Fueling up with the Big Boys

[FlyStar]

I agree with only using flying j / pilot as a last resort. I’m kind of irritated that to get this credit card you have to join Good Sam.

[RoJoSo]

95% of the time no issues at truck stops. We have the TCS card through FMCA. Only Snafu is the cards often don’t work at the pump so gotta go in. Every so often I’ll get a trucker park his rig at the pump in front of me and disappear into travel plaza for 20 min. That’s frustrating. Pump prices are 10-15% than getting off an exit on the turnpike. The ease of in and out plus if they are a TCS participant takes the sting out of the markup. Also DEF is usually cheaper at the pump than bottled. Not to mention no concern getting bad diesel or DEF.


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Truckers dissappearing for 15/20 minutes is nothing unusual. That is the reason for the line in front of them.
That is so they can go inside and get any drinks/snacks or to use the bathrrom, etc.
It takes truckers about 15/20 minutes to fill there tanks, clean windows and get water etc.
Just remember when your done pumping, to pull up to the line in front of you when done pumping and not to stay any longer then 15/20 minutes.
Keep your head on a swivel when walking across the lanes, and also remember the lanes are slippery from the diesel.

[MooManChu]

Truckers dissappearing for 15/20 minutes is nothing unusual. That is the reason for the line in front of them.
That is so they can go inside and get any drinks/snacks or to use the bathrrom, etc.
It takes truckers about 15/20 minutes to fill there tanks, clean windows and get water etc.
Just remember when your done pumping, to pull up to the line in front of you when done pumping and not to stay any longer then 15/20 minutes.
Keep your head on a swivel when walking across the lanes, and also remember the lanes are slippery from the diesel.

Thanks for the response. I assumed it was common practice/courtesy that is to be expected. That said, they probably love to see us little guys getting our 30-40 gallon fuel-ups, we've not yet done the Titan upgrade. Good comment on the slippery lanes and 20min courtesy. I was driving my TV year round before COVID and the lanes are even slicker in the winter. I regretfully admit I was doing the long days driving wearing sandals when it was getting toasty outside...bout broke my neck getting out of the truck.

[WhittleBurner]

One of the reasons I don't like going to the truck lanes. Seems there's a diesel spill you can't avoid. Then you climb back in your truck and get it all over the floor in your truck.

[RoJoSo]

One of the reasons I don't like going to the truck lanes. Seems there's a diesel spill you can't avoid. Then you climb back in your truck and get it all over the floor in your truck.

Thats why I love my Weather Tech floor mats. As far as the shoes, set them out overnight and they are usually good to go the next day.
A good pair of leather gloves also helps at the pumps. Keeps the smell and dirt off your hands. I just store the gloves in the front corner
of the bed of my truck.

[FatTire]

I recently fueled up at a loves truckstop. And I can share a tip with you. When dispensing fuel do not depress the lever all the way you’ll get series blow back of diesel. The nozzles at truckstops are like two times bigger than those at regular gas stations so depressed at halfway so you aren’t getting all the pressure behind those pumps. I’m guessing they’re high pressure like that in order to fill big rig tanks more quickly. Good luck

[fez111]

Driving from Michigan to Florida at Christmas and back again at Easter, I can say there are far too many Pilot/Flying J truck stops and not nearly enough T/A stops. We try to avoid Loves because they seem to be considerably more expensive. We get the best TDS rebates from T/A stops, but there aren't many of them between Ohio and Florida.

I went to a trucker's website and printed off a list of every truck stop and rest area between Michigan and Florida that has the city and exit #'s. Indispensable!!

[Viper02]

Havent used any truck stop for fuel in over 45 years of towing and certainly will not these days... Pilot, JBs, Loves truck stops out in the Idaho area are currently charging $4.43 for diesel... the other regular gas stations are charging $3.76 a gallon... I have not found a gas station yet in 7 western states that I cant easily get into a fuel my truck and fifth wheel combo up at with no clearance issues...

Others really like the truck stops... YMMV

[attaboy]

We would agree, our rig at 54 feet and 13.5 in height, it can't fit into most stations car lane pumps or there isn't room to pull away from the pumps and turn to get back out. Using the fuel station truck lanes
for the last couple years sure makes it easier, never had a bad experience using the truck lanes. We can fill up with DEF at the same time if we need it. Of course having smaller fuel tanks than semi's we are in and out and out of their way pretty fast.

Steven, I agree with what you say. In addition the truck lane pumps diesel so fast I can fill my tank in a matter of minutes.
At home I use Sam's and their diesel pumps are incredibly slow compared to the truck lanes.

I have not experienced the blow back problem yet.

My 50 gallon Titan diesel replacement tank is being installed today, can't wait to drive our usual 350
mile day of travel and not stop for fuel.

Bob A.

[Malco1]

The OP is talking about the TSD and Pilot RV cards - there's no preauthorization on those. The TSD card does an ACH directly from your checking account and the Pilot RV card bills you every month from their own system.

For me, "the very best part" of towing with a diesel is the torque. After that come a variety of benefits, including fueling in the truck lanes.

Rob

I have a Pilot, TSD, and Gas Buddy. The Gas Buddy has a cap of $100. The Gas buddy works in more places, but gives much less of a discount.