Newbie diesel advice

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Newbie diesel advice

April 14, 2013, 04:37:02 pm

Heading out on first trip in our new to us 36ft U295 , our last Rv was 28ft gas so we used any gas station we passed . Now looking to maneuver a 36 ft upto a diesel pump , read lots about flying j , truck pumps , etc .
What do you guys do ?
Any advice appreciated

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #1 – April 14, 2013, 04:49:04 pm

Jimmy, I always use the truck pumps at Flying J and similar stops. Easier to get into and out of but price is not always the lowest. Too many RV pumps and other fuel stops are congested, have little turning room, and not all Motorhomers are smart enough to fuel and get out of the way. Nothing more aggravating than to wait behind some yardbird while he has lunch, dumps, buys propane, goes into store to take a dump etc, all while blocking a pump. As you can tell I have a PATIENCE problem.

Gary B

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #2 – April 14, 2013, 06:20:42 pm

Enjoy your trip. I still recall our excitement and trepidation when we headed out on our first big trip in a diesel coach.

I generally buy fuel at a site with a brand I recognize. I prefer a station that appears to have relatively high turnover of fuel. I prefer the pumps with the smaller nozzles. I often find it more difficult to get the big truck nozzles into the fuel tank. Also, the flow rate for truck pumps is sometimes so high that the nozzle frequently cuts off because of back pressure. (This appears to be a "personal problem" since many Foretravelers prefer the truck lanes.)

We often travel in the winter and experience wide temperature swings. I fill daily near the end of the day. By filling daily, I add fuel that is blended for the region in which we are traveling. I seldom allow the fuel level to drop below 1/2 tank. That provides good margins for emergencies, heat dissipation (the fuel provides cooling and lubrication for the injector system), and may help keep moisture condensation to a minimum in the fuel tank.

I check for pricing with Gas Buddy, but will not go out my way to save a few bucks.

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #3 – April 14, 2013, 06:46:55 pm

"blended for the region" Silly me, I thought there was #1 and #2 and that was it for us.

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #4 – April 14, 2013, 06:49:20 pm

As you get used to being 36 feet long, you will be able to fuel at any service station without thinking much about it. Best to do it when you are fresh and not after a long day on the road.

Pierce

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #5 – April 14, 2013, 06:57:35 pm

Pierce, I've been advised to fuel at the end of the day so that the tank is full of fuel and there is less of a condensation problem. I can also see your suggestion of fueling in the morning when you aren't so tired. Maybe the focus should be on fueling, and not the time of day. Running out of fuel can be embarrassing.

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #6 – April 14, 2013, 07:05:40 pm

Reality check-- if you need to fuel daily, you are driving WAY too many miles.

And probably my biggest "where and when do we stop for fuel" is to use GasBuddy.com - Find Low Gas Prices in the USA and Canada. You can search for lowest price in a whole state. I don't go out of my way, but DO take advantage of fuel price wars.

In fact, filled up with regular unleaded today at Walmart in Texas City for $3.02 (2 block price war). BTW, their diesel was $3.24!

http://www.houstongasprices.com/map_gas_prices.aspx?z=11&lat=29.468390&long=-95.087778&sid=79219&ft=A

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #7 – April 14, 2013, 07:06:13 pm

Quote from: lgshoup – April 14, 2013, 06:46:55 pm

"blended for the region" Silly me, I thought there was #1 and #2 and that was it for us.

My first experience with a diesel vehicle was in a 1980 Volvo. I filled with fuel in Houston, and drove with the family to Oklahoma City for Christmas holidays. It turned cold. The fuel gelled and the car would not start. We towed it to a station where we added six gallons of kerosene the fuel tank. We did not have a warm garage in which to "thaw out" the car. We towed it a consider distance with a gasoline powered automobile to get it started. (It had a manual transmission, so it could be towed to start.)

Since then, I've been sensitive to fuel blend for diesel, especially in cold weather. I should have expressed "blended for the region" as "blended for the climate of the region" where we are traveling.

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #8 – April 14, 2013, 07:42:55 pm

Have had diesel fuel jell @ 18f, no fun. This fuel was from a cheaper station as I was in need, so bought a tank full for the pickup truck. I only buy diesel fuel from large truck stops, price is not the 1st priority.
Dave M

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #9 – April 14, 2013, 07:52:56 pm

Had an 80 Diesel Rabbit that gelled up with wife and 2 babies in the car. Walked 2 miles in a blizzard to my father in laws house and towed it there. Got it in the garage (unheated), put lamps under the fuel tank till thawed out 2 days later. Talked to a VW mechanic who had me add 1 gal of gasoline to 9 gal of diesel when I fueled up. It hammered bad for a while but it never gelled again. The next time the cold got bad, I left the car running non stop for 13 days straight. (Official Disclaimer; I don't recommend the gas for these high dollar rigs.)

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #10 – April 14, 2013, 08:19:02 pm

Up to 10% Kerosene is very accepted and good.

