Fueling at truck stops

You'll pay a 3 Cents premium for fueling at pilot-J as they need to pay their millions in fines for cheating truckers. You can get into about every Murphy and Valero in the US any Liberty truckstop too. I buy the cheapest fuel and have for years but stay out of Js and Speedways, Loves too.If you knew what actually was in a MCDs hamburger, notice I didn't say beef, you would hold your breath going by!If you want to read it they mention hearts but not spleens, tongue etc.
http://www.beeffoodservice.com/CMDocs/BFS/BeefU/BeefUFactSheets/09_PI-GroundBeef.pdf

Lots of great points! Learning a lot, lots to learn. Having a big time.

Patrick

We prefer Loves travel plazas because the auto islands are roomy and easy to navigate with our 27' fifth wheel while filling with Diesel. You can ALWAYS pay at the pump at the auto lanes, but rarely do I get it to work in the truck lanes even with the Sams club RV card, so 2 walks into the truck fuel desk--one before and one after. And, Loves will have a McDonalds or Hardys. Most Fly'n Js east of the Mississippi have RV lanes, but also the auto pumps are easy to navigate through. In our opinion, yours may vary, Pilots tend to be older with tighter auto lanes--we avoid Pilot. I plan the next day's fuel stops the night before using AllStays. They have a free version that shows major fuel service, but the "for $" version also shows Walmarts and campgrounds.

jlud wrote:
I think you'll find that a MH is a lot easier than a trailer to get in and out of gas stations. Still takes some recon and planning ahead but much easier in my opinion, although a toad may limit backing.

Most recently, we filled up with diesel at two Walmarts ($2.25/gallon) with the toad in tow. Station lots don't come much tighter than that and from a company that thinks of everything or I thought they did.
I've even backed up the toad on a few occasions, but very very carefully and with DW as a spotter.

Belgique wrote:
May I tag onto this: just joined the diesel world. What is the protocol for using the truck pumps? I know it is get in and out of the way of folks trying to make a living quick. Any practical advice?

No problem with that and the trucks take up more time than anybody with filling tanks on both sides and many times doing a little wash down in the process. Besides there's an area ahead where you pull up for conducting any business while there and for staying out of the way of the one behind you.

Kayteg1 wrote:

Belgique wrote:
May I tag onto this: just joined the diesel world. What is the protocol for using the truck pumps? I know it is get in and out of the way of folks trying to make a living quick. Any practical advice?

I am routinely filling up my diesel sedans and pickups at truck stops.
Quite often the truck pumps offer lower price than multi-fuel pumps on front.
Check if your RV can accommodate big nozzle. If not, often you can find 1 pump with small nozzle between truck islands. I also carry funnel for extreme situation. Most big pumps have dual hoses, so if your RV has fuel door on other side, you need to pull off the hose on stand with meter, activate the meter, lay the hose on the ground and then go to other side and pull other hose.
Costco lately added diesel to their stations and they have good prices.
Bad part - most of them have long waiting lanes.
Here is my sedan at typical truck stop. Do I look good, or what?

So far we find that the prices in the truck lanes are much higher and always have to go inside as well. Still much more convenient and no one cares if you leave everything running. Never shut down anymore, unless I have to and until I get where I'm going.
Now you're wondering why, so here it is and after changing out two starters at lunch time, one in a shopping area and the other in a FL rest area in a rainstorm, I got the message.

Belgique wrote:

Dennis M M wrote:
The truck islands are not just diesel only, they are also high flow pumps.

Is the high flow OK for RVs?

It will depend on your RV. My old one wouldn't even take diesel at full rate at the car island. My new one will accept two pumps going full blast at the truck island.

Previous posts have shown charts that name brands (Gulf, Shell, Exxon, etc) typically have a higher cetane rating than truck stops such as Pilot and Flying J and the "generic" brands like Sam's, grocery stores, Racetrack, Quick Trip, etc.

Good Sams club is not always the best price. Go to gasbuddy.com in the area you are looking to buy. I always get better mileage out of a national brand (GULF, EXON, Sunoco) than a lot of the cheap ones. Check your mileage with different types of gas and try to keep the same type of driving conditions.

Belgique wrote:

Dennis M M wrote:
The truck islands are not just diesel only, they are also high flow pumps.

Is the high flow OK for RVs?

Yes, but you may have to squeeze the handle just a little to keep the flow rate low or it may be trying to come back at you.