Truckstop gouging

Tennesseahawk · May 5, 2005

It has occured to me that TA is getting worse than Pilot as far as fuel prices go. TA rarely, if ever, posts their prices on the street. And on two occasions were much higher than their competition ON THE SAME EXIT. The TA in Gary, IN was .10 higher than the Pilot, and .06 higher than both Pilot and Hook in Matthews, MO. I'm leary of going there, even with our Comdata discount, cause there's no discount if we get scalped in the purchase.

Here's a truckstop to stay away from. The 66 in Cape Girardeau, MO ripped me off to the point that I'm taking action. After fuelling up, I checked my mileage. Leading up to that fillup, I had gotten 9.5 and 9.0 mpg. At this particular fillup, I got 6.9!!! To cover my bases and make sure it wasn't my truck, I did the next two... 8.5 and 9.0. I contacted the Missouri DA's consumer complaints division, and they're sending me a form to fill out. She told me they'll send Weights and Measures out to check em when they get the form back. I hope they fry!

It's bad enough the prices are as bad as they are without us getting raked over the coals by unscrupulous or ILLEGAL practices. I'd like to hear other specific places to stay away from. I know Broom talked about one, let's make a list and cover each others' backs.

T-hawk

LDB · May 5, 2005

I fuel at Flying J about 99% of the time. Their prices are always lower than any others around them by 2 cents or more per gallon. I have a Conoco branded MC that gets 3% rebate on fuel purchases with no limits so that's 6 cents per gallon average. That doubles the 3 cents cash discount. On everything else it's 1% rebate and it also gives me a good record for taxes.

I've never had a situation where my mpg went down so drastically. I can't even imagine what would cause that but I'm so not mechanical I depend on learning from other's explanations. I hope it's all worked out satisfactorily for you.

Leo
truck 4958

Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

terryandrene · May 5, 2005

When the VW's first appeared en masse in the USofA, their owners were constantly bragging about the great mileage from the little bugs. I had a new '65 VW so I was one of the braggers.

There were stories then, of neighbors tireing of the mileage claims so they would take turns adding a pint, a quart a quart and a half, etc. each morning before the VW owner awoke and drove off to work. Eventually, they had the poor slob thinking he was getting over a hundred MPG and gloating daily about it. Then it came turn around time and the neighbors stated siphoning ever increasing amounts of gas from the VW until the owner was ready to scrap the damn thing for the poor mileage.

This old tle has nothing to do with T/S gouging, but it's early in the am and the thread gave me some good memories of the great VW mileage

davekc · May 5, 2005

For what it is worth dept.
Last month we had a truck get dispatched from their home on a load to N.C. picking up in Tampa,FL. They stopped at the Wildwood Pilot in Wildwood, FL on I75 and fueled.
A short while later he called and said the truck was starting to run rough and wasn't sure why. They added some additive and it wasn't correcting the problem.
I had them stop in S.C. at a KW dealership and explained our situation. They said they would pull him in the minute he hit their lot.
To our surprise they pulled the primary fuel filter and it was half filled with water.
Refueled the truck of their dealer pump, added more additive, and changed filters. We thought we may have to drain the fuel taanks.
The repair took care of the problem.
So, be careful buying fuel at the Pilot in Wildwood.
Davekc

RobA · May 5, 2005

Volkswagen Tales was RE: Truckstop gouging

>When the VW's first appeared en masse in the USofA, their
>owners were constantly bragging about the great mileage from
>the little bugs. I had a new '65 VW so I was one of the
>braggers.
>
>
>This old tle has nothing to do with T/S gouging, but it's
>early in the am and the thread gave me some good memories of
>the great VW mileage

I had a used '66.
No Gas gauge
No Seat Belts
very little defroster (I'm Canadian don't forget)
I kept a scraper and would scrape the frost off the INSIDE of the windshield.
half the time : no brakes (small things like brakes don't worry teen-agers that much)
but....I once put a quarter's worth of gas in that car and drove it for a whole day!
Gas was 52.9 cents per GALLON (no litres) so I was able to drive around for a whole day on a quarters worth of gas.
All I could scrape together,when I pushed the car into the gas station was a quarter; but in those long gone days that was enough.

I am definitely showing my age here (sigh)

Loose_Cannon47 · May 5, 2005

RE: Volkswagen Tales was RE: Truckstop gouging

Rob, for what it's worth, I put many, many gallons of gas in my old Morris Minors...at 19 cents per...8 gallon tank...I had 2, one got 35 to the gallon, the other 43...don't ask me why...and you're how old?..lol...

cliffn · May 6, 2005

RE: Volkswagen Tales was RE: Truckstop gouging

Sorry, but I can't help myself.. I had a VW back in the "good old days". I put on a different carburetor that was supposed to save 30% on fuel, a different distributor that saved 25%, super plugs that saved 10%, a small turbo-charger that saved 20% and a free-flow exhaust that saved 30%....Went down the road twenty miles and my gas tank was overflowing!! :7 :7 :7

Loose_Cannon47 · May 6, 2005

RE: Volkswagen Tales was RE: Truckstop gouging

Cliff, you didn't by any chance get those parts from J.C. Whitney, did you?

Loose

Tennesseahawk · May 7, 2005

RE: Volkswagen Tales was RE: Truckstop gouging

How did this post go from Trucksto gouging to VW tales???

