Sylvie Willis
RV owners are increasingly being targeted by companies offering diesel fuel discount programs, but are they worth it? Well, that depends on a few factors. Firstly, it's important to remember that these programs are primarily aimed at trucking companies, so the discounts are usually only available at larger truck stops. Secondly, while some programs offer significant savings, others are misleading due to inflated truck stop prices and small transaction fees. However, if you're a full-time RVer or purchase diesel fuel regularly, there are definitely ways to save money. From fuel discount cards to apps, here's everything you need to know about getting discounts on diesel fuel for your RV.
Characteristics and Values Table for Diesel Fuel Discounts for RVs:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Discount Options | Apps, Cards, Gas Stations |
| Card Options | TSD/EFS Fuel Card, Good Sam RV Plus Card, RV FuelSaver Card, Costco Membership Card, GasBuddy Card, MudFlap Card |
| App Options | GasBuddy, Mud Flap, RV FuelSaver, GasBack |
| Discount Range | $0.03-$1.00+ per gallon |
| Other Benefits | Campground discounts, roadside assistance, trip planning, fuel trip cost calculator, price maps, vehicle recalls |
| Considerations | Card/app acceptance along the route, transaction fees, fuel nozzle size, fuel quality, personal/financial information disclosure |
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What You'll Learn
Discount cards for RV diesel fuel
There are several discount cards available for RV diesel fuel. Here are some options:
TechnoRV FuelSaver Card
The TechnoRV FuelSaver Card is a savings program that offers deep discounts on diesel fuel at over 1,000 fuel stations nationwide, including major brands like TA, Casey's, 7-11, Firebird, and more. The card can be purchased for a one-time cost of $4.99, and there are no annual fees. Users will be charged a fee of $0.70 per transaction, plus any fees associated with their personal debit or credit cards linked to the FuelSaver Card. The FuelSaver app can be used to locate participating fuel stations and track savings. Savings with the card vary from $0.10 to over $1 per gallon.
Good Sam RV Plus Card
The Good Sam RV Plus card offers fuel discounts at Pilot and Flying J stations, in both car lanes and truck lanes. The discount amount depends on your Good Sam rating and ranges from $0.03 to $0.10 per gallon.
TSD Logistics Open Roads Card
TSD Logistics, a freight and trucking company, offers the Open Roads card, which provides significant savings at more than 1,500 fuel stations across the United States, including Pilot Flying J, TA-Petro, and Speedway. There are no sign-up, membership, or long-term contract fees. The company retains 10% of the savings per gallon, allowing cardholders to keep the remaining 90% of the discount. Average savings are reported to be around 30-40 cents per gallon.
GasBuddy Card
The GasBuddy card can be used at over 150,000 fuel stations nationwide and offers up to 25 cents off per gallon. The card is free and does not require a credit check, but it does need information to verify the user's identity, and it links to the user's debit card. The GasBuddy app can also be used to find the best fuel prices and earn GasBack through shopping and dining deals, even without the card.
Sam's Club Credit Card
The Sam's Club credit card offers 5% cashback on diesel and gas purchases at all gas stations across the country, up to a limit of $6,000, after which the cashback reverts to 1%.
These are just a few examples of the discount cards available for RV diesel fuel. Each program has its own benefits and features, so it is essential to evaluate your needs, travel patterns, and potential savings before selecting a card.
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Apps that help you find the cheapest fuel
When it comes to finding the cheapest fuel for your RV, there are several apps that can help you save money. Here are some of the most popular and useful ones:
GasBuddy
GasBuddy is a widely recommended app for finding cheap fuel prices. It has been around for over a decade and boasts more than 90 million users. With GasBuddy, you can search for diesel prices by zip code or city. The app also provides a map feature, making it easy to locate the lowest gas prices in your area. In addition, you can get a free Pay with GasBuddy card, which links to your checking account and offers additional savings of up to 25 cents per gallon.
Open Roads/TSD
The Open Roads app by TSD Logistics is a free RV discount program that can save you a significant amount on fuel. It negotiates fuel discounts with truck stops across the country, allowing you to see the regular and discounted prices on the app before deciding where to fill up. The TSD card is accepted at most truck stop pumps, and users have reported savings of up to 55 cents per gallon or more at certain stations.
Gas Guru
Gas Guru is another handy app for finding cheap fuel prices near you. It lists the services and fuel types available at each gas station, and you can filter your search based on specific services. Gas Guru also allows you to search for the lowest fuel prices based on grades, including diesel, so you don't end up at a gas-only station.
Trucker Path
While the main purpose of the Trucker Path app is to provide truck-safe GPS routing, it also offers filters to find diesel prices at chain and independent truck stops. It uses GPS tracking instead of zip codes and includes additional filters for fuel wait times, overnight parking, and more.
DAT Trucker
The DAT Trucker app is a truck route planner that allows you to view fueling prices up to 100 miles from your current location. It includes filters for diesel prices, weigh stations, parking spaces, and wait times.
By utilising these apps, you can easily locate the cheapest fuel prices and take advantage of various discounts, making your RV adventures more affordable and enjoyable.
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Pros and cons of diesel fuel discount programs
Diesel fuel discount programs can be a great way to save money, but they also have some potential drawbacks. Here are some pros and cons to consider:
Pros of Diesel Fuel Discount Programs:
- Save Money: The primary advantage of diesel fuel discount programs is the potential for significant cost savings. With a discount program, you can save money on every fill-up, which can add up to substantial amounts over time, especially for large fleets or frequent travellers.
