Truck stop etiquette?

[gbraden]

OK, what am I supposed to do to fuel up at truck stops?

1. Do they generally welcome pickup/5th-wheel rigs?

2. Do I just pull in behind a big truck and hope it's obvious how to use the nozzles and to know which one to use?

3. Do I need an account there in order to make a fuel purchase?

4. Do you pay first or fill, move rig out of way and then pay?

Thanks for info from old timid me.

Glenn

 

[Steve M]

Around here, the truck stops usually have commercial pumps for big rigs and then other diesel pumps for RVs along side the auto pumps. I would assume it's the same there as we pay 12c more a gallon than the commercial drivers do. I had the same question when I bought my first diesel pickup in '84. A trucker was kind enough to point me in the right direction without making me feel totally stupid.

 

[fkovalski]

About the fueling nozzles (question #2); The big rig pumps generally pump A LOT faster than auto diesel pumps. I have used them in the past. The spout will fit our trucks (not sure if this hold'st rue on the 3rd gens) but the fill rate is too fast to leave it unmonitored. STAY WITH YOU VEHICLE IF YOU USE THE BIG RIG PUMPS! I would try to find the pumps for use on automobiles. You can set the lever hold, wash windows, check oil etc...

As far as the other questions you ask, I am not sure on them and will let others chime in.

-frank.

 

[sfr1047]

I have been using truck stops for a couple of years. I pull up to a pump and go inside and tell them I have an RV and what pump # I am at. They take my credit card to hold while I fuel up. After I fuel I pull up and then go inside to pay. You have to hold the nozzle on the lowest setting but that is usually faster than a regular gas station will fill. I have never been refused service.

 

[midwestdually]

just curious... if the truck pumps are 12 cents cheaper then the other part of the station why would you not use the truck pumps??



also... proper etiquette would be after dark... . pull up... goin and prepay or hold credit card... go out pump fuel... then pull forward and go in and pay... ... most places i would not worry about pulling forward unless each station pump is full.



most times during the daylight you dont have to prepay but get i have found that u get a better discount on duel when you pay CA$H

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I always fill up at the truck pumps... even with no trailer... they pump so much faster! I get spoiled and hate filling up at "auto" pumps as they take for ever to pump!



if I've got the little woman in the truck, I'll have her go in and tell them to turn on the pump and give them my license or credit card...



if she's not in the truck, I'll run in and hand 'em my license and have them turn my pump on.



now, if the place is packed and there are trucks lined up all over the place, I'll go around to the auto side and use that pump...



remember, in the lots as on the road, those 18 wheelers are a lot bigger than you and a lot harder to maneuver... show courtesy and make life easy on the drivers and stay out of their way.



Forrest

 

[Eric_77]

Many of the truck stops around here same price cash/credit at the "car" island but 4 cents more at the truck island for CC. Unsure why??? Anyway you have it about right just need to watch which side is the primary pump side. Normally truck islands are 1 way and the drivers side pump is primary. The slave pump (for filling the passenger side tank on truck) is only active when the lever is "up" (or turned, handle removed etc) on the primary pump. Keep an ey on the slave pump though I had a guy grab it to fill his truck up once, had to explain that I was only filling my truck not HIS



Even when the pumps are not busy if you do use them move out of the way, seems like trucks come in in groups. I do it at any pump where I have to go inside to pay as force of habit.



If you have a CB many truck stops will take info over radio to start pump. With truck stop sometimes they make you "register" with them at the truck island for the long ticket receipt that has company name, address, truck/trailer numbers, etc on it, but normally I just tell them private vehicle and it is no big deal.



If I am pulling a trailer I always use the RV pumps or the truck pumps if they are all the same price. unloaded I try to go where the line is the shortest

 

[klenger]

In Arizona, the big rigs pay about $0. 08 more / gallon in taxes than us little guys. If you fuel up at a big rig pump, they should credit you the extra tax, but one place told me I had to send a form to the state of AZ to get the refund. I just used the little pumps.

 

[parcher]

I use the big-rig pumps whenever I can, gotta love the speed! THe place I usually go has a sign that says to pull ahead when done fueling. I usually manage to time it so there is little big-rig traffic when I'm there. I have never been told to use any other pump. The station is in NJ and ther is quite a bit less tax than here in NY . In NJ it's against the law to pump your own gas, diesel has no such restriction.

