I own a 2003 3500 extended cab duramax/allison. I have never fueled at the big rig (semi) side of a truck stop. I'm leaving for Florida from Arizona in a few days pulling a 23' boat. This is in addition to an Eagle Cap 1150 camper on the truck (airbags). The camper necessitates a 48" hitch extension bar (torklift superhitch). Additionally I have an equalizer sway control. The float on boat trailer has a long tongue and with the ball 4' behind the back of the truck it's waaay back there. Where I have always fueled at the automobile side of truck stops I know many of them won't give me enough room to turn so I want to fuel on the big rig side. I'm told the filler nozzle is larger, is that any problem? Is the road tax or whatever the same, or in other words am I allowed to fuel there? Do the pumps on that side generally take credit cards or do I need to go inside? This may seem to some a dumb question but I don't want to get on the road and find out it won't work. Thanks

Price of fuel is the same there as it is in the front of the store. As far as the nozzle I think most places have a section for automobile diesel along with the Big Rig Diesel. In an 03 i don't think the big nozzle will fit, if it does you won't be able to click the nozzle to fill by itself, you will have to hold it and fill it slowly, but it can be done. You should be able to get along just fine. You should post a pic of the set up, 4 ft behind the bumper is wild. Have a safe trip!

The nozzles are larger usually, but that wont effect your truck at all, it does effect the older diesel, early 90's era, but for the most part most stations have switched to the big nozzles. The small ones are like the size of the ones at gas pumps. The larger ones are maybe a .5 to 1 inch bigger in diameter I'd guess.

Fuel will cost the same at all the pumps, but may differ between LSD(low sulpur diesel) and USLD (ultra low sulfur diesel) generally truck stops carry both and LSD is almost always cheaper and is by far better.

Depends on the pump and the truck stop as to whether there pay at the pump.

If theres alot of trucks there, they may be a line, it would be wise to not cut in front of a waiting semi.

I fuel at the Big Rig pumps almost all the time.

At Flying J if you go to the truck pumps and use a CC they charge you ,if you go to the RV side they do not ,It caused alot of strife when they first did it ,but 6cents is 6cents these days. I get in on the RV side with my 48 ft trailer most of the time. Most other truck stops nail you the 5 to 6 cents regardless if you use a card , some have card readers at truck pumps but most do not.

Oregon has different pricing between the car and truck side. The way the taxes are collected or something. Of course the pumps on the car side are not always truck and towing friendly.

Oregon has different pricing between the car and truck side. The way the taxes are collected or something. Of course the pumps on the car side are not always truck and towing friendly.


Some rip off stations add a few cents to anyone without a PUC permit (PUC permit -- "operating authority" for truckers) . If you can't find diesel elsewhere nearby, after you've paid, tell the manager he's operating a rip off joint loud enough for the other customers to hear. No need to be tactful with these guys. Its pure greed.

As for fueling at trucker pumps, if you can get the nozzles in your tank, GO FOR IT! Your money is just as good as a trucker's.

As stated previously, some truckstops are more user friendly than others.

I have used the big nozzle for filling up. Just be careful some of those are 50 GPM pumps. I filled my truck in less than 2 minutes. I had in running down the side of the truck before I knew what happened.

I was told at the Flying J on I-75 GA mm 6 or 7 that they wouldnt take credit cards at the big truck pumps because of all the bogus cards used. I now use the Hess a few miles north of there. The RV pumps are usually backed up for 30 minutes.

One thing to watch out for at truck stops are the dual sided pumps. They have nozzles on both sides of the drive for filling dual saddle tanks on big rigs from a common metering pump. If you happen to pull into one of those, two cautions. Make sure you use the nozzle with the Gallons Filled display, not the one that just has the hose. Secondly, make sure nobody pulls up and starts using the hose only stanchion and have you buy their fuel for them. Ask how I know... Sad part is, I was the dummy on the hose only stanchion. Pump just shut off for no reason. I went in to find out why and there was this guy raising he!! that his truck couldn't possibly hold that much. We worked things out peacefully after I plead total stupidity! I probably ended up buying him a couple of gallons but that's the price of education. There are no mistakes, only learning experiences.

As requested by mwaa-katn photos of SuperHitch Supertruss extension. The SuperHitch itself is rated for 1500/15,000/ pounds and 17,000 with weight distribution. Note that it is a double receiver. The 48" extension is 600/6,000 or 1,200/12,000 with weight distribution. torklift.com for info.

Thanks to all for the good information on fueling on the big rig side of truck stops, much appreciated!

Sooooooo.....where are the photos?

The big nozzle will fit, but it is high flow, don't leave it unattended

Here in Oregon I love using the high speed big rig stations. I always top off at the station in Cottage Grove off of I-5 on our way to the dunes. With the wide mouth nozzle and high flow rate, it fills my tank like nobody's business :D.

I always make a point to fill up at the Fuel Islands. It almost always guarantees fresh fuel. The Kwik Trip I usually fill up at gets fuel twice a day from distributor.

Made pictures smaller so hopefully they will post

I would hate to have the much leverage on the hitch. Makes me cringe looking at it.

Jason

mirlo: how does that weight distribution hitch work with your surge brakes on the trailer ?

We usually avoid the truck stops when possible, they are usually crowded and the wait is longer, especially if the driver in front of you is taking a shower or whatever. I pulled into a pump last month, my wife went in to get pump turned on(most do not take credit cards at pump), pumped my fuel, and backed up and waited for wife, all the while a semi sat in front of the pumps, no idea where the driver was. Also most charge extra unless you use their card or pay cash we found that the clerks at most of these places are not all that nice to you

I would not feel too comfortable with that set up....

Raeuber

Equalizer brand weight distribution/sway control works with surge brakes.

You've got bigger balls than me!
As for the truck stops, that's all I use when traveling. Have to go in for most so I hope you have a partner. You'll also pay 5-6 cents more for credit. Like already said, watch the nozzles or you'll have a gallon on the ground before it kicks off!

I carry 200 gal in the back of my rig for equipment. 100 gal off road and 100 gal on road for water trucks, I often fill where the big rigs fill. Its amazingly faster with the one inch fuel hose, haycock here in vegas gets busy with them but they realize that you wont take that long with your little tank in comparison to theirs. Especially if your hauling a big boat. Happy roads for ya man.