First, forgive me if this information has been posted in the past - my search came up empty.So . . . I am a new diesel owner and am getting ready for some trips in the next few weeks - once this friggin winter weather decides to go away. Anyway, I think I have just about everything figured out on the new DP but it occurred to me that I now need to make sure I have diesel fuel available on my routes. Flying J, Pilot, Love's - tons of them out there. My first question is, in my 37 foot RV am I expected to go through the truck pumps? Next question, (and this is probably really stupid) are those pumps basically the same as the others? Can you pay at these pumps? Any special "etiquette" required at the truck pumps? I assume all of the big name stations have the extra low sulfur diesel?I apologize for all of these really silly questions, but I am one of those who likes (needs) to know what to expect in advance.Looking forward to the usual great input.

We use the truck lanes when pulling our fiver, easy in, easy out. We have the Pilot Fuel Card. We save 6¢ per gallon and they debit my checking account. Once you fueled pull forward so others behind you can fuel up while you go inside.The truck lane diesel pumps pump really fast so be careful not to overfill and make a mess. I have see many smaller gas stations with diesel pumps out back for trucks to use, if not pull up and fill up as long as you fit under the canopy.Good luck with your new DP and have fun.

You can go through the truck pumps, but several of the Flying J's, Pilots and others have lanes specifically dedicated to RVs. The Truck pumps usually have a much higher volume that they dispense. So if you're refueling, it's very easy to cause a major spill if you don't monitor the pump and shut it off when it's getting close to full. I can hear the change in tone when mine is getting full, and shut it off accordingly.As far as etiquette, wait your turn in line at any of the pumps. Fill up promptly and exit the lane as soon as you're full. If you need to go in to pay, you can pull forward far enough for the truck behind you to get to the pump so they can start their fill up. Do not block the lanes needlessly.As far as paying at the pump, each station has different requirements. I signed up for the Flying J/Pilot credit card, and I can pay at the pump at any of their locations. In addition, you get $.08 off of the CASH price at the pump when you use their card. Generally, their limit is $1000/month if you pay the bill via normal methods, or $2000/month if you sign up for their automatic debit.Jim

If you have an I-phone, get the app, "Gas Buddy". It lets you select different grades of gas or diesel. It also has a map feature that gives you the locations in your immediate area where fuel stations are and the current price at each station. You will find out there are many more options "out there" other than truck stops. By zooming in on the map, (like Google Maps), you can get a good feel how to navigate the fuel station is. Everyone has their own preference where they like to get fuel, but I have come to dislike Flying J's big time. I find them confusion, dirty, not friendly, crowded, and people are very rude, both truckers and auto drivers. Not to mention the derelicts that come up to you when you're pumping fuel and hit you up for a hand out. I almost went postal the last time that happened (which was just about 2 weeks ago. That guy RAN away from me I go so crazy!).A lot of people use Flying J.But for me they simply don't appeal and don't work for me. I have filled up at Flying J, but not at the truck pumps, I fill up at the car pumps for diesel. I keep saying I'll never go back to another one, but sometimes, they really are the only one around with diesel.Use Gas Buddy. It will help you a lot.

Most semi fuel desks require cash or cc before pumping. So someone has to run in. Our drill is for DW to go in as we usually pay cash and she waits to see the total. As stated, pull in, fill up and pull forward if someone is behind you. The area around the pumps are often nasty and covered in spilled fuel. We put out a towel by the door to wipe shoes with.

TucsonJim wrote:The Truck pumps usually have a much higher volume that they dispense. So if you're refueling, it's very easy to cause a major spill if you don't monitor the pump and shut it off when it's getting close to full. I can hear the change in tone when mine is getting full, and shut it off accordingly.I let the nozzle shut off for me, but I don't click it to the maximum position.

