semi truck with propane kits

While there must be something to it because most Schwan's food service trucks run on propane think of the size tanks you'd need . Propane tanks are heavy and would reduce your load capacity . Then their is the issue of where to fuel . Some fleets are using propane for local or regional runs but they install fueling stations at their terminals .
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/21/us-truck-fleets-turning-towards-cng-lpg/

 

Now there is a difference from a propane add on and running purley on propane.
I think the schwan's food service trucks and several local companies are running purley on natual gas which does take a very large tank and the engine has to be set up orginally to run that way because it's not a natually combustion engine but a iginition engine similiar to a gas.

The trucks running as a propane add on, usually has a 20lb tank and this mixes with your air intake when the turbo spools up. This causes the diesel to burn more throughly. Normally increaseing fuel economy 1-2 mpg. Very dramactic increase.
I've been wanting to do this to mine.
So far all the kits, I've seen are not real controllable. The release propane only when the turbo pressure is above a given pressure, usually 5lb.
I'd like to get one or set one up with actual in cab controls.
I've read that a 20lb tank only last around 2000 miles so I might try a larger tank.
Please list any actual vendors selling these kits as I too am very interested in going this route.

 

a 20lb tank only last 2000 miles. a tank of fuel only lasts 1000 miles.

in cab controls. can you say 20th century spark advance on the steering wheel.

i'd rather have the system automized. i can't imagine driving them early cars constantly adjusting your spark timing. LOL.

 

The automized systems put the same amount of propane into the system all all given rpm and loads. So could work so much more effectint if could pump more propane in on hills and heavy accelation. I suppose a guy could set it up with several different regulators but that would get very expensive considering that is the most expensive part of the system.
Would you really want to have to take the tank off and get it filled everytime you get diesel, cause your still burning the diesel. And most truckstops do not have propane fills. One would almost be didicated to flying J's

 

If a 20 lb. tank lasts 2000 miles , and improves fuel mileage by 1-2 MPGs , as well as added power to climb with , I'd sure be interested in That ! As for refilling , that would be about 3 times every 2 weeks , for me. So , no problem there . Like to hear more.

 

The added power to climb with would be mininal considering the low pressure regulator unless a guy was to put a way of pumping lot more propane in during big climb, then the fuel economy gain would be lost and also use lot more propane.
Yes all the guys's I've talked which have added propane injection have gained 1-2 mpg in fuel economy. This is why I've been wanting to do it myself.

 

I had a guy show me his setup. He had 2 huge tanks behind his sleeper in a custom diamond plate box. I'm not a propane expert but I believe each tank was 100 gallons, maybe 3 or 4' tall. He had the regulator that increases with boost.

Propane costs money too, but it does help the diesel burn more thoroughly. Could be looking at 9 mpg with a mechanical CAT.

 

the 1-2 mpg is for med-lite duty trucks. class 8 trucks will see around .5-.8 mpg. you would need to refull the tank every 500-800 miles not every 2000 so at todays fuel price your net cost per mile would go UP .02-.03 and remember you can't just refuel a class 8 truck with propane ANYPLACE

the only way it will save you money is IF diesel was @ or above $5.00 a gl. and propane stayed @ $2.00 a gl.....

Kevin Rutherford from lets truck did a real world test of it on his trucks and posted everything on his web site, running his trucks on a fedex run and getting a discount on propane and having the trucks filled every day at his yard, yes he saved money on diesel but he spent MORE on propane than he save on diesel so in the long run he didn't save any money