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...

[KPSmithSr]

We have a 36 ft 5th wheel and have been pulling it for a little over 7 years. We normally stop at truck stops/RV Islands. We have the Pilot/Flying J card with the discounts so the price is normally the cheapest or close enough to it. We also stop at TA, Loves etc.

We solve the "going inside" problem with walkie-talkies. DW gets the pump number, goes inside with the credit card, gets the pump started and then calls me so I can start pumping. When the tank is full, I call into her, she signs the receipt and hurries out so I don't forget her.

As far as the fuel tax, it can be a pain but just have DW tell the person at the desk you are a private RV and they should know how to handle it. All in all, there are not that many states where you have to deal with that. The ones that do will normally show different prices for truck fuel and auto fuel.

In the truck lanes, there is normally a line to show you where to pull ahead to after you have fueled and waiting for DW. That lets a truck pull in behind you and start fueling after you have finished. As others has said, if you are going inside to eat, shop or use the restroom, find a parking spot.

About the only comments I have had from truckers start with "I have an RV too". Will some give you the evil eye, maybe, but so will some car drivers if you pull into the auto lanes. Just use common sense and courtesy and all will be fine.

[5thwheeleroldma]

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.

[tomman58]

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.

[Grit_dog]

If you're concerned about where to fuel, given your lack of experience I'd totally suggest takin a couple shorter trips to get used to towing the rig and everything that goes along with it.
It'll make your long trip more enjoyable and less risky.
Regarding fuel, you could pick up a used slip tank for a few hundred bucks and put it in the back of your truck and pack an extra 40-100 gal with you negating the need to stop for fuel.
Of course there are worse places to pull into than big freeway fuel stations, and you gotta pull over sometime, hence the practice runs suggestion.
Have fun with your big rig!

[GoPackGo]

I guess I'll be the Lone Ranger here.

I full time so may be a little different then you.

I added an RDS 40 gallon/tool box combo to my truck as one of my first mods. I now carry almost 80 gallons of diesel. I buy fuel when and where I want to.

Normally, I buy fuel after I get set up in a campground for the night. I combine the trip with a grocery or dinner run. Or maybe not. Lots of times the campground is close to a major interstate exit so it may be just a short stand alone trip after dinner at the camper.

I also use Gas Buddy. And since whoever has the cheapest price usually pumps the most fuel, that's where I go. High volume = fresh fuel.

I've been doing it this way since the end of April (8,500 miles). Have not used a truck stop once (except to buy a Trucker's Atlas). Have had zero fuel problems.

I just got to Santa Fe last night. Gas Buddy says there's a Murphy about 2 miles away. Sounds like a Walmart/dinner/fuel run is in the cards.

Love my aux fuel tank. Best Thing Ever.

Tim

[whistlebritches]

Also remember the truck pumps have large nozzles and unless your pick-up has the larger fill tube, you have to hold it tight against the tube and it comes out very fast and will spray the side of your truck. I understand you can get an adapter for the nozzle. Our truck doesn't have the larger fill tube. The biggest problem we have is finding which pump has the diesel at the smaller stations. They should mark them better I believe.

[ol__grouch]

One word, "TAXES". Make sure the fuel pumps you fill at will add fuel tax to the sales price. If you don't have a fuel permit for the state you are in, you can be hammered for tax evasion. Some are automatic but older stops have separate pumps for taxed and exempt.

[Oasisbob]

Welcome to the forum. A great helpful group for sure. May I add to previous suggestions about going where you are comfortable. It is helpful to know the heigth of your rig at the very top and write it on tape placing on your dash board. Some lower bridges or over passes are lageled and you will know for a certianty before you pass under. Best of luck

[kellyandpatti]

Sam I did basically did the same thing about 5 years ago, never pulled a trailer of any kind, bought a 30 TT hooked it to my bucket truck and drove to Kansas City, in Nov ( never drove in snow or ice either) Made it with no real problems. Have fun and good luck.

[Sammy_Miami]

thanks again everyone. I did download the AllStays Truck&Travel app.

[Allworth]

I second the comment to pull ahead. Pull far enough up so a big rig can get his tanks fillers on the pumps and then complete your payment process. If you are going to buy something or use the restrooms, pull over to a truck parking area and walk back. Truckers understand the problems of handling a trailer, but time is money to them. I have never (14 years) had one give me a hard time about using the truck lanes but I always try to stay out of their way.

A note on pumps. If a lane has pumps on both sides, one will be the "master" and the other the "slave". The island will be marked as to which way to enter and exit, either on the overhead or on the pavement. If you go through in the correct direction the pump on the driver's side is the master. That is the one RVers want to use. The master must be on before the slave can be activated and the gallons and dollars usually only appear on the master. You can fill from the slave, but it is a PITA.

Have fun out there. Don't worry about it, just do it!

A

[retispcsi]

I have used truck stops and gas stations. Truck stops are generally easy in and easy out. Although so are many stations you just have to look them over before you go in. I have been in some pretty tight places but I always got out with the help of my DW. I only buy diesel at what I call good and clean stations. Most Murphy Bros. aka Wal Marts and Sams that sell diesel have fresh diesel as they pump a lot because of the price. I like Race Trac Love's etc. Truck stops will have higher price for fuel. In some areas In some areas as much as 50 cents a gallon more. A couple of years ago I put in a 60 gal. RDS aux tank and now about every third day or so I buy fuel where I want. I use Gas Buddy or any of the internet sites for the states your going through that reference diesel stations. As far as DEF you can get at truck stops or Wal Marts. I just bought a 2014 Ram a couple of weeks ago so I will start using that stuff also. Good luck

[charlie_good_ti]

Agree !Use the truck stops---fresh fuel-much easier.Just pull in at pump than go inside an tell attentant how much you will need. They will want your credit card an will put say 200dollars available .Than when you are finished they will return to your credit card any amount you did not use.Most truck stops will not keep your card while you are fuelling but will need it again when finished fueling to credit your accaunt.Truckers do not need to do the above because they use a EFScard that allows them to fuel imediately as we do with autos.Also truckers will appreciate you pulling ahead after fuelling so truck behind you can start fuelling.

[ScottG]

I always use the truck lanes not only because there's lots of room to maneuver but also because those high volume pumps fill my tank in about 30 to 45 seconds!

[Veebyes]

Whichever one has the best price for us. It is usually a decision made right on the spot with seconds to go for it or not.

The biggest problem with the smaller stations is turning in & finding a car at the diesel/gas piump island when there are plenty gas only pumps available.

The diesel is often at the end island, the easy one to get to, & car drivers are too thoughtless or lazy to use a gas only island.