Problem Fueling At Diesel Truck Lanes

[LR Chance]

Fellow FMCA Members,

My name is Lem Chance and my wife (Diane) and I own a 2015 Thor Tuscany XTE 40AX. We have really been enjoying the rig with one issue.

During our fuel stops, when attempting to fuel up using the truck lanes at Flying J and other truckstops, the pumps shut me off on or about 6 gallons on both sides and I have to keep re-starting the pump multiple times which can take up to 30-40 minutes to completely fill up. We took the rig back to the dealership to troubleshoot the issue along with consulting with the Thor technical folks. According to both of the them, everything checks out at the fuel tanks and ventilation components but not once has anyone looked at either of the hoses running from the intake nozzle to the tanks. I consulted with a diesel mechanic who manages a large metro bus fleet and after looking at our rig, he determined that there are bends in both hoses that are causing the restriction and the pump to shut off all of a sudden. He indicated that they have a similar problem with the new buses delivered to the fleet and they actually cut about 1/4-1/2" inch of the hose and reposition it straighter by getting rid of the bend.

Has anyone ever experienced this issue? If so, what was done to correct the problem? Every truck stop does not have the RV lanes with the smaller nozzles and I'm getting really annoyed with my current situation.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Lem & Diane Chance F444590, lemchance@yahoo.com

[tbutler]

I haven't been in a truck stop in ages.  Dirty, high prices, have to go in to pay for private vehicle.  I purchased diesel at Smith's grocery for $1.939 several weeks ago in Kingman, AZ.  The Flying J just east of town was advertising a cash price for diesel at $2.469.  I save $0.53 per gallon!  A purchase of 70 gallons saved me more than $35.00.  I use the Gas Buddy app to find the lowest price.  I'm always looking for a station that is close to our intended route.  You don't have to drive far to cancel out a savings of a few cents per gallon.  Sometimes the stations are not convenient for our 40 footer with a toad so we only use stations which are clearly accessible.  We have a Sam's Club credit card that gives 5% cash back on fuel at almost all stations, not just Sam's Club, and we've been through many Sam's Club stations as well as Murphy stations (at many Walmart stores in central and east US).  I look over a station carefully to determine an entrance and exit that are accessible.  There must be space to turn and get to pumps and to turn and get out.  It is also good to examine the gutter you must cross to get from the station from the street.  That and any incline on the station lot has occasionally been a barrier that I wouldn't cross.  If one station isn't suitable it isn't unusual to see a competitor nearby that has a price almost as low.  If not, we're on down the road looking for another inexpensive station unless the tank is nearly empty.

If you fuel at smaller stations you save money and you'll seldom have a problem with a high volume pump and delivery system associated with truck stops.

Other stations we've used include casino's operated by various tribes from NY to CA and OR.  No-name quick shop in Phoenix area, any number of small stations in Canada because, in Canada you almost have to use small stations.  When you get off the interstates and away from heavy truck traffic, you'll find yourself in smaller stations sooner or later.

Sometimes I have to run my card multiple times to get a fill-up.  For savings like $0.53 per gallon, I'd run the card ten times!!

So, yes, I'd still try to fix the fuel routing to the tank because eventually, you'll find a need to use a high volume pump but in the meantime, try a few smaller stations to see if it works for you.

[wolfe10]

I'm with you, Tom. We also use gas buddy and then Google earth to make sure we can access the station with our coach.  Been working very well.

Following the sale of Flying J, prices at all truck stops are WELL above market.

 

[tbutler]

Thanks Brett,  You are correct, the old Flying J used to be a regular haunt of mine when we traveled.  I still go there for propane if I can't find an independent supplier convenient.  I remember my first encounter with an auto gas station.  Our first motor home, first time refueling, only about the third or fourth time I'd driven it.  I parked "auto" close to the pump and scraped a door on the protective pillar on the way out of the station.  Lesson learned, now I park about five or six feet away from the pump with a slant toward the intended direction of exit.  Prior planning prevents poor performance!  Anyway, once you have done a number of ordinary auto stations you develop a sense for what you can get into and get out of without damage.  Any damage at all completely negates any savings from cheaper fuel!