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #11 – April 14, 2013, 08:25:00 pm

Whilst still fresh consult gas buddy find truck stop on interstate and use truck pump.
If I use the truck pump do I go into office to pay before starting to fill ?
Thanks for all the input

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #12 – April 14, 2013, 08:49:13 pm

Try this App if you have a smart phone. It provides all sorts of good info for truckers including nearby truck stops and fuel prices.
http://www.dat.com/products/mydattrucker.aspx

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #13 – April 14, 2013, 09:38:31 pm

You can get a Flying J card that will allow you to pump first and pull forward before you pay. They also have a RV Plus card you can get and payoff once a month with no interest. That is what I use and you get 6 to 8 cents off a gallon.

Mark

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #14 – April 14, 2013, 10:07:12 pm

One thing should be emphasized, DON'T RUN OUT OF FUEL. Unlike your gas engine restarting a Diesel can be a real pain. Take a look at some of the related threads regarding restarting an engine after running out of fuel.

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #15 – April 14, 2013, 10:21:55 pm

i had a couple of firsts too.LA fwy driving and fueled up. Diesel is $4.19 here.

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #16 – April 14, 2013, 10:37:21 pm

I tend to drive in the top half of the tank.

Haven't run out of fuel yet ;o)

best, paul

Quote

One thing should be emphasized, DON'T RUN OUT OF FUEL. Unlike your gas engine restarting a Diesel can be a real pain. Take a look at some of the related threads regarding restarting an engine after running out of fuel.

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #17 – April 15, 2013, 01:21:48 am

You betcha, running a DDC engine out of fuel is the very worst to restart, once the gear fuel pump runs dry, it will not pull any fuel, not self priming until you get the pump wet. Oh the joys

Cummins mechanical engines can be a joy too, just not as bad as the DDC, just bleed the injectors AT the injector, they get air locked.

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #18 – April 15, 2013, 01:34:50 am

Jimmy,

Your 36 footer will get easier to maneuver the more you drive and if you fill up at any station that has the diesel islands for the big trucks, you shouldn't have any problem at all getting in and out of there. If you use the top half of the tank as suggested by Paul you will never run out and you will ease the pain of diesel fuel price shock!

On a previous post I showed the Fuel Rewards Network program that works with Shell that you can use if you are not filling at a big truck plaza and really works for the first 20 gallons as I found out on my last fillup. I saved $1.90/gal and could have saved even more!
Fuel Rewards Network | Home Shell also has their own program. My Miles Matter - Shell Rotella

The IPhone App makes it very easy to use this video explains it in detail. www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdqFvZiQZLM

Jerry

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #19 – April 15, 2013, 08:41:45 am

I think the Foretravel will drive and ride so much better then your last rig that in no time you will become very comfortable with it. Then you can add a toad and gain 15 more feet.For me a diesel pusher was a whole new world.Fueling up at the big truck stops is EZ .but remember there will be diesel on your shoes when you get back in.feet.Gam

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #20 – April 15, 2013, 11:59:27 am

Stay away from stations where you have to pull in facing the store-too tough to get back out again. I'm only careful about fueling frequently when I'm heading north a long way. Otherwise, I use my 1200 mile range to pick the lowest price for fuel-often many states apart. Make sure you have spare fuel filters with you in case you encounter a bad lot of fuel. I never have using truck stops, but others have.

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #21 – April 15, 2013, 01:12:47 pm

I have often found attractive diesel prices at Safeway (grocery) stores. If in doubt, I'll stop in the parking lot first and walk over to the pumps to check for ease of access. A few times there has been insufficient turning room but usually it's workable in our 36 ft coach.

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #22 – April 15, 2013, 07:41:32 pm

I check for diesel prices on line, and plan my stops.

If the temperature is below 90F, I will run right down to 10 gallons in the tank (engine sucks air at 6 gallons). I use a calibrated dip stick on a string to dip the tank after the Silverleaf indicates 110 gallons gone. I have a Flying_J/Pilot RVplus card and seldom get fuel at small stations. I have dropped the car to fuel at small stations, and have backed into place at times. My wife assists this with a walky-talky.

Running out of fuel is not a problem with a Cummins M11 and a purge pump. I have run out of fuel and got restarted in less then 5 minutes. Detroit Diesel engines are not so easy.

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #23 – April 16, 2013, 07:22:11 am

The tank is in the ground and most high volume stations get loads all day so time of day does not mean much. I usually fill every day and sometimes twice a day. Why is either mileage or cheaper fuel before I hit the next state. The NE is tough on fuel so I plan a bit. I also will drive 700 miles in a day too. Like Flying J and the other majors. Easy in and out and not that much more in cost. Use my gas buddy too on the iPhone. I drive like it s a work day. If you run 10 hours at 65 mph, you will use up the top half of the tank and that is when I start to look for fuel.

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #24 – April 16, 2013, 08:44:19 am

Quote from: John S – April 16, 2013, 07:22:11 am

The tank is in the ground and most high volume stations get loads all day so time of day does not mean much. I usually fill every day and sometimes twice a day. Why is either mileage or cheaper fuel before I hit the next state. The NE is tough on fuel so I plan a bit. I also will drive 700 miles in a day too. Like Flying J and the other majors. Easy in and out and not that much more in cost. Use my gas buddy too on the iPhone. I drive like it s a work day. If you run 10 hours at 65 mph, you will use up the top half of the tank and that is when I start to look for fuel.

You can tell John is not retired. John, you wonder why you have back problems? I can make one guess.

Us old folks try to limit our driving times to three hours per day. One of the better things about getting old, decrepit and retired is not being in a hurry.

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