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Topic: Newbie diesel advice  (Read 1393 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #20 –
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 –
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 –
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 –
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 –
Quote from: John S –
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. 

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #25 –
Amen Kent,

A few years ago Kathleen was hospitalized because of blood clots.

She passed 8 clots through her heart to her lungs. The reason she didn't die was the cross-country bicycle ride she did in 1999 and the SF/LA Aids ride in 2000. See http://www. Bike70th.com

The clots didn't kill her because cycling strengthened her heart quite a bit.

That was a good enough warning to us. We try to stop frequently and walk the length of rest stops at least once.

Back problems can be a real pain, but leg clots can be deadly...

best, paul

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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.

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #26 –
Paul, sure glad of that outcome for Kathleen, otherwise we wouldn't have had the pleasure of spending some time with your wonderful wife at Quartzsite last year. She's "One of a Kind"!!!

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #27 –
You got that right, Kent.

Marrying her was the smartest thing I ever did.

If I had only 10% of her people skills I would have been much more successful professionally...

best, paul

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Paul, sure glad of that outcome for Kathleen, otherwise we wouldn't have had the pleasure of spending some time with your wonderful wife at Quartzsite last year. She's "One of a Kind"!!!

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #28 –
Quote from: Kent Speers –
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.
Amen!  Well, maybe not quite three hours....  We try to abide by the 3-30 rule:  drive until 330 miles or 3:30pm... whichever comes first! :))

Re: Newbie diesel advice

Reply #29 –
We usually leave at the crack of ten, stop for lunch at noon, then I am looking for a place to stop, not a campground, just some quiet little place. We no be in a hurry to get anywhere. Retirement is wonderful and life is good.

Roland