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?

[gitane59]

I use the truck pumps whenever possible.

I use to get alot more dirty looks from passenger car drivers when I had my gasser TV and had to wiggle and squeeze my 50ft plus of truck and trailer into the gas island. Even worse when those passenger gas island are straight onto the station.

I never worry at truck island about my height either. Once with my gasser I was with an inch of the overhead lights in one unlevel station canopy area in the car gas islands.

[boatsplus]

When I was a newbie I used to search high and low for that diesel island with the autos. Learned quickly that I was accepted in line with the bigrigs. No hassle, just fill up and pull up like they do. Give em a nod or a hey when passing cause you are all headed back out on the road together. Another tip when otr..flip your light switch when they are past you, you will usually get a thank you right back when they change lanes in front of you.

[buc1980]

I don't like to use the truck stop .The fueling take a lot longer and the price is higher.Go to gas station will be better.

[Allworth]

If FJ would give me a decent line of credit I would use them. $1,000 doesn't go far at 9.5mpg. They want authority to auto-pull it out of my checking account. No way in He**!! I'll just use my Good Sam Visa with the $17,500 credit line. (And pay it with an e-payment every month after I review the charges.)

[tnclays]

Michelle.S wrote:
If you're a Good Sam member, check out the GS Pilot/Flying J card. Different levels, but the one we have gets 8 cents off the Cash price and is accepted at the pump. Swipe the card, enter my PIN code, pump my fuel and drive away, no going inside. No one mentioned about those RV Islands where they fill Propane tanks and have a dump station where you might have a wait while someone else is taking care of business. And for some unknown reason they seem to be placed as far removed from the entrance as possible. Try getting in with a large (40' plus) 5er when cars are parked in front of the building and others waiting in the gas lines. Leaves no room to swing a long rig into the pump line. We'll stay with Pilot/Flying J.

X2

[mdamerell]

Big trucks pay road tax through IFTA, based on miles driven in each state. Each state has their own tax rate and the rebate tax rate that may not be the same as paid at the pump in that state, but that's another issue. Interstate diesel tax rate is often different than local general public tax rate as posted on many truck stop signs. If there is an RV lane, the fuel pump will be set up to reflect that difference in fuel tax rates. If you buy fuel on the normal big truck fuel island the fuel desk will probably have to set the pump for you. In todays age of automatic, computer everything, without a D.O.T. number the pump will probably resort to the non-IFTA price. Many new truck stops like Flying J will have RV lanes tailored to the needs of an RV with dump stations and propane fill stations along with a "fuel island" diesel, DEF setup.

It is considered rude to park or pull forward after fueling and go eat. Fuel, pull forward, pay/restroom and be on our way. If it takes more than the time to fuel, wash your windows and do your inspections (about 10 min.) pull off the island and park. Truck island fuel pumps are set around 40 gpm so hang on to the handle.

[mountainsam]

I have pulled a lot of trailers but never a fifth wheeler. We purchased a new 5er and next spring will leave with it for a trip of about 5000 miles. I have never had a serious situation in either truck stop truck lanes or auto lanes. That being said. I am a bit concerned with the height of the 5er. About 40 years ago I drove semi for a short time. At a station on 95 in Idaho the second driver pulled next to an island of a service station to fuel up the gas powered refer unit. In doing so he took out a brand new over hang. I never would worry about height at a truck stop but a gas station is a different matter. So I will stick with the truck stops.

[Tom_Diane]

Use the truck pumps. Its not completely true that OTR drivers get upset. Ive drove professionally and don't think Ive ever heard a trucker get upset over an RV fueling up and alot of things get vented on the CB. never heard a trucker tell an RVer to use the auto island Not to say there aren't some out there that don't complain. Its just not a priority. Sure, most get paid buy the mile but they don't lose no more time waiting on you as much as they would a fellow driver. Time is not made up but miles can be. If you pulled in with just your TV,then you might get a rise but most if not all would know your situation. I would tend to think that there would be more complaining if you blocked a pump or 2 from an auto that wanted to fill on the car island and whats the chances you have room to pull out of the way while you pay inside if needed or if you wanted to grab a snack before heading out again.

[2oldman]

The best fuel deal I have is being a member of Pacific Pride card fueling stations. Very seldom busy, clean, and cheaper fuel.

[retispcsi]

Yes you can use truck stops and many now have a pump island for use by pick-ups etc. with a car type nozzle. But truck stops are more expensive and the islands areas on the ground are usually stained with diesel. The large nozzle will work in your truck just be careful. I have done it many times. I perfer Murphy Bros. (Wal Marts), Sam's, Racetracks etc. because the cost of the fuel can be anywhere from 10 to 40 cents a gallon less expensive. I just did a 5100 mile trip and the fuel cost can add up. I do not use stations that look old and unkept. I pull a 37ft. fiver and although sometimes it was tight I have never been stuck in a station. I installed a 60 gal. RDS aux tank and that is great. I buy fuel when and where I want for the best price around. Good luck and just my two cents worth.

