Where do you get fuel???

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by Ivylog

OK, mind explaining the ^^^^ icon???

FOLLOWING

[Ivylog]

Found the Icon but going to start new post.

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by Ivylog

Cold, rainy day in Georgia so I did some research and finally found it for a station that was not a “truck stop”... Pilot-TA-FlyJ.
Under “View All Amenities” there are more icons. It’s big rig friendly although the pice is not that good...3rd picture at $2.29
4th picture...Most of the newer stations are easy enough to get in/out and this one is 20 cents cheaper...$2.09 and 10 cents less than the best TSD Card station.

What happened to the "Easy" Part of Gas Buddy - looks like I'll just continue to use diesel and Google Earth/maps

PITA,

JMHO,

[schad]

Well, driving a big rig, you'll get some stories. For instance, I learned that at least one of the major truck stops -- TA or P/FJ, I forget which -- also has gas stations. And even though they don't have diesel, if they have room for even one semi to park, they'll still call it a truck stop. This discovery resulted in an extremely tight U-turn through a parking lot in the city center of an old mill town in central PA just off a rural highway. Tight enough that we had to block traffic and unhook the toad, because it was going in the river otherwise.

We have a Garmin RV780 and it lists appropriate fuel stations. If the Garmin says there's a fuel stop, there is. But there are plenty of fuel stops that the Garmin either doesn't know about, or doesn't think are big enough for us. The "truck stop" from my story above was not listed by the Garmin, it was just on a sign on the highway before the exit.

If you have a TSD card, the EFS app will list diesel stations near you. The app is pretty unreliable in my experience, but when it works it's exactly what you want. Unfortunately, in New England, most of the truck stops are local, not one of the big three (TA, P/FJ), so we get much less value from the TSD card than when we lived in GA.

Service plazas on toll roads, in our experience, always have either truck lanes or fuel stations (with diesel) big enough for a semi. It's more expensive, though not as bad as the big three without a discount card.

Near home, there are two major truck stops about 30 miles away. If our route takes us past them, we fill up there on the way home. If it doesn't, there is a local gas station the next town over that has a high roof, wide lanes, and diesel.

When we're at a campground, we scout out locations with our toad. If necessary, I can drive the MH alone and DW can follow me in the toad so I can fit into a smaller station. We've never had to do that, but it's an option.

Typically, on a travel day, our procedure is to get on the road and driving. Somewhere between 11am and 1pm, we find a truck stop and I fill up while DW prepares lunch. Then we park in a spot to eat, walk the dogs, give the driver a bathroom break, etc. 30-60 minutes later we're back on the road to finish out the day's driving. This generally results in filling up at about a half a tank, so we have plenty of flexibility to say "I don't like this truck stop, let's go to the next one" (even if "the next one" is a hundred miles away).

I hope that alleviates some of your refueling anxiety, which I also had when I first got the DP. (It's so much easier than getting gas with the truck and TT.)

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by schad

Well, driving a big rig, you'll get some stories. For instance, I learned that at least one of the major truck stops -- TA or P/FJ, I forget which -- also has gas stations. And even though they don't have diesel, if they have room for even one semi to park, they'll still call it a truck stop. This discovery resulted in an extremely tight U-turn through a parking lot in the city center of an old mill town in central PA just off a rural highway. Tight enough that we had to block traffic and unhook the toad, because it was going in the river otherwise.

We have a Garmin RV780 and it lists appropriate fuel stations. If the Garmin says there's a fuel stop, there is. But there are plenty of fuel stops that the Garmin either doesn't know about, or doesn't think are big enough for us. The "truck stop" from my story above was not listed by the Garmin, it was just on a sign on the highway before the exit.

If you have a TSD card, the EFS app will list diesel stations near you. The app is pretty unreliable in my experience, but when it works it's exactly what you want. Unfortunately, in New England, most of the truck stops are local, not one of the big three (TA, P/FJ), so we get much less value from the TSD card than when we lived in GA.

Service plazas on toll roads, in our experience, always have either truck lanes or fuel stations (with diesel) big enough for a semi. It's more expensive, though not as bad as the big three without a discount card.

Near home, there are two major truck stops about 30 miles away. If our route takes us past them, we fill up there on the way home. If it doesn't, there is a local gas station the next town over that has a high roof, wide lanes, and diesel.

