What is the trick to fueling up at a truck stop????????

[mrcomer]

So we have returned from our week long vacation in New Jersey. On the way there and on the way home we stopped at places where I had to fuel up with the real big boys and I have yet to figure out how to fill my puney little tank using those fast-flowing pumps. Do any of you out there have any tips or tricks to fueling, maybe being able to use that little flipper lever to keep the fuel flowing without me having to use my kung-fu grip the entire time to ease the fuel in without running over???????

Help me please.

Mark

 

[Rrloren]

I set the auto fuel lever to a low flow setting , seems to work for me. I believe some pickups will not accept the large fill nozzle.

 

[tmcran]

lowest notch setting and watch it.... I like using the fast pumps as I have a Titan after market fuel tank that holds 52 gals.

 

[jayc]

I can fill my big tank with the fast-flow nozzle but I have to feather it for the small (OEM) tank. I think the later models have been designed with a larger fill neck that will accept the big boy nozzle.

 

[mrcomer]

Ya, mine accepts the larger fill nozzle but the speed at which the pump pumps out the fuel seems to always cause a mess so end up just barely squeezing the trigger the entire tiem I am fueling. Kind of a bummer but when you need fuel you need fuel.

 

[jayc]

Mark, I'm trying to use this as a reason for me to buy that Freightliner I want.

 

[Ray LeTourneau]

Mark, I'm in the same boat you are. My Chevy won't even take the lowest position on the lever tab. I have to feather the lever for the whole fill up. I also have to lift the handle so the flow goes directly into the tube. SOMETIMES, the truck stops have a "normal" sized nozzle on one of the end islands. But you never really know until you get up close and by then it's too late. I've heard there is an adapter available but haven't looked for one yet.

 

[mrcomer]

JAYC, Good luck with that. Hope it works.

 

[TravelTiger]

on our latest trip, 2500 miles, I found some truck stops are not too thrilled with a private sale in the trucker lanes. They want us to prepay a certain amount, then when you are done fueling they reconcile the charge. Or, they want to hold your credit card until the fueling is complete. One truck stop employee didn't want me to leave their sight!

TT

 

[Terry H]

Mark and Ray,

Get one of these from Transfer flow. It will fix the problem, I had one on my 2003 Chevy 2500 HD.

 

[mrcomer]

Thanks for the info Terry. That would be a great mod for the truck but too pricey for me, especially for the little bit I am on the road. If I were a fulltimer though I would absolutely get this.

Thanks again,
Mark

 

[Ray LeTourneau]

I agree it's a bit pricey but on that page, there is a link to a pdf that lists available fill necks that may be just the ticket. I've saved the pdf and will investigate. Thanks Terry!

 

[porthole]

lowest notch setting and watch it.... I like using the fast pumps as I have a Titan after market fuel tank that holds 52 gals.

Did you change the vent lines when you had this installed? The Titan comes with only 1/2" vent fittings and hose.
At my local station I can fill at the higher speed but I slow it down to low speed for the last 10 gallons to cut down on the foam buildup.

 

[Delaine and Lindy]

When we were running the GM 3500HD (LVT) we had to feather the fuel nozzle. However when we had the Chevy 4500 the two OEM tanks would handle the flow on the low setting. The Chevy 4500 also had a in-bed 98 gal tank and the fuel nozzle would work on the top setting. And now with the Freightliner we have twin 80 gal tanks and they will handle the highest setting. Jay if you get a Freightliner you will never go back. The ride alone is like night and day over a steel suspension thats on all the pick-ups. The best selling point is get the little lady into the Air ride seat, and take her for a ride. The first time Delaine ever sat in a Air ride seat was in Elkhart, Ind. at Chariot Vans upfitters, she looked at me and said I want this Truck. I called the dealership who was having it upfitted and bought the Truck on the phone. So when we went to a heavier and larger 5th wheel she started looking for a Freightliner, we couldn't afford a new Freigthliner (cost $120,000+). So she found a pre-owned 2006 Freighliner with 50,000 miles for less than a Ford F-450 and will out last the F-450 without a doubt. Good Luck, there are pre-owned HDT's and MDT's out there and you will have a Truck you don't have to ever worry about weight issues. And high mileage on the HDT's and MDT's are in the range of 750,000 miles, anything less and you will have a Truck that will out last most RVer's life. GBY...

 

[tmcran]

I installed the hardware that came with the kit. I slow it down when I have about 8 gals to go.

 

[PUG]

I have quit using the commercial fuel islands. They make you walk in, leave your card, etc. etc. I just look for the auto vehicle island and most try to accomodate RVers. You get no better price at the commercial islands.

 

[mikeandconnie]

I got a flying J card online and Love's truckstop gave me a card at the commercial checkout so I do not have to go into the store anymore. I installed a 45 gallon Aux Tank so I plan my stops only at these two places. I use the RV Lanes at Flying J and commercial lanes at Loves.

PS I did run out of fuel 1 time trying to make a flying j , missed it about 4 miles..Bad Day for me! MY wife got fuel all over her pouring the fuel, She was HOT! I installed the Aux Tank the next week and love it, it takes the fuel at full flow.

 

[JJnLilly]

My Ram has the larger filler so I can use the big truck lane or the auto lane for fueling.

 

[ScubaSteve]

You get no better price at the commercial islands.

Most I've stopped at are worse. They usually give the 'cash' price at the auto lane even when paying with a card unlike the commercial lane.

mikeandconnie, do you get any special discounts with your cards from the flying j or loves?

 

[mikeandconnie]

ScubaSteve,
Yes, I think you get the cash price at the pump and few cents saving and some free stuff and discounts with the card at Flying J. I'm not sure at Love's. I really haven't paid attention, just pump and go. I do need to check my account one day. Here is the link to Flying J Card for RVers with the discount info.
http://www.flyingj.com/flyingjPorta...=true&_pageLabel=flyingjPortal_portal_page_24