I'm interested in getting some opinions from those who are in summer blend aka 7pound gas areas.

Ive lived in NE Pa and New Jersey for the past 15 years but 3 weeks ago I moved to Owasso Ok (Just 5 minutes north of Tulsa). In NJ I hauled gas/fuel for the last 5 years and just started a new job here hauling gas/fuel. I have noticed a few things regarding gas in this area.

[1] They mix their ethanol in a true 10%. In the northeast they say 10% but it's normally mixed 8.1 to 9.1%. They also do a normal blend of reg gas and ethanol.

[2] They have what they call 7 pound gas in Tulsa city limits which is essentially 84 octane mixed with 91 mixed with 10% ethanol.


Now for the past 2 tanks I have put in my truck it has run like I was towing a 20 foot fully loaded trailer. Dogs when trying to go however it's not normally 110+ in new jersey like it has been in Oklahoma for the past 3 weeks.


Has anyone tried pure gas (no ethanol) in their area that has the above same similarities?

 

I'm willing to bet it mostly has to do with the rediculous heat we're having. However, if you normally have been fueling up at the QuikTrips, there are several no-ethanol stations around Tulsa/Broken Arrow that are generally about $.10 more per gallon. As long as it isn't more than .10/gal more for zero ethanol, I get another mpg or so which makes up for the increased cost in better fuel mileage.

 

I have no way of knowing what I am getting. Every pump I have seen around Central, East and South Texas says "May contain up to 10% Ethanol".

 

One of the "survivors", huh? In seven years of hauling gas I lost two close friends and five acquaintances. That's one per year!

Don't have any idea about 7 pound gas, never heard of it. Heat will definitely make a difference. What is your altitude there? That will really kill performance!

Interested in your new job! Here (Montana) they still top load! No way I'd do that! I quit gas and went to coal. Doesn't burn when you lay it on it's side!

PM me if you want, we'll compare gas notes.

 

Elevation in tulsa is right around 650' ASL. Now when we factor in density altitude with the heat and humidity right now, we're probably in the 4000's, lol.

 

WTF? Top loading gas? wow that is way to dangerous, I would never do that. Now they still top load diesel and fuel oil in the east and in Oklahoma but that's it.


Well after this tank I'm going to run some pure gas and see how that works for a few tanks but I'm sure 90% of the issues Ive spoken about is the heat.

 

Why is top-loading dangerous? I don't know anything about fuel transfer protocol.

 

Top loading means getting up on top of the trailer, opening the hatches, swinging the loading arm over to put the outlet on top of the hatch, and opening the valve to let the product flow into the trailer.

If the product is gasoline, think about the air being forced out of the tank by the input of the gasoline. Think about the fumes of the gasoline being sloshed into the tank at the rate of 6 or 7 hundred gallons a minute. Imagine 600 gallons a minute! That's ten gallons a second! Think about the air in the tank being displaced at the rate of ten gallons a second. They have to come out of the hatch around the input pipe. Think now about the driver, standing on top of that tank, breathing in all those gasoline vapors. 10 percent of those vapors are ethanol! And, the legal blood/alcohol limit is .04%! Then think about the additives in the gasoline. The same additives that will peal the skin off your hands in you put them in the gasoline.

Now, you tell me why top loading is dangerous.

As far as diesel or heating fuel, take a look at the MSDS sheets for these products. Look at the warning stickers on the pumps and tanks of diesel vehicles.

Yes, I've top loaded diesel and heating oil (used to be the same), but that was years ago. Perhaps that's what's wrong with me!

I won't do it any more! I don't think anyone should do it any more! They make systems that are enclosed and you can load 8700 gallons of product in about 10 minutes.

Besides that, you won't fall off the top of the trailer!

I hope I've explained it clearly enough for you to understand. You asked a reasonable question. I answered as best I can but, I hope I didn't assume you have knowledge you don't have. If it's not clear, please ask again. I'll try again.

 

Nope, I fully understand, and had assumed the process was pretty much as you described. I agree w/ you on the danger of inhaling the fumes from any chemical, much less gasoline. At least the likehood of exploding is a little less with diesel/heating oil, lol. Thanks for the explanation.

 

I was trying to get back to answering this question but been running the last few days.

Looks like Flagship nailed it right on the head.


Well I'm off to enjoy the next 2 days off and try to breath normal air....

 

I live in Broken Arrow and the only difference ive noticed between the ethenol blend and pure gas is mpg. seems to run the same on either.

 

The 7 lbs you refer to is the RVP or the vapor pressure the fuel puts off. Here in Charlotte we have 7.8 rvp and 9.0 rvp in the surrounding areas. it has more to do with environmental concerns (Air policy) then to do with the performance. In theory, 7.8 is the same as 15 lb rvp but it puts off less vapor in the summer (Heat). The higher the RVP, the easier fuel evaporates. Thats why they will allow 11-15 rvp in winter and only 7.8 in summer (Local regulations)

Get ready because your fuel will also be injected with butane...

I work for a fuel terminal in Charlotte.

Around here, we put ethanol in all grades except for Marine grade.

 

Same city and same results as well for me.