Using Truck Stops

brownmht wrote:
A nickles worth of my two cents. Maybe even a dime.

Many truck stops have RV pumps set aside for us. My understanding from talking to my brother is he's never known of a problem with RV's fueling up at truck stops. He's more upset about having to pass us on the road. Personally, my complaint is that I can't use my debit card at most truck stop pumps and have to pre-pay at the fuel desk.

Secondly, IMHO, more importantly, is fuel quality. Commerce lives and dies by diesel. I read a post on here posted by an RV'er who filled up his tank at a gas station. He got a mile or 2 down the road and got a "water in fuel" idiot light and his truck prompltly ceased operation. When he called roadside assistance, he found he was not the only stranded traveler with the same problem. Apparently, the gas station was serving up water instead of diesel. Now I can't say if they were doing this intentionally or not. And as I understand it since there were lawyers involved the post was removed. My point is that I'll bet on a more sure thing by getting my fuel the same place the big guys do. Can you imagine if a truck stop started watering down the fuel and stranded a few OTR trucks on the side of the road? Do you think a trucking company would tolerate a situation like that?

Besides, maneuvering in a gas station with my rig can be way more challenging than wheeling it around a truck stop.

So I'll gladly wait for a truck driver to top off his tanks rather than wait for the whole soccer team to go potty while they leave the minivan parked in front of the single diesel pump at Exxon.

Think the age of the fueling facilites (underground tanks and location of tank fill ports relative to surrounding grade) has more to do with water in fuel, gas or diesel than anything. In Florida for example, because ground water intrusion (and fuel leaking out) into old steel tanks was a problem, the legislature passed rules requiring installation of double wall fiberglass tanks, sensors, monitoring "wells" etc. The expense of updating storage and delivery put a lot of service stations/convenience stores out of the fuel sales business. More about environmental protection, but also helps protect fuel quality.

I don't have a lot of worry about fuel quality, but I might avoid a place that "looks" old. And on the road, never have had an access issue at a gas station/convenience store that sells fuel on an interstate interchange anywhere I've traveled. Not with my fifth wheel and not with my travel trailer. Just my personal preference to pass on the Love's, Petros, Flying J's & Pilots of the world because their prices do tend to be higher. My experience, yours may vary.

If you're a Good Sam member, check out the GS Pilot/Flying J card. Different levels, but the one we have gets 8 cents off the Cash price and is accepted at the pump. Swipe the card, enter my PIN code, pump my fuel and drive away, no going inside. No one mentioned about those RV Islands where they fill Propane tanks and have a dump station where you might have a wait while someone else is taking care of business. And for some unknown reason they seem to be placed as far removed from the entrance as possible. Try getting in with a large (40' plus) 5er when cars are parked in front of the building and others waiting in the gas lines. Leaves no room to swing a long rig into the pump line. We'll stay with Pilot/Flying J.

A nickles worth of my two cents. Maybe even a dime.

Many truck stops have RV pumps set aside for us. My understanding from talking to my brother is he's never known of a problem with RV's fueling up at truck stops. He's more upset about having to pass us on the road. Personally, my complaint is that I can't use my debit card at most truck stop pumps and have to pre-pay at the fuel desk.

Secondly, IMHO, more importantly, is fuel quality. Commerce lives and dies by diesel. I read a post on here posted by an RV'er who filled up his tank at a gas station. He got a mile or 2 down the road and got a "water in fuel" idiot light and his truck prompltly ceased operation. When he called roadside assistance, he found he was not the only stranded traveler with the same problem. Apparently, the gas station was serving up water instead of diesel. Now I can't say if they were doing this intentionally or not. And as I understand it since there were lawyers involved the post was removed. My point is that I'll bet on a more sure thing by getting my fuel the same place the big guys do. Can you imagine if a truck stop started watering down the fuel and stranded a few OTR trucks on the side of the road? Do you think a trucking company would tolerate a situation like that?

Besides, maneuvering in a gas station with my rig can be way more challenging than wheeling it around a truck stop.

So I'll gladly wait for a truck driver to top off his tanks rather than wait for the whole soccer team to go potty while they leave the minivan parked in front of the single diesel pump at Exxon.

Great comments! My wife and I will be making a long trip in January from Medford Oregon to Ft. Myers Florida along I-5 then along I-10. Just wanted to know if I could use truck stops while still towing the 5th wheel. It is really a blessing to learn from those that have been there done that! If any of you have gone that same way, I would like your comments regarding places to stay, things to see and what to be careful of... Thanks again.

Suggest you have 1. a Emergency weather warning Radio i.e. Oregon Scientific CCC and leave it on all the time. 2. CB radio with weather radio capabilities. Truckers can give you the most current road and weather conditions. I use truck stops all the time, never have to worry about being able to drive my RV into and out of the pump areas. Be sure to have
an Emergency Road Side service policy and buy the best one. Happy travels.

2oldman wrote:
You can, but being surrounded by working truckers, some of whom do not appreciate RVers using their pumps, can be an unwelcome feeling.

Those pumps are high volume and pressure, so be darn careful.

I've never gotten a hint of unwelcomeness at truck stops. Heck, I have had truckers come ask me about my truck, camper and how it pulls.

That said- I do try to adhere to their etiquette and first and foremost- that is, fill up and pull up before doing anything else. Go in and pay, don't dwaddle. If you need to be there for much more than that, go park and go about your business.

I've used truck stops for both filling up and hitting the weigh station scales during the day and at night (have never stayed overnight). I've never had a inkling of unpleasantries.

I like the Flying J RV islands myself. They are good for gasers and diesel trucks/RVs. They are easy to get into and out of. A few pennies here and there add up but so does anxiety.

You can, but being surrounded by working truckers, some of whom do not appreciate RVers using their pumps, can be an unwelcome feeling.

Those pumps are high volume and pressure, so be darn careful.

Great comments! My wife and I will be making a long trip in January from Medford Oregon to Ft. Myers Florida along I-5 then along I-10. Just wanted to know if I could use truck stops while still towing the 5th wheel. It is really a blessing to learn from those that have been there done that! If any of you have gone that same way, I would like your comments regarding places to stay, things to see and what to be careful of... Thanks again.



Thank You all

Lantley wrote:

Itching2go wrote:
Just picked up our first diesel TV... Chevy 3500 D/A. Really looking forward to using the truck lanes and avoiding the (sometimes) hassle of getting into and out of auto pump lanes. I've read in more than one place about possible problems with nozzle sizes. Am I going to have this problem with a 2007 Chevy 3500? Do I need to purchase an adapter? Wouldn't like to find myself filling up for the first time and discovering then that I have a problem.

I have an 07 3500 as well. You will have no issues with the larger nozzles. Truckstops make fueling easy,they eliminate the access worry/anxiety.
I'm not sure why there is any debate on this subject.
Some may fear truckstops because they maybe seedy, truth is most are not. Yes there maybe a few seedy truckstops but truth is there are far more seedy gas stations.

Some states charge a higher motor fuel tax on diesel sold to OTR rigs. Stands to reason by fueling at an OTR fuel island at a truck stop in those states you're paying more for your fuel.

If you are refueling at truck stops, it is good to have some gloves. I have found most places have fuel on the handle and tend to be messy. You can use the same disposable gloves used when dumping the tanks.

I prefer using regular diesel pumps when the spacing allows. Some of the truckers take some time to fuel and then pull up and block your exit. Truckers will pull up and then head in for food, ect and you may sit for a while.