Apply Now!

vanners: what's your fav truck stop?

mcavoy33

mcavoy33

Seasoned Expediter
Just curious what everyone's preference is and wht? From reading the locations thread it seems like Pilot/ Flying J is the most popular.

I go to Pilot's mostly because out of convenience, I have a smaller fuel tank and it takes me 15 minutes on average to fuel up, so I try to maximize the # of miles between stops. There seems to be more Pilots / J than otherrs.

But I'm curious what loyalty programs everyone prefers. I noticed that RVers can get 2-3 cents a gallon off for gasoline @ Pilot/j. Is this available to expeditors? Can you just say your an RVer.

One thing that I liked about Petro / TA was that they don't charge for cash advances but I just charge those back to the conpany.

Just curious what you guys prefer and why. Do any of you not use truck stops at all?
 
OntarioVanMan

OntarioVanMan

Retired Expediter
Owner/Operator
Before I matured, I used truck stops almost exclusively...now other then a shower which I usually pay for at ANY convenient TS....I avoid them like a bad habit...
 
paullud

paullud

Veteran Expediter
As far as the RV card I think the issue there is that the RV card doesn't give you showers. My truck stop of choice would be a Flying J or Petro but there are some nice TA's.

Posted with my Droid EO Forum App
 
fastman_1

fastman_1

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
I only use a truck stop for a shower, anything else I use everything else out there.
 
chefdennis

chefdennis

Veteran Expediter
I split time between Wal-marts and TS's just depends on my mood...if i feel like interacting with others, then i'll head for the TS's, if i just want time in the van, and rest, its Wal-marts or Home Depots..or most any bg box store...

Loyality to one brand is hard...I was a "J" tourist until the buyout...then I switched to TA and I loved their showers, even bought the same shower head so i could "change ot" the places that didn't have that head if i had to go somewhere other then a TA...but then, I started using the fuel card issued by my carrier because of the discounts we get, and TA doesn't except it. So now it is the "J" and Pilots...one thing i can say ...the new promotion at the Pilots, "the best shower on the road"...they can stop it anytime...they are still no where close to the quality of the TA showers...and the cheapskates cut back to 1 towel since the buyout also....
 
Turtle

Turtle

Administrator
Staff member
Retired Expediter
Never had any problem getting a second towel at a Pilot. Just ask, and a second towel will be cheerfully provided, at least that's been my experience.

I used to prefer the J, but now they're just a Pilot with lipstick. Never been a big fan of Pilots, 'cause they're whole attitude is "get fuel, buy something in the store, then get moving." Not a lot of decent parking there for vans.

I prefer the TA, for their showers, and the fact that they've bent over backwards for us expediters, even going so far as in most locations marking the Expediter parking spaces with a big "E" in the middle of them. How kewl is that?
 
chefdennis

chefdennis

Veteran Expediter
Turtle wrote:

Never had any problem getting a second towel at a Pilot. Just ask, and a second towel will be cheerfully provided, at least that's been my experience.
Click to expand...

You know I have never taken the step to ask, thats my bad..but there really isn't any reason to have to do so..yea i know its about the corporate buttom loine...so be it..

I used to prefer the J, but now they're just a Pilot with lipstick. Never been a big fan of Pilots, 'cause they're whole attitude is "get fuel, buy something in the store, then get moving." Not a lot of decent parking there for vans.
Click to expand...

I am with you there...I buy my gas there and few candy bars, and move on down the road. i'll stay at the "J", but they just aren't what they once were...sad...If only TA would work with Load 1 to get their business...

I prefer the TA, for their showers, and the fact that they've bent over backwards for us expediters, even going so far as in most locations marking the Expediter parking spaces with a big "E" in the middle of them. How kewl is that?
Click to expand...

After the "Expediters Ultra" card came out, they did a great job and they continue to do so...as I said, if only they would work with Load 1 to get their business, Id be back there in a heartbeat...
 
cheri1122

cheri1122

Veteran Expediter
Driver
Pilot has coffee worth getting up for. [The Hook is supposed to have it too, but I don't think the employees are real picky about which kind they put in the urn.]
Flying J has cheaper laundry facilities, and trees.
WalMart has groceries and more stuff and lower prices.
All depends on what you're looking for each time.
Right now, I'm between Meijer & Home Depot, happy as a bug in a rug. :)
 
ebsprintin

ebsprintin

Veteran Expediter
Walmart and the public library. Rarely the truckstop, and sometimes even if I sleep at one, I'll leave without even touching the ground.

Doing a search for UltraOne and "Fleet One"; it returns more comments on different card programs. There was one thread from when Lawrence was helping to set up one of the programs, but I can't remember where it was.

eb
 
cheri1122

cheri1122

Veteran Expediter
Driver
Using the shop @ TA is just as aggravating as the rewards card: they need all the info on you and the vehicle [engine brand/size. license plate, last 8 of the VIN, etc] even if you just want new wiper blades! They can't write it up without all the info, and they aren't connected to each other, so you have to repeat it for every different shop.
Stupid. :mad:
 
mcavoy33

mcavoy33

Seasoned Expediter
OntarioVanMan said:
Before I matured, I used truck stops almost exclusively...now other then a shower which I usually pay for at ANY convenient TS....I avoid them like a bad habit...
Click to expand...

ebsprintin said:
Walmart and the public library. Rarely the truckstop, and sometimes even if I sleep at one, I'll leave without even touching the ground.
eb
Click to expand...

phone posting sucks, I knew I forgot to ask a question about those that don't frequent truck stops, where do you fuel up, any gas station that is convenient or do you have a general plan that you follow?
 
Turtle

Turtle

Administrator
Staff member
Retired Expediter
mcavoy33 said:
what if I don't want showers and I want to know where / why people buy their fuel at a location other than for shower purposes?
Click to expand...
Since this thread is about favorite truck stops and loyalty programs, my recommendation would be to start a new thread with the topic of "Non-truck Stop Fueling Locations for Vanners" or something like that.
 
OntarioVanMan

OntarioVanMan

Retired Expediter
Owner/Operator
mcavoy33 said:
phone posting sucks, I knew I forgot to ask a question about those that don't frequent truck stops, where do you fuel up, any gas station that is convenient or do you have a general plan that you follow?
Click to expand...

Speedway/SuperAmerica...the rewards program is pretty good and the fuel has been fine so far....Coffee is good...is owned by Marathon...
 
OntarioVanMan

OntarioVanMan

Retired Expediter
Owner/Operator
Dakota said:
Yeah those 50 and 100 dollar gift cards add up fast:)
Click to expand...
depending on how much I am in the right states and such..about 3 months or so I cash in for a $25 gift card....not counting the free coffees and stuff like that....
Some of the SA's in Minnesota also have showers, not fancy but it is water and sometimes even 10G you get weasel one out of the clerk and BYOT as well...
 
Dakota

Dakota

Veteran Expediter
OntarioVanMan said:
depending on how much I am in the right states and such..about 3 months or so I cash in for a $25 gift card....not counting the free coffees and stuff like that....
Some of the SA's in Minnesota also have showers, not fancy but it is water and sometimes even 10G you get weasel one out of the clerk and BYOT as well...
Click to expand...

I believe the true cash cards cost more points, but you can actually get food cards for drinks and food for less points
it's really a good deal.
too bad the Marathon and Pilots aren't on the same point system, sincethey are all owned by the same company
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top