Fueling a bus
Cheapest is not always best
January 2011
First things first.
Let me set the stage: we're buying diesel fuel in a bus that holds 245 gallons, and has fuel doors on both sides. Same setup as most 18 wheelers, so we'll fit right in at a truck stop.
Do you want to fuel at a truck stop? Maybe not. Truck stop fuel is more expensive than a corner store, which appears to me to be a tax on heavier, generally commercial trucks that fuel there. This week we've been passing corner stations at $3.06, and highway truck stops for $3.24. The pattern is very consistent, so I will speculate that it's not just an up charge for being right on the highway (although that is apparent, too). One state that we purchased fuel in offered a rebate on the tax from the state if your weight was under (I'm trying to remember, but guessing) 42,000 lbs. In the next state I read on the fuel pump at a corner station that the fuel was for vehicles less than 20,000 lbs. My deductive reasoning tells me that the extra cost is therefore a tax. (?)
Which fuel is better? Best bet is to buy from a supplier that you use consistently. That model doesn't work for us, so we look for places with lots of diesel traffic, busy truck stops etc. An out of the way gas station that's 5c cheaper a gallon is probably not worth the savings. Some drivers will say that it's not worth 20c less a gallon, but if we can get away with using a corner station that looks busy and save 20-30c/gallon because we're an RV (versus a truck not being allowed to fuel there), we'll do it!
[See "Is that an RV or a bus?" article]
Fueling from both sides allows us to get 200 gallons of fuel in, in less than 10 minutes- versus 45 minutes at a corner station.
Points to consider when deciding where to purchase fuel:
Corner station (7-11, Diamond Shamrock etc)
[+] Cheaper cost per gallon at the pump
[+] Same price for cash or credit purchase
[+] Many corner stations will let you fill fresh water for free if you ask from their outdoor spigot
[-] Can be difficult to navigate into with a large vehicle
[-] Can use credit card at pump, but will stop after every $75 or $100**
[-] Fuel quality may be questionable if they don't move a lot of product
Truck stop (Love's, Flying J, etc)
[+] Fast filling nozzles
[+] Uninterrupted filling
[+] Easy to get in and out with large vehicle (use truck islands)
[+] Earn rewards on their loyalty programs including trucker showers!
[+] Have rolling ladders or long handled window squeegees for higher windshields
[+] Many truck stops have RV dumps, but may charge a fee
[+] Most truck stops have oversize parking that works well for getting a few hours rest or overnight. Usually OK to run a generator here because many drivers idle their own motors all night
[+] Generally have a sweet collection of trucker stuff for sale, including CB radios
[-] Must put cash deposit or leave credit card with clerk as security
[-] Higher fuel price per gallon at the pump
[-] Even higher price at the pump for credit card use
Tips for the act of fueling at:
Corner station
1) Scope out the station first for: access, fresh water availability, diesel traffic
2) Go inside before fueling to say you'll be getting more than their limit, and ask if they will let the pump run (you'll have to leave collateral) to avoid the pump shutting off mid fuel cycle
Truck stop
1) Move slowly when you pull in and observe other trucks to see traffic patterns, if drivers pay first or call on the intercom etc
2) Be prepared to provide a company name and vehicle number. It's easier for me to say "Colorado Bus", and "Bus number 1" than try and explain that I'm just a guy that owns a bus. It's for them to keep track of who's on which pump
3) PULL FORWARD when you're done fueling before you go in to pay. Many times there's a mark on the apron where you should stop- just make sure you're far enough that the next driver can get in and start fueling. Every minute counts for professional drivers, and we want them to like RV drivers.
Corner station (7-11, Diamond Shamrock etc)
[+] Cheaper cost per gallon at the pump
[+] Same price for cash or credit purchase
[+] Many corner stations will let you fill fresh water for free if you ask from their outdoor spigot
[-] Can be difficult to navigate into with a large vehicle
[-] Can use credit card at pump, but will stop after every $75 or $100**
[-] Fuel quality may be questionable if they don't move a lot of product
Truck stop (Love's, Flying J, etc)
[+] Fast filling nozzles
[+] Uninterrupted filling
[+] Easy to get in and out with large vehicle (use truck islands)
[+] Earn rewards on their loyalty programs including trucker showers!
[+] Have rolling ladders or long handled window squeegees for higher windshields
[+] Many truck stops have RV dumps, but may charge a fee
[+] Most truck stops have oversize parking that works well for getting a few hours rest or overnight. Usually OK to run a generator here because many drivers idle their own motors all night
[+] Generally have a sweet collection of trucker stuff for sale, including CB radios
[-] Must put cash deposit or leave credit card with clerk as security
[-] Higher fuel price per gallon at the pump
[-] Even higher price at the pump for credit card use
Tips for the act of fueling at:
Corner station
1) Scope out the station first for: access, fresh water availability, diesel traffic
2) Go inside before fueling to say you'll be getting more than their limit, and ask if they will let the pump run (you'll have to leave collateral) to avoid the pump shutting off mid fuel cycle
Truck stop
1) Move slowly when you pull in and observe other trucks to see traffic patterns, if drivers pay first or call on the intercom etc
2) Be prepared to provide a company name and vehicle number. It's easier for me to say "Colorado Bus", and "Bus number 1" than try and explain that I'm just a guy that owns a bus. It's for them to keep track of who's on which pump
3) PULL FORWARD when you're done fueling before you go in to pay. Many times there's a mark on the apron where you should stop- just make sure you're far enough that the next driver can get in and start fueling. Every minute counts for professional drivers, and we want them to like RV drivers.
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