[Carmar122]

Any concern how fresh the fuel is in smaller stations. I had water in fuel and went thru a few filters and biocide to clear it up.

carl bohne 

2004 American tradition

2013 Honda CR-V 

atkinson nh

[wayne77590]

I'm of a different sentiment than Tom or Brett.  I have been using truck stops every since having a diesel, first 1 ton pulling a Montana and then the 40' MH pulling a TOAD. I have never had a problem at a truck stop. With that said I have the PFJ card. Pull up to the pump, swipe the card, enter you pin, pump fuel and if you want a receipt go in side other wise just pull out and travel.  Direct draft from bank account every month. I'm sorry but I just don't want to take the time to hunt for an independent station that I may not be able to get into and then hunt for another one.  Also, the PFJ card gets up to 8 cents off on the price. It may not be as cheap a other places but sure is a heck of a lot more convenient.

In regards to the OP, yes there have been reports of the "down tube" being bent at an angle that restricts the flow of fuel and cuts the flow off, just like when it reaches full, but that never has shut the pump off and just a re-start of the pump handle usually takes care of it.  The other "fix" was to control the flow by hand so the fuel does not build up in the neck and shut the nozzle off.  In my present MH I do not have this problem and I always run the pump on the first notch of the pump handle, go about cleaning windshield and then go back to the pump. If it has shut off the foam build up should have subsided and I'll manually control the pump until I hear the "gurgle."  The foam build up can stop several gallons of fuel from being pumped in and I want all I can get. 

Anyhow, that's my 2 cents worth.

[tbutler]

I've never had a problem.  Let's face it, if a station is selling fuel for more than 50c below truck stops, they will sell a lot of fuel.  In fact that station was very busy.  I slipped into a spot after one vehicle moved but it was busy the whole time I was there.  I've purchased fuel at small stations in the US and Canada and never a problem.  There is always a first time but given over 200,000 miles of experience, one occurrence would be an extreme rarity.

[desertdeals69]

3 hours ago, LR Chance said:

Fellow FMCA Members,

My name is Lem Chance and my wife (Diane) and I own a 2015 Thor Tuscany XTE 40AX. We have really been enjoying the rig with one issue.

During our fuel stops, when attempting to fuel up using the truck lanes at Flying J and other truckstops, the pumps shut me off on or about 6 gallons on both sides and I have to keep re-starting the pump multiple times which can take up to 30-40 minutes to completely fill up. We took the rig back to the dealership to troubleshoot the issue along with consulting with the Thor technical folks. According to both of the them, everything checks out at the fuel tanks and ventilation components but not once has anyone looked at either of the hoses running from the intake nozzle to the tanks. I consulted with a diesel mechanic who manages a large metro bus fleet and after looking at our rig, he determined that there are bends in both hoses that are causing the restriction and the pump to shut off all of a sudden. He indicated that they have a similar problem with the new buses delivered to the fleet and they actually cut about 1/4-1/2" inch of the hose and reposition it straighter by getting rid of the bend.

Has anyone ever experienced this issue? If so, what was done to correct the problem? Every truck stop does not have the RV lanes with the smaller nozzles and I'm getting really annoyed with my current situation.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Lem & Diane Chance F444590, lemchance@yahoo.com

In my RV repair shop we have corrected the problem by installing a steel pipe with short hose coupling at each end.  If the original hose is more than 18 inches or so and is slightly too long it may be sagging in the middle.  We use exhaust pipe, usually 1 1/2 inch and do the appropriate pipe bends at each end to align with the tank and fill nipples. Make sure the vent hose has no dips in it.

[wildebill308]

Welcome to the forum Lem & Diane Chance. Yes fixing your vent lines will help when pumping at a truck stop. I have found that sometimes you have to use the lowest delivery rate with the high volume pumps. Be careful as the foam can come back out and make a mess. I would only use one pump at a time and only open one filler at a time as you have a higher risk of a fuel spill. I don't know what you are saying/meaning about the pump shutting off and you have to restart it.  

I am kind of in the middle here. I will use a smaller station or sams ect. but if the prices are in line at Pilot I will use them. I have noticed in many locations Pilot is higher priced. I think that may have something to do with them losing a legal battle and having to pay a big settlement. I think they are trying to recoup the money they lost. Before they were usually the cheapest truck stop. 