Terry, I blame you for this conspiracy :7 :7 :7

SHARP327 · May 8, 2005

RE: Volkswagen Tales was RE: Truckstop gouging

I filled up at the hook in Fargo ND. when my truck was new (5500 miles) and got alot of water and debris which started to freeze in the -24 degree weather which ended up costing me in excess of $1200.00 when you take in account for labor,parts,towing,and a lost run.

The fuel didn't have a chance to jell and it took two visits at two different International dealerships to get the truck cleaned out enough to go back to work.

Now! that I have an idea how things work, I constantly drain a bit of fuel out of the primary filter and when I'm home I'll remove the drain plugs on the bottom of the tanks and quickly put them back in letting the water and debris drain into the drain pan, since I've started doing this I've removed alot of crap from the fuel system.

Hope this helps someone out there!

terryandrene · May 8, 2005

RE: Volkswagen Tales was RE: Truckstop gouging

>How did this post go from Trucksto gouging to VW tales???
>
>Terry, I blame you for this conspiracy :7 :7 :7

TH.

And my only job as a moderator is to attempt to keep the forum on-topic. Don't tell Lawrence what I did, or failed to do!!

TO

Broompilot · May 9, 2005

RE: Volkswagen Tales was RE: Truckstop gouging

I am going to look to see where my drain plugs are at on my 120s, any suggestions on draining a half a gallon and not the last 10? Or should I just ask my garage to handle it as to not have an EPA spill on my hands.

I have had water in my filter, drained it myself no problems just scared the day lights out of me when it stalled two minutes later ten miles from the ND border. Thought what did you do that for dumb %$&) thing was running fine till I went and tampered with it. Started right back up no problem and did have some water in it.

As for T/As I agree with THawk try the one in Northbend WA I had to pay $1.84/9 hows that for getting screwed. Anyone ever paid more than that out there??????? Not something I am proud of just got stuck out there, the service dept at that location was great to deal with though, food OK facilities otherwise, terrible.

The Gibster · May 11, 2005

We think T/A's are in some sort of financial trouble. We recently blew a rear tire and were able to nurse it to a local T/A for replacement.

We asked about putting the price for the tire/service on our T/A RoadKing card, they advised service is no longer allowed as card points - only fuel!

We have also in the past noticed the products are seconds, bought 3 inverters that all didn't work. Coleman acknowledged that directly, but T/A wouldn't refund any money until I got the Dist Mgr on the phone.

Our last trip into the restaurant was after expecting a large 'Flat Iron Steak' they were famous for I got a half-sized steak. I finally got our waitresses attention and from across the room she yelled "The menu changed a month ago sir, look at the menu".

So I did. Same menu, same prices, except for the 16oz steak was now 8 ounces. We handed the bill to the manager as we walked out the door. She figured it out.

I don't want to sound like I'm 'trashing' T/A, I'm sure there are some great folks there and some drivers have had great experiences. We've just learned not to think that's gonna happen for us at any T/A.

The Gibster

Drluvv · Jun 23, 2005

T/A's fuel is more expensive because it has an additive in it called "Supersovent #789654321". This additive prevents breakdowns, fuel gelling, costly speeding tickets, engine overhauls, and so much more. I've been using it for one year now and have never had to have my engine rebuilt yet. You should use it too.

Tennesseahawk · Jun 30, 2005

I heard about that stuff... it also repels lot lizards and neutralizes truck stop piss smell. They sold me... but I'm gonna hold out till they get cheese and chili for their hot dogs.

Drluvv · Jul 2, 2005

Good that means there will be more fuel for me, cause T/A is too cheap to and anything other than ketchup and mustard to their hot dogs.

Critter Truckin · Aug 14, 2005

Well, as T-Hawk will testify...

We were stuck in Columbia, NJ at what we thought would be a good TA. As fortune, or fate (or whatever you want to call it) would give... THIS PLACE STUNK!!!

The fuel was high, the food was high, the employees were high, I got carded for smokes (I look WAY older than 29), and the golf game stunk.

Overall, it was a horrible trip that I don't want to remember (for those and other fiducial reasons). But, for the good of expeditors everywhere, I dredged it from the backside of my limited OTR experience to share for all. Have fun and watch out for rubber biscuits!!!:+

ClassicOne · Aug 22, 2005

Think they're not making money? How about the buildout of the FlyingJ's or RoadRanger or Love's. The money to continue to expand must come from somewhere. Williams couldn't compete because they were attempting to segway into their other utility services and didn't find the niche that some of the others have.
As far as paying to park... I refuse most times to pay. I'll find a truckstop in the guide that doesn't charge and go there. If I'm out west... I still find stops within 50 miles that don't charge.. or I park on the street!! There just isn't enough of a margin to pay to park. That being said I must confess that I operate a "D" with a generator so I can be as autonomous as possible. And try not to layover in Ontario,CA!!
Wish list... good restaurants at truckstops. How does a restaurant run out of tomatoes, bread, or any other item when there is a grocery store next to them? I ran restaurants and can tell you, it is lack of service commitments. I think that is what we all are complaining about. If T/A's , Pilots ..... etc. invested in training and SERVICE, we'd all go to them and happily pay for ANY services provided.
Same subject... how about the dealerships gouging truck drivers!! We ALL have horror stories about the overcharging done by Freightliner dealers. I have NEVER been charged a fair price by a dealer. I have to always look over the bills closely. Was charged 4 hours to have 4 shocks replaced!

Bottom line.... I'd gladly pay for good service.. in the restaurant, in the service bay, even for parking... if something "special" like a clean and secure lot. To pay for mediocrity just enables more of the same and I for one want "better"