Getting Diesel at service station or truck stop?

[Sammy_Miami]

My wife Bonnie and I are heading out on October 6th from Upstate NY to New Orleans where we plan on staying for 6 to 7 months. I will be towing my new 32 ft. fifth wheel. My question is when I need to fill with Diesel, is it best to use the truck lanes at truck stops or try to fill at a regular service station?

By the way, this will be my very first time towing any vehicle and will be our very first trip.

Thanks...

[wintersun]

5thwheeleroldman wrote:
I've considered an extra diesel tank as the Duramax only has a 26 gal tank. I worry that the extra tank would not be safe in an accident. If the worst happens and you are upside down with diesel pooling around you --- not good. Course, maybe it could happen with the factory tank too.

Titan and Aero Tanks make aftermarket fuel tanks that replace the factory tank and provide over 60 gallons of capacity. They fit most GM trucks though not all.

99% of the gas stations in the west did not pump diesel 10 years ago. Now with more diesel burning cars this is changing. On our last trip I found Shell gas stations that not only had diesel at the gas islands but also a DEF pump. With the truck stops we had to use the high volume large DEF nozzles with our Duramax that has a very small fill opening. With the Shell DEF pumps at the car islands we had a small nozzle and a much slower fill rate.

To only buy diesel at truck stops is not feasible for most people as they are only along major interstate highways and who restricts their RV travels to these routes? We avoid the interstates as much as possible.

The DEF at the pumps is going to be fresher and in better condition and cheaper than buying it at an auto supply place. You can also fill up the tank and not carry around a partially filled plastic DEF container.

[dave54]

Truck stops are the first choice.

You occasionally see a regular fuel station with enough room to get in and out without a choreographed backing turning routine, but they are not as common as we would all like.

The same idea goes for any parking area, not just fueling. Look for the exit before you enter and make sure you can maneuver.

[Lantley]

Truck stops are the way to go. Getting fuel comes down to easy in and out access.
saving a few pennies is secondary.
Once you get hung up trying to maneuver around a regular station, battling cars and unaware oblivious drivers you will understand there is none of that nonsense at a truck stop.
Don't be a tourist get your fuel and move/park your rig before shoipping or anything else.
An auxiliary tank does allow for a lot a fueling flexibility however unless you a full timing and aux. tank maybe over kill.

[GoPackGo]

I have a RDS 40 gallon aux tank/tool box and love it. I now carry about 78 gallons in total. I fuel up at the end of the day after I get all set up. Lots of times I'm going for dinner or a grocery store so it's not really an extra trip. The Gas Buddy app is my friend.

It's nice not to be concerned with fuel during my daily driving. I still need bathroom breaks, but if on an interstate, there are rest stops. If on a major highway, just pull over near a station or Mcdonalds, etc. Easy.

I used the gravity flow kit RDS sells to hook up to the truck's OEM system - works well.

Tim

[azdryheat]

I'm tired of looking for diesel stations that can accommodate a 41' toy hauler mid-day, which is why I'm looking to install an aux fuel tank. The RDS 91 gallon/toolbox model seems to be the most bang for my buck. Imagine not having to fuel up for over 1000 miles or completely bypassing states with high fuel prices.

[wintersun]

The truck stops usually have an RV lane for you to use. The pumps dispense diesel and DEF and at a much higher flow rate than the pumps for cars. I like the Shell stations that now sell diesel at the auto gas pumps as they now have DEF with smaller nozzles that work better for pickup tanks and filler caps and the diesel price is the same.

More important to avoid times with heavy traffic at the pumps as you will have a more difficult getting in and out again and that applies to both auto gas stations and truck stops.

[john_bet]

Here is my point of view. We have been pulling with a diesel for 10 1/2 years. At first our tt then our current 5er. We have been from Indiana to Oregon, to Utah, to Maryland and South Carolina and most states in between and north. We have used any and all service stations mentioned and never had a real problem.
I pay for my fuel with cash about 99% of the time so prepay is no issue with me. I usually need to walk and take a break anyway. Using big rig nozzles in my truck is also no problem and they have always cut off just like a smaller one. I have filled with and without the trailer attached while traveling.
Just this year we did 7k miles in 50 days and used all kinds of stations and never got bad fuel. In fact I have been lucky and never had bad fuel in any state we have refueled in. Its something I just don't worry about.
Also have not had problems finding fuel on any road we have traveled on, Interstate, US, or State.
We did a lot of traveling while I was on active duty for 20 years, from station to station and from those stations to Indiana on vacation with a gas vehicle and never had a break down or bad fuel.
I have been one lucky fellow and others have not been so. Travel on and happy trails.

[ol__grouch]

Allworth wrote:
There are three nozzle sizes (4 if you count aircraft). Diesel comes in medium and large. Even the medium size nozzle will NOT fit into the opening in a "modern" gasser. This is designed to keep dumb-a** gas users from putting diesel in their tank.

I've seen them try and be really mad at the pump.

Doesn't keep us from putting gas in our diesel tanks, though.

.


Well, actually it's to keep people from putting leaded fuel into a car with a catalytic converter. Leaded fuel hasn't been sold in the U.S. for 30+ years. Back in the late 70's, a lot of people would knock the restrictor flap out of the end of a tank fill pipe. When I taught my niece to drive, I drilled into her head that she MUST read what the pump is before filling the fuel tank.

[Allworth]

There are three nozzle sizes (4 if you count aircraft). Diesel comes in medium and large. Even the medium size nozzle will NOT fit into the opening in a "modern" gasser. This is designed to keep dumb-a** gas users from putting diesel in their tank.

