Why buy Diesel at Loves/TA/Pilot???

[NCC-1701A]

My wife and I just returned from a trip through Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Across the entire trip, the subject travel centers ranged from 20 cents to over 50 cents a gallon higher than nearby competitors that were still right off the same road with easy in - easy out facilities for large motorhomes.


Made me wonder what these three offer that would entice people to pull in and fill up at such inflated prices.



Years ago, it was a few pennies difference in price and for us, we would pay that to have a separate RV parking spot away from the semis to spend the night, etc. But the gap is now pretty significant even if using something like a GS saving card. I know trucking companies don't pay these prices as they have separately negotiated contracts, but for RVer's, it's pretty much the price. Or is there some discount program out there I'm not aware of that reduces the price that much?

[Crasher]

I've seen 15-20 cent differences in our travels, but never 50 cents. I stop at Pilot/Flying J's for the convenience and know that I am getting fresh clean fuel. The GS discount is nice and separate monthly billing works well. The cost of fuel is not that big of a deal to me when compared to the overall annual cost of ownership. Plus there is something to be said for the Cinnabun rolls at the ones I stop at.

[96 Wideglide]

Originally Posted by NCC-1701A

Made me wonder what these three offer that would entice people to pull in and fill up at such inflated prices.

For me, I guess it just comes down to .... I 'know' I'm going to have no issues getting in and out.

[Old-Biscuit]

Good question.......


I have never understood the big draw to 'truck stations'
Overpriced, fuel spilled all over island, crowded


As for easy to get in/out

I have been in tighter situations in some CGs, roads within CGs, entrys to CGs then ANY fuel station


7 yrs we FTng using secondary/back roads and filling up with diesel at Mom/Pop stations, small town stations, co-ops etc and not ONCE did we EVER have bad fuel, clogged filters or any of the 'horror stories' or the need for HUGE fuel turn over to be GOOD fuel.



Good question..cause I just do NOT get the attraction OR benefit

[Lt Dan]

If I see a truck stop with easy in and out that looks fairly busy I'll use that. I don't want a small station that may have fuel that's been sitting in the tank for months. If not, I'll pay a little extra for not getting stuck in a tight spot. The major truck stops like TA, Pilot, Loves, etc charge more then give sometimes substantial discounts to trucking firms.

[FormerBoater]

Just returned from a trip across I-10 to the panhandle of Florida.


Loves off of I-10 in Madison, Florida $3.14 per gallon.


Racetrac here in NE Florida (Orange Park) $2.51 per gallon.


I need to fill-up tomorrow before our next adventure and will need approximately 80 gallons to fill the 150 gallon tank.


That is a $50 savings.


Racetrac stations have a diesel pump on every island, very easy in and out!

[hoosierrun]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I belief the long haul truckers and fleet vehicles get at least 20% off at Pilot/Flying J. They use the corporation credit card and are pretty much tied to these stations... plus there is parking, food, and often showers. All those amenities have to be paid for.

[mike625]

My fueling changed when we got our latest RV - 150 gal tank & 2 miles better mileage per gal.

When I'm in an area I don't know very well and want to stop for fuel. I use the truck stops because as other stated - fresh fuel and easy in and out. But with the big tank / range "fuel left in the tank", If the price is high - I'll put in what i need to get to the next locations. Once there I can look at what's available and price.

Anytime else, I know the stations I'm going to be using and they are not the big truck stops.

[gmadams]

Apparently you haven't heard of TSD Logistics. You might want to check out their program that is open to RVers that use diesel.

[docj]

I use the Trucker Path Android app to locate stations with truck pumps. I've yet to find a station with truck diesel pumps that doesn't have adequate clearance, but, if I have any doubt I use Google street level view to double check.

With the app I've found dozens of independent truck stops that aren't nearly as crowded as the "major" truck stops and whose prices are usually significantly less expensive. And many of these even have pay-at-pump. These aren't little mom-and-pop stations; they're just independents not major truck stops.

Between the app and Google Maps, itself, we rarely ever fill up at major truck stops in the US. And we've never had any problems with the fuel we've pumped.

[igave]

I stop there because I feel like it. When traveling in an area I’m not familiar with they’re usually a known as to layout, access, services, etc. which usually isn’t the case just dropping off the road randomly. I’ve found much messier conditions more often at Mom and pops for some reason. Just timing and luck of the draw I suppose. We use their card which does knock off a bit of the difference. If it’s a route I’m familiar with I may price shop a bit. I just want to get my fuel, check my rig, maybe have a quick lunch, and move on and those type stations seem to make that easier to do.

[RonLC]

Originally Posted by NCC-1701A

Made me wonder what these three offer that would entice people to pull in and fill up at such inflated prices.

Satellite pumps. I need to fuel both sides separately because the cross over pipe between the tanks is very small. I get a Good Sam's discount at P/FJ and 5% cash back on my Sam's Club Mastercard so I don't pay that much more.

And I know that I will be able to pull through and get the coach and the toad out easily.

[Dutch Star Don]

I've never seen 50 cents a gallon difference, but I usually see 10 - 25 cents a gallon between the truck stops and local stations, like a Chevron. Typically, the best prices are at Casinos.

I know many use the truck stops because the access is often easier and it keeps their stress level down. That's fine and you need to do what works for you. I'm not a fan of the truck stops for the same reasons as some others.

I'm very comfortable with threading my way through smaller stations and have never been stuck. Like it was stated, you often drive through campgrounds that are tighter/smaller.

[Bigd9]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Good question.......


I have never understood the big draw to 'truck stations'
Overpriced, fuel spilled all over island, crowded


As for easy to get in/out

I have been in tighter situations in some CGs, roads within CGs, entrys to CGs then ANY fuel station


7 yrs we FTng using secondary/back roads and filling up with diesel at Mom/Pop stations, small town stations, co-ops etc and not ONCE did we EVER have bad fuel, clogged filters or any of the 'horror stories' or the need for HUGE fuel turn over to be GOOD fuel.



Good question..cause I just do NOT get the attraction OR benefit

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

I've never seen 50 cents a gallon difference, but I usually see 10 - 25 cents a gallon between the truck stops and local stations, like a Chevron. Typically, the best prices are at Casinos.

I know many use the truck stops because the access is often easier and it keeps their stress level down. That's fine and you need to do what works for you. I'm not a fan of the truck stops for the same reasons as some others.

I'm very comfortable with threading my way through smaller stations and have never been stuck. Like it was stated, you often drive through campgrounds that are tighter/smaller.

As much as I hate to admit it, I agree with these guys. Just kidding guys.


I guess what soured me on big truck stops was the time I was fueling and I walked around the coach to the other side. There was a trucker using my satellite pump filling up his truck.