Most stations that sell it advertise 5 to 15%. Some midwest states mandate bio blend in all diesel sold in the state. Been around for years now, no issue in a modern diesel. It can reduce mileage a small amount, nothing significant.

[Wadcutter]

With the Ford 6.7L diesel you can run any diesel you're going to find at any station. Some states have mandated up to 20% bio-diesel so you'll find only some mix of bio-diesel. Other states you may be able to still find 100 diesel.
For the 6.7L it doesn't matter. It will run on any mixture up to 20% bio. It's not likely you'll find a bio-diesel more than 20%.
You won't have any trouble finding fuel.

[FishOnOne]

My 2012 6.7 PSD can run 100% #2 diesel without any Bio diesel and up to 20% Bio diesel. I typically try to stay away from gas stations that sell 20% Bio diesel.

[otrfun]

way2roll wrote:
. . . I guess my question is, is there such a thing as a bio diesel engine, or is it a regular diesel engine than can run on Bio if you wanted to? . . .

Any car that can use gas with 10% ethanol can safely use ethanol-free gas. However, not always true in reverse. Same thing with diesel. Any truck rated for 5-20% bio-diesel can safely use regular diesel, but not necessarily true in reverse. Hope this makes sense.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

way2roll wrote:
I guess my question is, is there such a thing as a bio diesel engine, or is it a regular diesel engine than can run on Bio if you wanted to?

It's a little misleading to someone who has no idea about these engines.

They are a regular diesel engine that you can run on 100% #2 diesel. They can ALSO run on a certain maximum amount of bio or anything in-between

I agree that it is misleading.

[way2roll]

It's obvious I am in unfamiliar territory here and maybe my question is moot. Looking on CarGurus, Auto trader etc, many of the F350's I've seen list the engine as the 6.7l, and then fuel type as bio diesel.

I guess my question is, is there such a thing as a bio diesel engine, or is it a regular diesel engine than can run on Bio if you wanted to?

It's a little misleading to someone who has no idea about these engines.

here's an example
link

and another
link2

[pitch]

They only run on bio diesel or can run on bio? Where are you finding these trucks? I think you are misunderstanding. All trucks from the major manufacturers come from the factory running on diesel, most will are allowed to run a certain percentage of bio such as 10 or 15%. I am talking out my azz here,but I think that 100% bio takes certain modifications.

[wildtoad]

Are they such that you MUST use bio or you MAY use bio? I thought diesels would run on just about anything.