Just bought my first diesel and am curoius about the protocol for refueling.Do you jump in the fueling lanes with the 18 wheelers, or do you to the rv lane (if there is one), or go thru the gas/diesel lanes with the cars?

Whatever you choose.......Just MOVE the rig after fueling.

At Flying J, RV lane if not backed up. Have gotten at outside pumps(if there is room to make the turn))at Sheetz,Walmart,etc. Truck lane if we have to. Depends on where you are.

We've used them all. The primary decision making answer for me is, "CONVENIENCE". Unless specifically directed by signs, arrows on the pavement or whatever, and, I take a long look at turning areas, overhead clearances, traffic in the area and more, I take what's convenient for me. We've used the truck fueling docks several times. I've never received any bad looks or comments or anything that would deter me from using them again. The large truck fuel docks are for working folks and they need to get their fuel. But, if circumstances permit, the 18 wheeler traffic is low and docks are open, I many times head for one of them. So, to us, each fueling situation is a bit different. Lots to consider. Scott

All depends on the location. Many places have auto diesel up front but you cannot get in there due to size of the lot. We tow and cannot back up far, so that makes for some interesting tactics sometimes. Try to scope the whole scene out before you commit to entry - looking for pump access certainly, but getting out is an important as getting in.:BQuik Trip here in the SE is building some great fuel stops that you can use with a regular card. I believe their base in Texas so you may be familiar with them. Flying J used to be my favorite fuel stop but they were bought out by Pilot and Pilot is letting the FJ locations fall into disrepair. :M

RV and car pumps: Slow to fill, often multiple swipes on the CC and clueless people that park at the pump and go inside to get a sandwich, etc. May be the best place to get cash back on your CC.Truck lanes: You may have to go inside to start the pump, fast fill, pull forward and go inside to pay. Pilot Frequent Fueler RV card (this is NOT the GS card) starts the pump and sets the price to 3 cents off of the cash price. Pay inside with Amex and get 5% cash back. Loves similar but no pump start.I use both but I've never checked to see if I can get into the truck lanes, no need to check and you don't deal with clueless people.

Protocol for fueling diesel | Good Sam Community

64 Replies

Snomas
Explorer
Oct 20, 2013
It depends. I go to RV pumps 1st if they have them, 2nd truck fueling area, 3rd gas/diesel pumps only if I can get in!!
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Oct 20, 2013
hershey wrote:
In Arizona we have found that there is a heafty tax on vehicles over 26,000 lbs at truck pump. Those pumps assume that your in that category and your automatically charged the higher price.
When filling at the RV pumps you pay around a nickle (actually I think its more) less for your fuel.
Just be sure the truck tax is removed before you start to pump.
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Oct 19, 2013
nbargolf wrote:
Mr.Mark wrote:
Executive wrote:
We pull up to in the truck lanes. Start the pump and DW goes inside. Pump shuts off, I text amount to her, she pays and meets me outside where I've pulled forward to allow anyone waiting behind me to pull up. Usually she's back at the coach by the time I pull forward. I won't use those small nozzles and no, I've never had one of the large 60GPM nozzles foam on me.....Dennis

For what it's worth, I've never had a 60 gpm nozzle.... and I've timed them! The best I could tell is 20-30 gpm. And, I do get foam towards the very end and will slowly put in the next 10-15 gallons as I want to go as far as I can before the next fill up.

When I fill that way, I can go 100-125 miles before the needle will move off of full. I try to get 300 miles per quarter tank. Most of the time I can do it!

MM.

Man 1200 miles on a tank that's outstanding.

Well, I never actually drive it to empty. The lowest I go is about ¼ tank. But, theoretically, I could get 1,200 miles to a tank if I'm getting 300 miles per quarter tank. My total average over 64,000 miles is about 7.2-7.5 mpg, which means, sometimes I'm getting 9 mpg and sometimes it's 6 mpg (depending on road conditions and wind).

MM.
hershey
Explorer
Oct 19, 2013
In Arizona we have found that there is a heafty tax on vehicles over 26,000 lbs at truck pump. Those pumps assume that your in that category and your automatically charged the higher price.
When filling at the RV pumps you pay around a nickle (actually I think its more) less for your fuel.
nbargolf
Explorer
Oct 19, 2013
Mr.Mark wrote:
Executive wrote:
We pull up to in the truck lanes. Start the pump and DW goes inside. Pump shuts off, I text amount to her, she pays and meets me outside where I've pulled forward to allow anyone waiting behind me to pull up. Usually she's back at the coach by the time I pull forward. I won't use those small nozzles and no, I've never had one of the large 60GPM nozzles foam on me.....Dennis

For what it's worth, I've never had a 60 gpm nozzle.... and I've timed them! The best I could tell is 20-30 gpm. And, I do get foam towards the very end and will slowly put in the next 10-15 gallons as I want to go as far as I can before the next fill up.

When I fill that way, I can go 100-125 miles before the needle will move off of full. I try to get 300 miles per quarter tank. Most of the time I can do it!

MM.

Man 1200 miles on a tank that's outstanding.
nbargolf
Explorer
Oct 19, 2013
Daboo wrote:
man, didn't realize you diesel pusher people had problems filling...I drive a gasser and have never had a problem...one more check on the side of the gasser..have a great day

Please don't start the gas vs DP war. I owned a gasser went to a DP. No comparison would never go back.
nbargolf
Explorer
Oct 19, 2013
If a flying j or pilot is near we use their card in the 18 wheeler lane. they accept their card at the pump so we fuel and go. Be careful these pumps put out a lot of fuel quickly.
KO
Explorer
Oct 19, 2013
Not a true statement for Arizona. I work here and use the truck lanes often when driving my RV.
67Cutlass
Explorer
Oct 16, 2013
wny_pat wrote:
67Cutlass wrote:
KO wrote:
If you pull forward ( there is usually a yellow line) they don't mind you being there.

I agree with you completely. I've been using the truck lanes for over 10 years and never had a problem.
Wait til you get to Indiana and Arizona. You are not allowed in the truck lanes unless you have a DOT sticker and a IFTA sticker. And your RV does not have them!

Been to AZ and don't remember that being a problem.:h

In fact this is what I found in Pilot's RV Travel Guide.

It doesn't say anything about needing a DOT or IFTA sticker. If that was a requirement then I would think it would have stated so and told RV'ers not to use the truck lanes.
Pilot's RV travel Guide wrote:

When using the professional truck lanes in Arizona, a Heavy Vehicle tax is included in the advertised price. In the event that a vehicle using the professional truck lanes is exempt from this tax, they must notify the cashier when paying, and the cashier will manually remove the additional tax.

As for Indiana pretty much the same thing. Nothing about DOT or IFTA sticker.
Pilot's RV travel Guide wrote:

*RV Plus Discount available only in truck diesel lanes and not accepted in store.
**The advertised diesel price in Indiana reflects the tax-exempt price for commercial vehicles only. Private vehicles are required by state law to pay state taxes at the time of purchase. The pump price will increase to include the required state tax. However, customers will still receive the applicable discount off that price.

Pilot RV Travel Guide
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Oct 16, 2013
wny_pat wrote:
67Cutlass wrote:
KO wrote:
If you pull forward ( there is usually a yellow line) they don't mind you being there.

I agree with you completely. I've been using the truck lanes for over 10 years and never had a problem.
Wait til you get to Indiana and Arizona. You are not allowed in the truck lanes unless you have a DOT sticker and a IFTA sticker. And your RV does not have them!
That is not correct for Arizona.