(Updated January 5, 2023)
Consumer Reports is quick to tell us, “If it sounds too good to be true – it probably is.” So it was with that in mind that we heard the news that a new card fuel “discount” program could save you money. People were doing the social-media screaming about saving as much as 30, 50, even 75 cents a gallon when buying diesel fuel. Sure, it sounded pretty good, but where’s the catch, we wondered.
So what’s the plan all about?
The plan, called the Open Roads Fuel Program (formerly the TSD RV Fuel Program,) is brought to you by a trucking company out of Texas. Here’s the gig: TSD Logistics had a fleet of big rigs, and they negotiated with many truck stop companies to get a discount on their fleet fuel. Of course, the more they bought, the greater the discounts would be.
Now, how can you buy more fuel without increasing your investment in trucks and drivers? Somebody had a “light bulb” moment and said, why not invite RVers to become sort of a part of the fleet? Let them buy their RV fuel using company cards, then just tap their bank accounts like you would a debit card transaction. And to sweeten the deal for the trucking company, keep 10 percent of the discount the RVer received.
We checked into the matter. The biggest problem that popped up – at least in the minds of those who refused to sign up – was that the company asked for the social security number of the applicant. The explanation was that if you somehow pumped up on fuel, then skipped out on your bank, they’d be left with your most recent charge. TSD Logistics wanted the social security number to effectively run down anybody who stiffed them. In this day and age, we can understand a concern for keeping that social security number close to the vest. That’s a consideration any potential member will have to decide for themselves.
But in practice, how do you know how much money you’ll spend if you use the system? Users download a free app for iPad or Android, and it not only provides an updated directory of prices for all truck stops in the network, if you like you can enter “to” and “from” locations and the app will map out a route, and conveniently post prices at all affiliated stops along the way. We eagerly downloaded the app, but, oops, you’ve got to have a card to make the information appear.
Does it really work?
We decided to bite the bullet and apply for one of these cards. The online app is a quick fill-out. Yes, it requires your social security number and bank account information. You’re given an option of “speeding up” the process: For a $20 fee, your application will be processed and your card put in the mail in 48 hours. For an additional $50 (a total of $70) your application will get processed in 48 hours, and then sent out overnight express. We opted to go the “free” route. A few days after submitting our application we got a phone call verifying our information. A couple of weeks after that, our card arrived via first class mail.
We hung onto the Open Roads card and saved our first use for a trip from Quartzsite over to the Los Angeles area for a conference. We filled up at the local Love’s truck stop. We pumped 18.72 gallons to fill up the tow rig. The posted “cash price” was $3.09; that’s what our receipt from the fuel desk showed. But the transaction detail information provided us through our app said we actually paid $2.521 per gallon – a fact we verified the next day with our bank records. So, taking into account the “10 percent of savings” fee taken out by TSD Logistics, we saved more than 57 cents a gallon, almost 23 percent off the pump price.
Would it hold up? We fueled up on the way to LA in Coachella, California – once going over, and once on the return leg. Here the savings weren’t so grand. In the two fuel stops we were discounted an average of 36.5 cents per gallon. Based on the cash price at the pump, this worked out to about an 11 percent savings. Not as great as back in Quartzsite, but hey, nothing to sneeze at.
Can you save more “shopping around”?
Mind you, these “cost savings” figures are based on how much of a discount you receive at the pump – not a comparison to what you would have paid if you’d shopped around elsewhere in the area. So we did a “trip on paper” to see just how much money we would save if we took our rig and drove to one of our summer visiting spots – Olympia, Washington. We logged in our typical fuel stop towns, used our rig’s average fuel economy for a basis, and figured out what we’d pay using the Open Roads card versus what we’d pay if we shopped around. Here’s how it worked out.
On a one-way trip from Quartzsite, Arizona, to Olympia, Washington, we used our usual route, which swung us up north into Las Vegas, through Ely and Wells, Nevada, into and across Oregon, then following the Columbia River west into the Portland area, and north up the I-5 into Olympia.
Total miles: 1376
Total gallons fuel: 131.1
Discount price paid throughout trip with Open Roads card: $325.90
Price paid by shopping around, NOT using “Cash Only” pumps: $391.12.
Savings by using Open Roads card: $65.22, or close to 20 percent less.
Mind you, the apparent discount prices in Oregon look very attractive. But the app is showing the “big truck” price – and in Oregon, “light class” pickups and motorhomes will pay 36 cents more per gallon in fuel tax. We calculated that into our figures.