[jesse_m_jm]

RoyB wrote:
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

I sure hope he is getting better mileage than 1 mile per 10 gallons!!
:B

[thomasmnile]

brownmht wrote:
A nickles worth of my two cents. Maybe even a dime.

Many truck stops have RV pumps set aside for us. My understanding from talking to my brother is he's never known of a problem with RV's fueling up at truck stops. He's more upset about having to pass us on the road. Personally, my complaint is that I can't use my debit card at most truck stop pumps and have to pre-pay at the fuel desk.

Secondly, IMHO, more importantly, is fuel quality. Commerce lives and dies by diesel. I read a post on here posted by an RV'er who filled up his tank at a gas station. He got a mile or 2 down the road and got a "water in fuel" idiot light and his truck prompltly ceased operation. When he called roadside assistance, he found he was not the only stranded traveler with the same problem. Apparently, the gas station was serving up water instead of diesel. Now I can't say if they were doing this intentionally or not. And as I understand it since there were lawyers involved the post was removed. My point is that I'll bet on a more sure thing by getting my fuel the same place the big guys do. Can you imagine if a truck stop started watering down the fuel and stranded a few OTR trucks on the side of the road? Do you think a trucking company would tolerate a situation like that?

Besides, maneuvering in a gas station with my rig can be way more challenging than wheeling it around a truck stop.

So I'll gladly wait for a truck driver to top off his tanks rather than wait for the whole soccer team to go potty while they leave the minivan parked in front of the single diesel pump at Exxon.

Think the age of the fueling facilites (underground tanks and location of tank fill ports relative to surrounding grade) has more to do with water in fuel, gas or diesel than anything. In Florida for example, because ground water intrusion (and fuel leaking out) into old steel tanks was a problem, the legislature passed rules requiring installation of double wall fiberglass tanks, sensors, monitoring "wells" etc. The expense of updating storage and delivery put a lot of service stations/convenience stores out of the fuel sales business. More about environmental protection, but also helps protect fuel quality.

I don't have a lot of worry about fuel quality, but I might avoid a place that "looks" old. And on the road, never have had an access issue at a gas station/convenience store that sells fuel on an interstate interchange anywhere I've traveled. Not with my fifth wheel and not with my travel trailer. Just my personal preference to pass on the Love's, Petros, Flying J's & Pilots of the world because their prices do tend to be higher. My experience, yours may vary.

[Michelle_S]

If you're a Good Sam member, check out the GS Pilot/Flying J card. Different levels, but the one we have gets 8 cents off the Cash price and is accepted at the pump. Swipe the card, enter my PIN code, pump my fuel and drive away, no going inside. No one mentioned about those RV Islands where they fill Propane tanks and have a dump station where you might have a wait while someone else is taking care of business. And for some unknown reason they seem to be placed as far removed from the entrance as possible. Try getting in with a large (40' plus) 5er when cars are parked in front of the building and others waiting in the gas lines. Leaves no room to swing a long rig into the pump line. We'll stay with Pilot/Flying J.

[brownmht]

A nickles worth of my two cents. Maybe even a dime.

Many truck stops have RV pumps set aside for us. My understanding from talking to my brother is he's never known of a problem with RV's fueling up at truck stops. He's more upset about having to pass us on the road. Personally, my complaint is that I can't use my debit card at most truck stop pumps and have to pre-pay at the fuel desk.

Secondly, IMHO, more importantly, is fuel quality. Commerce lives and dies by diesel. I read a post on here posted by an RV'er who filled up his tank at a gas station. He got a mile or 2 down the road and got a "water in fuel" idiot light and his truck prompltly ceased operation. When he called roadside assistance, he found he was not the only stranded traveler with the same problem. Apparently, the gas station was serving up water instead of diesel. Now I can't say if they were doing this intentionally or not. And as I understand it since there were lawyers involved the post was removed. My point is that I'll bet on a more sure thing by getting my fuel the same place the big guys do. Can you imagine if a truck stop started watering down the fuel and stranded a few OTR trucks on the side of the road? Do you think a trucking company would tolerate a situation like that?

Besides, maneuvering in a gas station with my rig can be way more challenging than wheeling it around a truck stop.

So I'll gladly wait for a truck driver to top off his tanks rather than wait for the whole soccer team to go potty while they leave the minivan parked in front of the single diesel pump at Exxon.

[MarkTwain]

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.

Suggest you have 1. a Emergency weather warning Radio i.e. Oregon Scientific CCC and leave it on all the time. 2. CB radio with weather radio capabilities. Truckers can give you the most current road and weather conditions. I use truck stops all the time, never have to worry about being able to drive my RV into and out of the pump areas. Be sure to have
an Emergency Road Side service policy and buy the best one. Happy travels.