RVer Fueling In The Truck Lanes Question.

I pull a 30 foot 5 wheel and I often have to fuel in the truck lanes of Loves or Pilot types. While it only takes me a very short time to fill with the high volume pumps I often have to wait 10 - 15 min for the truck in front to move. So when I saw the driver from the truck in front of my rig while paying, I asked if he could move his truck so I could leave. I went back to pump to fuel and this driver walks up and gets in my face about “ Don’t ever ask me again to do that”. He was really upset and went on an on like this was a big deal. I apologized and and tried to explain but it seemed he wasn’t having any of it. (He even called me a democrat LOL) So the question is, did I do something wrong by asking if he would move his truck ? Thanks in advance …

I'm not saying you were being intentionally rude. You may not be familiar with the way fuel stops work most of the time.

did I do something wrong by asking if he would move his truck ?

Yes...if I'm reading your description accurately. You were fueling and the truck in front of you, who I assume had just fueled, was blocking your way out. The typical fueling routine for a driver is to fuel, move forward so the next truck can fuel, then run into the store to use the bathroom and/or get something to eat and/or drink. In a perfect world the driver who went into the store will be back in his truck and ready to roll before the driver behind him/her is done fueling.

Unless the driver who had pulled up is taking an excessively long time you shouldn't ask them to move. And to ask a driver in the store to move so you can get past them makes no sense (from a driver's point of view, that is). Where are they going to go? They are following the normal routine.

I'm sure it is frustrating to have to wait, but that is just the way it is. Sometimes you might get lucky and pick a lane where the previous driver does not need to go into the store. 90% of the time you'll have to wait though.

Look at it from the driver's perspective: He was just following the normal routine. He does not expect someone to come ask him to move out of the way. He should have been a little less belligerent though.

These are called TRUCK STOPS for a reason. As RealDiehl mentioned, there is a system we have to use while fueling since there is generally a shortage of parking and many manage a 30 minute break split into 10 minutes waiting for a pump, 10 minutes fueling then 10 minutes going into store for restroom and food. The yellow line way up in front of the fuel island is a marker for us to know when to stop so the pump is clear for the next guy so we are not preventingsomeone else from fueling while we run into the store. Follow the routine and don't make waves unless the driver went in to take a shower. Could he have been nicer about it? Probably, however, we are here at the fuel islands as a necessity not by choice. We are working while you are playing. Let me ask you this, how many times do you park overnight in a parking spot at the truck stops? This also irritates drivers as you have other options such as campgrounds built just for you, we don't. To pull into a truckstop and not find an empty spot when there is half a dozen RVs is indeed irritating but most the time we don't ask you if you can hurry up and leave so we can park. Don't take it too hard though, now you know.

Hi Randy,

Here's some advice. Download the app called Truckers Path, if you don't already have it. Look for independent fuel stops (Ones marked with a T). Those usually are not congested like the main 5 (TA, Petro, Flying J, Pilot, Loves). ...and they're a lot cheaper also. Good luck!

It could have been a response to an earlier dealing with a RVer also. I have been parked at rest areas or truck stops and a RV driver has knocked on my door waking me up to ask.me to turn off my APU or reefer. One guy yelled "Cant you turn that damn thing off? Some people around here are trying to sleep". Uh yeah... Like me.

Often RVs will delay us at the fuel lanes or take our parking and unlike RV drivers, we are limited on time. We have specific hours we can drive per day as well as needing to get to our customers in time.

Sorry this driver was aggressive and not understanding.

Reefer:

A refrigerated trailer.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

I am an Rver too but I fuel in the 4 wheeler lanes because they have gas and diesel available. Flying J usually has dedicated Rv fueling lanes to make it easy. I wouldn't use the truck lanes unless completely necessary and then be patient has life is tough enough for a trucker. When it comes to parking I will always use a Rv Park when possible and if not I have reserved a space in truckstops when truck drivers will not pay to park. Sometimes they get mad but if they are not willing to pay and I am, I get the spot.

These are called TRUCK STOPS for a reason.

They are not called Truck Stops anymore...they are "Travel Center/Plazas". That's why they carry all that junk (food and items) to cater to four wheelers.

Laura

These are called TRUCK STOPS for a reason.

They are not called Truck Stops anymore...they are "Travel Center/Plazas". That's why they carry all that junk (food and items) to cater to four wheelers.

Laura

But, it is the Fuel Lane, and not the Parking Lane. Drivers should not be sitting there for a 30 minute break during the daytime. From 2300 until 0500 I see no problem sitting there, as long as nobody's waiting on you to get out of the way.

Thanks, PackRat. The comment justifying using the fuel island as legit parking space for a 30 is flawed and inconsiderate of other drivers.

I've had many times to sit in a fuel line, done and ready to roll, waiting for a steering wheel holder to mosey on back out with their week's worth of rollergrill and Dew. They casuallt wander over to their tractor, never acknowledging the driver behind them, climb ohsovery casually up into their tractor, and then disappear from mirror view for five or six minutes (napping, storing, watching videos.. who knows?) before moving. (Flying J in New Haven, IN is one that is horrible.for this!)

Be a "Capital P" Professional Driver. Get your fuel. Pull forward to the stop line. Go inside for a pee, purchase and pay. Move like you have a purpose BACK to your unit. GTFO of the fuel line. Park in a space, or make your own, just dont use the fuel line for your 30. PLEASE!!

I was going to say something along the lines of "If you haven't figured out how to work your clock better, so you don't have to take your 30 in the fuel line, then you need to find a new line of work." But that would be disrespectful and inconsiderate of new people. So I'll simply say, "Please, just don't do it."

I have never used any parts of my 30 to fuel so far. I understand it as my personal time. Fueling means working for a boss. Why would I fuel his truck on my personal time?