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

StephJohn2010
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
I use the truck lanes. I've followed that "RV" gas up over here sign and gotten stuck too many times. Had to disconnect toad to get out. Never again. I'm 65ft with car attached.
msmith1199
Explorer II
Oct 14, 2013
Is the fuel in the truck lanes the same as the fuel at the RV/Auto diesel lane? I've never used the truck lanes myself. I have the Pacific Pride Card through the place in Washington and I have a Pacific Pride outlet near my house so I always fill up there. With a 700 to 800 mile range I only have to use fuel in other locations when on long cross-countries and I haven't done one of those since 2009 so I've only had to fill at the same place.
67Cutlass
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
imgoin4it wrote:
Many, not all, truck refueling stations will have one of the lanes labeled for RV's. If this is the case use this lane...

Pilot/Flying J actually encourages you to use their truck lines when using the RV Plus Charge Card. A lot of the time the fuel discount is not available in the RV lanes. Nothing is posted at the pumps about the discount. You need to check their website to see if the discount is available in the RV lanes. It's always available in the truck lanes.
MarkTwain
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
I used to try to fit in the auto diesel bays, but most of the time it is a pain because of goofy 4 wheelers rushing in and out of the bays or leave their cars at the pump after fueling up to go in to get a bag of potato chips and coke:(. Drives me nuts. But most of the time I find manuvering your RV around in limited spaces a bigger pain:(.
Now I just pull in the bays for the 18 wheelers where there is plenty of room and it is easy to drive in and out. After I drive into the fuel bay, I look at the number of the pump I am going to use, then I go directly into the casher and take care of the credit or cash payment. If I have to go to the casher to pay, I fuel up I move the RV and truck out of the bay so another 18 wheeler can drive in for fuel and I am out of their way. Be sure and check the size of your fuel tank opening, the 18 wheel hose nozzles are larger than the regular gas nozzles. The truck pumps also pump about twice as fast as the car pumps:)
PatStab
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
I have a 150 gallon diesel tank. I sometimes fill at truck pumps unless they are really busy, it takes me forever when it keeps cutting off at $75 or $100 at a time. I also can fill from either side so that is convenient.

I made it from Indiana to Florida on one fill so don't have to stop often.
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
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.
cbigham
Explorer III
Oct 14, 2013
Truck lanes almost always. No real choice, fuels from both sides, twin tanks.
steelpony5555
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
I use the RV lanes if possible, they are usually cleaner then the truck pump area.....
Executive45
Explorer III
Oct 14, 2013
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
tatest
Explorer II
Oct 14, 2013
Car lanes, start the pump, go in and shop, have a meal in the restaurant, come out and check whether pump has shut off yet. Not that I recommend it, but it seems to be the protocol.

Truck lanes, go in and get the pump started, stay with it until it fills, pull out of the way, go in and pay. If you have other business at the stop, go park first.

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Protocol for fueling diesel

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