Filling-up at truck stops

[mhenon]

Hauling a 34' TT makes it tough to get into a pump designed for auto's. Some of the Flying J's and other truck stops have a special island for RV's. . but some don't. You don't know until you pull in... and then it's too late.

Can we just fuel up at the truckers islands or is that a "no no". I've filled up at stations where the only diesel pump they had was set-up for truckers. What followed was a somewhat awkward conversation over their intercom. . explaining that I was towing an RV. . and needed diesel fuel... no. . I wasn't road tax exempt. . blah blah blah!!!

Anyone have any advice on this?



Mike

 

[BStoecker]

Just pull in and buzz the intercom. Some ask for your truck number or how you are paying. I usually just tell them truck #13, if they ask for a company name, I tell them Brad's Auto Transport, and that I have a credit card. Some will ask for your plate number too. Some stops will start the pumps then, while others ask you to come into the fuel desk and give them your card before they will turn it on. Most truck drivers are really friendly and will walk you through it if you look confused as well. Just watch using the high speed pumps. I carry a set of leather gloves in the truck for fueling. Better they smell like #2 than me. The high speed pumps will spit at you if you aren't watching it and dribble #2 down the side of your truck...



Another thing to watch out for is that alot of places charge an extra $0. 03 for credit card purchases. Some give you the cash price if they think you are hauling commercial as well.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I always fill up at truck stops... fills the tank much quicker, the fuel is fresher, often cheaper, etc.



I never pull a trailer...



I pull up, hit the button, they ask for info, and I say, "It's just my private vehicle" if they ask for a plate number, they get it, and they turn the pump on.



what's the big deal?



Forrest

 

[mhenon]

Thanks for the fast reply's. I really thought the truck islands were "not" intended for road taxed, non-commercial vehicles. This will make fill-ups WAAYY easier.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

nope, you're welcome to use them! just be aware of any surcharges if you use a credit card... some places charge a couple cents more, some don't. I pay w/ cash at the places that do! LOL!



Forrest

 

[LandShark]

Mhenon: Next time you are at Flying J pick up their book about their facilities. It will tell you about RV islands, propane, dump stations, etc. Or you can look it up at flyingj.com. Be sure to get their free discount card for a penny/gal discount on diesel plus no surcharge for using credit cards.

 

[klenger]

Beware of using truck islands in AZ. The state charges about $0. 08 / gal. additional tax for big rigs (over 26K). I think some stations will credit you at the time of purchase for the additional tax, others tell you to fill out a form and get it from the state.

 

[y-knot]

Go to their website and look up the fueling stations for your route. They will till you everything about the stations from fuel prices to what amenities they might or might not have.

Just belly up to the intercom and yell private carrier..... spit... . and yell... fill up on diesel. Works every time.

 

[KBalzuweit]

Just pull forward after you are done so the next guy can get started. As long as you show the big trucks that courtesy, all will be happy. I am in there all the time (I carry about 150 gal. ) and never had a problem.

 

[daytripper63]

I always use the high volumn truck pumps

Its great to get 30 gallons in about a minute

 

[FCecelin]

Non taxed fuel would be for reefer . I use truck islands when neccessary . No problem with large nozzle. Fuel . Pull up . go inside and pay . leave or park in lot. . But I do prefer the Flying J( Loves . Pilot etc. } as most have pay at pump

 

[RMcCulloch]

If you're using Flying J's RV discount card you'll usually have to forego pay-at-the-pump to get the discount. While $. 02/gallon may not sound like much it does add up in a hurry.

 

[RJOL]

Just completed a trip from Washington State to just outside Chicago and back. Used Flying J's both ways. One thing I didn't like was that a lot of the Flying J's don't have a sign up on the islands to let you know which ones pump diesel. This can be a real PITA when your towing something. I've used the commercial lanes in the past, without any problems, but I usually just use the regular pumps. Have fun...

 

[klenger]

I was able to use the RV discount card at Flying J. The machine asked for a credit card and the discount card. Don't know which order, but it asked for both. I also got the cash price by using my Discover Card, even though they told me I would have to pay the credit card surcharge for using it.

 

[PatrickCampbell]

Go Flying J is #1 on my list MAINLY because of A) PRICE (cheapest at any given location) and B) Pay at the pump 99% of the time.



Get the RV discount card or the regular old trucker's card (free coffee) and go with it!

 

[RoryTek]

Oh and you don't have to deal with Fords and Duramax, fill tube not big truck sized. Oh and one more thing, you won't have to deal with idiots the leave their rig at the fuel pump while the family does their shopping. That really pisses me off!!!!

 

[BStoecker]

My personal pet peeve are the people that pull into a gas station and use the gas pump that sits beside the ONLY diesel pump at the station when the other 7 gas only islands are empty. Then they go inside and browse for snacks for 20 minutes like the selections have somehow changed suddenly. I actually had to walk into the gas station a month or so ago and ask who owned the car sitting there blocking the diesel pump for the last 10 minutes. Some crunchy granola tree hugging hippie wannabe said it was hers and she would be out there after she was done. She didn't like it when I told her that it might be moved by the time she was done if she didn't hurry up. She didn't take much time getting out to move it...

 

[y-knot]

Your a grumppy old sucker, I would have just started over with my shopping and dared you to touch the car. Are you Short?

 

[damon]

After doing a few 5000 mile tours of the western states over the last few summers, I usually use the truck stops without any trouble at all. Most of the folks are very friendly and helpful, and a quick call out on the cb will locate the truck stops quite easily.



However, I have found it consistent that when I get back into the upper desert areas of So Cal, the rig drivers and even the clerks at the truck stops often have a lot of attitude when you pull in with an RV. Heck, I'm nearly 50' long and 13' tall when hitched up, and many car islands just don't have that kind of space. Seems like they would understand that, but... ...



I know this opens the door for Cal bashing - go ahead, the question was asked and it's worth sharing my experience.

 

[BStoecker]

Your a grumppy old sucker, I would have just started over with my shopping and dared you to touch the car. Are you Short?

Nope... 6'0" 220 pounds... Well, I guess that could be short to someone who is 6'6"... :-laf



Actually, you would have never known if I touched the car. It was the typical car you would imagine an greenpeace activist driving when they aren't out saving the planet. The entire car was covered in bumper stickers and rusted out. My favorite was the sticker that said something about saving the planet, but when she finally drove off, she was burning more oil than any of the SUV's I have ever owned. LOL