(Stupid) Diesel Questions | Good Sam Community

Pass42
Explorer
Apr 02, 2015
Our 2001 Tradewinds also must be fueled on the passenger side, so, I swipe my credit card, then my Good Sam/Flying J rewards card, activate the pump, go around the bus and fill up with the satellite/slave pump.... I have had nothing but friendly conversation with the truckers, just as I find them courteous on the road...... IF you are courteous to them...We use Pilot/Flying J often... because we have a guide book with their locations, they are right off the interstates, they have a $495.00 credit card limit (usually), and we have, more than once overnighted in their parking lot (always after checking in the store).
prstlk
Explorer
Apr 02, 2015
lrash wrote:
Apply for a Fuel Freedom Card that will let you pull in to any of the lanes and fill er up without going inside or anything. http://www.parkeroilcompany.com/fuelfreedom/index.php CFN network

Can an individual get a Parker Card or do you have to own a business?

We still have an active S-Corp but we are now retired and don't have an active business or trade references.
lrash
Explorer
Apr 02, 2015
Apply for a Fuel Freedom Card that will let you pull in to any of the lanes and fill er up without going inside or anything. http://www.parkeroilcompany.com/fuelfreedom/index.php CFN network
holstein13
Explorer
Apr 01, 2015
With my 45 foot coach 200 gallon tank and long toad, I use the truck lanes. I try to avoid rush hour fill ups. Weekends are the slowest time to fuel up; evenings are good too. So far, I've avoided any congested truck stops and have blocked no one.

While I have two fuel filler necks on my coach (one on each side) I only use one at a time because I only have one tank. I read in the manual that using both sides could risk fuel coming out of one of the sides. Seems unlikely to me, but I guess it depends on the design. Doesn't matter, I just clean my windshield like everyone else while I'm waiting for the tanks to fill. They have extra long wooden handles at the truck lanes.

In any event, I find that filling up at the truck stop when it isn't crowded is a much more pleasant experience than navigating the RV lane or using the slow pumps at the car island. As Mr. Mark said, there is usually a $75 - $100 limit on the regular pumps so you have to go in anyway or swipe multiple times.

My DEF tank is also on the wrong side of the coach so I've had to use refillable jugs to take advantage of DEF at the pump. I recently bought a 5 gallon jug to make the job quicker.

I always pull forward after filling up even if there's no one behind me just in case someone needs the pump. So far, I've encountered no obviously rude drivers. If they hate me, they sure do a good job of keeping that to themselves. Actually, some seem rather friendly, so I wouldn't worry about that. Just treat everyone with respect and you shouldn't have any problems.
Sooboy
Explorer
Apr 01, 2015
If the station has truck lanes, I'll use them. I have saddle tanks on each side just like they do (but only 50Gal/side). Be nice if they were 75 or 100!
barth
Explorer
Apr 01, 2015
My RV can be fueled only from the passenger side. That means that, when I pull into the truck section, I need to activate the pump with my Pilot card, put the noozle on the ground and go around the RV and use the satellite noozle.

How many people have to do the same? I'm curious.
tinkerer
Explorer
Mar 26, 2015
I use the truck lanes and send my wife in to do the payments, If you have trouble with the big nozzles don't open it all the way. In 10 years of buying diesel fuel I have yet to run into a hostile trucker. In fact I look forward to fueling and visiting with the truckers. A lot of them plan on getting a class A diesel when they retire:)
Tinstar
Explorer
Mar 26, 2015
My tank won't accept the high volume the truck pumps put out. I have to have the lower flow pump. You'll find out the first time you fuel-up.
cgflyer
Explorer
Mar 25, 2015
The best reason for me to go in the truck lanes is the DEF. For some reason they don't have it in the RV lanes, and it's significantly cheaper at the pump. The truck lanes only carry it on the drivers side and my coach has the DEF tank on the passenger side, so I still have to use the jugs, I just refill them at the pump. It's real easy with the Pilot/Flying J card.
JimM68
Explorer
Mar 24, 2015
All that said, I've never experienced a grumpy trucker, other than the aforementioned rest stop dog poop, and as that is seen after the fact and in a place with a lot of traffic, possible it's not the truckers at all.

The truckers I've had personal dealings with have been both nice and professional always.

The RV lanes simply do not have enough room to pull out and turn.

I use P/FJ truck lanes, and I use both of those big pumps as my Monaco can fuel from both sides.

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