Truck stops.

Same perspectives as Veebyes, here. With our 2008 Duramax, the fill tube is plenty big to handle the truck lane pumps. And there is the side benefit that as the truck pumps pass fuel at a much higher volume than standard auto pumps, you'll be able to fill up much faster than in the non-truck lanes. Just know that you'll need to set the pump handle on the slowest (first) notch.

After pulling with a gasser for several years and making the switch to a diesel, I've found the ability to fuel up at truck pumps, avoiding the 'driving gymnsastics' of the auto pumps, a great benefit. Easy in and easy out when towing.

As others have noted, Pilot, Flying J, and many other truck stops will not accept credit cards at the pump. For the first year, this meant that we had to go inside after pulling up and presenting our card to the service desk, then heading back out to pump. It was a bit of a PITA, but not a huge one. In our second year, I signed up for a Pilot/Flying J card that is accepted at the pump, gives us a few cents off the price, and is automatically paid monthly from my checking account via EFT. Much easier.

Also as others have noted, you can always find diesel a bit cheaper from other places, but I've found that for me, the ease and convenience of pulling through the truck lanes when under tow is well worth the extra spend.

As for protocol...

1 - Pull into an empty lane.
2 - Swipe your card or head inside to activate the pump in needed.
3 - Fill 'er up. Diesel and/or DEF at the island. Some turn off their propane, but I never have. One advantage of diesel over gas is that is not as flammable... so not much risk, IMHO.
4 - Most islands also have air, so this might be a good time to check your tire pressure with the pumps running.
5 - When finished fueling, if you need to head inside to pay, hit the head, or pick up a coffee, convenience item, etc, pull forward away from the island to free it up for the next truck/RV. There is typically a line on the pavement to let you (and other trucks) know when you're far enough forward that you're not blocking the island.

If you're a bit intimidated about fueling with the 'big boys', don't be. In all the years we've been fueling in the truck lanes, I've never run into a trucker that made me feel I wasn't where I was supposed to be. In fact, I've had some great conversations with other truckers about road conditions, what it's like to pull a fiver, etc.

Hope this helps...

Not all green nozzles are diesel. Make sure what you have.

2006 Chevy here. No issue with filler tube size at truck islands. Big chain truck stops usually cost more. The only problem I can ever recall at a truck stop was caused by a thoughtless RVer who did not pull forward far enough at a busy stop after filling.

Cheaper fuel can often be found less than a half mile further from a highway exit. Some vehicular gymnastics might be needed to get into & out of the smaller stations. If we can we buy fuel when we do not have the trailer.

More problems are caused by car drivers using the diesel/gas islands instead of gas only islands & wandering off inside leaving the car blocking the diesel pump.

I would not tell anyone else to follow my example, but I can certainly tell anyone what my practice is.

In over 100,000 miles of towing I almost totally avoid truck stops and use regular fuel stations.

My point to the OP is to say, you don't HAVE TO use truck stops. Some of us almost never use them. It is a choice you can make.

I do use care in planning at which stations I should stop and then even more care in planning how to get in--AND GET OUT.

Some like to use the truck stops because of the ease of entry and exit but I try to avoid because of the much higher cost. If possible I will fuel at a store away from the truck stops and only use them as a last resort. Gas buddy, google earth and reviews can give a pretty good picture whether you can get in or not.

To answer one question, yes just line up with the truck, and other big rig diesel users, and get fuel. Some truck stops have credit card machine at the pump but not most. Some Flying J have RV lanes but not all. Access to Flying J RV lanes can also be tight and may require careful maneuvering. Here in the south a lot of regular stations have a couple of separate diesel lanes set away from the regular gas lanes offering easy in and out. Marathon often does that.

Do you use the Semi lanes? I can see using the RV island if it is labeled and easily accessible.

enblethen wrote:
Your profile indicates that you have a Chev Duramax. If this is correct many of the big rig fueling stations won't like the small neck of your rig.
Most truck stops have an island for autos/small trucks with diesel.
Some like Flying J have RV islands.

Have they made the nuzzles bigger lately? I have not had any trouble getting the nozzles in, in the past? I just have not been able to run at full volume.

Most of the stations around here that have diesel i would not want to try and get a fifth-wheel in or out of because of the hard right or left turned required.

get a pilot flyingJ RV card...pay at the pump, discount and DEF at the pump.

Your profile indicates that you have a Chev Duramax. If this is correct many of the big rig fueling stations won't like the small neck of your rig.
Most truck stops have an island for autos/small trucks with diesel.
Some like Flying J have RV islands.

NOT ALL have pay at the pumps!