Bill

[Lenp]

I use truck stops when possible due to issues getting 65 feet of house and pickup maneuvered into and out of some stand alone stations.  I too, have issues with pumps shutting off - even at smaller stations.  Using the truck lanes and the large nozzles only allows a small area for air to escape - the fill tube is close to the same diameter as the nozzle.  Slowing he delivery AND holding the nozzle at a 90 degree angle prevents (or minimizes) the premature shut off on my coach.  That is probably due to the "bends" in the inlet tube/hose.  I also notice it shuts off less if I open the fill cap on the opposite side but (as mentioned earlier) can lead to a fuel spill so I avoid that.

[lmsooter]

I usually don't use the automatic shutoff as I prefer to avoid as much foaming as possible and listen for the "gurgle" as the tank approaches full.  

I use Pilot/Flying J if prices are in line for the area otherwise I use gas buddy to find possible fuel stops and then use Google Maps to see if they have a street view.

[hermanmullins]

I used both the auto shut off and the tilt method when filling up. My fill neck is large enough so I don't get any back splash. Since I have a filler neck on both sides, I will raise the side that I will fill on so I can fill the tank completely. 

And Yes truckers sometimes look at me funny.  Of course so do so many other people.

Herman

[wildebill308]

2 hours ago, hermanmullins said:

I used both the auto shut off and the tilt method when filling up. My fill neck is large enough so I don't get any back splash. Since I have a filler neck on both sides, I will raise the side that I will fill on so I can fill the tank completely. 

And Yes truckers sometimes look at me funny.  Of course so do so many other people.

Herman

Anyone who wears the hat you do is going to get looked at funny.

I found at least two pump nozzles at different truck stops that were 100% on or nothing. No trickling in to top off there.

Bill

 

[dickandlois]

Got to mention that over the years, I have pulled into a few truck stops that sure will drain well, but fueling from the front of a coach was not going to happen. So I pulled through and went against the nominal traffic flow.

No problem at all, but one gets some interesting looks and questions. Just needed to point out that fulling a saddle tank that fills from the back is totally different then trying to force diesel fuel up hill when filling from the front of a Coach. LOL

Rich.

[jleamont]

Herman, I now tilt the coach when filling up also. That was great advice, thank you! I could never get a "FULL" tank according to my gauge, now it goes to full, and I do get some strange looks also. DW complains...."this is making me nauseas, that feels weird". I have found the only thing that frustrates me is the time it takes for the coach to go back to its correct ride height, I have to release the parking brake, put it in drive, switch back to neutral and reapply the parking brake.....and sit and wait....and wait. I will not move it until its sitting properly.

[manholt]

My extra 5' does make a difference in what I can use.  I mostly go for Truck Stops, hardly ever in FJ, Pilot or Loves anymore as their prices are mostly out off line, even with 5% or .8 cents kick back.  Coming up to Shawnee, OK. I used a Chevron TS and got 72 gal. at $2.029...Loves, 12 miles away was $2.239, same with Pilot across the road from Chevron!  I'm believing that the "kick back" brands are padding their price for the kick back, also they have a lot more trucks at a time.  I don't want to sit in line for 15 to 30 minutes waiting.  I have also used a regular gas station that I could get a pump on the outside and be off the road...makes me unpopular with the cars and very popular with the station!

A 150 gal. fuel tank is not as great a thing as one would think.  25% is still designated as a shut off, of Generator and depending of where the fuel line enters the tank, you never get at all the fuel available. 

As for OP...Until I got a 97' coach, I never had a problem as he described, but up until this one, I learned to live with it...I have heard of all the fix it's and Desertdeals is the best !

Carl

[five]

I'm pretty flexible with refueling.  The advantage of Pilot/Flying J is you know were they are (and I have a card)...I don't do Loves, PITA more than once.  The advantage of Mom and Pops are cheaper and fewer lines.

[jleamont]

I am on the fence with this topic. While I want to save $ on fuel the fear of not being able to get in and out of, have to deal with a car nozzle, the potential of old fuel (Yea, I get it if its cheaper in theory it moves faster but that also depends on how much is in storage prior under ground and how fast they move it that tank load), lets face it tractor trailers are not filling there if a 40' DP squeezes in. This place has the guy with the diesel pick up or VW that passes through once a week .

Is it worth all of this;

1, the possibility of having to unhook toad

2, bottoming out entering and exiting

3, not being able to fit under the canopy

4, getting bad fuel

5, standing there holding the nozzle while the car nozzle dribbles fuel into the tank and having to swipe my C Card several times (car pumps stop sooner than truck pumps) (usually only works twice). I have to hold the nozzle on our coach or it falls out .

