What's your experience w/ Truck Stops/Truckers? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

350SL4spd · #1 01-05-2005, 01:27 PM

What's everybody's experience at big truck stop when your out on the road? I would seek them out in the winter for the treated diesel. Anyone other than me ever fill up at the "big pumps"? Do you get truckers laughing at you or making any comments?
Overall I have gotten nothing but respect from truckers when they see the "diesel" logo on the back of your Benz. Does the "diesel-phile" thing really extend to all?

-M-

TX76513 · #2 01-05-2005, 01:35 PM

Never have had any problem - even have a Flying J frequent fueler card. Most drivers will seek out a friendly conversation and it's not uncommon for them to ask some "xyz" question about the car just to start a conversation.
Probably one of the most tough and un-forgiving jobs out there -
I don't think we give our drivers the credit they really deserve

my .02

dieseldiehard · #3 01-05-2005, 01:50 PM

I use truck stops on long trips, Flying J's, Loves, TA's (Travel America) all are great places to get decent prices on fresh fuel (they would never sell bad fuel to truckers else they would get boycotted thru the CB radio channel they all use). I'd rather have a trucker alongside my car than some of the jerks that use gasoline pumps on the roads - I think you know!

I have had a few of them stop and look at the 300TD with curiosity while they fuel up (which takes quite a long time BTW)
You have to learn the satellite pump thing though. There is a master pump and the satellite pump, one on each side of the slot and you sometimes have to remove the nozzle of the master pump and lay it down and switch that pump "on" to activate the satellite pump on the opposite side if you're filling from the wrong side of the slot.
Most truckstops I have used require you to pay first and that is a good time to ask the attendant which pump to use if you are not sure. Occasionally truckstops will have a special station for small trucks and diesel cars.
Otherwise you have to use the big nozzles at the end of the fat hose made for filling large truck tanks. The fuel pressure can be so great that there is no way you can open it up wide open or fuel will surge out in your face! BTDT. Also some of the nozzles don't fit the opening in our filler necks, you have to hold the nozzle tight against the pipe and squeeze gently. You may want to carry some rubber (nitrile) gloves along for your hands, too... just be aware that diesel fuel is almost impossible to wash off even with soap and hot water it still leaves a stink on your hands (if you own a diesel you should already know this!)

TwitchKitty · #4 01-05-2005, 01:52 PM

Boogy men do not drive big trucks. It will all be ok.

Scott98 · #5 01-05-2005, 01:56 PM

I've never had a problem at a truck stop before. If fact, one time, a trucker asked me about Mercedes Diesels and was looking to buy one himself!

Scott

Veloce300DT · #6 01-05-2005, 02:42 PM

Same here, nothing but nice guys so far, always wantin to chat about the diesel.

dlssmith · #7 01-05-2005, 03:44 PM

Always good experiences with truckers generally. Since my MB is fairly new to me, I can't talk much about how it is viewed, but truckers on the whole are pretty even keeled people. They have to practice being that way since there are so many idiots to drive around.

DS
87 300D
Northern Iowa - let it snow...

#8 01-05-2005, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieseldiehard

You may want to carry some rubber (nitrile) gloves along for your hands, too... just be aware that diesel fuel is almost impossible to wash off even with soap and hot water it still leaves a stink on your hands (if you own a diesel you should already know this!)

Um...if you break out the gloves when going to fuel up (espically nitrile bright blue ones!) I am afriad you won't get much respect from the truckers

I even got some decent respect from the truckers in my '69 bug on the freeway in stopped traffic. I was playing around and swerving the bug around in my lane (a 69 bug in a freeway traffic lane at 2MPH is a LOT of free space) and I was boxed in by semi trucks and an overpass. I started goofing with my lights and swerving and the wipers going and the whole 9 yards. THe truck behind me played along a bit too with his lights (give they were straight in my back window).

