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roscott's avatar
roscott
Explorer
Dec 10, 2013

Update - Diesel lane tips/advice

Picked up the rig and have had an issue free trip so far. I used the advice provided during my truck stop fueling...thank you all, it made everything a bit less intimidating. Just dropped off my copilot in Austin (My Brother came along to help drive) and will finish my journey to Houston in the morning.

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OK, flying out on Thursday to pick up my 1st Diesel Pusher. I will be driving from Phoenix back to the Houston area. I've read the comments from other posts regarding truck stop/diesel lane etiquette, as well as downloaded some material from other sites. Just thought I'd come on here one more time and see if anyone in the community has any additional advice that might help mitigate the 'rookie factor' when I have to stop. The last thing I want to do is tick someone off...especially a trucker. I've heard a lot about Flying J and thought I'd try them for my stops, if possible. I've owned a class C and have rented a couple of 35' + Class A's in the past, so not too worried about driving and maneuvering...until I get to the diesel lanes anyway.

Thanks in advance!
Class A
  • JamesBr's avatar
    JamesBr
    Explorer
    Dec 10, 2013
    I rarely if ever see cheaper diesel at smaller stations aimed at autos. Maybe off the major interstate highways in the central and western US this is different. But at least from NY to FL on the east coast, up and down all the major routes including US 15, the truck stops are the same price cash as the smaller stations. The only thing I can think of is comparing the truck stop credit prices to the prices at smaller stations which are usually cash or credit. But I already know how to get the cash price at the bigger stops and use a rewards visa, so now I am at the same cost, sometimes a few pennies lower, plus the rewards of 4% on the purchase. Couple that with easier ingress/egress, and even without pump start its actually equal to the smaller stations where I have to go in anyway to pre-auth for more then the $75 limit is.
  • JimM68's avatar
    JimM68
    Explorer
    Dec 10, 2013
    Good advice above.

    I haven't broughtmy DP through a flying J RV lane since they started charging to dump!

    One thing I dint see mentioned is the slave pumps. Truck lanes will have a second pump on the passenger side, with no display or anything, just a hose. Since our monaco has fillers on both sides, I always use them both, goes twice as fast!!!
  • mccsix's avatar
    mccsix
    Explorer
    Dec 10, 2013
    My experience with the truckers at the pump is that they will pull forward when done fueling then go inside for whatever and not come back for up to an hour! I've had this happen so often I will not pull into an empty pump if there is a truck in front of it.
  • obgraham's avatar
    obgraham
    Explorer
    Dec 10, 2013
    Make sure that your rig's fuel port will accept the high flow nozzle, which is bigger. Mine will not. So I have to find the "auto diesel" pump, usually at one end of the pump island at a truck stop. And a few truck stops don't have an auto diesel pump.
  • B_s_Bunch's avatar
    B_s_Bunch
    Explorer
    Dec 10, 2013
    67Cutlass wrote:
    Executive wrote:
    Get yourself the RV Swipe and Save card from Good Sam. If you already have the RV rewards card, use that until you can get the new card(s).

    1. Pick a truck lane and pull up to the pump. Note the pump number.
    2. Swipe your RV card. Pick tractor fuel. You won't need DEF or reefer fuel.
    3. Pump will authorize. Pump fuel. Remember these are 40 Gal/min pumps.
    4. When finished fueling, return hose to pump and pull your coach forward to the yellow line.
    5. Go inside and pay.


    It's even simpler if you get RV PLUS Charge Card.

    1. Use the truck lane pumps - using the RV Lanes does not guarantee the discount
    2. Swipe your card and fill up
    3. When done just leave - nothing else to do.

    If you want a receipt go inside and swipe your card at the Kiosk and print your receipt. No lines, no waiting.

    On top of that you can get up to and additional 9 cents a gallon discount off of the cash price. That's 15 cents off of the credit card price.

    This is not a revolving charge card. The balance must be paid off monthly.
    X2 X3 x4
  • John___Angela's avatar
    John___Angela
    Explorer
    Dec 10, 2013
    Just be expeditious and get the job done. We avoid truck stops and instead head for travel centres like Flying J, Loves, Travel America etc. You have as much right to be there as anyone else. If you are checking fluids etc, do it after you are through the line.
  • Monaco_Montclai's avatar
    Monaco_Montclai
    Explorer
    Dec 10, 2013
    I always pick the fuel stops that will be to my likeing. Size, room, most 18wheeler places will be good, don't even put the thought in your head bout ticking some body off. U like me have already done that. It's you're money,muse it when u want it, and enjoy it. Now my friend it's all happy-camping
  • roscott's avatar
    roscott
    Explorer
    Dec 12, 2013
    Thanks again all, for the advice and encouragement! Currently at 30,000 ft somewhere over west Texas. Will update on the rig and journey when I return.

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