Diesel, where to fuel?

[boiler1959]

Purchased a diesel truck recently. When you are pulling your TT, do you typically fuel at the normal car/truck pumps or do you occasionally use the semi lanes?

I certainly don't want to torque off the semi drivers, but it sure looks like a great option, as the lanes are bigger.

Thanks in advance.
BoilerUp

[Ray,IN]

I used to tow with a Duramax dually. i normally bought diesel fuel at truck stops for two reasons,#1 you should only buy fuel from high-turnover stations to greatly reduce the odds of getting bad fuel, #2 truck stops have room for you to maneuver without damaging your vehicle or trailer.
For instance, Flying J/Pilot stations normally have RV-specific lanes. When not towing I buy fuel from the stations with high-use at the diesel pumps. The local Murphys station is where school bus drivers refuel, so I know the fuel is fresh and clean.
Speaking of clean, change the fuel filter per owners manual or annually-whichever comes first. This is the "secret" to trouble-free driving.
When re-fueling at a truck stop, watch the procedure and do the same. Truck drivers get in line, re-fuel when their turn at the pumps, then pull forward to allow the next driver to re-fuel while they go inside to pay. If a driver needs to use the facilities they find a parking spot in the lot instead of impeding the re-fueling process.

I hope this makes sense.

[1bigmess]

I go to the lowest price as long as it is not more than a couple of miles out of the way. If I get there and it looks like they don't sell much diesel, I go to the next place until it looks like they do sell a lot of diesel. If it sits in the ground too long, all kinds of things can start growing in it.

I'll buy at a truck stop if I have to, but they are usually more expensive than many other places. I use the GasBuddy app on my Android smart phone to find locations and prices.

[boiler1959]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

I used to tow with a Duramax dually. i normally bought diesel fuel at truck stops for two reasons,#1 you should only buy fuel from high-turnover stations to greatly reduce the odds of getting bad fuel, #2 truck stops have room for you to maneuver without damaging your vehicle or trailer.
For instance, Flying J/Pilot stations normally have RV-specific lanes. When not towing I buy fuel from the stations with high-use at the diesel pumps. The local Murphys station is where school bus drivers refuel, so I know the fuel is fresh and clean.
Speaking of clean, change the fuel filter per owners manual or annually-whichever comes first. This is the "secret" to trouble-free driving.
When re-fueling at a truck stop, watch the procedure and do the same. Truck drivers get in line, re-fuel when their turn at the pumps, then pull forward to allow the next driver to re-fuel while they go inside to pay. If a driver needs to use the facilities they find a parking spot in the lot instead of impeding the re-fueling process.

I hope this makes sense.

You bet it makes sense. No doubt I would pull forward to stay out of the way. Thanks for the advice regarding service as well!

[Gordon Dewald]

Originally Posted by boiler1959

Purchased a diesel truck recently. When you are pulling your TT, do you typically fuel at the normal car/truck pumps or do you occasionally use the semi lanes?

I certainly don't want to torque off the semi drivers, but it sure looks like a great option, as the lanes are bigger.

Thanks in advance.
BoilerUp

If you tank does not have the large filler spout you may not be able to fuel in the truck lanes.

[dcarver]

15k towing with my diesel and using truck stops. Never had a an issue. 34 gallons goes a lot quicker than 200 so the truckers don't seem to mind. I'm not a fan of Love's truck stops though. Always have to go inside because I don't have a Loves fuel card. Flying J and Pilot are easier for me

[Old-Biscuit]

Have a 2007 Dodge 3500 QC Longbed with 5.9L CTD and tow a 14K 5th wheel that is 13'4" tall.

We FTd for 7 yrs. and stayed away from 'trucker stations'-------lots of fuel spills on pump lanes, congested and 'marked up pricing'
We traveled secondary/back roads and purchased Diesel Fuel from every kind of station from 'franchised' to Mon-Pop types.
Never once had an issue with fuel and only couple of times had to do a bit of maneuvering to get back out.

Many CGs were more of a challenge than any service station.

Getting fuel at regular service stations is NOT an issue-----not enough of one for me to use those higher priced dirty trucker stations that's for sure.

[SmokeyWren]

Until a few years ago, the answer was simple: Flyin' J. But Flyin' J screwed up and got bought out by Pilot, so now they're just another truck stop with high prices.

Pilot/Flying J are okay as truck stops go, but they won't be the price leader the way the old Flyin' J was. The good thing about most Flying J truck stops now is they still have the RV lanes out front near the car pumps. Those RV lanes have both diesel and gas pumps, and even long/tall fifth-wheel trailers can get in and out with no problem.

In either the truck lanes or the RV lanes, common courtesy is expected. After you finish filling up, then pull forward enough that the diesel tanks of the 18-wheeler or RV behind you can reach the pump. If there's not room to pull forward that much, then go park out in the toolies while you finish your business with the truckstop.

I towed a 5er for over 11 years and over 100,000 miles all over the USA, and never had a truck driver fuss at me. At only one ancient truckstop in New Jersey was the filler tube on the pump too big for my SuperDuty diesel input filler tube.

ALWAYS buy your diesel from a very busy diesel station. Never buy diesel from a Mom&Pop convenience store where you're the only diesel customer. As others have mentioned, stale diesel that's been in the tank too long can result in a plugged up fuel filter and a dead truck.

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by SmokeyWren

ALWAYS buy your diesel from a very busy diesel station. Never buy diesel from a Mom&Pop convenience store where you're the only diesel customer. As others have mentioned, stale diesel that's been in the tank too long can result in a plugged up fuel filter and a dead truck.

7 yrs of travel weekly /100,000 miles PLUS and lots of small town stations (Mom&Pop type) and not one clogged filter.

Believe me....my luck is not that good

[powderman]

I would rather have a root canal than go to a truck stop for fuel. Dirty, stinky, and over priced.

[FloraBama]

Regardless of how accommodating fuel stations can be, it is still a pain to fuel up while towing. This is the primary reason I'm shopping for an auxiliary fuel tank so I can fuel up once a day preferably after I've unhooked.

[boiler1959]

Originally Posted by 1bigmess

I go to the lowest price as long as it is not more than a couple of miles out of the way. If I get there and it looks like they don't sell much diesel, I go to the next place until it looks like they do sell a lot of diesel. If it sits in the ground too long, all kinds of things can start growing in it.

I'll buy at a truck stop if I have to, but they are usually more expensive than many other places. I use the GasBuddy app on my Android smart phone to find locations and prices.

I love Gas Buddy. My biggest concern is ingress and egress. Paranoia about hitting something or not being able to get out.
Thanks for the advice!

[boiler1959]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Have a 2007 Dodge 3500 QC Longbed with 5.9L CTD and tow a 14K 5th wheel that is 13'4" tall.

We FTd for 7 yrs. and stayed away from 'trucker stations'-------lots of fuel spills on pump lanes, congested and 'marked up pricing'
We traveled secondary/back roads and purchased Diesel Fuel from every kind of station from 'franchised' to Mon-Pop types.
Never once had an issue with fuel and only couple of times had to do a bit of maneuvering to get back out.

Many CGs were more of a challenge than any service station.

Getting fuel at regular service stations is NOT an issue-----not enough of one for me to use those higher priced dirty trucker stations that's for sure.

Thanks. Maybe I am being paranoid, but even with my current tiny trailer I am very cautious about finding a place I am sure I can get in and out of easily. I have seen some pretty big rigs in conventional stations and they had no issues.

Or...maybe I just suck at driving .

Thanks for the advice!

[timetogo]

Truck stops are my last choice.