Diesel Fill up

I would like to mention something, since the original question was about using the big rig truck pumps vs RV lanes at Flying J or Pilot. Some have mentioned the downside of not being able to pay directly from the truck lanes. Pilot/Flying J does offer the RV Plus card, which can be used to pay at the pump at either RV, Auto, and Truck Diesel lanes.

You can apply online and they do a credit check on you, since basically they are administering you in a similar fashion to their commercial fleet customers. You call up your outstanding balance online and pay with a draft on the bank account of your choice. You have an online ID/password with them and a PIN for use at the pump with your RV Plus card. They do not bill you, you must go in and check on line routinely and pay the outstanding balance by the due date.

I have inquired as to the availability of this type of arrangement for non-commercial customers from other major truck stop chains such as Loves. It is not available at any others that I have found.

I now preferentially stop for fillups at Pilot/Flying J when I can, even though I think Loves are impressive, well run truck stops. Pilot/Flying J has extended this courtesy to me as an RV customer, telling me they value my business. Loves does not extend this courtesy, telling me they value my RV business less than Pilot/Flying J does.

ACZL wrote:
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Few questions I have for those w/ aux tanks. Yes it seems nice to have all that fuel, but doesn't cut down on your cargo capacity?,Seems like a lot of extra weight. Plus, yes you can go 800-1,000 miles w/o getting fuel, but don't you still have to stop every 4-6 hours for things? Once at destination, how do you know where "cheap" fuel is to fill back up?

I have a 36 gallon auxiliary tank, about 250 lbs. I'm driving a 1 ton dually so I'm in pretty good shape for capacity. It adds about 360 miles to my distance I can travel before needing fuel. OTOH I have no desire for a 90-100 gallon tank, you're just using fuel to haul fuel around. That's around 500 pounds, more than I have any desire to tote around.

I usually transfer fuel when my main tank gets down to between 1/2 and 3/4 tank. The really nice thing is I don't have to visit a stinky, noisy truck stop to refuel and take a break. And the real plus is if you spend a fair amount of time on the two lane roads, truck stops are fewer and farther between, and diesel pumps can be a real hassle to get to, especially with a 40' toyhauler, so you simply have no worries.

I don't worry about fuel prices, I fill up when it's convenient for me, not when the truck says I have to. I like being in charge.

hotpepperkid wrote:

azdryheat wrote:
I cringe thinking back to the days before an aux tank in my bed. I haven't been to the pumps with my trailer in several years.

Its been over 10 years since I have been to the pumps with my trailer attached

You only stay in pull thru sites?

Never had a problem. Have a 2006 F-350.

azdryheat wrote:
I cringe thinking back to the days before an aux tank in my bed. I haven't been to the pumps with my trailer in several years.

Its been over 10 years since I have been to the pumps with my trailer attached

My auxiliary tank does take up cargo, but I’m not overweight, so no concern there. Price is less of a concern than conscience for me, I don’t like to stop every two hours for fuel and I get nervous when I have less than half a tank. I really like the convenience of not having to fuel with the trailer attached. We may stop along the way, but not for fuel. If I were traveling alone, I could do 6-8 hours without stopping, with the kids... not so much.

It's really simple for those who don't worry about every cent and like convenience.

Truck stops are next to the freeway and easy to access. Simply have the wife go inside to prepay with pump number. Tell attendant Diesel amount you won't exceed and DEF if needed and amount not to exceed. While you are fueling she can shop, get some food and use the facilities. When you are done call her cell and let it ring twice and hang up. This tells her to go pay. You pull forward and go in to use the facilities and then you both head right back to the freeway. EZ CHEEZY.

Modern Truck Stops are VERY nice and have food that is from healthy to not so healthy.

I carry a 5 as a backup, used it once. Not wasting bed/toolbox space for additional tank.

If I did anything I would replace 32 gallon tank with a TITAN 55 gallon replacement tank.

Tvov wrote:
Many years ago when I had a 2000 F250 7.3, we stopped in New Jersey off of 287 to fill up. The station had the large nozzle which didn't fit our truck. The attendant (New Jersey still has the "full serve only" rule...) took the nozzle and just carefully put it against the smaller opening and filled my truck. It can be done, but I am pretty sure it was a "standard" fill pump and not a high-speed pump.

Did that a couple times with the last truck. Just barely crack the valve open and be careful not to take a shower.

Luckily we very rarely to long driving days, so we usually fill up before hooking up.

ACZL wrote:
20, 30, 40 cents more per gallon in truck lanes VS out front at same station? Knew of maybe 5-10 cents, but not 20-40 cents more. Some charge more as well for CC which is BS IMO. Using truck lanes is much easier to maneuver around than even the RV lanes out front. Wear some type of glove, but I use plastic gloves like folks at deli counters wear, When done, toss into trash can at fuel pump.

Few questions I have for those w/ aux tanks. Yes it seems nice to have all that fuel, but doesn't cut down on your cargo capacity?,Seems like a lot of extra weight. Plus, yes you can go 800-1,000 miles w/o getting fuel, but don't you still have to stop every 4-6 hours for things? Once at destination, how do you know where "cheap" fuel is to fill back up?

GasBuddy is one of the largest fuel price apps around. The site itself leaves a lot to be desired (IMO, it needs a massive makeover), but it's about 99% accurate on prices.

Lyle

20, 30, 40 cents more per gallon in truck lanes VS out front at same station? Knew of maybe 5-10 cents, but not 20-40 cents more. Some charge more as well for CC which is BS IMO. Using truck lanes is much easier to maneuver around than even the RV lanes out front. Wear some type of glove, but I use plastic gloves like folks at deli counters wear, When done, toss into trash can at fuel pump.

Few questions I have for those w/ aux tanks. Yes it seems nice to have all that fuel, but doesn't cut down on your cargo capacity?,Seems like a lot of extra weight. Plus, yes you can go 800-1,000 miles w/o getting fuel, but don't you still have to stop every 4-6 hours for things? Once at destination, how do you know where "cheap" fuel is to fill back up?