California Dipping Fuel Tank - Montana Owners Club

dfb · 02-25-2018, 09:57 AM

While driving from Oregon, into California, the Bug station attendant told me to pull over ... I pulled over an a inspector gave me a piece of paper that basically told me if I don't allow them to check for dyed diesel fuel, they can fine me and confiscate my truck!... WTH IS THIS.. First, I was coming from Oregon. So even if I had dyed fuel, the law violation would be Oregon, NOT CALIFORNIA. Second, the random dipping of fuel tanks violates unreasonable search and seizure. Unless their is probable cause, this is illegal.. Has this happened to anyone else on here?.

RoadRunnerTR21 · 02-25-2018, 10:01 AM

To give you my real opinion of this would get me censored here. I guess they are cracking down on off road diesel? Doesn't seem right to get pulled over without probable cause.

Bad Moon · 02-25-2018, 10:21 AM

Here is a link, but I couldn't open it. Maybe you will have better luck.
https://www.arb.ca.gov/enf/advs/advs124.pdf

RoadRunnerTR21 · 02-25-2018, 10:45 AM

The document in the PDF says August 1995 so I guess it's selective enforcement.

jeffba · 02-25-2018, 10:48 AM

WJW They have to be kidding

fatcatzzz · 02-25-2018, 10:52 AM

I have driven diesel construction trucks and equipment in California for over 40 years and have been stopped several times by the commercial truck enforcement. Check brakes, lights, etc. and yes FUEL. California is broke so they grab at any source of revenue possible. NEVER been checked at the bug stations though. That is a new one!

Just one more reason why we are leaving this state.

**AZ Traveler** · 02-25-2018, 12:18 PM

I don't believe this is CA specific - its more common to get checked in agricultural areas. Unless we start getting checked a lot, I don't mind spot checks to catch the criminals not paying their share. How else do we expect to manage enforcement?

Slufoot733 · 02-25-2018, 04:08 PM

Checking the fuel in diesel big rigs is very common in most states. Checking RV tow vehicles is almost unheard of. However, with more and more diesel pick trucks out there I am not surprised by this. When I bought my first diesel in 1999 fuel was .96/gal Look at it now! SHEESH! As for it being illegal....not at all. It's done all the time, not that I agree with it.

But then it IS California, a state that I have NEVER visited and NEVER will!

coachgrowl · 02-25-2018, 05:42 PM

What is the price difference?

dfb · 02-25-2018, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coachgrowl

What is the price difference?

I believe about .80 cents..

coachgrowl · 02-25-2018, 05:58 PM

OK I better not see any farm equipment on highways or I will have to make a citizens arrest.

CaptnJohn · 02-25-2018, 06:48 PM

I can think of a great many reasons why I'll never set foot in CA again but that is not one of them.

Ram Montana High Country · 02-26-2018, 07:43 AM

Does not off road fuel also stain the tail pipe? Thought I heard that some where?

richfaa · 02-26-2018, 08:02 AM

"Dyed diesel fuel is regular diesel fuel that has red dye added to it. This is done to identify the fuel as non-taxed and to help enforcement officials easily identify it. Dyed diesel is for off-road use only. Examples include farm equipment and home heating."

It is not only California.

WeBeFulltime · 02-26-2018, 09:38 AM

All states take this very seriously regarding off-road "red" fuel. Back in my fuel hauling days was taking a load of it to a landfill in Alabama for their off-road equipment and met a DOT cop on the interstate while running 78 mph. He immediately turned around and stopped me of course. I figured I had earned a speeding ticket and actually all he wanted to discuss was where I was taking that load (7,500 gal) of "red" fuel and wanted to see paperwork to prove it. Never said a word about speed nor did he want to see my log book. Does not matter where you bought it, if you BURN it in the state you are in violation of that states laws. It is a matter of emissions and taxes paid/not paid.

waynemoore · 02-26-2018, 10:54 AM

I own a business in CA but live in AZ. As the state of CA goes deeper and deeper into the red as more business and people move out you will see more of this type of enforcement. Next year will be the last year I will be keeping an office in Ca. We have been in the same office for 14 years. I have been talking to my clients and so far they all are open to emailing or mailing their information to me. Plus about 65% live in other states already and are used to sending their information to me. For what it cost me to be in Ca I could loose 30% of my client base and still make the same net as I do now.

How sad it is to see this happen to a beautiful state.

waynemoore · 02-26-2018, 11:13 AM

You are so right.

I am very lucky my client base is made up of over achievers. Lots of LLCs and S-Corps. Plus Doctors, professional engineers and educators.

Yes D/W keeps telling me I am not going to loose many clients.

richfaa · 02-26-2018, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scattershot

Guess they’re finding out that it’s too hard to enforce the real laws, so they’re hassling ordinary citizens.

It is kind of like not paying income taxes. Using non taxed fuel illegally can cost any State 100s of thousands of $$$ not to mention the fine for using it.

It is a real law.

Slufoot733 · 02-26-2018, 01:58 PM

CaptnJohn, have you seen the fuel prices here in PA lately? $3.45 for diesel today just down the road. PA is still the land of taxes.......and potholes

richfaa · 02-26-2018, 03:27 PM

We are holding steady at 2.79/2.89 here in Central Florida except for Loves and Pilot/Fj who are both over 3.00 per gallon of Diesel. The fuel tax in My Home State of PA must be ASTRONOMICAL.

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