By Scott Linden
“Limp mode” is looming. And while there’s still concern among diesel pusher and pickup owners over the diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) sensor issue, it may soon pale by comparison to a shortage of the primary ingredient in DEF itself. Worldwide supply chain problems may soon make it difficult for American RVers to get the critical fluid, sidelining their rigs and travel plans.
China, again
China is the number-one producer of urea, a key ingredient in fertilizer, and diesel exhaust fluid. Anticipating food shortages, that country is restricting its export of the compound, forcing many other users of the product to get in line for what’s left. That cascade effect is currently impacting trucking in Australia and agriculture in South Korea. America’s trucking industry is also anticipating a shortage, according to Vitaliy Dadalyan of A2C Logistics, a Chicago cargo brokerage firm.
Prices are already going up here, and with agriculture and trucking the principal users it stands to reason RVers may be left holding the (empty) bag as supplies shrink. That blinking light on your dashboard threatening to limit your speed to 5 mph may make more frequent appearances.
Good news?
The U.S. may be better off than many countries, as Canada provides much of our urea, a derivative of ammonia. But as worldwide shipping and production pipelines constrict, high-volume users could start a bidding war or hoard supplies, leading to empty shelves at auto parts and big-box stores. Adding to the threat: hurricanes have damaged many Gulf Coast plants.
Store carefully
What can an RVer do now? Lay in a supply and store carefully. Top off your DEF tank when possible, at truck stops selling in bulk. DEF should be stored away from temperature fluctuations, between 86 degrees and 12 degrees, Fahrenheit. Keep jug caps tightly closed to prevent contamination and evaporation (the fluid’s only other ingredient is distilled water). Store in original containers, as it could corrode steel, carbon and aluminum tanks or bottles.
Don’t. Just don’t.
And what about the old wives’ tale of peeing in your DEF tank? Human urine contains a much different urea content than is required for the making of DEF. It also contains additional compounds and dissolved ions that a diesel engine’s catalytic reduction system (SCR) cannot handle. On top of the differences in chemical makeup, human urine has a much higher concentration of water (95%, while DEF is 67.5% de-ionized water).
Copyrighted material 2021 all rights reserved.
##RVT1031b
Progress strikes gain, this will definitely clean the air as no diesels will be running except the older high polluting engines. Everything newer than 2007 will be parked. YEAH EPA!!! One more great idea that wasn’t thought through to all the “what ifs”, YEAH BILL CLINTON AND NAFTA to send all our manufacturing out of this country. I really get pleasure out of seeing the results of sending LAWYERS to Washington to represent us. That was not the intention of this country’s founders 245 years ago. We were independent of the world, we made what we needed. If we become engaged in WW III where will we get our weapons? From our enemies? Wake up AMERICA!
Bob they’re going to call you crazy, but it’s not us who can’t see the truth. I am starting to think it’s too late for them to wake up. Foreign country’s already control us. I am coming to the conclusion,(protect my own).
It’s alright. We can all just plug in our electric cars. Unless we live where weather has knocked out the power! Maybe someday a solar fan will be mounted to the back end of a Radio Flyer wagon for the rich and famous. Or we’ll use that old skateboard in the garage as a way to go somewhere. Or just maybe those lawyers will stay home and quit passing laws that have an end game plan they are aware of but don’t talk about.
America is waking up to the current situations Americans are facing and who is causing it.
With all the censoring on the big sites , even the stupid must acknowledge that there is something fishy going on !see you ALL on alternate media
Please see your doctor or hygienist.
Yeah, I remember NAFTA and George HW Bush and all the other republicans standing there in agreement with Clinton.
I was thinking the same. “The New World Order”.
Every Walmart store I checked in our travels had run out of all DEF in early November. I started browsing the internet then to see if there was a problem, but no one was talking about it then. Even if there is a good supply, hoarding is probably going to keep the shelves empty for a long time. I immediately started pulling empties out of trash bins at campgrounds & now have four that I can fill at truck stops. I have a 5K mile trip I have to make cross country & back to pick up our new truck camper in April/May. Hopefully the problem is alleviated by then. Many of the public campgrounds we’re visiting now in southern Florida are half empty. I wonder if the shortage is scaring people off travelling.
Don’t forget DEF has a shelf life of about a year.
2 Years from production day. I got that from Peak DEF company. Also the way you store it can shorten the life.
refilling empty containers not good idea you cant seal for storage
Check the country code on Wal Mart products, you will find the majority of their products are from China. A few years back WM had several container ships built for hauling their products (exclusively) from China. They have one coming or going constantly.
I was at our local Walmart in PA today. They had 5-2.5 gallon jugs on the shelf, usually they have a couple dozen. What could potentially happen is that diesel motorhomes with the DEF system will be stranded so the truckers have a supply. What was the name of the gizmo to defeat the engine de-rate?
