Time To Use The Diesel Truck Fueling Lanes

You have finally decided that the RV and Car fill-up lanes are not for you when it comes to filling your RV fuel tanks. Highway driving takes you past numerous Travel Centers and you have seen your fellow RVer’s in the Truck Fuel Lanes. Why not give it a go? Can’t be that much different from what I’m doing now. They say it’s much faster to fuel that way and there is DEF at the pumps, right?

This post is will help you navigate the Truck Fuel Lanes at your favorite Travel Center. They can be a little intimidating to the new user. I will try to give you a step-by-step and some firsthand experience when committing to this type of fill-up.

My Credit Card Doesn’t Work

We are Pilot/Flying J GoodSam card-carrying members. This card offers us a .08 discount on Diesel Fuel, monthly statements, no interest on purchase and allows us to fill in the truck lanes. Did I say, allows you to fill up? Well if you have not attempted to use the Truck Lane pumps you will soon find out that your Credit Card does not work in those pumps.

Most of these Truck Fuel Lanes require a corporate card or cash. Cash means you need to go to the Fuel Desk, prepay and the designated amount, and then go back out and pump. Now, mind you if you are using the Truck Fuel Lanes you are about 100 yards or so away from the building. Some will hold your credit card and then allow you to pump. Finish pumping dash another 100 yards and you got your card and receipt. Did I say receipt, yes, the only way to get a paper receipt from these pumps is to visit the Fuel Desk?

Truck Lane Entrance

Let the games begin, you have chosen to use the truck lanes to fill up. It is not always clear where the entrance is. Typically, you are driving past the station and it ends up being a road next to or near the side of the Travel Center. Your next task will be to avoid the giant potholes the big rigs have created. The roads and entrances to these lanes take a beating.

Pick You Fuel Lane

The beauty of these pumps particularly if your driving a diesel is, they, for the most part, offer DEF. You will want to try and get in a lane without a truck if possible. If you choose wisely you will find a lane without a truck that has just finished and is sitting in the pullout. Why you might ask regarding these trucks in the pullouts. The pullouts are typically a place where drivers or RVer’s that have filled up sit and have gone into the building for one thing or another. You can fill up, but you can’t leave until they come back.

This Is A Serious Pump

Pulling in you will notice that the pumps have a rather large fill nozzle compared to the auto pumps. They are designed for a quick fill for those large truck fuel tanks. The DEF pump is no wimp either, it has some serious flow. So, with that said, for most applications filling pickup trucks you will need to tend the nozzles as the flow will be too high for your tank to handle. The pump will just shut off thinking your full or in the case of the DEF come spraying out at you. Get yourself a good set of engineer gloves. These handles are full of diesel and will get all over your hands.

Pump Action Steps

You’re at the pump and now it’s time to crank it up. You have prepaid or used your Goodsams Card or another Corporate Card. A screen will appear asking you what type of rig you have. None of the selections are for RV, Pick TRACTOR. Next, you will be asked if you want DEF if you do Press YES, if not SKIP. If you are using a card, you will be asked for your PIN. Enter It and press ENTER. You are now ready to fuel with Diesel. As mentioned above you will need to tend the nozzle. Reminder, no receipt will be printed at the pump. If you track this write it down or head to the fuel desk for a copy.

Your now full and you have chosen to fill up with DEF. Pull the DEF hose from its hiding place behind a black door and fully extend the hose. Be sure to Press the DEF button on the pump to start the flow. You will need to tend this as well.

Your Done Filling

Pull your rig forward if you need to go into the building and park so the next truck can enter the lane and fuel. Thank you for doing this as this does not happen all the time.

You have just filled your tank in half the time it takes at the car pumps. You have entered the Pro Driver ranks, pat yourself on the back and head down the road.