Katerina Swanson
Buying diesel fuel for an RV requires some planning and forethought. While diesel is available at most gas stations, it's important to consider factors such as fuel capacity, miles per gallon, and accessibility at fuel pumps. Additionally, maintaining a diesel-powered RV engine differs significantly from a gas-powered one, with diesel engines requiring specialized parts and attention to fuel supply care. To save money, many RV owners take advantage of fuel cards and apps that offer discounts at specific gas stations or truck stops. Planning fuel stops in advance and being considerate of truckers at fuel lanes are also important considerations when fuelling a diesel RV.
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What You'll Learn
Finding diesel fuel pumps
Plan Your Route and Fuel Stops:
Use tools like Trip Wizard or Gas Buddy to identify gas stations or travel centres along your route that offer diesel fuel. These tools allow you to determine your fuel capacity and average miles per gallon, helping you plan where you will need to refuel. You can also use Google Earth and Street View to check for manoeuvrability around the fuel pumps.
Look for Truck Stops and High-Volume Stations:
Truck stops and high-volume stations, such as Pilot Flying J, Loves, TA, and PETCO, are more likely to have diesel fuel pumps that can accommodate your RV. These stations typically have larger nozzles and can handle larger tanks.
Check Station Canopy Height Clearance:
Before entering a fuel station, always check the canopy height clearance to prevent damage to your RV. This is especially important at truck stops, as their pumps tend to be larger and may have height restrictions.
Use Fuel Discount Cards:
Consider signing up for fuel discount cards, such as the TSD fuel card, Good Sam RV Plus card, or cards offered by trucking companies. These cards can provide significant savings when purchasing diesel fuel and are accepted at various stations and truck stops.
Be Patient and Flexible:
By following these tips and staying patient during your travels, you can successfully locate and access diesel fuel pumps for your RV. Remember to plan your route, utilise available tools and discounts, and always be mindful of the space you need to safely refuel.
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Discount cards
TSD Logistics Open Roads
The TSD Logistics Open Roads fuel discount card is an excellent option for diesel RV owners, offering significant savings at over 1,500 participating fuel stations across the United States, including Pilot Flying J, TA-Petro, and Speedway. There are no sign-up, membership fees, or long-term contracts required. Instead, Open Roads retains 10% of your savings per gallon. For example, if you save 50 cents per gallon, they keep 5 cents, and you still save 45 cents. This card can save you a considerable amount of money, especially when filling up large tanks.
GasBuddy Card
The GasBuddy Card is a free membership card that provides up to 25 cents off per gallon at over 150,000 fuel stations nationwide, making it a convenient option for RV travelers. You can also earn GasBack (free gas) through shopping and dining deals. This card does not require a credit check but does need some information to verify your identity, and it links to your debit card. Additionally, the free GasBuddy app can be useful for finding the cheapest fuel prices in your area and planning your budget with its Trip Cost Calculator.
RV FuelSaver Card
The RV FuelSaver Card is another option that offers deep discounts on diesel fuel at over 1,000 fuel stations nationwide, including TA, Casey's, 7-11, Firebird, Rutters, Yesway, and AMBEST. You can use the RV FuelSaver app to map your route and check which stations offer the greatest savings. The app also provides information about the amount of discount available at each station.
When choosing a discount card, it is important to consider factors such as associated costs or fees, acceptance along your planned route, average fuel prices in your area, and how frequently you fill up your RV. By evaluating these factors and comparing the discounts offered by different cards, you can maximize your savings and make the most of your RV adventures.
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Planning your route
First, determine your fuel capacity and average miles per gallon. This will help you calculate in advance where you will need to refuel. Identify travel centres or plazas along your route that offer diesel fuel. Tools like Trip Wizard can assist in locating these service centres and RV parks. You can also use Google Earth to get a satellite view of the access points and assess the manoeuvrability around fuel pumps. Utilise street view to get a ground-level perspective and identify any potential obstructions.
Additionally, consider using apps like Gas Buddy, which provide a map linked to Google Street View, allowing you to judge the ease of accessing pumps with your RV. However, keep in mind that Gas Buddy may not always show which pumps offer diesel fuel. Another useful app is Mudflap, which offers discounts at numerous gas stations and helps you find stations along your route with their diesel prices.
