Flying J frustrations - Alternatives?

[RRinNFla]

We’ve always preferred Flying J when traveling on interstate highways. I made the effort to get the RV Plus card which is easy to pay and gives me 6 cents per gallon discount. On our recent 4000 mile trip I was extremely disappointed with them.

We tow a 32 foot fifth wheel and have a gasoline powered truck. The RV lanes are the main reason we go there.

At least half of the pumps had burned out screens so I had to pay inside, usually waiting in a long line competing with the pizza customers for a cashier. The cashiers had no idea how to handle the RV Plus card.

At one station, someone had run into a pump and all pumps were shut down. Obviously not the stations fault, however they could have put signs up or orange cones to let you know not to bother tryin to use those lanes.

At another Flying J brand station there were no RV lanes for gasoline and the remaining pumps were at a awkward angle and very tightly spaced.

Probably the most frustrating was at Lake Park, GA, I75 exit 2. On the way out the card readers did not work at the RV lane. On the return, 4 weeks later, the card readers still did not work. I guess they are hoping the gas pump repair fairy will stop by some night.

I try to top off the truck when unhitched. I have learned to visually assess whether I can make the tight turns at regular gas stations. I have even backed out of stations while towing, but I love RV lanes.

Is there a good alternative to Flying J?

[Second_Chance]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
This FJ .06 discount card, is it a credit card?

Yes. They bill you every month and you pay by ACH draft from your checking account. It works at the pumps in the back so you don't have to go inside.

Rob

[Grit_dog]

ferndaleflyer wrote:
I have probably saved enough to buy a new DP by staying out of truck stops. Few weeks back I went to Bristol, TN on I-81. When I went through Wythville, VA every truck stop sign was $3.40--$3.45 cash on the way down. Coming back 5 days later the price had gone up to $3.45--$3.50. I filled up at a place right off the interstate below Bristol for $2.79 with a credit card. I got 80+ gallons so I saved over $50. Won't catch me in no filthy Flying J. And my DP and trailer are over 70ft long.....They live by fleecing those truck drivers with no mercy.

Yea it’s totally convenience not bargain.
But the. Again I’ve never found the allure of truck stops either.

[Cummins12V98]

This FJ .06 discount card, is it a credit card?

[ferndaleflyer]

I have probably saved enough to buy a new DP by staying out of truck stops. Few weeks back I went to Bristol, TN on I-81. When I went through Wythville, VA every truck stop sign was $3.40--$3.45 cash on the way down. Coming back 5 days later the price had gone up to $3.45--$3.50. I filled up at a place right off the interstate below Bristol for $2.79 with a credit card. I got 80+ gallons so I saved over $50. Won't catch me in no filthy Flying J. And my DP and trailer are over 70ft long.....They live by fleecing those truck drivers with no mercy.

[Diamond_c]

Loves has been my truck stop of choice for a while.they are clean well lit and easier to maneuver around. They have plenty of diesel lanes so lines are usually pretty short. I know the price is always higher but easy is worth something to me.

[Dutch_12078]

There are 3 types of Flying J/Pilot stations. The ones owned and operated by PFJ, where some former FJ's became Pilots, and some pilots became FJ's, and others that are independently owned franchised stations, often only offering PFJ diesel, with another brand for gas. In our regular travels, I have a few PFJ's on my "OK" list, but lately the "NO" list has gotten longer.

[RetiredRealtorR]

We just recently returned from two back-to-back (almost) 3000+ mile trips, through a total of 14 states.

Flying J is on a downward spiral. I refuse to patronize them anymore -- period. Pilot seems to be following suit. Too bad.

On these trips, we found Love's to be our stop of choice. They're typically cleaner, easy to maneuver, and for the most part everything seems operational.

[JimK-NY]

If you are not happy with Flying J, I have no idea what you expect to gain from complaining. There are plenty of other truck stops and in fact most gas stations, especially those on major Interstates, which will handle fueling a big rig.

[JoeH]

Second Chance wrote:
Look into the EFS fleet fuel card by TSD Logistics. You'll get a lot more than 6 cents per gallon discount at a lot more truck stops.

Rob

Yep- but it's for diesel only... the OP has a gas truck

[NatParkJunkie]

Second Chance wrote:
Look into the EFS fleet fuel card by TSD Logistics. You'll get a lot more than 6 cents per gallon discount at a lot more truck stops.

Rob

does the TSD card give discounts equal or better than nearby gas stations? truck stops are almost always significantly more expensive than nearby gas stations a mile or two up the road. I'll almost always skip the truck stop for the cheaper fuel. But also have a truck camper. I can pull in anywhere. never have to worry if I can fit through another station with a trailer.

[Second_Chance]

Look into the EFS fleet fuel card by TSD Logistics. You'll get a lot more than 6 cents per gallon discount at a lot more truck stops.

Rob

[corvettekent]

We never use truck stops for fuel because of their high prices. In 11 years of towing our 32 foot 5th wheel I can only think of 3 gas stations that I had to back out of because of the 5th wheel.

[2oldman]

Almost anything is less crowded and cleaner than FJ. I will always pay more rather than wait in lines for a few cents cheaper fuel.

[Diamond_c]

I’ve never been a fan of flying J truck stops and Pilot is really letting there places run down.

[bob213]

Since I have a 2005 diesel that isn't made to run on the B-20 that Flying J, Loves etc. are offering I try to fuel when unhitched from trailer. I'm considering a replacement fuel tank to give me more capacity than the 26 gallon OEM tank. I agree that Flying J and Pilot have become complacent in their concern for the RV business.