All in all, we’d save $130 on a round-trip. Mind you, we’re relative “fuel sippers,” averaging 10.5 miles per gallon. If we drove one of those fuel-guzzling motorhomes, we can only imagine how much more we’d save. Motorhomers – Please don’t sent us hate mail! Those big old Class A’s are nice – just out of our price range!
Real world observations
Aside from waiting for a seemingly long time to get our card in the mail, we haven’t found any real hitches in the application process. We have found that if you’re in a hurry on the road, you’ll no doubt find your frustration tolerance tested using the Open Roads card. How so? YOU MUST fuel up your rig at the “big truck” lanes, or you’ll see no discount on price. Pumping on the Love’s RV lanes also forfeits the discount. So expect you’ll need to figure setting aside 15 to 20 minutes to fill up when you pull into the truck lanes and wait your turn with the big boys.
If you’ve never filled in a truck lane, there are a few hoops you’ll need to get used to. Aside from waiting for your turn, when you get to the pump you’ll be asked to swipe your card, and enter a “control number.” Don’t forget that number and your PIN code (they are different, and the latter is used to log into the app). Then you’ll need to select “tractor” fuel; you’ll likely be asked if you want to purchase DEF and/or other products. Don’t hit “cancel,” hit “skip” or “no” as appropriate. If you’re pumping into a pickup, you’ll need to make sure your fuel port for the pump nozzle is a “big one.” If you can only fill your pickup with the standard nozzle on a car island, you’re out of business here – the fuel pumps on the truck islands dispense at a fast rate and use a bigger nozzle.
We’ve found that pumping into a pickup tank with a bigger nozzle can be a messy business. You’ll not likely be able to fill at a full-blast rate. In fact, you’ll likely be stuck holding the lever open by hand and gingerly pumping fuel in. Meanwhile, you’ll likely find a fine spray of diesel fuel peppers your hands (and your clothing if you stand too close). Take along a pair of work gloves. Filling up should take maybe a little less time than at the little car lane, but largely because you have to fuss with the nozzle.
And a note on etiquette: At least at Love’s, you’ll need to go inside to the fuel desk if you want a receipt. Don’t make the mistake of leaving your rig in front of the fuel pump while you handle the inside work. PULL AHEAD like the big boys do, take your keys and go inside. That’ll let that busy working man in a Peterbilt behind you get up to the pump and get started on his fueling.
And another word: Love’s offers a flat 30 cent discount. But we’ve found even larger discounts at other brands in the network. On a road trip we saved 71 cents a gallon at a TA truck stop. Using the Open Roads fuel app on your phone or tablet, you’ll be able to see prices at any participating station.
If you get stuck in an area and need fuel but there aren’t any truck stops in the network, we’re told that out-of-network stops will accept the Open Roads card, but you’ll pay full pump price. This DOESN’T apply to Pilot/Flying J–the Open Roads card doesn’t work at these stops at all. Do beware: Some stops will charge a 65-cent transaction fee–this isn’t from Open Roads, but the fuel network system.
And here’s a self-serving pitch: If you decide to apply for the program, you’ll find a “referred by” question. If you put down Russell DeMaris as your referral, then when you’ve saved $500 using the program, we’ll see a $25 credit on our account. Of course, the same works for you: If you sign up for the program and “draft” all your friends, you, too, can see big discounts accrue! Here’s the link to the application. Just want more information about the program? Follow this link.
Revision note: Updated information regarding program name, participating stations, and associated fees. 1/5/2023
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I have found Love’s is usually more expensive than Pilot. Is the discount at Love’s sufficiently larger than at Pilot to make Love’s cheaper after discount?
Yes. Last time I fueled at Loves in upstate NY, the diesel price out front was 3.14. It was 3.09 in the truck lanes. I fueled and the pump showed a total of 81.00. When done check the EFS app to see what your price was. I was charged 2.42 a gallon for a total price of 64 and change. Discount was .67 a gallon of which when actually debited by TSD my discount was .60 a gallon as they take 10% of the discount for running the program.
TSD has a facebook group which has a lot of information and also watch the youtube video from changing lanes on diesel fueling as they also detail the program.
