(Stupid) Diesel Questions

[BEisler]

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.

[Pass42]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[2oldman]

JimM68 wrote:
I don't care if I am hated by the truckers. These would be the same truckers who let their little dogs poop all over the rest stops and don't pick up after them. The same truckers who pull forward after fueling and go take a shower for 45 minutes...

The same truckers who take a piss in the parking lot.

[JimM68]

Tvov wrote:
Semi- related... do most Class A's have "open" fuel fillers? Or do they sometimes have the restriction plates that not all fuel pump nozzles can fit in?

I'm just asking, because years ago we were pulling with a 2000 F250 7.3 and went to fill up in New Jersey - and the diesel pump nozzle wouldn't really fit. The attendant came over and said it was designed for larger vehicles, but he showed me to carefully hold it in the fill pipe to fill my tank.

So if anyone runs into this, you can fill your vehicle, just be careful and take your time.

Class A diesel tanks have open necks.
Those truck nozzles are huge, and if you can use both, as I can, you can pump 80 gallons in two blinks of the eye.

[JimM68]

i5trucker wrote:
As a trucker, I can tell you that you are hated when you are on the truck island with any type of vehicle other than a truck. I'm not saying it is right, but it is the truth. Most truck stops have an RV island with easy access.

OK...
I will work toward the end and post again, but this one needs addressing now.

I don't care if I am hated by the truckers. These would be the same truckers who let their little dogs poop all over the rest stops and don't pick up after them. The same truckers who pull forward after fueling and go take a shower for 45 minutes...

I use the truck lanes.
I get in line.
I pull up to the pump.
I have a P/FJ quick start card that starts the pump without me having to go inside (as most truckers do)
I pull up when finished and go inside to pay, in and out, without shopping, showering, or playing any video games.

Unless the truck in front of me is doing one or more of the above, and hasn't pulled away yet.

We are customers just like they are. We have every right to use those pumps, and as long as we don't overstay or clog up the works, nobody has any right to complain.

[2oldman]

WayneLee wrote:
.. or their other name, Pacific Pride. .. You sign up and give them a bank account to draft. Then, once a month they send you a bill and draw the funds from your bank account.

I signed up for this a couple years ago, and asked about auto pay/electronic billing. They said nothing about what you do. Sometimes their monthly email statements end up in my SPAM folder.

Their pay islands are, at best, 80s technology, and some just don't even work. I'll use one if I can, if I know where they are. Their app doesn't work well either.