Truck Diesel Pumps--How?

[barmcd]

I only have one fill for my tank, on the right side. Most truck stops have primary pumps, with payment pad on the left and a blank secondary pump on the right. I've swiped my CC on the left pump and tried to use the pump on the right, but it wouldn't work. What's the trick?

BTW, the pump gives me option to pump DEF, tractor fuel or refer fuel. I chose tractor fuel.

[rk911]

Originally Posted by barmcd

I only have one fill for my tank, on the right side. Most truck stops have primary pumps, with payment pad on the left and a blank secondary pump on the right. I've swiped my CC on the left pump and tried to use the pump on the right, but it wouldn't work. What's the trick?

BTW, the pump gives me option to pump DEF, tractor fuel or refer fuel. I chose tractor fuel.

although we have a gasser I am curious about this as well.

I can tell you that when we encounter the same setup in the RV gas lanes at Flying J in I have to swipe my card, remove the nozzle at that pump and
lie it on the ground. I can then use the other pump nozzle to fill the tank. it might be the same at the diesel pumps.

[FlyingDiver]

Right side pump is a slave (satellite) to the left side. You have to take the left one off hook to activate the right. Most rigs that use truck lanes have fills on both sides.

[BFlinn181]

FlyingDiver is spot on, but I've encountered truck pumps that require ICC number or some such that makes it impossible to pay at the pump. Also, be careful about using tractor diesel. Yes, it's cheaper, but that's because a tractor doesn't pay road tax. The fuel has a red dye added. If you get caught with red dyed fuel on the road, you'll pay a hefty fine!

[FlyingDiver]

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

FlyingDiver is spot on, but I've encountered truck pumps that require ICC number or some such that makes it impossible to pay at the pump.

I've only ever seen that in a couple states, Indiana being the most notable.

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

Also, be careful about using tractor diesel. Yes, it's cheaper, but that's because a tractor doesn't pay road tax. The fuel has a red dye added. If you get caught with red dyed fuel on the road, you'll pay a hefty fine!

You've got that backwards. Tractor fuel is not Off-road fuel. It's for the "Tractor" portion of the Tractor-Trailers that mostly use truck stops. "Refer" fuel is for the refrigerated trailers, and does not include road tax. That's the one you don't want to get caught using.

joe

[BFlinn181]

You're absolutely correct Joe, I've seen 'tractor' fuel at farm filling stations, but at a truck stop you nailed it!

[Hit_the_Rhod]

Previous posters hit it right when they said take the primary pump nozzle off, hit the lever, and lay on the ground, then use the other pump nozzle.

*Note, when doing the above, or when fueling ONLY from the PRIMARY nozzle, keep an eye on the "unused" nozzle to ensure that somebody doesn't pull into the adjacent lane and start pumping fuel off of your dime. It hasn't happened to me yet, but I saw it happen, told the owner of the RV who confronted the driver, who then tried to drive off after pumping 70+ gallons. Didn't work, especially when the Coach driver pulled his coach in front of the truck, and called 911 to report a theft! Manager of the station got involved, threatened to call police as well, truck driver ended up paying for the fuel he stole!

[wallacerm]

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

FlyingDiver is spot on, but I've encountered truck pumps that require ICC number or some such that makes it impossible to pay at the pump. Also, be careful about using tractor diesel. Yes, it's cheaper, but that's because a tractor doesn't pay road tax. The fuel has a red dye added. If you get caught with red dyed fuel on the road, you'll pay a hefty fine!

Are you sure about this? I was under the impression that the tractor fuel is used by the truck part of the tractor trailer and the reefer is used to power the refrigerated trailer. People use the reefer (dyed fuel) for off road uses (farm equipment, etc.)

[barmcd]

Thanks for the pumping instructions. I've been pulling close to the right pump and using the left pump from the next lane over. It'll be nice to use the right pump.

We call red diesel "agricultural" diesel in Texas.

[Danielsand]

My rig can take fuel on either side, but posters that said to lay the "primary" on the ground, and pump from the "slave" are spot on.

I just drove from New Mexico to CA, and I had to take fuel in AZ. There were two prices for diesel, ....."auto diesel", and "truck diesel"......"auto" was cheaper, and that's where I pumped.

I have NO CLUE whether my "bus" is "auto, or "truck" (since it's not commercial, I go for cheaper!

[spsm]

Wallacerm is correct. I use dye-colored fuel for farm equipment, house and such. I use non-colored fuel (EPA language) for my motor home and commercial vehicles.

[skypilot_1]

Originally Posted by Danielsand

My rig can take fuel on either side, but posters that said to lay the "primary" on the ground, and pump from the "slave" are spot on.

I just drove from New Mexico to CA, and I had to take fuel in AZ. There were two prices for diesel, ....."auto diesel", and "truck diesel"......"auto" was cheaper, and that's where I pumped.

I have NO CLUE whether my "bus" is "auto, or "truck" (since it's not commercial, I go for cheaper!

Question: Bout 8 yrs ago when in AZ in RV was told to go inside the gas station office and ask for Tax refund as AZ was charging all diesel customers a commercial truck road tax. I remember getting refunds of $20 plus bucks at every fill up. Had to sign a receipt book as well. Is that still the case in AZ ?

[britcon]

Originally Posted by Danielsand

My rig can take fuel on either side, but posters that said to lay the "primary" on the ground, and pump from the "slave" are spot on.

I just drove from New Mexico to CA, and I had to take fuel in AZ. There were two prices for diesel, ....."auto diesel", and "truck diesel"......"auto" was cheaper, and that's where I pumped.

I have NO CLUE whether my "bus" is "auto, or "truck" (since it's not commercial, I go for cheaper!

Arizona ( among others I am sure ) has some confusing rules on diesel pricing. As I understand it, if your rig exceeds a certain GVW you must fuel at the truck side or face fines ? While fueling at the Truck pumps at Loves, I had a Loves Tanker driver come by and tell me I should have used the RV Pumps as they were cheaper. Turns out he was wrong.

[Dtwallace]

By the way,


The fuel coming out of that pump is all the same color from the same tank.


It's just the fuel pump is on a non-tax setting when you chose refer fuel.


Thank you all for not saying (SEMI TRUCK). There is no such thing but thats for another thread.


DTW