Yes. On a recent trip through Alabama, I found close to a $0.35 per gallon difference between Pilot and Loves. Loves has consistently shown a better price to me using the TSD card than Pilot does. The TSD card is a better deal at Pilot than using the Good Sam discount as well
Right now Loves is .10 cheaper than Pilot using the TDS card here in central Florida, I prefer Loves over Fly J and Pilot
Substantially. We started using Love’s instead of Flying J.
Yes, Love’s is much cheaper using the TDS card. I have the Pilot/Flying J RV fuel card also, the most you get from them is .08- .14 cents off. Using the TDS card at Pilot/Flying J is cheaper than that & much more cheaper at Love’s. I talked to a TDS Logistics driver at a Love’s one time. He stated that all of their routes are based on Love’s locations. On the rare occassion that a route is not close enough, they have to call in to go to a TA. Pilot/Flying J.
Yes
I signed up for the card and have yet to travel to use it. I can’t wait to enjoy the savings. Thank you for the great article. The folks worried about security of their bank account you can do as other and I did. Have your chosen bank or credit union set up a separate account and transfer funds as you buy fuel; so that there is just enough for the purchases as you make them.
Everyone here is right! Per TSD and the TSD Facebook group, Loves gives TSD the biggest discount. Sometimes it’s only a few cents, often times more. Depends on time of year and area :^)
We live full-time in our 40′ class A diesel pusher motor home towing a Jeep Wrangler. We signed up for the TSD Logistics RV Fuel Program in September 2019. Using the card the been a game changer for us when it comes to finding the least expensive locations to fill up.
I am frugal by nature. Filling up a truck stops was usually the easiest because we were almost guaranteed the best ingress and egress to the fuel pumps, large driving lanes, and didn’t have to take into consideration our towed vehicle. However, truck stops were rarely the most cost effective solution. Prior to getting the card, I would use Gas Buddy to find inexpensive stations with diesel and identify a few options, I would use Google Street View to look at the stations to eliminate the ones that weren’t viable. After arriving at our destination and setting up, I would drive our tow vehicle to and through the fuel stations to see if we could get the motor home in and if the tow vehicle could already be hooked up or if we would have to hook up afterward filling up.
Since signing up for fuel program, I use the app (EFS CardControl) the author mentioned, find the least expensive truck stops along our route and just fill up at those locations. The Love’s Travel Stops have always been the least expensive to date. If you have the loyalty cards from Love’s or Pilot/Flying J, the information from the fuel card that TSD Logistics provides can be loaded directly into the Android and iPhone apps from Love’s and Pilot/Flying J and you can unlock the pumps using the app on your phone. The non-discounted receipt from Love’s and Pilot/Flying J will appear in their respective apps so there is no need to go inside a get a printed receipt. However, to see the real price paid and the related savings you need to look at the electronic receipt that appears in the EFS CardControl app. No more having to go inside.
Since getting the card, the $/gallon we have paid at the truck stops has always been lower than any of the non-truck stop fueling stations that we used to go to. The only downside to using the card for us is that sometimes we have finished filling up before the semi-truck that pulled forward before us has left so we have to sit at the pump and wait for the semi-truck to move before we can leave.
I recommend the TSD Logistics RV Fuel Program to almost every diesel RVer I meet and talk with.
For us Gas engine class A rv’ers is there any good program for Gas Discounts, just wondering/asking. Have a great day n thanks.
We joined the TSD program a year ago and have had the same experience as you. We now don’t leave home without it. The least amount of discounts we consistently experience is at Pilot truck stops.
I’ve never quite figured diesel fuel for non-commercial uses. The cost of maintenance (and any repairs etc etc) of any diesel is outrageous compared to gasoline, and no matter how careful you may be with this fuel both you and the rig smell like a gas stop all the time.
You probably have guessed I’m no fan of this foul carcinogen , therefore do not have problems spending any part of my travels worrying about where the cheapest fill-up is, waiting in line among a bunch of other stinking rigs, and forever fretting whether that prized social security number one day may fall into the hands of the unscrupulous.
Under no circumstances would I ever give up that number to anyone. For “Why” I refer you to any of hundreds (maybe thousands) of folks every year who’ve had their identities stolen, and their lives altered forever.
No savings at any diesel or gas pump, no matter how great, would I exchange for my precious social security number!
Do you file income taxes? We had ours stolen when IRS got hacked several years ago. We now have to file our income taxes using a PIN number sent to us by the IRS every year before tax season. You can minimize the risk by using 2 factor-authentication on shopping/credit card/banking/investment accounts and a VPN number when you travel. We use the truck stops and find most of them pretty clean. On car trips we use truck stop restrooms as they are cleaner than gas station or rest stop bathrooms.
