Fueling at a Flying J/Pilot question

You have a later model ford, so the filler neck will let you use the high flow truck pumps. You have two options for convience. You can get the GS PFJ RV plus card which is a net 30 fueling account. Or you can activate pump start on a standard PFJ RV card. Pump start will allow you to start the RV or Truck pumps without a CC, and then go in an pay. I have both cards now and use them depending on what I am doing.

If you do use the truck pumps, make sure to pull up after you fuel, they can recall the proper transaction when you go in to pay or get a reciept after your pre authorization. I have never had issues with the truckers running this way.

obgraham wrote:
Wingy-1:
Wherever you choose to fuel, stop first outside the facility and visually check the layout. Get out and walk over if necessary. If you need the "auto-diesel" pump nozzle like I do, verify which pump(s) have it. Check where you'll go to exit the station after fueling. Just because the station has a truck stop is no guarantee that you will be able to get in and out! And sometimes a regular car-station is the best choice. Ask me about Flint, right near you!

I can't tell you how many times that little delay has saved me from a real mess.

That's good advice. And in fact I have been google mapping gas stations where I planned to stop. Get a nice top down and/or street view. Wow, I wish I would have had this when we were traveling in the 80's and 90's.

Made a change at one (from a BP to a Shell) across the street because of egress conditions. Another we may have to drop the 5th, fuel and rehook up, depending on what mileage we get.

Wingy-1:
Wherever you choose to fuel, stop first outside the facility and visually check the layout. Get out and walk over if necessary. If you need the "auto-diesel" pump nozzle like I do, verify which pump(s) have it. Check where you'll go to exit the station after fueling. Just because the station has a truck stop is no guarantee that you will be able to get in and out! And sometimes a regular car-station is the best choice. Ask me about Flint, right near you!

I can't tell you how many times that little delay has saved me from a real mess.

Appreciate all the input.

Don't go into the truck pumps in AZ. You will pay 8 cents ? a gal more. Taxes. 26000#gvw and less don't pay that road tax. Find a differant pump. I carry 96 gal so somewhere along the line I am usually disconnected and get fuel anywhere. IF I have to fuel, I go to the truck lanes take a cc in and fuel and go back and get cc and receipt. Never had an angry trucker.

We decided to take advantage of the Flying J credit card thing. With the Elite GS membership, we get 7 cents of regular gas. Got the card, just before leaving on our two week trip. Called the Flying J number to verify they had us as an Elite member and they didn't. But they corrected it then. On our way to Myrtle Beach, I stopped at Flying J there to fill up. Used the RV Island (which has diesel as well) and it worked like a charm. Took the 7 cents per gallon off the price right there. On Sunday, we were coming back from Wilmington, NC and stopped atthe Flying J in Graham, NC (I-40/85) and did the same thing with no problems. Was able to put about 42 gallons worth in around $140 and it did not stop as my debit card normally does at $75 at other places. That was nice.

I encountered the master/slave pump once where I needed to use the slave. The girl at the desk tried to explain to me what to do, but I'm slow. I could have used that helpful truck driver!

I always use the truck pumps when I'm towing - even if there are RV lanes offered. A 42' fifth wheel and 22' truck = a big rig in my eyes.

I've seen both - from a waiting queue to get into the pumps (one even had a guy dispatching you to a specific pump) to one where I was the only guy in there (fortunately, that was my first and I didn't not the etiquette was to pull ahead after filling).

I've only encountered helpful truck drivers - one was asking me about the truck and how it tows. Another helped spot me backing into a spot (from his driver's seat- showed me with his hands that I wasn't gonna hit (likely because I was blocking his way)) when I had gotten to where I couldn't see my tail end. Never had any ill will towards me.

I try not to dwaddle, but I definitely take a whole lot less time than they do at a pump. Even if I run back into the camper to whiz before pulling off (not my norm - I'll usually go park in a spot to do that, but there was no one around one day and I was waiting for my wife to come out of the store).

For the OP- most truck pumps do not take credit cards, even if there's a reader. They are setup for company cards of some sort and my debit card was never good enough. I just signed up for the Pilot/Flying J "charge" card so that I can activate the pump without going in first.

oldmattb wrote:


I am surprised you have not encountered master/slave pumps. I don't know that I have seen a truck lane without them. It allows trucks to fill the tanks on both sides of the cab without going through the lane backwards. Similarly, it allows us RVers to fill up if the fill cap is on the right (as was our Foretravel).

Maybe it is a state thing...

Matt B

The truck stops I've been to have pumps on both sides of the lane. I don't know if the truckers pay separately for each pump, or if (more likely) they're simply linked. But each side is like a normal pump with a screen, keypad and card reader.

The fuel card from Pilot/Flying J are Net/30 cards. You bank account is auto drafted in thirty days. The truck lane pumps put out a lot of full real quick so be careful while fueling. I can fill my 2006 F350 in less minute at my local Pilot. Never had an issue with truck drivers either. The fist time I weighed at a trucker came over and helped me and then told me about the fuel card and savings. Travel on.

pronstar wrote:
I've only used truckstops in CA and AZ, so take my post with a grain of salt if you live/travel elsewhere.

I've always just pulled up, paid inside, then pumped fuel into my truck.
Don't know anything about "master" or "slave" pumps.

I am surprised you have not encountered master/slave pumps. I don't know that I have seen a truck lane without them. It allows trucks to fill the tanks on both sides of the cab without going through the lane backwards. Similarly, it allows us RVers to fill up if the fill cap is on the right (as was our Foretravel).

Maybe it is a state thing...

Matt B