TSD Fuel Card

[saflyer]

1 hour ago, jacwjames said:

There is a big inconvenience using a CC, there are usually limits at the pump as to how much you can pump and/or how many times you can swipe a card. 

For me having options is a big draw on setting up either TSD or Mudflap, plus the quicker fill time. 

 

1 hour ago, birdshill123 said:

TSD has improved. More Loves listed and Maverick. There used to be many areas in the SW where TSD had no locations. I refuse to use any card that requires me to go inside and stand in line.

“Go inside and stand in line”. Twice!
 

And another gripe. I am convinced some convenience store chains don’t keep their pump printers stocked with paper or in operating condition so the customer has to go inside for a receipt increasing the chance they will buy something. If that happens to me twice at a location I don’t get gas there anymore.

[Twomed]

23 hours ago, Georgia Mike said:

A few years ago I pulled into a major truck stop and there wasn’t clear signage as to which way to go. I made a split second decision and went the wrong way into a dead end. I had to disconnect the car and had a heck of time getting out of there. From then on I always look at google maps to make sure I know the layout so it’s familiar to me when I get there.

Probably that new TA at Vero Beach...I did that and ended up at the shop.   Fortunately empty an the guys let me drive through.  Not well marked.  😬

[jacwjames]

FYI,

I went on line last week and signed up for both the Mudflap and TSD cards.

Part of TSD card requires you to link it to a bank account so that they can test auto pay function.  This took several days as they first do a deposit of two amounts, in my case $0.01 & $0.28.  Then they request that you acknowledge you recieved, another couple days.  Then they do a $0.29 withdrawal.  That gets you to the point where you can actually complete the application and they sent me a card.  I received it today and had to send an email request for it to be activated.  Once activated they assign it to the app, took a couple tries to get this done.  Finally shut off the phone and turned it back on it was on the app. 

All was pretty seamless. 

I'll take the coach for a drive next week and fill up at the nearest station about 20 miles away. 

Price at Sam's today was $3.45 so $3.27 with 5% card rebate.  Price at $3.67 posted, $3.23 with TSD plus fees.  Pretty close but could be a benefit depending on access and how far off the interstate either the Sam's or truck stop is and the speed of the fueling. 

[birdshill123]

Although the TSD card can save you money there are some problems.  If you preplan your routes and fuel stops the night before be aware that prices may change overnight. I do not know when TSD changes the prices in the app. Twice I have been gouged by Loves. Ended up paying more than the pump price as a particular Loves was no longer on the list. TA appears to be more stable. I do like that Maverick has been added to the available list.It is a shame that Flying J is a no go. This is due to Good Sam complaining. The Oracle of Omaha should pick his associates carefully.

[jacwjames]

In the past I would look for general area to get fuel, using GasBuddy.com I would find areas of lower prices and then as I'm driving decide which station has the easiest access and best price. 

When I'm driving to get from point A to point B I'll usually find a place to boon dock.  +50% of the time it will be a Walmart or Sam's and they usually have good prices.  On my last trip I stopped in Sulphur Springs TX which had a fuel station.  I didn't even try to fill up when I pulled in, way too crowded.  But in the AM I was up before the station opened and waited.  As soon as I saw people fueling I took advantage of the access and was able to easily get in and fuel.  Would not have been able to do that during rush hour. 

 

So having the flexibility of using either TSD or Mudflap will be nice and overall the prices look pretty good but I did notice that some station have as little as a $0.05 discount, needless to say my Sam's CC will be the best option. 

[Bobkat11208]

Been following this and just wanted to add our 2 cents.  We've used Open Roads exclusively the last 5 years; fueling primarily at Loves due to the easy in/easy out for our 40' rig.  We typically and regularly save, after transaction fees/"other pounds of flesh" 🙂 between 15-20% off the posted pump price.  Just this morning got our Settlement record and verified 20.4% difference for a fuel stop in Northern Alabama.  We got 45 gals/$196 pump price, price & I paid was $158.  It is just one less thing to worry about for us. As with all things-YMMV.  

[tmw188]

On 4/26/2024 at 3:17 PM, jacwjames said:

FYI,

I went on line last week and signed up for both the Mudflap and TSD cards.

Part of TSD card requires you to link it to a bank account so that they can test auto pay function.  This took several days as they first do a deposit of two amounts, in my case $0.01 & $0.28.  Then they request that you acknowledge you recieved, another couple days.  Then they do a $0.29 withdrawal.  That gets you to the point where you can actually complete the application and they sent me a card.  I received it today and had to send an email request for it to be activated.  Once activated they assign it to the app, took a couple tries to get this done.  Finally shut off the phone and turned it back on it was on the app. 

All was pretty seamless. 

I'll take the coach for a drive next week and fill up at the nearest station about 20 miles away. 