You’ve given your SSN to every doctor and dentist you use, if you are using insurance (and likely even if you don’t). I would trust those providers far less than most places that have my personal information.
Sorry to burst your bubble Will B. but not in Canada. There is nowhere in the great country of Canada (with it’s deficit of camp sites-lol) you are mandated to provided your government identify other than Police and the courts. Most folks do not know this and give it up easily at their peril..
Police and courts??? In the past I never gave the SIN to them, do not get into trouble now, so I dunno. BUT, you have to give it to banks to open an account, any monetary documents and employers, all for dreaded Income Tax purposes.
Gee Alvin, neither I nor my truck smell like a “gas stop”. You must have done something wrong when YOU were pumping diesel. Perish the thought that we may have to spend ANY time amongst those drivers who haul everything you buy, eat, and wear! Having a bad day, Alvin?
Tommy I’d have to smell you to agree -and I pass. hahahahah!
Haters love to hate.
Not a hater at all Darrel. I do not like haters or people who call those they disagree with haters. In fact quite the opposite. Just making a comment based on many many years in the automotive trade dealing with customers , diesel and gas.
Sorry that really swell folks like Tommy and you think of me negatively. I’m actually a very positive but practical person. Hey ya all have a great day.
You forgot you also deal with the “…Police and the courts” 😉
You’re about to hit the jackpot, Russ. I found out about this program several months ago, and after trying the card, enthusiastically recommended it on the Country Coach FaceBook forums, and BIG RIG RV Group. Quite a few folks there listed me as their referral, and a month or so later I started getting the $25 credits. Enough that I got a free fill-up (and in my coach, that’s a bunch of fuel). And I still have a bit of credit to go.
So yes – you want to get one of the best deals in RV Land? Get TSD’s card, and become a discount-diesel trucker! It may be too good to be true but in this case, it IS!
I am with Darrel, any programs for gas?
No. It’s a trucking company, so diesel only at the truck lanes.
GasBuddy is a nation wide saving plans. works for ALL fuels. It shows pieces that have been reported by members. Very nice app, easy to use. The also recently started a “Pay with gas buddy” program, linked to a bank account it works like the TSD card. as it gives you a receipt for the pump purchase and then discount is handled when they debit your account , usually in a day or two. Ive been using GasBuddy since 2010 and have been using the Pay with GasBuddy now for about a year, LOVE it . If you want to try it out I can send a referral number I get a extra discount, Otherwise Travel save
I signed up about 6-months ago and LOVE IT.
1-My co-pilot can easily compare prices from Loves, TA & Pilot/Flying J and route me to the least expensive one.
2-The cost difference between what is posted and what you are charged is significant..it is well worth the time to apply.
Use the Loves app. No card swiping or invoice chasing. All done thru app. When you enter pump number and pin just get out, fill up, and drive off. Receipt will come up in the app.
We too have been using the TSD card for several months. We Just completed a 3000 mile trip and saved a little over $300.00 all at Loves. Tried on TA but the problem is you have to go inside as the pump will ask for an ICC or DOT number so it prolongs the fuel stop. I cant believe how short a time it takes to get fueled and get back on the road as compared to the days of guessing how much fuel you need and making two trips to fuel desk. No more waiting for @17 to get his shower ticket. Fuel and Go.
Most truck stops use biodiesel. I drive a Mercedes Sprinter which needs 5% or less biodiesel.
That all depends on where you are. There’s none of that stuff out here in NV.
The TSD Logistics fuel program is a real winner. We save an average of 41 cents per gallon on our recent 3000 mile voyage.
