diesel fueling

[cub22908]

Thinking about getting a diesel 3/4 ton pickup to solve the only 2 things I don't like about RVing. One is going down mountains and the other is manuevering around the gas pumps. I was wondering what it was like using the truck fuel lanes at truck stops. I've never really paid a lot of attention to them so was wondering if a pickup and trailer were "welcome" over there and if there are long waits in line. Seems like it is usually pretty busy over there but maybe it goes fast. What are your experiences with the truck fueling lanes? Thanks

[Kidder]

Some of those truck fuel lanes only allow you to pay with special payment methods. It's not simply pay at the pump.

[KRSmitty]

Have been driving my Ram diesel since 2007. In all that time I have only used the truck fuel lane once. Most of the truck stops usually have a lane or two for RV's.

Majority of the time I will go to a normal "gas station"; Murphy's (Walmart), Racetrack, etc. with the 5er in tow. I have had no trouble maneuvering at them.

If I can, I will wait until I get to my destination (camp ground), unhook then go fuel up.

Several years ago I went and purchased a 50 gal. auxiliary fuel tank. Has to be one of the top purchases I made related to RV'ing! Between the TV tank and aux tank I have 82 gals of diesel. Now, I fuel up when I want to.

[cub22908]

Originally Posted by KRSmitty

Have been driving my Ram diesel since 2007.
Several years ago I went and purchased a 50 gal. auxiliary fuel tank. Has to be one of the top purchases I made related to RV'ing! Between the TV tank and aux tank I have 82 gals of diesel. Now, I fuel up when I want to.

Thanks for the responses. An aux tank would be the perfect solution except that they are probably pretty much permanent installations. I do quite often use every inch of my bed hauling things. But I will do some research on this way of solving the problem. Dan

[KRSmitty]

Originally Posted by cub22908

Thanks for the responses. An aux tank would be the perfect solution except that they are probably pretty much permanent installations. I do quite often use every inch of my bed hauling things. But I will do some research on this way of solving the problem. Dan

Depending on make/model of your truck there are after market tanks that replace the stock tank but hold more fuel. There are various size in bed tanks also.

[Oakman]

I have been using the truck lanes ever since I bought my current 2010 diesel truck and have never had a problem or issue. Along with the truck pumps, many Flying J’s have dedicated RV pumps out front. I love using the truck pumps and not having to worry about cars blocking me in or the height of the canopy over the pumps. When fueling up I never put the pump on automatic shutoff because on the truck side they are high flow pumps and can overflow when pumping into the low volume fuel tanks of pickup trucks. My fuel tank only holds 30.5 gallons.

[5er_tom]

I never use the truck lanes. In fact, diesel fuel at truck stops is normally 5 to 10 cents higher per gallon than at regular stations. As stated above, look for the larger gas stations and diesel fuel is often on the outside lanes.


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[dj3spots]

We use the truck lanes frequently. Depends on if the gas stations have a dedicated RV lane or not.


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[Flybob]

Many truck pumps have a larger fuel nozzle that will not fit your fill port. Also as mentioned many of the larger truck stops only accept fuel cards at the truck island.

[ependydad]

When towing, I almost exclusively use the truck lanes. Yes, you can't always start the pump- but I either walk in (or more commonly, my wife goes in).

Everyone once in a while, they're jammed and you have to wait for a truck to finish.

Just make sure you follow the procedure of fill up and then pull forward so the next guy can start.

http://www.learntorv.com/2013/11/die...are-great.html

[Jim34RL]

Originally Posted by 5er_tom

I never use the truck lanes. In fact, diesel fuel at truck stops is normally 5 to 10 cents higher per gallon than at regular stations. As stated above, look for the larger gas stations and diesel fuel is often on the outside lanes.


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I have been pulling into truck stops ever since I purchased my 2008 Ram Mega Cab. I am will to pay the additional cost in fuel prices for the convince of using the truck stops. If I worried about every time I purchased fuel with the 5er attached I give up the RV life style. Another point on using major truck stop fueling places is the diesel fuel is fresh do to the large turn over rate of trucks buying diesel.

Most of the time we are traveling to a destination and this could be several days away from us. So we do not un-hook the 5er and for the convince of fueling up we just pull in to the truck stops right off the interstate.

We also use two different books to find diesel fuel in states that we are not familiar with. One is called the Next Exit and the other is called the RV'ERS friend.