Furthermore, if you plan to use a fuel discount card, such as the TSD fuel card, the Open Roads app can help you find the best discounted prices near you. These cards can provide significant savings, especially when filling up large tanks. However, be mindful of any restrictions or requirements associated with using these cards, such as needing to inform the station beforehand or providing additional documentation.
When planning your route, also consider the layout of the fuel stations. Look for pumps parallel to the road, as they usually offer more room to manoeuvre. Avoid roadside fuel stops with pumps perpendicular to the road, as they may not be RV-friendly. Additionally, check the canopy height clearance to prevent damage to your RV.
By following these planning tips, you can ensure a more seamless journey and refuelling experience during your RV adventures.
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Fuel tank maintenance
- Fuel Type and Care: Depending on whether your RV uses gasoline or diesel fuel, specific care is required. For instance, diesel fuel can freeze or experience "diesel fuel gelling" at below-freezing temperatures. To prevent this, use fuel additives, store your RV in a heated space, and run the engine periodically.
- Fuel System Cleaners: Utilize fuel system cleaners or additives to keep your injectors clean and improve fuel efficiency. Products like Seafoam or Techron Complete Fuel System Cleaner can help lubricate cylinders, clean valves, and prevent fuel degradation.
- Oil and Filter Changes: Manufacturers recommend changing the engine oil and filters every 6 to 12 months, depending on your RV's usage and towing activities. Always refer to your owner's manual for the recommended maintenance schedule.
- Fuel Capacity and Planning: Know your RV's fuel capacity and average miles per gallon. This knowledge will help you plan your fuel stops and ensure you don't run out of fuel. Tools like Trip Wizard or Gas Buddy can assist in locating gas stations and determining fuel availability.
- Fueling Considerations: When fueling your RV, consider the station's canopy height clearance to avoid damage to your AC units. Look for pumps parallel to the road, providing more room to manoeuvre. Be cautious of truck stop diesel pumps, as they dispense fuel faster, which can cause foaming in smaller tanks.
- Water Tank Maintenance: Regularly clean and sanitize your RV's freshwater tank to prevent bacteria and microorganism growth. Drain the freshwater tank, hot water tank, and water lines after each trip. Use a household bleach solution for sanitization, following the recommended procedure.
By following these fuel tank maintenance tips, you can ensure the optimal performance of your RV's fuel system and overall functionality. Remember to refer to your owner's manual and seek advice from RV service experts for specific maintenance guidelines.
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Fuel freezing
Diesel fuel can freeze or experience "diesel fuel gelling" at below-freezing temperatures. This is due to the paraffin wax in diesel fuel congealing as temperatures drop, causing the fuel to become cloudy and gel-like. This gelled fuel can then clog your engine's fuel filters. To prevent this, you can add an additive to your fuel supply, store your RV in a heated garage, or run the engine every few weeks.
Water in diesel fuel can also freeze, causing similar issues. This can occur all year round due to water entering the fuel through storage, handling, or condensation forming in the tanks.
Fuel oxidation is another issue that can be caused by freezing temperatures, leading to an acidic environment that damages seals and clogs interior components.
To prevent these issues, it is important to have a plan for winterizing your RV fuel once temperatures drop. This can include using fuel additives to safely remove water from your fuel and act as an anti-gel, allowing the fuel to withstand colder temperatures.
If your fuel has already gelled or frozen, there are emergency diesel additives available that can thaw and restore it.
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Frequently asked questions
You can buy diesel fuel for an RV at most gas stations. To find the best rates, you can use apps such as GasBuddy, Mudflap, or Open Roads. You can also get diesel fuel cards, such as the TSD Fuel Card, which offers discounts at truck stops.
Before planning your route, determine your fuel capacity and average miles per gallon. Then, use an app such as Trip Wizard or Google Earth to find gas stations with diesel fuel and check their accessibility. Look for pumps parallel to the road, as most roadside fuel stops with pumps perpendicular to the road are not RV-friendly.
You can apply for a diesel fuel card online and receive it within a few weeks. Some cards, such as the TSD Fuel Card, require you to use the trucker lanes and pay at the truck diesel prices. You may also need to inform the station that you're using a fuel card before filling up.
Manufacturers recommend changing the engine oil and filters every 12 months. If you're using a newer Class A motorhome, you must add DEF or Diesel Exhaust Fluid to your fuel supply to meet federal emissions standards. During winter, prevent your diesel fuel from gelling by adding an additive to your fuel supply or storing your RV in a heated structure and running the engine every few weeks.