Signed up in December. Did not give them our ssn numbers. They never called me and sent the card out within a couple of days. Let them call you, if they need it, and you can supply over the phone. (Ps….several years ago the IRS got hacked. We were one of the victims, so have to file our income taxes with a PIN number that is mailed to us every year. Need to go completely off grid with everything to avoid info being stolen). Why we use 2 factor authentication on every thing online). Also get the Love’s app. You can activate the pump from your phone before you get out of the coach. And you don’t need to go inside to get a receipt, it shows up immediately in the app and they send you an email. It is the pump price. Then go to the EFS app and you can immediately see the discount charge. Next day (or 2 if weekend or holiday) you will get email from TSD with the transaction info including 10% fee on savings & what they withdrew from your checking account. As far as taking a long time to get fueled, that has only happened to us on rare occasions. Most of the time there are empty lanes or we wait behind one truck. The fill is so much faster than how gas fills, even with our 100 gallon tank doesn’t take long. Also, the comment about smell & dirty. Most of the truck stops are pretty clean outside and in. In fact, if we take a car trip, we now stop at truck stops to use their restrooms. We are just returning from our trip from CA to Fl. Trip out we saved $150 and that is with a small savings in California. Yesterday we filled at a Loves in Mississippi, the discounted price before fee was $1.93. Posted price was $2.59. We were using Good Sam’s Flying J program but no more. One more thought. We make this trip every year so used same Flying J stops, so knew ins and outs. When picking a new truck stop we use Google Earth to check getting in and out and the layout. Some of the older truck stops can be tight….hard to believe….and also what lanes to avoid to facilitate getting out. We do not want to be a boulder for the truckers who are doing their jobs and are on a time schedule. Also, majority are very friendly and many comment on our rig, where we going and that they would love to do what we do someday. There is a thread on RVforum.net if you want more info. Or just call TSD, they are so friendly and helpful. When you sign up you get a list of all the numbers/email addresses, even the CFO.
Russ, we just used ours for the first time at Loves at Yuma on our way back to Casa Grande AZ from Mexico. Pump price was $3.10 / gallon and after we looked at the app and our bank acct online found we actually paid $2.32 / gallon. ($.78 per gallon savings!) One other thing — we — like others opened a new separate checking account for the EFS debit card to work with. This way it’s not connected to our regular checking account. We just periodically transfer $300 or so from our regular checking acct to this new account. TIP: ALLY Bank (online) has a free interest bearing checking account with mobile apps to help you make the transfers from your phone. We full time in a class A and we LOVE this program!
Russ & Tina, Thank you for the research. The savings are attractive; even though, the saving percentages you quoted are wrong. The percentages you quoted are the markup from cost to pump price. The discount percentages from the pump prices are 18.4% and 16.7%, respectively. I avoid Pilot/Flying J as their posted diesel prices are always $.50 higher than their competitors, at least between Colorado and Texas.
Well that’s just odd… because north of you in Montana Pilot is about $.20 cheaper than all listed Gas Buddy diesel prices in/around Missoula… 2nd only to Loves which is $.07 cheaper than Pilot and TA. Have found the same in my extensive travels to California (retired and moved from last summer), Oregon, Idaho and Arizona…
Just used Gas Buddy and TSD app. In Denver, cheapest diesel on GB is $2.35 on Green Valley Ranch Blvd. TSD shows 3 TA truck stops at $2.07, $2.08 and $2.10. Outside of town a Loves at $2.03. So $.32 savings EVERY gallon in Colorado’s biggest city. I can do Texas next :^)
I’ve used the TDS card now 4 times in 2 mos, heading to & from a Tiffin rally in Sarasota, FL. I’ve saved $149.39 on this trip. The cheapest last week was Loves’s # 595 in Gulfport, MS, we paid $2.06 a gallon. I’ve researched our trip back to Texas, and Love’s in Lake Charles, has the cheapest so far at $1.93 a gallon! Thanks TDS Logistics for the invite to all RVers.
The people using negative assumptions here based on zero facts refuse to read great and factual posts like this…
I’m sure my day is coming, but so far I haven’t had to wait in line for fuel. As for the nozzle issue I’ve found that using the low ‘stop’ on the pump handle usually eliminates any problems and still fills at a rate faster than the auto lanes for diesel.
I was wondering when this program was going to make your newsletter.
On the TSD website, in one place it says TSD requires a US Bank Account with US Currency and below that it says we now accept Canadian Bank Accounts. All you can do is try eh!
You missed a couple of things. If you download the Love’s app, you do not need to swipe your card and enter a PIN &/or a control number. The app will start the pump. And unlike a regular credit card, the pump won’t shut off at $75 or $100. It will keep pumping until a large fuel tank is full. Great program!
What happens in AZ when there is a big jump in price when you fuel up at the big boy’s pumps. Taxes go up over 26,000 pounds and 3or more axles, but the pump doesn’t recognize your little old pickup.
As long as TSD Logistics is standing, huge trucking company in Texas, and this program is running, that absolutely won’t happen… Last October I ran my TSD app for my buddy in Prescott Valley, i also used Gas Buddy to comparison shop diesel. Showed him he could save $.48 a gallon from the cheapest listed diesel in Prescott Valley.