[KRSmitty]

Originally Posted by 5er_tom

I never use the truck lanes. In fact, diesel fuel at truck stops is normally 5 to 10 cents higher per gallon than at regular stations. As stated above, look for the larger gas stations and diesel fuel is often on the outside lanes.


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True...main reason I do not go to the truck stops is the cost. Most of the truck stops through Florida are upwards of 20 cents higher a gallon. As mentioned earlier, I mostly use Murphy...use the Walmart credit card and get an extra 5 cents off a gallon.

[Byron in TX]

I've had a diesel pu since '06 and hardly ever use the truck lanes for a couple of reasons.
--As others have said, fuel prices are generally higher than other stations
--Pump handles, etc tend to be dirtier and more oily in the truck lanes so you smell like you work at the airport
--Truck lane pumps pump FAST and can spill all over the place if you don't watch it.


About zero downside to using the normal pumps IMO.

[KRSmitty]

Originally Posted by Flybob

Many truck pumps have a larger fuel nozzle that will not fit your fill port. Also as mentioned many of the larger truck stops only accept fuel cards at the truck island.

Found out about the nozzles the hard way. First time I used one of the truck pumps I got the nozzle stuck in the TV... Took me a few minutes to finally get it out.

[Jim34RL]

Originally Posted by Byron in TX

I've had a diesel pu since '06 and hardly ever use the truck lanes for a couple of reasons.
--As others have said, fuel prices are generally higher than other stations
--Pump handles, etc tend to be dirtier and more oily in the truck lanes so you smell like you work at the airport
--Truck lane pumps pump FAST and can spill all over the place if you don't watch it.


About zero downside to using the normal pumps IMO.

I have a pair of leather work gloves that are stored in the door lower storage area. These are used every time I fill up regardless if I am in a truck stop or Meijers or Walmart/Sam's club. I have found even these station have issues with the diesel fuel pump handles. My wife has disposable vinyl gloves in her VW TDI when she fills up her car.

At most truck stops the price paid for fuel depends if it is paid either by cash or credit. With cash be less costly than credit; CASH is king.

Time is money and to me driving around an unfamiliar area with the 5er attached looking for a cheaper station is not worth the hassle and worry about diesel fuel quality. So I will pay the added cost of $0.10 to $0.15 a gallon and be on my way.

[Byron in TX]

Originally Posted by Jim34RL

I have a pair of leather work gloves that are stored in the door lower storage area. These are used every time I fill up regardless if I am in a truck stop or Meijers or Walmart/Sam's club. I have found even these station have issues with the diesel fuel pump handles. My wife has disposable vinyl gloves in her VW TDI when she fills up her car.

At most truck stops the price paid for fuel depends if it is paid either by cash or credit. With cash be less costly than credit; CASH is king.

Time is money and to me driving around an unfamiliar area with the 5er attached looking for a cheaper station is not worth the hassle and worry about diesel fuel quality. So I will pay the added cost of $0.10 to $0.15 a gallon and be on my way.

I've got a Chase Rewards card. I get cash back (around 5 cents a gallon) not just on fuel but ALL purchases at any fuel/convenience store (so that includes ice, beer, snacks).

Pretty cool....averages about a $100 credit each month that I just apply to my balance and pay off in full each month.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Jim34RL

I have a pair of leather work gloves that are stored in the door lower storage area. These are used every time I fill up regardless if I am in a truck stop or Meijers or Walmart/Sam's club. I have found even these station have issues with the diesel fuel pump handles. My wife has disposable vinyl gloves in her VW TDI when she fills up her car.

So true. I bought a cheap pair of work gloves from Home Depot and always use them - truck stops and regular fuel stations. The diesel pump handles are always dirty.

[CWSWine]

When we use the RV lanes at Flying J they capture 200.00 on our credit card before fueling. That will remain on your card for 24 to 48 till the correct amount is charged. I have never had problem with it since we carry low balance on our cards but if you only have low credit limit you could hit your credit limit after a couple of fill ups. Since we only have a 27 gallon tank over 2 day period we could get 6 fill ups cost 30 buck each but have 1200 captured on our credit card.

[doc73]

I wish my fill ups cost... 30bucks!

I use the rv lanes when they have them, I prefer these really. I used the trucks lanes twice now. Had to walk in to prepay.. Sent the DW. I have never seen the price higher for trucks than the car lanes but I have limited experience there. I also carry a 5 gallon fuel can just in case I get to a tight spot. I'd rather fill and dump the can 5 times than hit something.

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[Kenny kustom]

Bah ! Prepay !

Any canuks know how to pay at the pump in the states with a Canadian credit card ?