DEF shortage rumor?

gearhead · 05-29-2022, 07:26 AM

Have y'all heard rumors of an upcoming DEF shortage? Players include Blackstone Capital and one of the major railroads.
Someone has developed an interesting conspiracy theory, or we are in deep do-do pretty soon.

**chuckster57** · 05-29-2022, 07:44 AM

havent heard anything. It seems like anytime anyone wants to up the price of any product they just "suggest" a shortage and all the doomsayers and horders take over.

The only REAL SHORTAGE we have is common sense.

Tom-67X · 05-29-2022, 07:46 AM

Anymore, I am instantly skeptical of a lot of what I hear (narratives), but also intentionally wary. To explain...once these rumors/realities gain traction via the power of word-of-mouth, my strategy shifts immediately to "beat the panic". My aim is simply to not get caught with my pants down- or as dad's have been preaching for generations: "better to have it and not need it...", etc.

Take the great toilet paper caper...when you begin to hear things, you may want to beat folks to the punch, "he who panics last, loses". As for DEF, yeah, it seems like it's likely to be a problem, or maybe maybe the demand will dry up due to the other circumstances- less trucks on the road, people driving less, etc. I'm hedging. Some extra held back inside a cool area in the house in a closet gives me a little peace of mind. Cool storage is necessary as it's not something with an indefinite shelf life.

bsmith0404 · 05-29-2022, 07:55 AM

I doubt the demand will go down, just about every big truck on the road is required to use it. If there is a shortage at some point, the federal government will have to remove the mandate in order to keep the trucks rolling. Of course, that would require all of them to go get the computer zapped to prevent them from going into limp mode. One thing I like that GM has done (not sure about the other two), my truck is limited to 65 mph if I run it out of DEF. Not a problem, that’s my towing speed anyway. The only issue is the DIC will only display that My speed is limited, won’t let me go through the other displays. I have an analog speedo, could always just add an Edge system to see everything else.

**flybouy** · 05-29-2022, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom-67X

Anymore, I am instantly skeptical of a lot of what I hear (narratives), but also intentionally wary. To explain...once these rumors/realities gain traction via the power of word-of-mouth, my strategy shifts immediately to "beat the panic". My aim is simply to not get caught with my pants down- or as dad's have been preaching for generations: "better to have it and not need it...", etc.

Take the great toilet paper caper...when you begin to hear things, you may want to beat folks to the punch, "he who panics last, loses". As for DEF, yeah, it seems like it's likely to be a problem, or maybe maybe the demand will dry up due to the other circumstances- less trucks on the road, people driving less, etc. I'm hedging. Some extra held back inside a cool area in the house in a closet gives me a little peace of mind. Cool storage is necessary as it's not something with an indefinite shelf life.

This precisely the problem. This type of irrational thinking is what causes panic buying a subsequent shortages.

bsmith0404 · 05-29-2022, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flybouy

This precisely the problem. This type of irrational thinking is what causes panic buying a subsequent shortages.

Everyone will run out, buy a bunch of DEF making things worse. Then they won’t travel because of fuel prices and it’ll sit in the shelf and go bad. Then, for those who don’t realize it has a shelf life, they’ll dump it into their truck and start having a bunch of DEF problems. It’s a vicious cycle.

jasin1 · 05-29-2022, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

Everyone will run out, but a bunch of DEF making things worse. Then they won’t travel because of fuel prices and it’ll sit in the shelf and go bad. Then, for those who don’t realize it has a shelf life, they’ll dump it into their truck and start having a bunch of DEF problems. It’s a vicious cycle.

what is the shelf life of def?

bsmith0404 · 05-29-2022, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasin1

what is the shelf life of def?

About 1 year

jasin1 · 05-29-2022, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

About 1 year

thank you sir

notanlines · 05-29-2022, 09:18 AM

From that great info-God in the sky: (Google)
"Storing DEF in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place is recommended to maximize shelf life. It will degrade over time, but if stored at temps between 10 degrees and 90 degrees, DEF has an expected shelf life of one year. You can extend the shelf life to two years by storing at a temperature that stays around 75 degrees."

bsmith0404 · 05-29-2022, 09:54 AM

I don’t think I would attempt the two year thing. When DEF goes bad and causes a problem with the emission system, the only way to “fix” it is to drain the old DEF, put in new and hope the problem resolved itself. Unfortunately, DEF tanks don’t come with a drain valve. People with diesel motorhomes always have problems, they have a 10 gallon or larger DEF tank, people fill them and then drive 4-5k miles in a year. 10 gallons is good for twice that.

grey ghost · 05-29-2022, 10:32 AM

Yes, I've heard all about it and I'm concerned. I saw a guy leaving the store with a cart full of the stuff the other day. Went to purchase some and the shelf was bare, I suppose this is the new toilet paper, right?
I found some at Costco and got two cases so hopefully that will be enough! Also heard that you can pull into a truck stop and use the diesel lanes to fill up on DEF but have not tried that yet. If you hear that is being done, give us a shout out, ok? Anyhow, enjoy the USA and see all you can see, but remember to enjoy and be safe out there amongst em!!

wiredgeorge · 05-29-2022, 10:40 AM

I heard there is going to be a great shortage of RV toilet paper. Beware and stock up now before you have to keep a Sears catalog next to your RV commode!

bsmith0404 · 05-29-2022, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grey ghost

Yes, I've heard all about it and I'm concerned. I saw a guy leaving the store with a cart full of the stuff the other day. Went to purchase some and the shelf was bare, I suppose this is the new toilet paper, right?
I found some at Costco and got two cases so hopefully that will be enough! Also heard that you can pull into a truck stop and use the diesel lanes to fill up on DEF but have not tried that yet. If you hear that is being done, give us a shout out, ok? Anyhow, enjoy the USA and see all you can see, but remember to enjoy and be safe out there amongst em!!

I fill up at the pump all the time. It’s the cheapest way to buy DEF, but it’s starting to get bad as well. I used to buy DEF for around $2.50/gal. It’s now up to about $4.70. A big plus, since the trucks fill there as well, it’s always fresh DEF. The only time I buy DEF in a jug is when I go on a trip. I’ll take 5 gallons with me so I can put in a couple gallons in a pinch if needed.

bsmith0404 · 05-29-2022, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

I heard there is going to be a great shortage of RV toilet paper. Beware and stock up now before you have to keep a Sears catalog next to your RV commode!

You can still get a Sears catalog? I thought there was a serious shortage on those.