We’ve noticed that we can use the TSD Logistics card at the Pacific Pride and CFN self-fill stations and still get a nice discount. Keeps us from having to stick to the truck stops and they are located in many smaller towns.
Now THAT’S news we can use!
Wow, last I checked about 5 months ago, Pacific Pride wasn’t part of the program, that’s huge! At least on the west coast.
I’m interested in the TSD RV Fuel Program.
Would someone check, on the app if the
Jane Lew truckstop,
Hackers Valley Rd,
Jane Lew, WV participates?
We usually top off here on our return trips.
Thank you!
I find in my travels Love’s and Pilot have by far the most EXPENSIVE diesel prices of any trip I have taken… typically 30 to 50 cents more than Murphy, Marathon, Shell (especially the cash price) etc. I always wondered how they could stay so busy but it makes sense that they are offering discounts to truckers. Also, because of the big lots and lots of space at the pumps it’s easy for RV owners to negotiate. But I’m not sold. I’ll stick with Murphy and negotiate the tighter turns in my 35 ft travel trailer, and just smile when I pass the Pilot with ten bucks more in my pocket!
Whereas in CA, Shell and Exxon are by far the most expensive. I smile when I research diesel around me, Loves is almost always the cheapest then I save an average of 20-30% on a fill up which is a LOT more than a $10 bill in my pocket… 😘
Gas Buddy does the same thing and does not ask for your Social Security Account Number. FYI – they can’t possibly track someone down using the SSAN. There is no mechanism for this at all. Possibly using the driver license number, with police cooperation, an individual MIGHT be found, but definitely not with the SSAN. The SSAN card can’t even be used as an ID card. Because of this requirement, I would classify this as a potential scam, used to grab personal information for other nefarious reasons.
What do you mean Gas Buddy does the same thing?
yeh……what are you going to get scammed out of. Giving you free money? Any account you use for this should be funded for the amount of fuel you anticipate using and no more. If you need more funds, transfer the dollars online.
Not sure about the tracking you down part but your bank accounts, credit card, drivers license and credit reporting companies all have it.
I’ll be nice here… Tom, if you spent 10 minutes reading TSD’s program, they’re a huge and legit trucking company in Texas. Then you’d realize there’s a Facebook group for the thousands of RVrs using their program, MANY of us current and retired cops. You’re paranoia constitutionalist is attitude is completely based off zero facts and all assumption on your part. As a cop, I don’t even give my SS# to doctors and their staff. They don’t need it. I did my research and due diligence and have been enjoying deep discounts on fuel all over the west coast and Midwest the past year.
Gas buddy absolutely doesn’t do the same thing… it shows you the lowest prices. For California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Wyoming and Montana, this is Loves, TA or Pilot. Then you get anywhere (in my year long experiences) from $.20 to $1.00 off using the TSD card. Again, google and facts are your friend.
I’ve been using the system for a year. Pulling a 41′ 5er with a long bed dually I’ve always used the truck stops. Now I’m saving along with the convenience and safety with large lots and pump islands. The discount is off the cash rice as well. Ford fills for a long time have accepted the larger nozzles and work fine on the medium setting, same for every auxiliary tank I’ve seen. Need a name as a referral, use John Rakoci. No gas is available at truck islands
I hate to complain about a good thing but I dropped this nugget on you guys several months ago and never heard back from you so I sent it in again still no reply. Russ says use his name but unless he was already working on the story that isn’t fair to me, but there again i’ve not heard a peep from anyone on the staff about my tip.
James Copeland, we heard from a lot of people about this. I have no idea if you were the first. Russ did not write this until I asked him to based on the many people who had written us suggesting we check it out. We didn’t intentionally slight you, but I apologize for not at least getting back to you thanking you for the tip. We get a LOT of mail every day, and it gets overwhelming at times and I know we forget to thank everyone for their input. I know I spend a lot of time thanking people and yet I never get through all my mail. — Chuck/editor
That sounds like a lot of hassle to use. I just use the app GetUpside and while it doesn’t work in the northeast, it does in the Southeast in most major cities I pass through. Last year I was seeing up to .28 cents rebate back per gallon by just logging in, seeing if the stations around me are offering any deals through this app, claiming an offer I see if it is along my route and worth while, go there, pump my diesel, scan my receipt and voila’ I am done and the cash back appears in my account to cash in whenever I want it.
