RayChez
Barstow, Ca. USA
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Joined: 09/13/2003
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I use truck stops most of the time. But I have also used regular gas stations that have easy access in and out.
2002 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser
330 HP Caterpillar
3000 Allison Transmission
Neway Freightliner chassis
2005 Honda Pilot EXL 4WD
Aventa III
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becker
Conroe, Texas
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Joined: 05/19/2008
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Cats-R-Us.....
If you stay with filling up at the larger truck stops you will seldom get any "bad fuel". The reason being that their tanks "turn over" faster so the fuel is always fresher (no water, etc.).
Becker
2008 Monaco Dynasty, 42ft, 4 slides, 425hp clean air Cummins diesel
2008 Honda CR-V EXL w/M&G Braking System
Roadmaster Blackhawk 2 All Terrain Towing System
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StanleyandIris
Louisiana
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Joined: 06/17/2007
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Truck stop fueling is the way to go, there is enough room to maneuver the lot/lanes. Keep disposable plastic shoe covers handy (or an old pair of slip ons) because these lanes tend to be grimey. I go in to the store and give the cashier a credit card so he/she will start the pump. Cash sales get a discount of a few pennies per gallon, but we save the cash for other things.
Open both fuel intakes and pay attention to the amount of fuel you pump so it doesn't run out the other side. When you finish pumping, pull ahead so others can get in the lane.
An added convenience at some truck stops is a sewer dump, fresh water supply compressed air lines for the tires and they carry oil, belts, windshield wipers, light bulbs, tranny fluid, etc.
Iris
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Tom/Barb
Oak Harbor
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Joined: 10/16/2009
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UltraKen wrote:
I put 40 gallons of gasoline in a 90 gallon tank. Drove about 6 miles home (less than a gallon) and realized my mistake from the low cost on the receipt.
Long story short. I called for a tow using my tow service and had 90 gallons pumped out at the service facility I use for maintenance.
Wasted time = 4 hours
Monetary cost - $400
Permanent Learning Experience = Priceless.
BTW, the guys at the shop told me not to beat myself up too much. They do about one coach a week....
BTW, had the fuel filters changed and they had no gasoline odor. If I had done this on the highway and driven further I would have escalated the cost by about $15,000. 
You should have added 30 weight engine oil to the mix and run it out. the formula is in your engine operators manual.
2000 Newmar mountain aire 4091 DP 8.3/350 horse alison 6 speed
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kannonvaggon
Shorewood, Illinois
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Joined: 03/31/2007
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Our previous coach was 38' garage-coach and we pretty much always used the RV lanes at a FJ or some such. Even without a toad any long rear overhang can make some RV lanes a PITA to get out of sometimes. Regular gas stations work OK once in a while but not usually.
Now we have a tag DP with a toad and pretty much always use a truck stop and the truck only lanes. This works out actually BETTER than trying to find a station to get gasoline in a larger MH. Sometimes I get tired of the chaos at the FJ though...
A couple weeks ago I was left sitting behind a truck at the pumps for about twenty minutes. Our rig was long enough that I had to pull up fairly close behind to clear the entrance lane... and then the dufus driver was inside and I couldn't back up ....
Finally the dood comes out and pulls his truck up so I can get fuel. I immediately see that this guy had left his truckers wallet with cards, cash and Lord knows what else sitting on top of the pump.... I took it inside and found that was why he had taken so long, since he couldn't pay for the fuel and couldn't find his wallet. They had called the police and it was apparently ugly in there.
I was still mad at him though.... ;-)
Jay and Joyce
2009 Tiffin Phaeton 42 QBH
Spartan MM tag-axle chassis
Real-deal-steel-2WD-military-sidecar-rig: The dreaded Frog-of-War
AND
Smart Cabrio for when goggles and rain gear are beneath our dignity.
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gperry
Tennessee
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Joined: 02/10/2008
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I'm in the same position as the OP - new DP and only used gas lanes with my previous coach. So, just to make sure...the routine is 1) pull up to the truck pump, 2) go inside to give credit card, 3) go back to pump and fuel, 4) pull forward, 5) go inside again and sign credit card receipt? I know this sounds really basic to the pros out there but it is intimidating to us newbies.
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AZPops
Southwest
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Joined: 07/13/2006
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Sully2 wrote:The Texan wrote:Only one person mentioned anything about your question on protocol. When using the truck islands, always and I mean always, pull ahead from the pumps after you are done, so the next person can use the pumps as you go inside to pay. Never leave your rig setting at the pump or in front of the pump, while you shop or eat, as some RVers do. If you want to shop or eat, pull into a parking spot and then go in and settle up your bill, plus do whatever else you want. Truckers don't appreciate anyone who blocks a fuel lane while they peruse the store, be it an RVer or another trucker.
What about other TRUCKERS that block the pumps? I pulled into a FJ once..that had 5 islands. Four had trucks in them...no driver around anywhere and behind each of them were other rigs..sitting...with no drivers in them EITHER???
I've seen this more then once...
Pops
Captain: Pops
Ist Mate: Harlee "Vicious Attack Dog" only if you try to move her when she's sleeping...
Trouble Maker: CALVIN
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Lentz
Three Rivers, CA
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Joined: 08/19/2002
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I always fill up in the truck lanes of Flying J or Pilot and have had no problems. Much easier than trying to get into a gas station and out again.
Wayne
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gperry
Tennessee
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Joined: 02/10/2008
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When pulling up to the truck lanes, is there any way to know which pumps have ultra-low sulphur diesel (and, which don't)?
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EPeterman
DeWitt.Ia
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Joined: 05/18/2004
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I tend to smell the fuel hose when in pump that sells both gas and diesel at the same pump. The smell of diesel is very different from gas. I had a friend with a new Chevy diesel that had two injector pumps replaced before the second GM mechanic discovered he had to much gas in the fuel. He had bought the fuel sometime previous and could not be sure where. So buying good fuel and the price is not a issue when looking at a repair bill.
ezedp@gmtel.net
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