a newbie question. when on the road with a diesel truck and pulling a 30 ft + 5th wheel, how do you know where you can get fuel. what places can you get your rig into without having to find a place to drop the trailer, get fuel, get hooked up, and on your way again. thanks for any replies.
where to get diesel
- Thread starter mecastle
- Start date
dbbls59
Well-known member
I always look before I pull into a station. I have never been in one that I could not get to the pump and get back out. Some times I have to back away from the pump to get out but it is doable. I try to use a end pump and this is where the diesel is most of the time anyway.
If you're not equipped with auxiliary fuel tanks, you will want to train yourself to start looking for fuel well before you need it. As stated in previous post, truck stops are good places for fuel access. When hooked up and entering some fuel islands, particularly off the main highways, watch your overhead clearance as you enter or exit...some can be pretty tight. When it appears close, I have the co-pilot get out and watch the roof and a/c for clearance. So far, no mishaps.
travelin2
Pennsylvania Chapter Leaders-retired
Even if you fuel at a truck stop look for pumps labeled "auto" diesel. I've never had any problems with accessibility and they are usually located away from the heaviest truck traffic.
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danemayer
Well-known member
You won't have any problems going through the truck lanes at truck stops. When you finish fueling, pull forward so the guy behind you can pull up to the pump.
Flying J/Pilot truck stops often have separate RV lanes up front. Sometimes I use them, but mostly I go through the truck lanes. And if your truck uses DEF, the bulk DEF at truck stops is way less expensive than buy jugs at Walmart.
TravelTiger
Founding Texas-West Chapter Leaders-Retired
Early on, we purchased an RV friendly travel guide called "Next Exit". It lists by exit on major interstates what's there (food, fuel, diesel, def, etc) and then labels ones in red if they are RV friendly. (They usually have higher awnings, room to park, that sort of thing).
It was invaluable to find places we could "fit", especially if you needed to eat or get fuel -- and we needed fuel every 200 miles with our old truck!
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It was invaluable to find places we could "fit", especially if you needed to eat or get fuel -- and we needed fuel every 200 miles with our old truck!
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dlw930
Well-known member
I have a GPS with software specifically for RVs. It has a "What's Ahead" feature that lets me search for fuel stations and I look for truck stops such as Pilot/Flying J, Travel America, Loves, etc. if I'm towing. I plan to add an aux. fuel tank after the first of the year, so I can refuel with tow vehicle only. I've found that diesel prices are usually a few cents higher at truck stops than at c-stores and other retail stations.
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I did not see any one mention the discounts available at Flying J & Pilot truck stops The discount is 0.07 per gallon of Diesel, and they offer discounts on propane, too. Flying J has a RV lane on the auto side and parking for big vehicles. At Pilot I use the truck side, and if you pull up after fueling there will not be any issues with the big rigs. Both Pilot and Flying J have DEF at the truck islands, and it is about $2.79 per gallon. Much cheaper than the DEF in the blue box. I like the idea I can use their $$ free and get a small discount. I think this may be a better program than the one offered my Camping World. Here is the web site https://www.rvpluscard.com. OOPS, I see Danemayer mentioned Pilot and Flying J also.
avvidclif
Well-known member
Just a thought but I never stop at the Mom & Pop corner markets for diesel, always name brands and the bigger the better. It lessens the chances of contaminated or stale fuel. Besides if you get bad fuel and a huge repair bill good luck getting any reimbursement from Mom or Pop. I use GasBuddy and prefer Murphy as it's usually cheaper than anything else and I get a discount with the Wally world card. Some of their stations are really not RV friendly but I can always figure out a way to get in. And if I can get in I can get out, maybe backwards. Bad fuel, Wally World has deep pockets. Also due to the tiny bladder on my truck I carry 2 5 gal cans if we're going over 150mi. Never needed them yet but you never know.
My 2 cents worth, spend it wisely.
My 2 cents worth, spend it wisely.
travelin2
Pennsylvania Chapter Leaders-retired
All the fuel for all the stations here in the valley from national brands, Sunoco say, to the no name corner stop, I-Fuel, all come out of the same tank farm here in the valley...Sunoco, Pilot, Flying J, Loves, etc.
The only thing to differentiate is the name on the side of the truck.
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Diamondjim
Well-known member
Our first trip with our 5th wheel was 1350 miles (NY to FL). Found diesel easily, but a couple of times in "normal" non-truck fuel facilities it was difficult to locate the ONE diesel pump. Many were at the end of the island - last pump standing. It's good to plan your in and out. Other folks could care less that you need room to maneuver with a 35' 5er behind you, especially when they want their coffee and gas and go!
Plan ahead, DW gets real nervous about running on empty. Let's see, we've been married 51 years, have I ever run out of gas? NO! but I do bug her with the fuel gauge, just to see if she's paying attention.................
Plan ahead, DW gets real nervous about running on empty. Let's see, we've been married 51 years, have I ever run out of gas? NO! but I do bug her with the fuel gauge, just to see if she's paying attention.................