I would get a referral bonus too, but I won’t worry about it.
I drive mostly motor homes for Horizon Transport to make a little money on the side, and they give us one of these EFS cards. I get paid through this card, and it does the fuel discount for diesel. Unfortunately for me I drive gas vehicle’s most of the time, so I don’t get a discount. The card number got stolen by a skimmer and a lot of money got stolen from it. The fraud department did eventually pay me back and get me a new card, but it happened WAY slower than it would have with my bank. I try to not use this card unless I absolutely have to now.
If anyone would like to get one of these cards and you don’t want to link your bank account, you could work for Horizon Transport. All you have to do to maintain employment is deliver one unit every 30 days. Please if you do apply give them my driver number (8914) as a referral…(I get a little extra money for referrals 😜).
DO NOT GIVE UP YOUR SSAN FOR THIS. Just don’t do it.
It’s an amazing program. I’ve had the card for about 6 months. Some people say it’s a hassle, it’s not! The lady at TSD that runs the program is super nice. If finding the best deep discounts on fuel is a hassle for you, you don’t need discounts lol. The app for the card can do routes and show you which stations are along the way and the recent diesel price. It’s really easy to use. I tow with my 2001 Dodge and have had zero issue with the large nozzles in my gas tank (joke inserted here…) or spray, only when I start to get close to the top I slow down with the pour.
I don’t care how much money it saves…If they want a SS number, that’s a big NO for me. There are so many companies being hacked these days that it is not even funny. After I read that, I did not even finish reading the article…I’m done.
Your SSN is all over the dark web. The cat is out of the bag on hundreds of millions of people. I just applied, without any fear.
I guess we will have to agree to dis-agree respectfully on this one….I am not about to make it easier on hackers by just adding more and more information out there for them. Many use FB and post just about their entire lives out there. I’ll never understand that one either. And again respectfully, answering survey after survey also builds your personal profile. You may well be correct on millions of people that have exposed records. Those that take care of their personal information are probably less likely to be in that group. Not to say that it can’t happen. But why just give out your information to everybody? Once again, respectfully…The more you keep this information to yourself, the better off you are. If not, it’s just a matter of time.
Just curious what debit /credit card you have where you didn’t have to give them some personal information. We were with Wells Fargo for a long time and they were opening up fraudulent accounts without their customer’s knowledge. There was a gas station company in FL that just got hacked and lost info on 30 million customers. So, haven’t heard of TSD doing either of these.
have to agree if you think you SSN is safe you are not watching the news, or seeing stories in the paper.. with the card you can be saving hundreds of dollars on fuel. If you are so fearful, do a credit freeze on your credit files. this is the ONLY way to guarantee your info is safe as it can be. In this day and age of breaches it a good idea anyway.. https://clark.com/credit/credit-freeze-and-thaw-guide/
I have found the local Love’s and Pilot are generally 30 cents or more higher than other dealers. That said, the inconveniences you mention in addition to giving my SSN and banking information to someone I have no knowledge of, is out of the question. When we travel, finding low prices has rarely been a problem. Speedway, Raceway, Racetrak and others will usually accommodate our 40 footer with no difficulty. I have used truck stops with good prices and they have always been easy in and out. And, we can find truck stops with good prices, always lower than Pilot, Love’s, and Flying ‘J’. They are always inflated.
I checked TSD app and Gas Buddy for Raceway, Pine Grove, PA. For some reason, this is the only area where this is true. Without TSD, Loves and Pilot aren’t the most expensive but up there. On the West Coast, our Mobile and Exxon stations are outrageously expensive but not there. However, with TSD, Loves costs $2.65 a gallon for diesel. That’s the cheapest for all diesel per gas buddy and a $.58 a gallon off Loves listed price. So for this area (Only Raceway I found with a quick google search and lots of Speedways). Most other areas the TSD is not only cheapest but significantly. That’s okay though if you don’t like saving $$$. To each their own…
The Flying J / Pilot fuel discount is a joke! If you start with diesel prices that are 25 or 35 cents more per gallon then most in the area and then give an 8 cent discount per gallon? I have heard people say that the truck stops are convenient for them to fill up and some even say that they will pay those very high prices for that. Not me! I feel overcharged and taken advantage of.
Not the case on the west coast.