I think its just something about not driving commenplace automobiles that will get you some sort of "road king" respect. Every time one of my friends cuts off a trucker or I see someone else do it...I just laugh and tell them to tighten their seatbelt

....

peragro · #9 01-05-2005, 06:02 PM

I had to eventually ask about the whole satellite pump thing the first time I used a truck stop, but everything turned out fine. One of the trucks next to me did wait till I was about to start pumping and then let loose on the horn - I was a little startled but didn't spill anything. I'm used to that kind of thing since my brother would always say "hey take a look at that _________ under the hood and tell me what's wrong with it" then he'd wait till I was under there and blast the horn. This usually worked until I was about 17 or so. If I was quick I could unplug the horn and his spark plug wires...

boxscar · #10 01-05-2005, 06:22 PM

as a former "materials re-location engineer" i never had much trouble with cars as long as they kept their space... meaning.. don't sit along side a truck on the freeway, especially the right side. remember on the highway there are two worlds existing on one small area of pavement... i'll explain that if anyone needs more.
it seems most truck stops have diesel at the car pumps now, i know the Flying J at ABQ has it. i remember when i had my 180D in the late 70's there was almost no other place to fuel and the pumps had the high pressure i loved later while buying 175 gallons and just wanting to get done and get inside to eat.

no longer out there.

PatrickW · #11 01-05-2005, 06:31 PM

I'm a former OTR trucker myself.

Seeing an MBZ diesel fueling up was a rare treat. Seems like there was a lot of "wannabe's" in diesel pickup trucks, though...

I only fuel my diesel cars where the big rigs fuel. I've never had a problem with fuel quality.

- Patrick

diesel don · #12 01-05-2005, 06:39 PM

We always sleep overnight at truck stops in the motorhome when going across country. Have had nothing but positive experiences.

dp

#13 01-05-2005, 06:43 PM

I filled up my New Beetle at several truck stops when I took a road trip to Utah and back a few years ago. Good conversation, good people, and good diesel are aplenty at most truck stops. One time a sat around and chatted about oil for about 45 minutes while buying 1 gallon of Mobil Delvac 1. The conversation started when I only asked for 1 gallon since most customers buy cases.

I'll drive alongside truckers any day. I have the utmost respect for them and their ability to maneuver such enormous vehicles safely on our roads. I also play along with the courtesy flash when a truck is trying to merge on the highway or change lanes at night. It's always nice to receive a "thank you" blink from the trailer lights.

barry123400 · #14 01-05-2005, 07:07 PM

Use them when travelling and never had a negative experience. You kind of know you are going to get winter fuel and not leftover summer fuel from a low gallonage outlet in the early winter. Not too much chance of a large dose of water either. Want a place to grab a shower or a nap does not seem to be a problem either and they seem pretty safe with down to earth people. Sure there are a few truck stops that are dives but they seem to be a small minority. Great places to stretch your legs as well. Food quality varies but if you make a few trips or ask you get to know the good ones. I guess truckers notice I am driving a diesel but generaly do not comment. Great places also to pick up weather forcast for roads ahead of you. Thats probably the secret as they are servicing a transient clientile and if not performing well you may not come back and they basically have little local buisiness to fall back on. You automatically get treated like one of their regular clientel. Oh yes we have a canadian tire store network in canada that issues a bonus coupon of 3-5% of the value of your purchase. Noticing my canadian plates a trucker asked me if I had any canadian tire one dollar bills on me. Thinking the request strange I asked him why he wanted to know. He filled me in that some of the working girls at various truck stops think they are canadian 100.00 bills. Unfortunatly had to tell him that I did not have that particular denomination in my wallet. Besides could not see the girls being that gullible. Come to think of it the coupon money does state 100 but means cents. And has portrait engraved printing etc. Told me does not work all the time but he just leaves one in sight and some ladies agree to do whatever for the bill they see. Here I have been saving them up to buy a set of wrenches but the american driver wanted to buy wenches. Gotta admit the look like authentic currency but I would not return to that particular truckstop again if I were the driver and passed one. Guess you can still buy something for a buck out there, hummmm......

#15 01-05-2005, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VeeDubTDI

I'll drive alongside truckers any day. I have the utmost respect for them and their ability to maneuver such enormous vehicles safely on our roads.

I think the idea there is to not drive alongside them, rather, behind or well in front of.

I know even in my benz I severely dislike people hovering in my blind spots or right beside me.