- Convenience: Fuel cards offer convenience by eliminating the need for multiple cards or payment methods. They also provide real-time fuel pricing and route planning information through associated mobile apps, making it easier to locate the best fuel rates.
- Additional Benefits: Some programs offer additional perks such as maintenance discounts, roadside assistance, loyalty rewards, and expense controls, enhancing the overall value of the program.
- Streamlined Expenses: Diesel fuel cards can help businesses streamline their expenses. They provide detailed reporting and expense controls, making it easier to manage and track fuel costs for fleets of trucks or large equipment.
- No Transaction Fees: Many fuel discount programs have no transaction fees, allowing users to maximize their savings.
Cons of Diesel Fuel Discount Programs:
- Misleading Discounts: In some cases, the advertised discounts may be misleading due to inflated prices at truck stops. The highest claimed savings often coincide with the most inflated prices, so users may end up spending more despite the apparent discount.
- Limited Locations: Diesel fuel discount programs tend to be restricted to larger truck stops, which typically have higher fuel prices. As a result, users may find themselves paying more per gallon than at smaller stations outside the program's network.
- Card-Specific Drawbacks: Certain fuel cards may have specific drawbacks, such as requiring users to go to the cashier to authorize fueling or having high markups at certain locations, reducing the convenience factor.
- Application and Fees: Some fuel discount programs may have monthly or transaction fees, and users should carefully review the terms and conditions to understand any restrictions or limitations on the discounts and rewards.
- Incompatibility: Some fuel cards may not be compatible with all vehicles or fuel filler openings. For example, high-speed diesel fuel nozzles at truck stops may not fit smaller RV fuel filler openings.
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Gas stations with discounted diesel fuel
There are several options for finding gas stations with discounted diesel fuel for RVs. Firstly, you can use an app like GasBuddy, which helps you find the cheapest gas deals in your area. While GasBuddy does not work with some major gas stations like Exxon and Mobil, it can still help you save money on diesel fuel. Another option is to use the RV LIFE Trip Wizard to plan your trips and find fuel stops with satellite and street views. This tool can help you ensure that you get fuel efficiently and safely.
Additionally, there are fuel discount cards specifically for diesel fuel purchases that offer significant savings. For example, the Good Sam RV Plus card works at Pilot and Flying J gas stations and offers fuel discounts depending on your Good Sam rating. The TechnoRV FuelSaver Card is another option, which can be used at over 1,000 fuel stations nationwide and offers savings of $0.10 to over $1 per gallon. There is also the Open Roads TSD/EFS Fuel Card, which is offered by the bulk-freight transport-trucking company TSD Logistics, and allows users to get discounted diesel fuel prices like professional truckers. With this card, TSD Logistics keeps 10% of the savings per gallon, while the customer gets the remaining 90%.
Overall, there are a variety of options for finding discounted diesel fuel for RVs, including apps, cards, and specific gas stations with deals. By utilising these options, RV owners can save a significant amount of money on their fuel expenses.
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Memberships with fuel discounts
Good Sam Club Membership
The Good Sam Club is an RV membership organisation that offers fuel discounts. With the Good Sam Club membership, RVers save $0.05 per gallon on gas and $0.10 per gallon on diesel at Pilot Flying J. The membership also provides other benefits like campground discounts and access to roadside assistance services. The membership starts at $29 for one year.
Sam's Club Membership
Sam's Club members with a Sam's Club credit card get 5% cashback on diesel and gas at all gas stations across the country. The limit is $6000, after which it reverts to 1% cashback. However, not all Sam's Club stations carry diesel, and accessibility for larger vehicles may be limited.
Costco Membership
Although not exclusive to RV owners, a Costco membership can be beneficial for fuel savings. Costco gas stations typically offer consistently low prices on fuel, often significantly cheaper than regular gas stations.
TechnoRV FuelSaver Program
The TechnoRV FuelSaver Program offers deep discounts on diesel fuel at over 1,000 fuel stations nationwide. You can order the FuelSaver Card online for a one-time cost of $4.99 or pick one up at a rally. The card is then linked to the FuelSaver app, where you can locate participating fuel stations and track your savings. There are no annual fees, but there is a fee of $0.70 per transaction, plus any fees associated with the linked debit or credit card.
TSD Logistics Open Roads Fuel Card
TSD Logistics, a bulk freight transport company based in Texas, offers a fuel discount card for RVers with diesel motorhomes or trucks. The card provides significant savings at over 1,500 participating fuel stations, including Pilot Flying J, TA-Petro, and Speedway. There are no sign-up or membership fees, and the company keeps 10% of the savings per gallon. Current members save an average of 30-40 cents per gallon.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to get diesel fuel discounts for your RV. You can use discount cards like the Good Sam RV Plus card, the Open Roads TSD/EFS Fuel card, the TechnoRV FuelSaver Card, or the GasBuddy card. You can also use apps like GasBuddy, Mud Flap, and GasBack.
Diesel fuel discount cards are typically linked to a user's debit or credit card. They can be used at participating fuel stations to get discounted prices on diesel fuel. Some cards, like the Good Sam RV Plus card, offer different discounts depending on the user's membership tier.
You can apply for a diesel fuel discount card online or by downloading the associated app. Some cards may require a fee, while others are free. For example, the TechnoRV FuelSaver Card can be purchased for a one-time cost of $4.99, while the GasBuddy card is free.
Yes, it's important to consider any associated costs or fees when choosing a diesel fuel discount card. Some cards may have sign-up or membership fees, while others may take a percentage of the user's savings. Additionally, it's crucial to verify that the card is accepted at fuel stations along your planned route.
