Using Truck Stops

[Rogue_Eagle]

I am new to rving and would like to know if I can use truck stops to refuel my diesel pickup with 5th wheel?

[ependydad]

2oldman wrote:
You can, but being surrounded by working truckers, some of whom do not appreciate RVers using their pumps, can be an unwelcome feeling.

Those pumps are high volume and pressure, so be darn careful.

I've never gotten a hint of unwelcomeness at truck stops. Heck, I have had truckers come ask me about my truck, camper and how it pulls.

That said- I do try to adhere to their etiquette and first and foremost- that is, fill up and pull up before doing anything else. Go in and pay, don't dwaddle. If you need to be there for much more than that, go park and go about your business.

I've used truck stops for both filling up and hitting the weigh station scales during the day and at night (have never stayed overnight). I've never had a inkling of unpleasantries.

[hbensley]

I like the Flying J RV islands myself. They are good for gasers and diesel trucks/RVs. They are easy to get into and out of. A few pennies here and there add up but so does anxiety.

[2oldman]

You can, but being surrounded by working truckers, some of whom do not appreciate RVers using their pumps, can be an unwelcome feeling.

Those pumps are high volume and pressure, so be darn careful.

[Rogue_Eagle]

Great comments! My wife and I will be making a long trip in January from Medford Oregon to Ft. Myers Florida along I-5 then along I-10. Just wanted to know if I could use truck stops while still towing the 5th wheel. It is really a blessing to learn from those that have been there done that! If any of you have gone that same way, I would like your comments regarding places to stay, things to see and what to be careful of... Thanks again.



Thank You all

[thomasmnile]

Lantley wrote:

Itching2go wrote:
Just picked up our first diesel TV... Chevy 3500 D/A. Really looking forward to using the truck lanes and avoiding the (sometimes) hassle of getting into and out of auto pump lanes. I've read in more than one place about possible problems with nozzle sizes. Am I going to have this problem with a 2007 Chevy 3500? Do I need to purchase an adapter? Wouldn't like to find myself filling up for the first time and discovering then that I have a problem.

I have an 07 3500 as well. You will have no issues with the larger nozzles. Truckstops make fueling easy,they eliminate the access worry/anxiety.
I'm not sure why there is any debate on this subject.
Some may fear truckstops because they maybe seedy, truth is most are not. Yes there maybe a few seedy truckstops but truth is there are far more seedy gas stations.

Some states charge a higher motor fuel tax on diesel sold to OTR rigs. Stands to reason by fueling at an OTR fuel island at a truck stop in those states you're paying more for your fuel.

[linnemj]

If you are refueling at truck stops, it is good to have some gloves. I have found most places have fuel on the handle and tend to be messy. You can use the same disposable gloves used when dumping the tanks.

I prefer using regular diesel pumps when the spacing allows. Some of the truckers take some time to fuel and then pull up and block your exit. Truckers will pull up and then head in for food, ect and you may sit for a while.

[Lantley]

Itching2go wrote:
Just picked up our first diesel TV... Chevy 3500 D/A. Really looking forward to using the truck lanes and avoiding the (sometimes) hassle of getting into and out of auto pump lanes. I've read in more than one place about possible problems with nozzle sizes. Am I going to have this problem with a 2007 Chevy 3500? Do I need to purchase an adapter? Wouldn't like to find myself filling up for the first time and discovering then that I have a problem.

I have an 07 3500 as well. You will have no issues with the larger nozzles. Truckstops make fueling easy,they eliminate the access worry/anxiety.
I'm not sure why there is any debate on this subject.
Some may fear truckstops because they maybe seedy, truth is most are not. Yes there maybe a few seedy truckstops but truth is there are far more seedy gas stations.

[Itching2go]

Just picked up our first diesel TV... Chevy 3500 D/A. Really looking forward to using the truck lanes and avoiding the (sometimes) hassle of getting into and out of auto pump lanes. I've read in more than one place about possible problems with nozzle sizes. Am I going to have this problem with a 2007 Chevy 3500? Do I need to purchase an adapter? Wouldn't like to find myself filling up for the first time and discovering then that I have a problem.

[RoyB]

My trailer setup is alot smaller than yours. Also my truck uses gas. When I am traveling with my in-laws they plan out their trip for getting off the road by 4PM each day. This works out pretty good for them to fuel up their diesel truck at local gas stations before the hookup to the trailer. Then they can pull in for the night stay-over and unhook the trailer then go fuel up at a regular diesel station. He also carries a couple of diesel cans in his truck bed as well... Never know when the extra 10 gallons will save your day by making one more mile along the way.

Also note some of the truck stops like the Flying J has RV TRAILER islands for you to use.

Roy Ken

[CA_Traveler]

Infinityrver wrote:
Nothing wrong with going to trucker lanes at the Pilot/Flying J & T/A's. I have a Pilot/Good Sam's fuel Card. One can get .04 to .10 off per gallon depending on your membership. Just go to the Pilot site and click on Good Sam's.

As an alternative I use the FJ Frequent Fueler RV card which gives 3 cents off the cash price and use my PenFed CC to get 5% cash back. The PenFed card has to swiped at the pump and hence no cash back at the truck lanes.

[Lantley]

Being able to use Truck stops is a fantastic thing and an seldom mentioned advantage of having a diesel rig vs. a gasser.
Truck stops never have access issues. I don't need to hone my driving skills by backing out of a gas station.
Truck Stops are foolproof solution to filling with diesel. The quality of the fuel is good because they sell a lot of it vs. gas stations. As mentioned access to pumps is always straight forward. You don't need to analyze fuel island to decide if you can fit.
If you do fuel at truckstops. You need to be very business like while fueling, Don't be a tourist. Get your fuel and park away from pumps if you need to take care of other business

[wirenutz]

I use the truck stops all the time, it takes for ever to fill our tanks at a regular station 150 gals. and our truck is 22' long our trailer is 40' long, so the truck stops just make sense to us

[Infinityrver]

Nothing wrong with going to trucker lanes at the Pilot/Flying J & T/A's. I have a Pilot/Good Sam's fuel Card. One can get .04 to .10 off per gallon depending on your membership. Just go to the Pilot site and click on Good Sam's.

Yes, the nozzle for Diesel is larger, make sure that your fuel tank neck can handle the size.

We also, look for other fuel stations that will have a separate island away from the gas Islands. Either way if you gotta have fuel you gotta have fuel. You'll drive in anywhere where they have fuel.

[ChooChooMan74]

Just remember, the trucker's nozzle is much larger. I have an adapter for my Jeep. I carry it because I went to one Pilot that didn't have diesel at the auto lanes. If there is enough room in the auto lanes, I use them.

As others have said, fuel up, pull out. No need to block a trucker. They make******money as it is.

[Old-Biscuit]

My 5th wheel is 13'3". We travel a lot of back/secondary roads and I haven't whacked a canopy yet :B

Different grades of diesel...........sorta

You want #2.....same as regular stations
Don't buy any 'off-road'/'farm fuel'.....it is not taxed and is dyed RED. Big fines if caught and the red dye lingers in tank for a long time.
And don't put DEF in your fuel tank. It can be at truck stations islands. Now if your truck uses DEF then truck stations have it...but so does Walmart etc.