Question for dispatchers

Companies get fuel discounts with the big truck stops. Love's, Pilot, Flying J, etc... They generally send you a fuel solution which is basically the route they want you to take and the fuel stops they want you to utilize. This is based on fuel rates for the most part. That said, if you haven't kept your company up to date on your fuel levels (most company ELD systems have a macro for that), then they may not know your current fuel level. As the driver, if you don't think you have enough fuel to make it to your next fuel stop, then request a new fuel solution from your DM.

That said, I am SO GLAD I don't work for any of these crap megas anymore. I fuel where I want, when I want. I have a boss (the owner of the company) that actually trusts that I know how to get from point A to point B efficiently. Imagine that!

 

Cherish him, they are rare these days...

 

it might. You won’t know. Their software figures everything out, beyond the pump price. Pretty sure you can send in a macro or find somewhere on your tablet or whatever you use to update your fuel level. And what I used to do if I thought my fuel stop was no good was: fuel gauge shows 1/2…. I enter a message or macro stating that I have 3/8 tank of fuel…. From there I’m comfortable with my fuel stop.

 

Some truckstops give bigger discounts than others, even if they're part of the same chain. Or the discount might be the same but the pump price isn't.

If you have to fuel before your scheduled stop, they'll likely assign you to stop for a quick splash, like 10-25 gallons, just enough to get you to the one they want you to fill up at.

 

Call dispatch and tell them to "open" your fuel card and get fuel if you really need to. It will cost them far more to get the truck running again if you run it! Also, most companies send you to certain fuel stops on your route and they don't like too much when you don't utilize them. I just missed a few with Schneider and they were quick to let me know about it.

I suspect that with all of the idling going on, due to the high temps, lots of drivers aren't making their scheduled fuel stops.

 

Most carriers have a fuel card person. This is who you contact for getting a new one etc. This is not a subject I have first-hand knowledge about and can only go by what I have been told. Comdata and EFS et al are the ones generally that make deals with the truck stop chains about fuel prices and fees. They can do this because they can buy fuel in huge volumes across many carriers.

As to the OPs actual question. This crap is supposed to be covered during orientation. Some carriers will allow you to buy a limited amount of fuel "off-network" in emergencies and some WILL NOT! Most Fleet Managers can open a card in an emergency! Please don't yank a stupid and allow your tractor/reefer to run out of fuel. (redacted)-happens! If you find yourself in a bad situation MAKE THAT CALL!!!!!!!!

 

If you feel you can't make it. Call your fuel department. They'll rerun your opti-stops.

 

Trucking companies don’t pay anywhere near the price on the pump .
They get huge discounts based in how connected they are with the mafia.

most truck stops say they give discounts but then don’t , unless the trucking company is owned by the mafia .

some trucks top executives recently went to jail for it .