(Stupid) Diesel Questions

BEisler wrote:
First, forgive me if this information has been posted in the past - my search came up empty.

So . . . I am a new diesel owner and am getting ready for some trips in the next few weeks - once this friggin winter weather decides to go away. Anyway, I think I have just about everything figured out on the new DP but it occurred to me that I now need to make sure I have diesel fuel available on my routes. Flying J, Pilot, Love's - tons of them out there. My first question is, in my 37 foot RV am I expected to go through the truck pumps? Next question, (and this is probably really stupid) are those pumps basically the same as the others? Can you pay at these pumps? Any special "etiquette" required at the truck pumps? I assume all of the big name stations have the extra low sulfur diesel?

I apologize for all of these really silly questions, but I am one of those who likes (needs) to know what to expect in advance.

Looking forward to the usual great input.

BEisler,
First off, congrats on the new coach. Hope your experience to come is as nice as it can be. As for where to purchase diesel while out and about, we get it anywhere we choose. We don't aim for Pilots or, Flying Js or anything big name. If we happen upon them and, they're not crowded, and we need fuel, we jump in there.

Because we tow our '11 GMC, our total length hovers right at 60'. So, accessibility is a top priority and, of course, price too. So, knowing your remaining range is important. That is, if you have say, 1/4 tank left and, it's a 100 gallon tank, then you have somewhere in the neighborhood of 25 gallons left.

And, if your mileage is say, around 7 mpg, and you're pretty sure it's flat ground in the next section of the trip, they you'd be pretty good for upwards of another 100 miles and still have a tad bit of reserve for looking around for fuel.

But, each person has their own parameters when it comes time for fueling. Some, don't let it get below 1/2 a tank. I try not to go too much below 1/4 tank. That gives me plenty of fuel for scoping out areas to purchase some and, also check things out for access. I have pulled off the freeway with intent to use Pilot and or Flying J and, when I got close to the station, many times it's jammed. Well, it's not my goal in life to sit and wait for an opening to occur for 1/2 hour or more, just to save a few cents on fuel.

So, we just look for what's available, cost and access. We've used truck fueling pumps only about 3-4 times in the life of owning this rig and, it was a pain in the a$$. Those pumps, many times, are setup for the payment systems the truckers use which, is not the same as normal credit cards. That means I have to inside the store and, stand in line behind people getting a ton of junk, just to pre-pay for my fuel. Then, I have to come back in, when I'm done, only to stand in line again, to finish the transaction. So, we just find normal pumps that accept credit cards. We pull in, shut down the rig, swipe the card, fill up, leave, DONE!

So, everyone has to do what's good for them. Convenience, access and cost are what we use for parameters. Good luck.
Scott