Hi, Joe. Here are a couple of articles that might help:
It’s out there – a DEF sensor workaround https://www.rvtravel.com/def-sensor-workaround-rvt-1017b/
Cummins comes through: A DEF sensor software patch now available https://www.rvtravel.com/cummins-def-sensor-software-patch-rvt-1019b/
Good luck. Have a great day, and a Very Merry Christmas! 🙂 Diane
Why bring up China when we get urea mostly from Canada? You refer to “China Again”, kinda racist don’t you think. Article was on DEF, falling on DEF ears. I get it, China’s to blame for the pandemic, however the US was also involved in, god who knows what, in those experiments.
Racist? Where did you get that?
Good question.
Racist is over used…..it is used when you don’t have a complete thought……think……
Agree
Yes, we get most of ours from Canada, but this will rapidly become a world wide problem as diesel cars are much more prevalent in Europe and Africa. If China slows its exports the rest of the world will need to find it somewhere and it will then become a global problem.
A shortage in one part of the world (China) affects the whole world. Sooner or later, Canada may not have enough to go around either.
Please go away..
May just trade in my motorhome for a buckboard and a horse.
Afraid that wouldn’t work. Remember back in the 1800’s horse shit was the main source of pollution in towns and cities. Back then the scientists claimed that the automobile was the answer for cleaning up the environment and you know that scientists ( who agree with government) are never wrong.
Scientists paid by government funds always agree….. can you say “JOB SECURITY”?
Then you can make your own DEF from horse pee.
Anybody else seeing parallels to the 1973 gas shortage? Back then there suddenly was a shortage of everything. Consumer prices increased dramatically and then everyone demanded higher wages. And what was the end result? Runaway inflation. Hang on everyone, I think we are in for a rough ride.
Image that , China putting China first while America has no leadership and the ” handlers ” make excuses . The current occupiers of the White House are more interested in putting sexually diverse / confused people in positions than people that can solve problems. Sad days ahead for America.
Election fraud !
I bet my wife that some crank would just automatically blame this on President Biden. Thanks for your help.
Who won your wife? LOL Have a great day!
Ok. I’m going to bite the bullet and comment on the political comments. This has nothing to do with the DEF issue.
We are able to comment, freely, without fear of our lives because of our great country and our founding fathers. Our rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and our government. Stating your beliefs on a public forum, while in another country, could have you arrested or killed, or show up “missing”.
I am thankful for forums such as these, with people with similar interests (RVing) that can freely write their comments, without the fear of arrest or injury and death.
Listen up people, everyone has an opinion. Keeps the attacks to yourself!
Enjoy the season and your family and lose the venom.
I’m still trying to figure out how to show up missing.😂😂
Put some orgone under a cell phone tower …
Hi, Royce. Don’t you just love a good oxymoron? 😆 Have a great day. 🙂 -Diane
As a safety and survival matter, you should know where the speed sensor is on your transmission. Unplugging it will allow you to proceed to a safe location instead of 5mph or complete shut down.
False! This may work for some truckers but it will not work for motorhomes. It has been tried and does not work.
One word-GREED!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s stuff like this DEF ‘crisis’ (if there is one. Everything is a crisis these days) that will grow an underground business of ‘deleting’ newer diesel engines. Illegal as it is, at least your truck or motorhome will still operate, and more efficiently as well.
Truth
Had my diesel deleted and mileage went from 9 mpg tp 15 mpg. If you start blowing a little coal on a regular basis, it usually needs a air filter.
I hear this all the time Gordy. My county doesn’t do emission testing, but the next one does. It used to be easier to find mechanics to help with this, but now it’s getting tough. Basically Reno and Las Vegas (and some surrounding areas). Grrr.
What kind of diesel do you have that only got 9mpg?
I have a new diesel and I get 16+mpg driving around town.
I thought this discussion was about DEF topic. How did it become political? Can’t anyone understand that you have to accept there are selfish, ego driven people in politics, farming, manufacturing, etc., everywhere and they live in every country in the world. They are world leaders, your local commissioners and sometimes a church leader.
I don’t have to hate someone to disagree with them.
If you’re able to have the time and opportunity to respond on an RV newsletter, then you haven’t had it so bad.
Only believe half of what you hear, regardless of where ever you get your “truth”.
It comes political when governments get involved!!!
this and most of our problems either have to do with greedy companies and greedy politicians or a combination of both. companies will go as far as regulations allow them, and politicians will allow these companies to go beyond regulations if it benefits them.
China in this case, you have the worse case scenario, a dictatorship and state owned companies, or companies even if not state owned bend to the corrupt government.
It is world wide, here in Canada we have our fair share of it, right from the municipal level right to the Federal government along with crooked greedy companies.
Guess you missed Nomadland
My DW and I have been at this FT life style since 2014. In the discussion about the coach, I shared my research on diesel emissions systems with her. We agreed that spending 30% more for propulsion products is stupid.
I’m surprised the article is recommending to “lay in a supply now”, This will only make matters worse, remember TP?
Exactly what I was thinking.
