Hey Guys,

Just getting the big beasty ready for a cross country (west coast Vancouver BC to Chicago then back up to Canada) and with diesel quality and the VERY expensive fuel system in these things i am a little paranoid about where to buy fuel while i am in the states as i have never done that much travel before.

Any recommendations on a national chain to fill up at?

 

Fill up where you see the big rigs filling up...

 

Yes. Fuel up at the truck stops. It is generally the safest place
late at night as many drivers are sleeping in there rigs and can
come help if you need them to. And you will hopefully be pumping
your own fuel so as not to get gas instead. Everything you will need
will be there. It works for me. But my last trip was back in 2000
so maybe time has changed things.

 

Pilot, Flying J, places like that. Although, since I installed a 45 gallon auxiliary tank in the bed, it allows me to fill when I want instead of when I need to.

 

good call everyone! thanks for the help

 

Murphy's at Walmart was the best price.. get snacks, salads, sandwhich stuff and drinks in Walmart to save money..

 

I use flying J/Pilot for the most part. They have a good sam rv advantage card so you can swipe and pump till your hearts content. No shut off and get a discount too.


Works at the truck pumps too.


Loves is ok but sometimes have to pay first.
High volume locations.


Be advised that all of IL loves their bio diesel so you never know if it is over B20. Nothing you can do about it. I try not to fillup in IL...but then I am usually just going through on I70

 

Does anyone fuel at the truck pumps when they're not towing? What's the likelihood that the truck diesel and auto diesel would come from the same tanks? Many times they're quite q ways apart.

 

I have pulled up to the trucks pump when not towing. Seldom though as you have a lot more options without the trailers. I doubt it that they feed off the same tanks. That would be to far apart and all that piping underground would not be good.

 

I would think they use the same tank for truck and auto diesel. would mean you have to have separate loads delivered for trucks and auto, not practical.

 

space between the auto and diesel lanes to me would mean multiple tanks.

 

Plan your route to go through Wisconsin and drop into "the land of flat" (Illinois) for only the last 100 miles. No bio diesel here.

Good luck driving and parking the big truck in Chicago.

 

My secret is to go anywhere there is a sign with the word "diesel" on it. I put the pump in the hole and squeeze until full. Then, when my fuel gauge reads low again, I repeat. I've done this all over the northeast and in Canada with great success.

 

With all the permits needed on each tank of fuel. I would say that the auto diesel is out of the same tank as truck diesel. Anything over 1100 gallons has to go thru permitting , environmental permits. Long process and hassle.
A few years ago I stopped at a rural station and their diesel was stored above ground in a 10K tank. I avoided that one.

 

I prefer to fill up at loves or pilot. Both have registration cards that you can use to fill up without the need to pre pay or pre authorize, just ask one of the clerks to set it up for you.

Wall mart /Murphy does usually have much better fuel prices but in my experience every location is built/designed the same way and it's stupid to try to get your trailer around and through to the diesel pump. Makes me angry so I don't use them. Just an incredibly dumb way to lay out a fuel station.......

Get yourself a CB radio, I don't talk much but I sure do learn a lot listening. Very helpful.

Use the "waze" app on your smartphone/tablet. Between the app and the radio I have a 100% rate of success in knowing about heavy traffic/accidents/lane closures well before I reach them. Driving 5000+ miles/month I've learned that there are traffic problems every day on every road. Most are avoidable if you know about it before you get stuck in them.

You can pump def at the truck stops too but you will need a plastic magnetic ring adapter, if you find one let me know, I really need to buy one but I can't ever find them.