I've seen them try and be really mad at the pump.

Doesn't keep us from putting gas in our diesel tanks, though.

[08UltraRider]

GoPackGo wrote:

tomman58 wrote:
I think the idea of having an extra tank is not for most folks. When you look at the space needed in the box, no camper top on box, the cost of the tank, all the stuff to make it work and the fact that if you carry say 50 gallons that adds over 355# to you load. At 100 gallons it is 710#. Weight equals less mileage. Not such a good deal at all not to mention you need to do a bathroom stop about every 150 miles anyway.

The OP pulls a 5th wheel and that's why I replied. He doesn't have a truck topper.

When you get 10-12 mpg you can run thru an OEM tank pretty fast. And you sure don't wait till the 1/4 mark to start looking for fuel.

The reason I got my aux tank was because I didn't want to have to start looking for fuel every time I passed the 200 mile mark. I consider the cost (under $1000, installed) to be the same as any other option I got on the truck or my 5th wheel. I will never save enough money by buying fuel at the cheaper places but that's a nice bonus. What I like is the fact that fuel is not an issue in my daily routine. I don't even think about it till the end of the day.

There is not much to make it work. Mine is a gravity feed model and there is just a 3/8 inch line that runs and connects to the OEM filler hose. There is a manual shutoff at the aux tank connection and another auto shutoff where it Tees into the OEM line. That's it. Easy-shmeezy.

Weight. Compared to the wind resistance generated by pulling a 5th wheel down the road at 60 mph, an extra 400 pounds is a non issue. I'll bet an extra 1,200 pounds would still be a non-issue.

Bathroom breaks and fuel breaks are different situations. I stop for bathroom breaks too. At hiway rest stops, Mcdonalds, gas stations, etc. Sometimes I can just pull over on the side of the highway and walk in. There's all kinds of options.

You're right, these aux tanks are not for everyone. But many who pull 5ers have them and swear by them.

Tim

X2... I couldn't agree more!

I have a Transfer Flow Toolbox/Tank comb. Fill up once a day usually at the end of the day.

[Grit_dog]

Forgot about the small tank in my old Dmax. Yes that makes for short trips between fill ups.
IMO the bigger replacement tanks are cost prohibitive unless you plan on using the capacity regularly for a long time like a full timer or hotshot driver.
Don't worry about rollover and accidents with the tank. You could have the same issues with your truck tank if you got hit right. It's diesel to so your truck really can't explode anyway.
With a cheap slip tank and 12v pump or even hand pump, yes you will still have to stop every few hrs to fill up but they can be 5 min pit stops in rest areas or off ramps. Way quicker and easier than hitting the truck stop each time. You can time your fill ups more around your schedule or fuel prices if you're gettin 100 gal at a pop the savings will be more significant.
Plus you can power through when you normally would "have" to stop because no fuel for next 50 mi or something. You can run it low on fuel because when the low fuel light kicks on, a full up is only 3' away from your filler neck!
Burn some more fuel because you kicked it up a notch or headwinds, who cares, just pullover and pump some more fuel in!
If I didn't need the bed of my short bed truck I'd drop a slip tank in it just for ease of use and refueling even though I don't tow heavy or far very often. Woulda been real nice on my way to Alaska last year if I didn't have the TC. Could have passed on those $1.50/litre fill ups!

[retispcsi]

Well GopackGo you are not the only one. Mine is gravity fed RDS brand. If my truck could not handle the extra weight well that would be another issue. Also the tank has roll over protection. Anyway I could go on but like you said it may not be for everyone

[GoPackGo]

tomman58 wrote:
I think the idea of having an extra tank is not for most folks. When you look at the space needed in the box, no camper top on box, the cost of the tank, all the stuff to make it work and the fact that if you carry say 50 gallons that adds over 355# to you load. At 100 gallons it is 710#. Weight equals less mileage. Not such a good deal at all not to mention you need to do a bathroom stop about every 150 miles anyway.

The OP pulls a 5th wheel and that's why I replied. He doesn't have a truck topper.

When you get 10-12 mpg you can run thru an OEM tank pretty fast. And you sure don't wait till the 1/4 mark to start looking for fuel.

The reason I got my aux tank was because I didn't want to have to start looking for fuel every time I passed the 200 mile mark. I consider the cost (under $1000, installed) to be the same as any other option I got on the truck or my 5th wheel. I will never save enough money by buying fuel at the cheaper places but that's a nice bonus. What I like is the fact that fuel is not an issue in my daily routine. I don't even think about it till the end of the day.

There is not much to make it work. Mine is a gravity feed model and there is just a 3/8 inch line that runs and connects to the OEM filler hose. There is a manual shutoff at the aux tank connection and another auto shutoff where it Tees into the OEM line. That's it. Easy-shmeezy.

Weight. Compared to the wind resistance generated by pulling a 5th wheel down the road at 60 mph, an extra 400 pounds is a non issue. I'll bet an extra 1,200 pounds would still be a non-issue.

Bathroom breaks and fuel breaks are different situations. I stop for bathroom breaks too. At hiway rest stops, Mcdonalds, gas stations, etc. Sometimes I can just pull over on the side of the highway and walk in. There's all kinds of options.

You're right, these aux tanks are not for everyone. But many who pull 5ers have them and swear by them.

Tim

[tomman58]

5thwheeler oldman. Did the 26 gallon thing for 7 years worked out okay with the need to pee. All the new 2015's GMC and Chevy have a 36 gallon tank, makes stops less critical.