Truck stop protocol
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 324
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From: Austin, TX
Truck stop protocol
We're finally going to go far enough in one day that I need to refuel with the fifth-wheel attached. I'm really tempted to just use truck stops as I don't know of any automotive stations that are setup well for bigger rigs along our route. The one Flying-J does not have an RV lane. I've been reading here and there about using truck stops. It seems like the following is the general procedure:
(1) Pick a lane and wait your turn (might be a while).
(2) Pull up and hope the pump will authorize via credit card... if not, send someone inside to prepay or get pump authorized.
(3) Fill up - use lowest fueling detent possible or even just hold trigger by hand at a low rate (20 gpm truck doesn't play well with 60 gpm pump).
(4) When done, pull forward to clear the pump for the next guy.
(5) Go finish the transaction inside and then hit the road.
I assume others here do this routinely. Is there anything else in terms of protocol? Anything special to know about fueling the 2017 Ford 6.7 from these pumps?
I'd rather not cause too much delay/hassle for folks who drive for a living. Thank you.
(1) Pick a lane and wait your turn (might be a while).
(2) Pull up and hope the pump will authorize via credit card... if not, send someone inside to prepay or get pump authorized.
(3) Fill up - use lowest fueling detent possible or even just hold trigger by hand at a low rate (20 gpm truck doesn't play well with 60 gpm pump).
(4) When done, pull forward to clear the pump for the next guy.
(5) Go finish the transaction inside and then hit the road.
I assume others here do this routinely. Is there anything else in terms of protocol? Anything special to know about fueling the 2017 Ford 6.7 from these pumps?
I'd rather not cause too much delay/hassle for folks who drive for a living. Thank you.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,345
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From: Lake Hartwell, GA
First, be sure your fuel neck will accept the larger nozzle. I had to enlarge the one on my 2000 7.3.
Second, as far as I know, most truck lanes will not accept a credit card. You will need a company fuel card or something.
Third, flying j and pilot have a free card you can apply for that will allow you to fill up at truck lanes. We use ours all the time.
Fourth, if a lane is open pull into it. If one is not open, find a truck and wait behind it. Once you are done fueling, either leave or pull forward far enough for the next truck to fill up behind you.
We have used flying j and pilot all across the country and once you have filled at one, you can do them all.
Second, as far as I know, most truck lanes will not accept a credit card. You will need a company fuel card or something.
Third, flying j and pilot have a free card you can apply for that will allow you to fill up at truck lanes. We use ours all the time.
Fourth, if a lane is open pull into it. If one is not open, find a truck and wait behind it. Once you are done fueling, either leave or pull forward far enough for the next truck to fill up behind you.
We have used flying j and pilot all across the country and once you have filled at one, you can do them all.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 324
Likes: 8
From: Austin, TX
The shake-down trip must be going well...beautiful spot. Thanks for the response here. I am curious if the 2017 fuel-neck is compatible without modification. Hopefully someone can confirm that for me.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2017
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From: Austin, TX
Excellent. Thank you.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,681
Likes: 12,803
From: Wyoming
I went through a no-name truck stop in Laramie, Wyoming a few weeks back and used the truck lane. I was the only one there when I pulled up but it filled up while I fueled up. No issues, except for me paying the credit price instead of the cash price. Cha-ching!
I now have a Pilot/Flying J credit card with the Good Sam Club discount. I've only been through the RV lane at Flying J. That pump wasn't all that quick. I don't think it was semi-truck pump speed.
The RV lane was only slightly easier to get into/out of than the regular car pumps. Next time, if the truck lanes are open, I'm going to try that.
One other thing. The couple of times I did pay cash I had to pay before pumping. That's quite a hassle. Don't pull up to the pump and then go in to pay. Send the wife in before you get to the pump.
I now have a Pilot/Flying J credit card with the Good Sam Club discount. I've only been through the RV lane at Flying J. That pump wasn't all that quick. I don't think it was semi-truck pump speed.
The RV lane was only slightly easier to get into/out of than the regular car pumps. Next time, if the truck lanes are open, I'm going to try that.One other thing. The couple of times I did pay cash I had to pay before pumping. That's quite a hassle. Don't pull up to the pump and then go in to pay. Send the wife in before you get to the pump.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
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Seems like I usually need to fill up around lunch time. I often drop the camper at a large parking lot and go get fuel while the wife gets a meal ready. Sometimes it's easier to drop the fiver than to maneuver a fuel station with the fiver attached.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Wyoming
I use the GasBuddy app to find fuel prices before I get to my exit. Even with my Good Sam discount, Flying J isn't always the best price.
Dropping my trailer had not occurred to me. 5th wheel or travel trailer, neither are not a small amount of work at 95° F to unhitch/hitch.
Dropping my trailer had not occurred to me. 5th wheel or travel trailer, neither are not a small amount of work at 95° F to unhitch/hitch.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,669
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I guess it's a case of pick your poison....keep the wife and kids buckled up in a truck (the same position they're in all day) with the engine off in 95F heat while pumping fuel or turn them loose in the camper with AC and/fans on. I also like having the meal ready sooner so we get back on the road sooner. Throwing a block under a camper wheel, running down the jacks, and yanking the hitch lever goes fairly fast. Unhitching and rehitching a fiver altogether is about a 5 minute process.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,681
Likes: 12,803
From: Wyoming
I guess it's a case of pick your poison....keep the wife and kids buckled up in a truck (the same position they're in all day) with the engine off in 95F heat while pumping fuel or turn them loose in the camper with AC and/fans on. I also like having the meal ready sooner so we get back on the road sooner. Throwing a block under a camper wheel, running down the jacks, and yanking the hitch lever goes fairly fast. Unhitching and rehitching a fiver altogether is about a 5 minute process.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 324
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From: Austin, TX
I appreciate all the feedback. This is one area where my little 1600 lb box-on-wheels really excels over the fifth-wheel. During my recent trip through TX-NM-AZ-UT, I could stop anywhere and use almost any pump. The little camper is about the same dimensions (width/height) as the truck and tracks well enough I think I could navigate most McDonald's drive-throughs. All of this convenience is offset slightly by the spartan accommodations and middle-of-the-night bathroom runs.
All of this convenience is offset slightly by the spartan accommodations and middle-of-the-night bathroom runs.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,182
Likes: 7
From: Saint Augustine, FL
I use the GasBuddy app to find fuel prices before I get to my exit. Even with my Good Sam discount, Flying J isn't always the best price.
Dropping my trailer had not occurred to me. 5th wheel or travel trailer, neither are not a small amount of work at 95° F to unhitch/hitch.
Dropping my trailer had not occurred to me. 5th wheel or travel trailer, neither are not a small amount of work at 95° F to unhitch/hitch.
I seldom use the truck lanes if I can fit in the car lanes but sometimes that's the only option for diesel. The big nozzle fits but the flow rate can max out the tank's rate in most cases.