new to diesel

I ask this same question 3 months ago. Since then I followed the advice of people on this forum and have used the truck pumps. Works great, in and out in minutes. My wife could not believe I was done so quick. After you are fueled, find a slot in the parking lot and take care of everything else. Like JimM68, I got the Pilot/FJ/Good Sam Frequent Fueler card. Sort of a credit card; works only at Pilot/FJ, turns the pump on, $2500 per month limit, must pay the balance each month. Wont go back to the RV lanes again, of course I don't fit as well anymore.

Good Luck

I send my DW in to pay and get the pumps turned on. I pretty much know how much I am going to take, since my Aladdin is fairly accurate on how much fuel we have used. I have her prepay the appropriate amount and the cashier will credit any amounts we don't use. If that doesn't work, DW stays inside and completes the sale when I call her, then I pull forward, collect her and away we go. In Canada, Alaska and some Western states, we use the "cardlock" fuel depots when available. Their fuel is usually lots less, and the lots usually almost empty.

Sully2 wrote:

Bruce Brown wrote:
Make sure your MH has the proper sized inlet too. The truck pumps have very large nozzles, normally the auto diesel pumps have a lot smaller nozzle in comparison. Most newer diesels will have a fill opening large enough for the truck nozzle - but not all. Be sure yours does before trying to fill at a truck pump.

Other than that - we use them when it's easier to get in and out. Sometimes the clerk will get a little confused when you don't have a truck number. We had that happen on a recent trip with my truck pulling our TT. I had to get, umm - firm, yeah, thats it, firm, with the lady so I could fill up. Apparently paying cash was a bit more than she could handle.

All the REAL DIESEL'S have large inlets Bruce.......:B

:B

We use pilot / flying J almost exclusively, I got their RV frequent fueler card, and it does turn on the truck pump, and also discounts the fuel, I think by a nickel. I use the slave pump too, and can zap in $300 worth of diesel in just a few heartbeats. Use an open pump with no one parked in front of it if you can, the truckers will fill up, pull up, and then go in for a sit down meal and a shower.... :)

No way do I use the RV lanes unless I need propane and there is just no where else to go. Typically the RV lanes dump out right at the building with no way to turn a big rig, and they are full of jamokes in lil delivery trucks to boot! It used to be ok, but now that they charge to dump regardless, fugetaboutit.

Rob_Fla wrote:
I use the truck lanes all the time with our 3500HD / 5er Combo, easy in and out, fast pumps.
I have only had to wait in line once or twice, usually there is a open lane.
Be aware the pump handles / nozzles are usually more messy in the truck lanes.

Yep, have rubber gloves handy, just in case, and sometimes the hose is filthy, so watch your clothes. Have had this happen in the truck lanes, but not the RV lanes.

Blaster Man wrote:
I avoid all the big name truck stops. IMHO, they are crowded, dirty, noisy, more expensive and a PITA to use...go inside, stand in line, give them your CC, fill up, go back inside stand in line to get your card and pay. I look for high volume stations not affiliated with FJ, Loves, etc.

Totally disagree

Like the truck pumps because of the high speed hoses

With a 300 mile range its not like I have to fuel all the time

Blaster Man wrote:
I avoid all the big name truck stops. IMHO, they are crowded, dirty, noisy, more expensive and a PITA to use...go inside, stand in line, give them your CC, fill up, go back inside stand in line to get your card and pay. I look for high volume stations not affiliated with FJ, Loves, etc.

Ahh...interesting. I have to struggle with this as well and it is a PIA. Problem with the regular pumps is twofold. 60-80 gallons of diesel costs about $214 - $291 dollars. This equates to two or three redo’s on the charge at pump. This wastes a ton of time, not to mention you are in the mix of people that don't have MHs and are waiting on you. Second, the smaller pump is a LOT slower. IMO, the truck lanes are the way to go if the price isn't crazy. You notice that Murray gas (Wal-Mart) builds their islands to deter us from using them.

To the guy with the FW; why would you go to the truck lane? Usually you can find it way cheaper elsewhere and can easily fit and don't have to walk through the oil and spilled diesel fuel....yuk. One reason I don't mind using the truck lanes now is my family is self-contained and they don't get out. Bathroom and food are all inside. When we FW-ed, we had to combine potty with fuel and having my brood get out all around the truckers sucks. Then the high velocity nozzle would spew fuel all over my pretty truck and me....you are better off to use the non-trucker pumps. I would.

To the OP, when you are in a DP you will see how similar you are to the OTR guys. Size, speed, and fueling are all very much in common and they are very friendly. Usually get a lot of conversation with them. We have as much right to the trucker lanes as they do......big disadvantage is not being able to pay at pump. Where there is a dedicated trucker cashier, the line moves pretty well. When you have to wait behind the dude that needs seeds and a Mt. Dew, the wait can get a little long. Bottom line, if I can get a good price on diesel with the big pump and no spending limit with easy in easy out, which is the way to go. Nothing more embarrassing than have to unhook the Jeep so I can back up!


ww07

Bruce Brown wrote:
Make sure your MH has the proper sized inlet too. The truck pumps have very large nozzles, normally the auto diesel pumps have a lot smaller nozzle in comparison. Most newer diesels will have a fill opening large enough for the truck nozzle - but not all. Be sure yours does before trying to fill at a truck pump.

Other than that - we use them when it's easier to get in and out. Sometimes the clerk will get a little confused when you don't have a truck number. We had that happen on a recent trip with my truck pulling our TT. I had to get, umm - firm, yeah, thats it, firm, with the lady so I could fill up. Apparently paying cash was a bit more than she could handle.

All the REAL DIESEL'S have large inlets Bruce.......:B

I avoid all the big name truck stops. IMHO, they are crowded, dirty, noisy, more expensive and a PITA to use...go inside, stand in line, give them your CC, fill up, go back inside stand in line to get your card and pay. I look for high volume stations not affiliated with FJ, Loves, etc.

Make sure your MH has the proper sized inlet too. The truck pumps have very large nozzles, normally the auto diesel pumps have a lot smaller nozzle in comparison. Most newer diesels will have a fill opening large enough for the truck nozzle - but not all. Be sure yours does before trying to fill at a truck pump.

Other than that - we use them when it's easier to get in and out. Sometimes the clerk will get a little confused when you don't have a truck number. We had that happen on a recent trip with my truck pulling our TT. I had to get, umm - firm, yeah, thats it, firm, with the lady so I could fill up. Apparently paying cash was a bit more than she could handle.