Tip Etiquette at Truck Stop Diesel Pumps

[CaptainGizmo]

Having not used Truck Stop diesel pumps in the past I have been looking for tips on using Truck Stop Diesel pumps. Trying very hard not to look like a Noob and piss people off.

Hi Joe,

I know it's been a couple months and maybe you're a "Truck Stop Expert" by now, but you asked for tips, so I'd love to give mine to you. I've been using truck stops, exclusively, for 5 years...and would consider myself having enough experience to share the small amount of advice to make you look like a Pro.

1. Figure out the correct entrance AND exit paths BEFORE arriving. Seems stupid, but let me tell you...they're NOT always straight forward and, if you're trying to figure it out on the fly, it will just make you more stressed and irritate the truckers as you clog things up. My Garmin 1095 is awesome for this, because every stop will download a BIRDSEYE view and will even show ROUTING THROUGH the truck stop, RV park, etc!! The LAST thing you wanna do is have to detach because you went the wrong way and can't turn around.

2. As you approach the pumps' entrance, assess where you need to be...AND BE PREPARED TO BE CUT-OFF by some other jerk that is in a hurry. This happened TWICE just a couple days ago. Makes us mad, but I keep telling myself, "hey, it's THEM who are wasting time/money while sitting here waiting for others".

3. KNOW how your TSD Fuel Card works BEFOREHAND...don't try to figure it out after you pull to the pump! It's NOT hard at all and I've helped numerous folks learn how to do it ahead of time. It's literally a SWIPE, PUNCH PUNCH PUNCH, Enter Code, NO NO, and done procedure.

4. NEVER LEAVE YOUR RIG when it's at the pump...even if you need to go inside to pay. ALWAYS ALWAYS pull forward and MAKE SURE YOU CHECK YOUR TOAD so that the truck behind you can pull up far enough. Unfortunately, this doesn't work the other way; we CONSTANTLY get burned by truckers who pull up a little bit, then SPLIT for a half hour to do who knows what. In the meantime, since my tanks are at the rear, we're screwed and can't pull up far enough. So, sometimes, I'll try to get behind a shorter truck, bobtail, etc. just to hedge my bet.


That's really all there is too it. I've never had a single bad experience...aside from maybe getting a bit of "attitude face" as we pull forward a lot more than a normal truck. I guess the grumpy ol' dudes somehow get upset that they have to walk two extra steps to go around us just get to their cheeseburger. LOL

 

[Underboss]

Yes, I always route plan and google earth pre stop. Its amazing how after you pull through the pumps and are leaving, its sometimes not clear which way to go.
I got stuck behind a semi that literally was pulled forward and gone from the truck before I pulled in. I filled up, ready to go and the truck was still there and he was nowhere to be found. He did not come out for another 30 minutes then sat in his truck for 3 minutes before even starting it to leave.

 

[sheridany]

The best time to pull into a truck stop for fueling is late morning or mid-day. You can always almost pull into a fueling lane pretty quickly. After 4 pm, it gets busy as the drivers typically come in to stay at the end of their time allowance.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

Hi Joe,

I know it's been a couple months and maybe you're a "Truck Stop Expert" by now, but you asked for tips, so I'd love to give mine to you. I've been using truck stops, exclusively, for 5 years...and would consider myself having enough experience to share the small amount of advice to make you look like a Pro.

1. Figure out the correct entrance AND exit paths BEFORE arriving. Seems stupid, but let me tell you...they're NOT always straight forward. My Garmin 1095 is awesome for this, because every stop will download a BIRDSEYE view and will even show ROUTING THROUGH the truck stop, RV park, etc!! The LAST thing you wanna do is have to detach because you went the wrong way and can't turn around.

2. As you approach the pumps' entrance, assess where you need to be...AND BE PREPARED TO BE CUT-OFF by some other jerk that is in a hurry. This happened TWICE just a couple days ago. Makes us mad, but I keep telling myself, "hey, it's THEM who are wasting time/money while sitting here waiting for others".

3. KNOW how your TSD Fuel Card works BEFOREHAND...don't try to figure it out after you pull to the pump! It's NOT hard at all and I've helped numerous folks learn how to do it ahead of time. It's literally a SWIPE, PUNCH PUNCH PUNCH, Enter Code, NO NO, and done procedure.

4. NEVER LEAVE your rig when it's at the pump...even if you need to go inside to pay. ALWAYS ALWAYS pull forward and MAKE SURE YOU CHECK YOUR TOAD so that the truck behind you can pull up far enough. Unfortunately, this doesn't work the other way; we CONSTANTLY get burned by truckers who pull up a little bit, then SPLIT for a half hour to do who knows what. In the meantime, since my tanks are at the rear, we're screwed and can't pull up far enough. So, sometimes, I'll try to get behind a shorter truck, bobtail, etc. just to hedge my bet.


That's really all there is too it. I've never had a single bad experience...aside from maybe getting a bit of "attitude face" as we pull forward a lot more than a normal truck. I guess the grumpy ol' dudes somehow get upset that they have to walk two extra steps to go around us just get to their cheeseburger. LOL

Great summary
One additional thought to make the TSD/Open Roads card easier - If you are frequenting TA or Loves stops, you can use the TA or Loves app on a phone and the TSD card info is stored in the app.
For TA app, when you pull up to the pump and the app gives you a six digit code you enter on the pump.
For Loves app, when you pull up to the pump, open the app, tell the app what services you want, enter the pump number, confirm you are at the pump, then start pumping.