The 8 cent discount with the BadSam RV card is because Bad Sam is taking the rest of the discount for themselves out of YOUR payment to PFJ. Your receipt says you bought fuel… But 32 cents per gallon was being taken from your cash and given directly to BadSam. That’s why they screamed about this TSD program, it was directly reducing their cash flow.
BAD BAD BAD BADSAM!
Straight from TSD representative posted on the Facebook TSD Group! :
Good morning everyone. I know everyone is disappointed with the Pilot decision; however, they were only a small portion of what is being purchased through our program. I am disappointed as well, because we had approval from our representative at Pilot who is no longer there, but I understand that if they signed a contract they have to honor that contract.
We didn’t even have a discount with them until November, and even with that discount, they have never been the best price. Our other retailers have always been lower on their prices than Pilot. For those of you who still want to stop there, I encourage you to do so and use whatever discount card is available to you. We have always encouraged our customers to do a price check with all discount cards and apps to get the best price. We only want you to use our card if it helps you get the best rate.
The other truck stops continue to offer great discounts and we thank you for your continued support.
I do not believe it is in the best interest of anyone to continue to contact Good Sams and Pilot as I believe the decision has been made. I wish them well and have nothing bad to say about either. It is an unfortunate thing and live goes on.
We got one of their cards right before we flew to Idaho to pickup our Ram, to use on our drive home. First time we used it we saved $15 off the pump price. Fueled up in Oregon before crossing into Calif and saved even more. We expect to use it a lot once we begin our full time life when we retire, next year.
Is there a difference in the quality of the diesel fuel between the truckers and the regular pumps? We are supposed to use the very low sulfur diesel fuel in our Mercedes sprinter Class C.
There is only one grade of diesel in the entire USA. It’s all the same sludge.
No, there’s no difference. Some of the engines used in pickup trucks and commercial trucks use the same engines and Federal File regulations require the low sulfur fuel for all Diesel engines.
No difference in fuel. It probably comes from the same ground tank.
I recall a detailed article a couple years ago comparing national brands of diesel fuel. The main difference is in the cetane content which is similar to octane in gasoline. I don’t recall any difference in sulphur content. I do recall that the large truck stop brands had the bare minimum required cetane.
No difference (<15 ppm ultra low sulfur) except that the fuel is constantly rotated so you generally will never have bad fuel. At some of the smaller stations, fuel may not rotate for months at a time. Water condensation can build up. Fine rust particals can stir up.
Cetane is similar to octane on regular gas. You'll find ratings (if they post them) between 42 and 45. You can buy additives if you want to ensure your rating. A higher rating will increase HP and efficiecy albiet slightly.
More important is water in your fuel. Deisels won't like it. Make sure yo keep up with your filters regularly.
The same can be said of DEF. I rarely use the jugs that have been sitting on a shelf for no telling how long. DEF is generally good if manufactured, shipped, then stored out of direct sunlight and in cool conditions for approximately one year. There is an expiration on most boxes but there a a few brands without.
This program is a winner.. and I am thankful we found it. Our Cat 600 HP engine on our motorcoach gups fuel.. but with this card it is easier on the pocket book.. Our last trip from Fla to Mass fueling at Loves was the max discount. thank you TSD
Article/History of SS number – SSA.gov
https://www.ssa.gov/history/reports/ssnreportc2.html
We’ve had the TSD/EFS card for many month now, and used it a few times in our 8,000 mile maiden run last fall. However, we’ve found using the Gas Buddy app/Web page, gave us cheaper prices (even considering the TSD/EFS discounts) at convenience stores and discount gas/fueling stations. But these places often have poor access for big RV rigs. So a real trade off. We used Google Street View and Google Earth to preview the station, access and roads to/from them.
Interesting that the last comment on here is 1 year ago and all the rest are 2 years ago. If the program was extended to Canadians TSC could expand their share by 10%. However these companies require that you have a U.S. bank account which in today’s technological world makes no sense. I have a U.S. $ bank account in Canada and ebay/paypal have no issue in taking money direct from that account or from my Canadian $ account albeit I then pay the exchange rate. As well, I might not get the card simply because what you save at the truck stops is often overpriced compared to smaller brands of diesel. I do find the truck fueling lanes convenient with my fifth wheel but avoid them when possible.
After reading many comments it’s obvious that this article was initially published at least four years ago. I wonder how many referrals the author has benefited from as this information is not included. I’m not against helping anyone but I see this repost as a way to generate new referrals.