Community Forums

rreichar · 10-17-2013, 06:37 PM

I have been looking at motorhomes for a few months now. Budget constraints (meaning the wife) limit us to a new class A gas or used diesel pusher. I have heard most of the arguments either way and I think I understand the advantages and disadvantages of both. Then my son brought up a question I hadn't seen on the forums. Is fueling up more of an issue with gas coaches? Just this Summer we experienced gas pumps cutting off at $75 on a trip from Texas to Indiana in our SUV. I assume that DPs would mostly fuel at truck stops where this is not an issue. Is this correct? How much of a problem is it filling an 80 gallon tank on a gas coach? Are purchase limits common?

Sky_Boss · 10-17-2013, 06:43 PM

The fuel cutoff is established by the store and not the credit card company. Some fuel cards allow you to fill up the tank without stopping. What I do is go to the counter and have them pre-pay X number of $ on my credit card based on my estimate on how much my tank will take. In most cases the pump will issue you a receipt with what you actually spent and you are done. In a couple cases I would get a charge for the prepay amount and then a refund for the difference.

Savannahdan · 10-17-2013, 06:50 PM

When paying at the pump, each state has a different dollar limit. I just run the card a second and sometimes a third time to fill it up. With gas you have to really watch for the pull through pumps. We're 37 feet plus a tow dolly with a mid size SUV which causes problems in when fueling up at most gas stations. Good luck with your purchase!

pburke · 10-17-2013, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Savannahdan

When paying at the pump, each state has a different dollar limit. I just run the card a second and sometimes a third time to fill it up. With gas you have to really watch for the pull through pumps. We're 37 feet plus a tow dolly with a mid size SUV which causes problems in when fueling up at most gas stations. Good luck with your purchase!

x2. It usually is around $300 to fill the 100 gallon diesel tank as I normally fill when its around a quarter tank left. So it takes 3 x running the card through with a $100 limit.

Mr_D · 10-17-2013, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pburke

x2. It usually is around $300 to fill the 100 gallon diesel tank as I normally fill when its around a quarter tank left. So it takes 3 x running the card through with a $100 limit.

Around here the lowest I've seen diesel has been 3.799. Same station, a week later, is now 3.899

CampDaven · 10-17-2013, 07:29 PM

An extra card swipe or two is no big deal. I would not let it sway a decision on which RV.

Sky_Boss · 10-17-2013, 07:35 PM

Some times you run into a max number of swipes on the same card. That is why I go in and pre-pay.

Rockwood27 · 10-17-2013, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky_Boss

The fuel cutoff is established by the store and not the credit card company. Some fuel cards allow you to fill up the tank without stopping. What I do is go to the counter and have them pre-pay X number of $ on my credit card based on my estimate on how much my tank will take. In most cases the pump will issue you a receipt with what you actually spent and you are done. In a couple cases I would get a charge for the prepay amount and then a refund for the difference.

X2...that's the way I also do it to reduce the hassle of the pump stopping at $75.

Fran

phranc · 10-17-2013, 08:33 PM

with diesel and at the truck pumps, the Pilot Flying J card will allow you to pump whatever you need . Does that work the same at the gas/diesel RV islands ? If so,
that may give you another option for fuel

rreichar · 10-17-2013, 08:37 PM

Thanks for the quick replies! So no issues with limits when you prepay? Any problem with clerks not knowing how to do the refund? On our trip this Summer we had a couple of Shell pumps that only let me swipe the card once. So do most folks with DPs fuel at truck stops?

Craig N Deb · 10-17-2013, 08:45 PM

When we are on the road we usually have our trailer attached so we usually use the truck lanes at the truck stops. Nobody ever says anything as we are almost 70 feet long. I usually just start the diesel pump and pay inside when I am finished. I can't remember ever having a problem at the truck stops.

Iangolf · 10-17-2013, 08:50 PM

As many have mentioned running the card 2-3 times per fill up is normal. Flying J's with RV islands seem to have higher limits especially if you have their RV card. Type of card also comes into play. This past weekend at a Flying J in Louisiana the sticker on the pump stated that Visa limit was $450 while MasterCard was $100. Used Visa.

jfran304 · 10-17-2013, 08:50 PM

Our gas coach has a 75 gallon tank. I start looking for fuel when the gauge gets down to 1/2 tank. This allow me to pick and choose the stations for access to the pumps and their prices. Some of the stations will shut off at a set amount and others won't. If it shuts off at a set price then I just swipe my credit card again. If it won't allow me to swipe the same credit card I just use my other one.

Jon

PyrateSilly · 10-18-2013, 12:15 AM

When on the road in the our 40ft DP I use 4 apps on the phone to start looking for prices for diesel when the tank is about 1/3 full. Gives me time to look for a low price. Sometimes its a truck stop sometimes not. Sometimes going a block off the road will give a lower price. When using truck stops we use the truck lanes.