Using Truck Lanes for Diesel?

[reubenray]

Being I have the EFS fuel discount card I will be using the truck lanes for the first time next week and I have a few questions. I know the nozzle is bigger than other diesel pumps

1) Do these pumps have the auto-shutoff when the tank is full?

2) Will I have to worry about pump splash out when the tank gets full?

3) Do I attempt to top it off any?

4) Do these pumps have different speeds for locking to pump the diesel and should I use the slowest one to slow down the foaming?

[gcamper]

Yes to all 4. The pumps do have auto shut off and on my Winnebago I get splash back. My BIL has a Holiday Rambler and he does not. Diesel tends to foam and when I get my splash back I can still put quite a bit more fuel in. BIL same without the splash back. Most pumps have different locking flow rates but the min is still faster than the pumps at the car islands.

[bigchick]

look at the lanes. at several truck stop locations that we have fueled at they have a lane or two labelled for rv and they have the standard small nozzle. but they are there among the truck lanes, not out with the normal auto pumps. other place have a couple of separate rv lanes that allow easier access and are away from the normal auto pumps and not part of the truck lanes.

[Mr.Mark]

I normally lock the pump handle to pump fuel then go to the passenger side and get that one started (we have a 230 gallon tank of which I will put in about 140-160 gallons at a time).

Recently, I had locked the handle on the driver's side and it slipped out and hit the ground with the fuel still flowing. In 12 yrs. of using truck pumps I've never had the handle come out. And, it's never happened in the almost 5 yrs. of owning this coach.

The 'fast' setting pumps one gallon every 3-4 seconds. It's amazing how fast the fuel flows. So, since I had the nozzle pop out, I just hold it as I don't want that to happen again. Thank goodness the metal nozzle didn't hit the coach when it popped out (no scratches!).

Safe travels,
Mark

[Wayne M]

Originally Posted by reubenray

Being I have the EFS fuel discount card I will be using the truck lanes for the first time next week and I have a few questions. I know the nozzle is bigger than other diesel pumps

1) Do these pumps have the auto-shutoff when the tank is full?

2) Will I have to worry about pump splash out when the tank gets full?

3) Do I attempt to top it off any?

4) Do these pumps have different speeds for locking to pump the diesel and should I use the slowest one to slow down the foaming?

1, 2 and 4, yes for me. I do not attempt to top off. Diesel will create a lot of foam as it is filling and this can shut the nozzle off. If you must top off, wait a couple minutes and the foam will diminish, and then hold the nozzle while you finish the fill. I have had backsplash at many stations. I don't top off any more.

With a fill up I can go 250 miles and I'm somewhere between the half and 3/4 mark so I'll fill up just before I get to a CG.

The pumps do have an automatic shut off but most are pretty useless for my RV. I have always used the truck lanes. I don't even want to attempt getting into an RV lane at the front with a 43 footer and TOAD.

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by reubenray

Being I have the EFS fuel discount card I will be using the truck lanes for the first time next week and I have a few questions. I know the nozzle is bigger than other diesel pumps

1) Do these pumps have the auto-shutoff when the tank is full?

2) Will I have to worry about pump splash out when the tank gets full?

3) Do I attempt to top it off any?

4) Do these pumps have different speeds for locking to pump the diesel and should I use the slowest one to slow down the foaming?

1) Yes - but since the fuel flows so fast don't walk away or you might be running for a clean-up team.

2) Yes - especially if you set it to the fastest setting and let it shutoff automatically.

3) NEVER. For a few reasons, including increased splash out. Also, diesel does expand and if you top off and then park you stand a good chance of having the fuel come out through the overflow. (I believe that there are also regs against topping off.)

4) Use whatever speed you're able to use without splashing or problems.

All of these things are going to depend largely on your tank and filler system. Some rigs are much better suited for using the high-flow pumps at the truck lanes than others.

[CountryB]

Take a washcloth sized rag with you and hold it loosely around the filler-neck and nozzle. Any fuel kick back will get caught by the rag and not your pants.

[Itchytoe]

Originally Posted by reubenray

1) Do these pumps have the auto-shutoff when the tank is full?

2) Will I have to worry about pump splash out when the tank gets full?

3) Do I attempt to top it off any?

4) Do these pumps have different speeds for locking to pump the diesel and should I use the slowest one to slow down the foaming?

1) Yes
2) Yes, the auto-shutoff isn't quite fast enough. Pay attention to how it sounds while filling. When the sound changes, it's almost full. Stop it yourself and finish off manually.
3) Definitely not if you get some splash back. If you're attentive, you can top it off if you like.
4) Yes. They are crazy fast. If you're going to use the lock, use the slowest one. It will still be faster than the normal pumps.

[jsmmonaco]

the only downside when using the truck lanes is you have to go in and prepay, not a big deal, we use truck lanes all the time.................faster

[reubenray]

Originally Posted by jsmmonaco

the only downside when using the truck lanes is you have to go in and prepay, not a big deal, we use truck lanes all the time.................faster

Supposedly I will not have to go in and prepay with the EFS fuel discount card. Going inside to prepay was one of the main reasons I have never used the truck lanes.

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by jsmmonaco

the only downside when using the truck lanes is you have to go in and prepay, not a big deal, we use truck lanes all the time.................faster

Not if you have things set up properly. Using the new programs and payment card from TSD is one way - using their card you can pay at the pump. Or get your app from Loves set up and you can activate the pump directly from the app. Flying J/Pilot has a similar system.

At first we only had to go in to get the receipt - now we do it all from either an app on our phones or at the pump.

[Mr.Mark]

I use one of the earlier programs with Profit Tools where I get .10 off the CASH price at Love's and many other stations. I may switch over to the newer program with EFS where the discount is larger.

So, we never have to go in using this program which is worth it even if we didn't get a discount! I take a picture of the pump with my iphone for a receipt, then off we go!

Safe travels,
Mark

[Wayne M]

Originally Posted by jsmmonaco

the only downside when using the truck lanes is you have to go in and prepay, not a big deal, we use truck lanes all the time.................faster

For the past 10 years, 95+% of the time I did not go in to prepay. I have the PFJ card. Swipe, fuel, leave. The TDS is supposed to work the same way. I'll find out this week when I travel again.

Originally Posted by reubenray

Supposedly I will not have to go in and prepay with the EFS fuel discount card. Going inside to prepay was one of the main reasons I have never used the truck lanes.

Also, at some stations you have to tell them "how much" $$ you will use, get one recept, trek back in to get the final receipt. Check you bank CC charges when you stop the next time and see that they are using your money for a few days before the actual amount is credited back.

The TDS card will take care of all that.

[reubenray]

While looking at the satellite views of the truck stops there are a lot of them that has only one way in and out. Are the parking lots big enough to make a u-turn or will I need to plan on unhooking the car?