When we're at a campground, we scout out locations with our toad. If necessary, I can drive the MH alone and DW can follow me in the toad so I can fit into a smaller station. We've never had to do that, but it's an option.

Typically, on a travel day, our procedure is to get on the road and driving. Somewhere between 11am and 1pm, we find a truck stop and I fill up while DW prepares lunch. Then we park in a spot to eat, walk the dogs, give the driver a bathroom break, etc. 30-60 minutes later we're back on the road to finish out the day's driving. This generally results in filling up at about a half a tank, so we have plenty of flexibility to say "I don't like this truck stop, let's go to the next one" (even if "the next one" is a hundred miles away).

I hope that alleviates some of your refueling anxiety, which I also had when I first got the DP. (It's so much easier than getting gas with the truck and TT.)

We seldom have an issue with getting into most stations with diesel pumps - might be because we are only 43' + the Toad - - - shorter than those 45'ers -

JMHO, - I TRY to avoid Truck Stops - they are just DIRTY - and the issue is avoiding the Spilled Fuel that covers the Ground. We search for good - Cheap - Local Stations along the way - generally we have found them to be Much Cleaner and most were able to get into, without an issue.

We purchased a lot of fuel in our 12,000 miles of driving this Summer. (Note here I did on Occasion have to use Truck stops - But only because they were the only Option not because we could not drive into a Local Station.)

JMHO,

[desertdd]

Some of my travels are pulling a 24 ft trailer and have got myself in some pickles trying to save a few pennies for fuel. Last year I damaged my MH do to tail wage in a tight situation. I will only use truck stops from now on.Being I have diesel it' not difficult. I also have a MH Garmin GPS which I program for truck stops only.

[LETMGROW]

Originally Posted by Ivylog

Haven’t used a truck stop in 13 years, even though I have the TSD card. ..GassBudy has saved me $400-500/year so $5,000+. Most of the time I use Sam’s as they are usually the cheapest and most are pull through. When going West I know which Sam’s I’m going to use and once put 160 gallons in a 150 gallon tank after missing the exit to a CG the day before... 20 extra miles.

That is quite a trick. Putting 160 gallons into a 150 gallon tank.

[BOOZE TRAVEL]

After you get a few thousand miles behind the wheel of your rv you will be able to comfortably manage most stations. You will easily see what stations will be more challenging with more experience. As said before, the tankers have to pull into all of them to fill tanks but sometimes they have to back out!
I will have a plan for entry/exit as soon as I turn the wheel to pull in. We are about 62' with toad.

[Cooperhawk]

Originally Posted by BOOZE TRAVEL

I will have a plan for entry/exit as soon as I turn the wheel to pull in. We are about 62' with toad.

I have a plan before I turn in or I don't turn in.

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by LETMGROW

That is quite a trick. Putting 160 gallons into a 150 gallon tank.

When you are as old as Ivy - you learn a Few New Tricks - But have to admit this is a Good One - - - - -

[LETMGROW]

Originally Posted by Busskipper

When you are as old as Ivy - you learn a Few New Tricks - But have to admit this is a Good One - - - - -

I may be as old or even older than Ivy but I haven't figured this one out yet.
LOL
Lynn

[Fiesta48]

Originally Posted by docj

On our last major trip we often used "independent" truck stops, rather than the major ones. The prices are usually better, there aren't any lines and the people are usually friendly.

Same here. Always cheaper, though many times dirtier. Hate Loves, highest prices everywhere. We just keep looking without going out of our way, at 1/2 to 1/4 tank.
"Next Exit" and Gas Buddy used a lot.

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by LETMGROW

I may be as old or even older than Ivy but I haven't figured this one out yet.
LOL
Lynn

Me either,



Dick has more than just a Few tricks up his sleeve - My Kids seem to think when I say something like this that I must have never been to good a Math - Must just be the Old, Old, Old, Math. -

[LETMGROW]

My coach isn't as large as some of the ones on here have so I can normally squeeze in and out of most stations. I do agree though some of these fuel stops are dirty. I keep an old pair of sneakers behind the recliner by the door on a boot tray which I can slip on to walk around the island with. While I'm out my wife will put a paper mat down for me to step on when I enter the coach, change shoes and be on my way. They also make disposable plastic
"booties" which will slip over your street shoes while you are refueling. Slide them on, do your thing and throw them into the trash when done.
Both the shoes or the booties are useful at some dump stations too.
Yes, I am a little fussy.
Lynn