Those who are prepared need not panic. We were on vacation when the TP shortage hit, and still had enough at home, between the house and the RV, to make it through, without having to get in line for meager to no supply.
Such recommendations makes the potential shortage a self-fulfilling prophesy. I just went and bought two containers of DEF. I need one now and normally don’t buy it until needed. However, I know from other warnings such as the the toilet paper “shortage” that people (like me) will hoard DEF too — “just in case.”
We found a shortage in big box stores this past summer in PA, and NY. Now in Texas this fall!
Remarkable how OUR government seems to do everything in it’s power to make us more dependent upon our enemy, China.
Diesel engines are supposed to be simple, and multi-fueled. The original design was to run off of vegetable oils. Government has totally screwed it up. I would never own a newer diesel for that very reason.
My son, who works in an industry that utilizes a lot of diesel work trucks, told me about a trend in commercial trucks called “Gliders”….new trucks with older, but totally rebuilt to new, engines that eliminate the headaches of modern diesels, totally legal like, for now at least. If I were looking for a diesel, I’d definitely be looking at one and get it “grandfathered in” before our current dictatorial administration clamps down.
> OUR government seems to do everything in it’s power to make us more dependent upon our enemy, China.
It is called “Curse of the Zeroes” and Deut 28:12, which the actor Nixon violated in August 1971.
Deuteronomy 28 – 1599 Geneva Bible
12 The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, even the [i]heaven to give rain unto thy land in due season, and to bless all the work of thine hands: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but shalt not borrow thyself.
43 The stranger that is among you, shall climb above thee up on high, and thou shalt come down beneath alow.
44 He shall lend thee, and thou shalt not lend him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail.
The USA was founded by Ephraim (Genesis 48:19) and the Chinese that built our railroads are the “stranger that is among you”
DEF fluid is nothing, they eliminated light bulbs to repay China for buying our useless debt, once they eliminated the USA’s only two sites for producing rare minerals needed for LEDs.
I just checked Amazon, Home Depot, and O’Reilly. All had large supplies of 2.5g Blue DEF on hand. O’Reilly and HD were selling for $15 and $14 respectively. Amazon was obviously more expensive due to shipping, but hardly a concern if you need it. My rig gets 15mpg and I get 2,000 miles on 2.5g of DEF. So even if these prices double, I would only be spending $15 more every 2,000 miles. A shortage could definately suck, but price increases won’t stop me from RVing. Gas prices however…
Pardon me, but when did Diesel Engines for automotive us begin to require DEF for operation? Seems to me I would start hunting for an old diesel engine in wrecking yards.
I live in a state with no emissions so I just had it removed. No DPF, no DEF needed. Vehice has more power, and gets better MPGs
This is where “the right to repair” might be a valid issue. Being able to bypass emission programming to be able to use your vehicle, when a product is unavailable, might be a valid point and use of “right to repair”.
We live in a global economy (Mutual Assured Destruction) where if a product is not produced, it causes the price to go up elsewhere to fill demand, even within that country. Which means the people with the least amount of money get none.
You go into Walmart and the frozen veggie section is filled with stir fry bags “made in China” while they import rice, including from the USA.
If I had a diesel that needed DEF, I would stock up a year’s supply and rotate it out as I used it. Even if only in an effort to save money. Though for a full time RVer, where do you store 10 gallons or more?
I am just glad i bought my .22LR for $0.05 a round.
With all the doom and gloom about camping below, I wonder what percentage of the RV’s are newer diesels? When last at a campground only about 10-15% were by a rough reckoning.
I don’t need DEF for any of my vehicles but based on your statement to “lay in a supply now”, maybe I should start buying some for resale at an inflated price to supplement my pension.
You mean we can’t make pee-water in this country? Pathetic
This is 100% a government created problem. The amount of carbon emissions created to, produce, package and ship DEF, DPFs, and associated hardware is MUCH larger than the amount created by a few engines. Not only that, but adding these systems makes the vehicles heaver and reduces efficiency meaning thay they actually use even more fuel per mile. The Government could fix the problem with the stroke of a pen and allow diesels to run without this crap
After reading this and knowing that I’m going to have to add some soon, I went to pick up a 2.5 gallon cube at the local Walmart. Sold out. Stopped at the local parts store and they were cleaned out of the Blue DEF, but still had the store brand. Paid 15 for what I normally buy for less than $9. Apparently word’s gotten out there is a looming shortage. With the one I had on hand and the new cube, I should be good well into next year. On another note, apparently diesel oil is getting scarce too. Those shelves were pretty well depleted too
Lets make it from urine. Plenty raw material available.
There is no shortage. Went to Walmart they were out of stock. Went to another Walmart, they had plenty. Saw some at Lowes. By.The.Pallet.Full. It’s everywhere so there doesn’t seem to be a shortage. Just look around! I went to the store to buy half n half. They were “out” for a week! No shortage, the Manager just didn’t order enough.🤷🏼♂️
There wasn’t a shortage on R-12 freon either in 1989. Until it was gone.