 

[Wemustrv]

Get the Mudflap App on your phone and enjoy pretty good discounts at the truck lanes.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Great summary
One additional thought to make the TSD/Open Roads card easier - If you are frequenting TA or Loves stops, you can use the TA or Loves app on a phone and the TSD card info is stored in the app.
For TA app, when you pull up to the pump and the app gives you a six digit code you enter on the pump.
For Loves app, when you pull up to the pump, open the app, tell the app what services you want, enter the pump number, confirm you are at the pump, then start pumping.

OOooo, really? This is nice to know, because, I've tried the Loves app in the past and it was a total pain in the butt! My routine is so smooth with the card, now...not to mention never worrying about getting my precious iPhone yucky with diesel... but I still may try the apps.

Of course, in my perfect world, those pumps would be TAP Pay! But no one asked me. LOL

 

[JRS]

When I need to pull up for a DEF fill, I'll walk back to a waiting truck (if their engine is off) to let them know that after fueling, DW will be pulling up to fill my rear DEF tank so they don't start up.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Great summary
One additional thought to make the TSD/Open Roads card easier - If you are frequenting TA or Loves stops, you can use the TA or Loves app on a phone and the TSD card info is stored in the app.
For TA app, when you pull up to the pump and the app gives you a six digit code you enter on the pump.
For Loves app, when you pull up to the pump, open the app, tell the app what services you want, enter the pump number, confirm you are at the pump, then start pumping.

Well…I’ve tried for days to figure a way to enter the TSD/EFS card into the Loves app and I don’t think it’s possible. Even the tech support agent was clueless and gave me instructions for a standard credit card entry…duh.

Not a big deal but still curious as to how you did it.

 

[Neemer]

Well…I’ve tried for days to figure a way to enter the TSD/EFS card into the Loves app and I don’t think it’s possible. Even the tech support agent was clueless and gave me instructions for a standard credit card entry…duh.

Not a big deal but still curious as to how you did it.

x2

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Just an FYI…as per Loves tech support, the TSD/EFS card CANNOT be used in the Loves app.

This is what I remember from the past.

Probably for the better to keep things streamlined.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

Wondering if things have changed during the past few years.

This is how we added the TSD Logistics card to the Love's app. Note: we have a TSD Logistics EFS card which was issued before they renamed the RV side to OpenRoads.
It is a silver colored EFS branded card with 3 distinct sets of numbers on the front:
XXXXXX XXX
XXXXXXXXXX

In the Love's app, bottom left button, select "Profile"
Scroll down and select "Wallet"
Select "Fuel Card"
Select "EFS"
A few card layouts are presented, scroll to the card type that matched my card number layout/format - key in the numbers.

I also have a Love Rewards number too that is entered in the App.

For those where the TSD Logistics/Open Road card cannot be added, has the number format changed from the 3 sets of numbers that I listed above?

 

[Neemer]

Using @MemoriesByTheMile method above, I do not find an option for fuel card. It only offers the option of adding a credit card to the wallet, and it does not recognize the EFS card as a credit card, nor should it for that matter.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

Using @MemoriesByTheMile method above, I do not find an option for fuel card. It only offers the option of adding a credit card to the wallet, and it does not recognize the EFS card as a credit card, nor should it for that matter.

This is so very odd that you don’t see an option for fuel card.
This is what I see from the “add payment” screen:

I don’t know if it makes a difference but we also have a Love’s rewards acct/number saved in the app and have saved the vehicle VIN in the app also.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Wondering if things have changed during the past few years.

This is how we added the TSD Logistics card to the Love's app. Note: we have a TSD Logistics EFS card which was issued before they renamed the RV side to OpenRoads.
It is a silver colored EFS branded card with 3 distinct sets of numbers on the front:
XXXXXX XXX
XXXXXXXXXX

In the Love's app, bottom left button, select "Profile"
Scroll down and select "Wallet"
Select "Fuel Card"
Select "EFS"
A few card layouts are presented, scroll to the card type that matched my card number layout/format - key in the numbers.

I also have a Love Rewards number too that is entered in the App.

For those where the TSD Logistics/Open Road card cannot be added, has the number format changed from the 3 sets of numbers that I listed above?

I’m sorry this side topic has hijacked the OP a bit, and probably would do well as its own Subject…but heck…why stop now?

You just either have an older version of the app…OR…I wonder if you have a different form of account?

No option for a Fuel Card in version 10.1.0 of the LOVES CONNECT APP…

At any rate, this is the Official word from Loves support:
Unfortunately, the TSD cards are not compatible with the application at this time. We apologize for any frustration this may cause

 

[CaptainGizmo]

I’m on the caper here. I have a strong feeling there are two levels of Accounts; Personal and Commercial (Business).

I’ve researched and see that all the fleet cards ARE accepted…and my guess is my account must be personal. I will need to call them to see about converting to a commercial account.