The most I think I could have ever saved (based off of Carl's numbers above) $14.00, while it does add up the 5 items that came to mind above worry me. If I was familiar with the place then I would go for it, if not..... I'm not so sure I would unless the sign on the highway had markings on it that made me feel better about the 5 concerns I had above i.e. "available truck/bus parking". I usually fill up at 1/2 a tank, on the way home I stop at a local place that has a diner next store with truck parking, maybe 5 miles from home, I can tell you his prices are not cheaper than the big places, but convenience and its the only place around I can safely get in and out of locally, otherwise I'm filling 5 gallon cans and driving back and forth until the coach is full since I never park it with anything less then a full tank.

[manholt]

Joe.  What?  You don't feed the girls after pumping...with a Dinner next door?  Shame, shame!

[jleamont]

Carl, cant afford to since I pay the higher fuel prices, pop tarts and pop corn is all they get

[five]

Joe, some of my "Mom and Pop" comments may have been confusing.  When in the MH looking for a M & P...it's a big rig M & P.  All are drive through (no unhooking the toad), easy in easy out, no over head limits and sell lots of fuel.  In my part of the country there are lots of big rig fuel stops that are not Pilot/FJ or Loves. 

[jleamont]

Five, out here those type of places are unusual and if they sell diesel its usually very tight. Example the one closest to my house that sells diesel I can barely get out with my car, it bottoms out. the coach would most likely get hung up and have to be towed off with wrecker. I learned the hard way with the old coach, the hitch bottomed out at a fuel stop and the drive axle was hanging in the air, luckily I had some forward momentum going and I sunk the gas to the floor when I heard the hitch grinding into the asphault, 4 black marks and a bunch of smoke later I got off of it .

If you travel up this way just be careful, Google earth would be a help especially street view.

[ajshepherd]

I will only use a National vendor type truck stop (No specific brand) to fuel up.  Easy on and off freeway access and onsite maneuverability for 65ft and no back up capability.  My other issues is fuel quality.  I do not want to have to deal with that, so I pay more than others.  Just as simple as that.

[texanrver]

I'm with ajshepherd on this one - I'd rather pay a bit more for the convenience of in and out in a 40ft DP with a toad . While we don't care for Loves, as they seem so "dirty," we tend to look for QTrips and then Flying Js.  We've stopped at a few Travel Centers of America as well.

[retiredblade]

On 9/4/2016 at 8:26 PM, LR Chance said:

Fellow FMCA Members,

My name is Lem Chance and my wife (Diane) and I own a 2015 Thor Tuscany XTE 40AX. We have really been enjoying the rig with one issue.

During our fuel stops, when attempting to fuel up using the truck lanes at Flying J and other truckstops, the pumps shut me off on or about 6 gallons on both sides and I have to keep re-starting the pump multiple times which can take up to 30-40 minutes to completely fill up. We took the rig back to the dealership to troubleshoot the issue along with consulting with the Thor technical folks. According to both of the them, everything checks out at the fuel tanks and ventilation components but not once has anyone looked at either of the hoses running from the intake nozzle to the tanks. I consulted with a diesel mechanic who manages a large metro bus fleet and after looking at our rig, he determined that there are bends in both hoses that are causing the restriction and the pump to shut off all of a sudden. He indicated that they have a similar problem with the new buses delivered to the fleet and they actually cut about 1/4-1/2" inch of the hose and reposition it straighter by getting rid of the bend.

Has anyone ever experienced this issue? If so, what was done to correct the problem? Every truck stop does not have the RV lanes with the smaller nozzles and I'm getting really annoyed with my current situation.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Lem & Diane Chance F444590, lemchance@yahoo.com

I've had the same problem at most Flying J/Pilot pumps. The pumps are putting out fuel faster than our filler tube can take, If you look at the big tanks and filler hole on the tank of the big rigs, it is quite larger and can take the volume. I've encountered a few pumps that the volume was turned down and it never clicked off, last year I was able to fill my tank up to the top and the gauge read full, most of the time it reads a little over 3/4. Most of the time I click the handle to the first notch, if that doesn't work I stand there and fill it as slow as I can. On the subject of Flying J/Pilot, I go there because easy in and easy out and I have a card I get 5 cent a gallon off and don't have to go inside like the truckers do. To each his own.