Truck stops.

[grizz272]

After deciding to buy a Fifth-wheel I started thinking what I would need to know about this thing. One of the first things I realized is I have not been at a truck stop with a trailer hitched up since 2003. So what do I do when I pull up to a diesel pump at a truck stop now?

[grizz272]

What is a good size for a aux tank? Do you have it plumbed right in to the truck or do you transfer as needed?

[n0arp]

+1 for aux tank. Never fill up with the trailer attached again, and go where you want for fuel.

[DReisinger]

If not stopping at a truck stop, look for a station where the islands parallel the road. And yes most truck stops are more expensive but it is a good place to stop for the night.

[Veebyes]

Agree, having the aux tank sure makes life less stressful & gives a better advantage in the 'who has the best fuel price' game. It also helps to cut down on visits to the pump & increase the chances of a delaying a fill up till you don't have the trailer in tow.

Truck stops are easy. That is for sure. They usually costs more too. It is all a balancing game of price & convenience.

[one_strange_tex]

Learjet wrote:
I think we missed a couple of points in our discussion:

When I talked about using FlyingJ or Pilot...I didn't mean to suggest that was all I used or the best to use...price etc.

I meant to convey that you can get in and out and not get jammed up with cars. The "Rv lanes" at a couple of them were no better then the regular non truck lanes...And I didn't see DEF at the RV lane pump at the ones I stopped at.

Also, I can plan my stops on a long trip and KNOW I can get fuel their and not stress trying to finding a good stop with my 38' 5th Wheel.

I never had to wait behind another truck in my 10 stops or so this year at "truck stops".

This is not a pro truck stop rant...just my opinion and observations.

Ditto, Ditto, Ditto, Ditto . . . even on the 38 foot 5th wheel. All except the waiting. I'd say I have to wait for a trucker to clear the lane 10-20% of the time, but it is almost never long as they are almost always courteous and time is money for them. A little longer wait equates to a longer break from driving, which is needed while travelling anyway. Getting in a hurry on the road is a recipe for stress and potentially other bad things.

[Learjet]

I think we missed a couple of points in our discussion:

When I talked about using FlyingJ or Pilot...I didn't mean to suggest that was all I used or the best to use...price etc.

I meant to convey that you can get in and out and not get jammed up with cars. The "Rv lanes" at a couple of them were no better then the regular non truck lanes...And I didn't see DEF at the RV lane pump at the ones I stopped at.

Also, I can plan my stops on a long trip and KNOW I can get fuel their and not stress trying to finding a good stop with my 38' 5th Wheel.

I never had to wait behind another truck in my 10 stops or so this year at "truck stops".

This is not a pro truck stop rant...just my opinion and observations.

[fj12ryder]

All these posts about how to get into, and more importantly, how to get out of a fuel station with trailer in tow are all excellent suggestions and pointers. And they all make me happier with my auxiliary fuel tank. Filling up with the 5th wheel unhooked just makes life easier. Less stress is a wonderful thing, and I would highly recommend an auxiliary fuel tank as a stress reduction device. 🙂

[ChuckV1]

Even thought if you have a Good Sam card an get 5 cents a gallon off at fly-J or Pilot I find that local gas station tend to be even cheaper.

I try to use gas station that have the pumps parallel to the building an not facing the building. I tend to pull into the newer station because there overhead is much, much taller than the old gas station of the past.

If I have to pull into a station that the pumps are facing the building I try to get to the end pumps away from the building thus have more room to swing out if needed...

I tend to start to looking for fuel stops when I get down just above to a 1/4 tank of fuel this have time to pick an choose where I stop.

Safe travels

[grizz272]

My first diesel pick up an 03 GMC would not take the larger nozzle. The first thing I did was buy the replacement filler neck that did take care of that problem.

[Cummins12V98]

81 VW, 86 C20, two 98 RAM's, 11 RAM, And current 15 RAM ALL DIESELS AND THEY ALL TOOK THE "BIG ONE" JUST FINE. Sorry for the caps.

[hone_eagle]

wyokaboy wrote:
I think the fuel filler nozzle size being too large to fit is just a myth. I have never found one too large to fit, has anyone else?
Back in the old day yes the tractor trailer fill nozzles were to lager for the Ford and Chevy fills openings (80s thru 2000s). It always took my longer to fill up with them. They kept shutting off or spraying fuel all over the place. Much easier now.

My '99 super duty could not take the semi nozzles

[wyokaboy]

I think the fuel filler nozzle size being too large to fit is just a myth. I have never found one too large to fit, has anyone else?
Back in the old day yes the tractor trailer fill nozzles were to lager for the Ford and Chevy fills openings (80s thru 2000s). It always took my longer to fill up with them. They kept shutting off or spraying fuel all over the place. Much easier now.

[enblethen]

Look down the throat of your fuel filler. If it is wide open, you will not have a problem. If yours has a cross piece like gas vehicles in there about 3 inches, you will have a problem.

[wyokaboy]

Bowti wrote:
I think the fuel filler nozzle size being too large to fit is just a myth. I have never found one too large to fit, has anyone else?

We use the "Next Exit" book to find exits that have diesel fuel. We have also found that most gas stations that have diesel have the diesel pumps on the outside lanes. We target stations that are on the corner which allows you to enter from one street and exit to another street using the outside pumps. Many stations are set up this way to accommodate large rigs.

We have never had a problem filling up, no matter what kind of station we have used, and we have used them all.

[fj12ryder]

Well, I've been stuck behind truckers who fill up and then disappear for 15-20 minutes too. So not too much patience with them either. I fill up and then move, and I expect them to do the same, and many don't.