 

[Fireman Dave]

I use the big rig pumps when I'm towing. Most of the time I just get on the phone at the pump and tell them I'm a pickup and it's no problem. Like the others said, I go park right after I'm done filling and go in and pay. I figure it's not too ridiculous since I'm about 50' long when hitched up. I've never had any problems with anyone not wanting me there. I got a kick out of the time I got out and had a trucker comment on how loud my truck is. LOL He seemed to like it, though.

 

[gsdog1]

FYI - Here in Indiana, the price difference for the big rigs is their tax exempt status versus most of the rest of us. They don't pay the 6% when the fuel, I do.



Matt

 

[Lurch]

In many states they(commercial drivers) pay their fuel tax as a quarterly settlement. Therefore no tax at the pumps. That's why there's a price difference. Like Dave said, most truck pumps have a phone or intercom at the pump, tell them your private, method of payment, usualy a liscense number, then fill er up. Saves the walk inside to give up the credit card. Some have claimed the high flow pumps have damaged the sending unit in the tank. Even on the first click they're way faster than the auto pumps. Pull forward when done, go in & pay.



Lurch

 

[GFrance]

Depending on which state you are in the taxes may be included on the sign out front of the truck stop or they may give the price without the state tax with p. u. c. plate. So beware of posted prices, find out if it includes the state tax. Most trucks have a p. u. c. plate & pay there road tax according to the miles driven thru that state. Unless you are a commercial vehicle with the p. u. c. plate or a temporary permit or farm plate you are not exempt and have to pay the taxes when you buy your fuel.

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by Fireman Dave

I use the big rig pumps when I'm towing. Most of the time I just get on the phone at the pump and tell them I'm a pickup and it's no problem. Like the others said, I go park right after I'm done filling and go in and pay. I figure it's not too ridiculous since I'm about 50' long when hitched up. I've never had any problems with anyone not wanting me there. I got a kick out of the time I got out and had a trucker comment on how loud my truck is. LOL He seemed to like it, though.

I do the same thing, I just tell them "Private" when asked for company and have never been asked for prepayment. If you see an empty lane, take it and sometimes they will even have a small nozzle on some of the pumps. If there are trucks waiting behind me, I will pull ahead if I can as a courtesy.



Dean

 

[hammersley]

Eric_77 is right - be careful with teh Slave Pump AND be sure it is turned off - OR at some stations it'll still be active and running up on your Credit Card - for the next Joe.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Your welcome to fill up at any truck stop just like the big boys, it's just like going to your neighborhood gas station only bigger. I always use the bigger pumps too as our 03's can take fuel really fast - takes about 1 minute to fill the tank!

 

[y-knot]

I am lucky enough to have a FlyingJ truck stop not to far from the house, they are great and are usually much cheaper then the other stations around. Also I can pull them up on the computer and check there price, same goes for when your on the road. You can pull up the nearest one and get directions to it, and check the price. Flying J has a whole side for only big rigs, then there is a three lane area for RV's, and diesel is also available at the gas pumps for single truck use. There price is the same on RV or gas island.

I learned very fast, that when hauling a long trailer you need to have your fuel stops planed out. Most regular stations I can not fit into, so truck stops are the way we go. I also learned to keep the aux fuel tank full, for times when there isn't a large station around.

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by y-knot

I learned very fast, that when hauling a long trailer you need to have your fuel stops planed out. Most regular stations I can not fit into, so truck stops are the way we go. I also learned to keep the aux fuel tank full, for times when there isn't a large station around.

Amen to that, y-knot. I throw a couple of 5 gallon cans of diesel into my toolbox if I am antsy about the route. If you stick to the interstates when you are towing, you should never have a problem finding a good spot to fill up, but if you get into some back-country general store, you could have some fun filling up with the trailer hooked up.



Dean

 

[JustinAdams]

a lot of truck stops require at leat dot #s for u to fill with truck but some dont dot#s are tax exempt and few places they only have satelite pumps for trucks so u have to fuel there but truck have to run ifta stickers and they pay fuel tax annually so it might be cheap at the pump but they get theyre money from the big trucks u can bet on that



justin Adams 96' 3500 2wd 625hp13spd 99' 215hp auto 87 peterbilt 400hp 9spd

 

[10-G]

I use the big rig pumps. Pull up, pick up the little comm phone tell em private truck ,tx plate balah blah blah. Fill. Pull out if busy and go in and pay.



Love those places. I've heard its the best way to ensure fresh quality diesel fuel.