Gas Stops - Nervous
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: BA, OK
The pumps will not accept standard credit cards at the pump. You will need to walk inside to the register that handles the truck side pumps and have the cashier pre-authorize the purchase for an amount greater than you think the truck will take to fill it up. Once you finish pumping and hang up the pump your credit card will be processed for that amount. You then need to go back inside and collect your receipt, it will be waiting on a shelf/bin with the corresponding pump number you used.
It's proper etiquette to pull forward after pumping your fuel so the rig behind you can pull up to the pump and begin pumping while you go back inside.
I also chose the lane that is being used by other pick up trucks with trailers rather than get in line behind a semi off possible.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Frederick, MD
Pilot flying J can give you a RV advantage card so you can use the truck lanes or what some of us have done, apply with TSD logistics for one of their cards that you can fill up anywhere that accepts the EFS, which is pretty much every truck stop.
New User
Joined: Dec 2019
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The TSD EFS card is the bomb. We use it all the time now.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,698
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From: Wyoming
The diesel price at the big rig pumps has two levels: cash and credit. Credit is going to cost a lot more and if you can get a card for that brand, the RV PLus card through Good Sam Club, or the TSD card mentioned above you'll pay a lot less than the credit price and perhaps better than the cash price.
Despite the higher price for credit at the big rig pumps, it's a lot less money than repairing body damage from trying to squeeze a truck/trailer into regular car islands.
Despite the higher price for credit at the big rig pumps, it's a lot less money than repairing body damage from trying to squeeze a truck/trailer into regular car islands.
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Joined: Dec 2019
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The diesel price at the big rig pumps has two levels: cash and credit. Credit is going to cost a lot more and if you can get a card for that brand, the RV PLus card through Good Sam Club, or the TSD card mentioned above you'll pay a lot less than the credit price and perhaps better than the cash price.
Despite the higher price for credit at the big rig pumps, it's a lot less money than repairing body damage from trying to squeeze a truck/trailer into regular car islands.
Despite the higher price for credit at the big rig pumps, it's a lot less money than repairing body damage from trying to squeeze a truck/trailer into regular car islands.
More sound advice from the voices of experience.
Will probably create a separate bank account just for fuel. Once created, it can be linked to the TSD card and dedicated for fuel expense. According to the web site, an e-mailed statement is sent for each purchase so it shouldn't be too hard to figure out the balance at any given time and recharge the dedicated account as needed. It should also make tracking fuel costs a piece of cake.
Yeah I'm liking this already.
Thanks guys!
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,052
Likes: 1,549
From: Media PA
The diesel price at the big rig pumps has two levels: cash and credit. Credit is going to cost a lot more and if you can get a card for that brand, the RV PLus card through Good Sam Club, or the TSD card mentioned above you'll pay a lot less than the credit price and perhaps better than the cash price.
Despite the higher price for credit at the big rig pumps, it's a lot less money than repairing body damage from trying to squeeze a truck/trailer into regular car islands.
Despite the higher price for credit at the big rig pumps, it's a lot less money than repairing body damage from trying to squeeze a truck/trailer into regular car islands.
Squeezing a truck and trailer combo into regular car islands is all that us gas rig drivers do.
Our EX and Jayco 338RETS measure 61' from bumper to bumper, that's longer than most duallies and large fifth wheels. As I've said here a few times, it's really no big deal if you look for pump islands that are parallel to the storefront and exercise a degree of patience and care. We have logged over 42K towing miles like this and with a 2V V-10 that's a lot of gas stops!
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 250
Likes: 36
From: Fredericksburg VA
Gas stops
I think gas stops ARE a big deal, so much so that I wrote to Pilot/Flying J and explained the difficulty. They personally called me to discuss the issue.
I have towed 37,000 miles and just returned from a trip across the US and into Canada. Numerous times I have had to back out of stations onto main roads because there was not enough room to circle the gas islands. Cars are often rude and cut you off when you're backing up.
Many times out West, you don't have many options. Yes. Before you turn in, you stop and analyze the station layout. It's stressful for us.
I have towed 37,000 miles and just returned from a trip across the US and into Canada. Numerous times I have had to back out of stations onto main roads because there was not enough room to circle the gas islands. Cars are often rude and cut you off when you're backing up.
Many times out West, you don't have many options. Yes. Before you turn in, you stop and analyze the station layout. It's stressful for us.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,698
Likes: 12,823
From: Wyoming
Squeezing a truck and trailer combo into regular car islands is all that us gas rig drivers do.
Our EX and Jayco 338RETS measure 61' from bumper to bumper, that's longer than most duallies and large fifth wheels. As I've said here a few times, it's really no big deal if you look for pump islands that are parallel to the storefront and exercise a degree of patience and care. We have logged over 42K towing miles like this and with a 2V V-10 that's a lot of gas stops!
Our EX and Jayco 338RETS measure 61' from bumper to bumper, that's longer than most duallies and large fifth wheels. As I've said here a few times, it's really no big deal if you look for pump islands that are parallel to the storefront and exercise a degree of patience and care. We have logged over 42K towing miles like this and with a 2V V-10 that's a lot of gas stops!
I think gas stops ARE a big deal, so much so that I wrote to Pilot/Flying J and explained the difficulty. They personally called me to discuss the issue.
I have towed 37,000 miles and just returned from a trip across the US and into Canada. Numerous times I have had to back out of stations onto main roads because there was not enough room to circle the gas islands. Cars are often rude and cut you off when you're backing up.
Many times out West, you don't have many options. Yes. Before you turn in, you stop and analyze the station layout. It's stressful for us.
I have towed 37,000 miles and just returned from a trip across the US and into Canada. Numerous times I have had to back out of stations onto main roads because there was not enough room to circle the gas islands. Cars are often rude and cut you off when you're backing up.
Many times out West, you don't have many options. Yes. Before you turn in, you stop and analyze the station layout. It's stressful for us.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,052
Likes: 1,549
From: Media PA
All of my clean living over the years must have resulted in my just being lucky. 
I have never planned out a fuel stop in advance, other than consulting gasbuddy to see where the cheapest top tier (or corn free) gas was locally. I have had to back out of 2 stations over the years as there just wasn't enough room to swing through, but my Bride is an excellent spotter so it wasn't very dramatic. Here in the crowded East you will typically have your pick from several stations at or near most Interstate Highway exits, I guess once we have more time for Western exploration choices may thin out some and require a bit of planning.
I have never planned out a fuel stop in advance, other than consulting gasbuddy to see where the cheapest top tier (or corn free) gas was locally. I have had to back out of 2 stations over the years as there just wasn't enough room to swing through, but my Bride is an excellent spotter so it wasn't very dramatic. Here in the crowded East you will typically have your pick from several stations at or near most Interstate Highway exits, I guess once we have more time for Western exploration choices may thin out some and require a bit of planning.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 250
Likes: 36
From: Fredericksburg VA
Gas stops
You must live clean. I guess I need to step it up a bit. 😊
If you're 50 feet long or more, you will have problems circling gas pump islands towing a 37 ft 5th wheel. Add about 20 customer cars to the mix. I even had to back out of an RV pump island.
I estimate that 40 percent of Pilot/Flying J stations are difficult. Loves are newer and have more space, but I prefer stopping at Pilot/Flying j.
If you're 50 feet long or more, you will have problems circling gas pump islands towing a 37 ft 5th wheel. Add about 20 customer cars to the mix. I even had to back out of an RV pump island.
I estimate that 40 percent of Pilot/Flying J stations are difficult. Loves are newer and have more space, but I prefer stopping at Pilot/Flying j.
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