Price at Sam's today was $3.45 so $3.27 with 5% card rebate.  Price at $3.67 posted, $3.23 with TSD plus fees.  Pretty close but could be a benefit depending on access and how far off the interstate either the Sam's or truck stop is and the speed of the fueling. 

Yeah that’s the big plus with the TSD is the diesel fuel lanes. I have Mudflap never used it yet. Never a problem with TSD except a small learning curve on how to use it. There are quite a few YouTube videos on how to do it. They are good about getting back to you if you have any concerns or questions.

[Venturer]

We just returned to WI for the summer. 2200 miles with 4 fuel stops at TA Truck Stops. It's so easy to fill without going inside and easy in and out with ample parking for our 63'. My fuel cost averaged $3.38/gallon with the TSD/Open Roads card. Add to that the convenience and availability, it's a no brainer for me. We keep $2,000 to $4,000 in that checking account for fuel and other expenses at our AZ home. No issues in 4 years.

Edit: The average discount was $.38, and the highest was $.78/gallon

 

Edited May 7 by Venturer

[jacwjames]

So I finally got a chance to take the rig out for a shake down drive prior to my wife leaving next week for a ~2 month trip.  Wanted to check everything and all seems to be working fine. 

I decided to try out the TSD card, didn't need much fuel but wanted to make sure it worked.  Pretty straight forward as far as using the card and filling the rig.

I got the transaction details, I only pumped 15 gallons, advertised price was $3.429, discount price was $3.081 but that didn't include the fees.  So the charge was $47.44 after the transactions fee $0.65, there was also a 10% Program Fee against the Discount $5.23 or $0.53. 

So my final price was $3.16/gallon. 

The nearest Sam's Club has a posted price of $3.44, so with my 5% rebate on fuel the price would be $3.26. 

So Open Roads is a little cheaper but the real savings may be convenience of getting on/off the interstate a little easier, easier access and faster filling.

 

 

Still looking at the Mudflap program also, I have it set up on my phone, have to get it set up on my wife's phone, it would be good to have other options. 

 

 

[tmw188]

Yep it’s the availability along the highway and the speed of filling as you said. I guess too the program fee is still a no brainer the more gallons you fill. I don’t think Mudflap has truck stops in there program but could be wrong.

[dandick66]

14 hours ago, jacwjames said:

So I finally got a chance to take the rig out for a shake down drive prior to my wife leaving next week for a ~2 month trip.  Wanted to check everything and all seems to be working fine. 

I decided to try out the TSD card, didn't need much fuel but wanted to make sure it worked.  Pretty straight forward as far as using the card and filling the rig.

I got the transaction details, I only pumped 15 gallons, advertised price was $3.429, discount price was $3.081 but that didn't include the fees.  So the charge was $47.44 after the transactions fee $0.65, there was also a 10% Program Fee against the Discount $5.23 or $0.53. 

So my final price was $3.16/gallon. 

The nearest Sam's Club has a posted price of $3.44, so with my 5% rebate on fuel the price would be $3.26. 

So Open Roads is a little cheaper but the real savings may be convenience of getting on/off the interstate a little easier, easier access and faster filling.

 

 

Still looking at the Mudflap program also, I have it set up on my phone, have to get it set up on my wife's phone, it would be good to have other options. 

 

 

Jim,

 I think you hit the nail on the head - the convenience of access, faster filling, and not having to go inside (at least once, normally twice).  I always take a picture of the pump when I’m done filling.  That way I can verify my statement from TSD is accurate - it always has been.  I just added the TSD card to the Loves and TA app, so we’ll see how that works.  Also, if you would have bought more fuel, you would have seen more of a per gallon savings.

 

[Scotty Hutto]

I’ve been doing the Love’s app and the TA app with TSD for about a year now. Easy!  And I like the email receipts. 

[jacwjames]

38 minutes ago, Scotty Hutto said:

I’ve been doing the Love’s app and the TA app with TSD for about a year now. Easy!  And I like the email receipts. 

There was a Love's right across the road from the Speedway I filled up at, the advertized price on the billboard was ~$0.30 higher then the Speedway but when I looked at the app the there was a ~$0.04/gal difference. 

Amazing how much difference in pricing.  In the past that is what always irked me, and by picking and choosing where I filled up could save $$ off the advertise prices of the larger truck stops.  That is why I was hesitant about setting up an account.

But money is money, and with the convenience of larger pull through's and faster pumps I, you might say, am hooked.

[Venturer]

It's no secret that the big truck stops can have higher pump prices than the smaller stations. However, in 4+ years I have been using the Open Roads/TSD card, I have never seen prices below what my final price was. My son stops at Maverick stations, and they are very often close to my discounted prices at the big TA's, Loves, and others. As already mentioned, the convenience of pulling in, fueling up, and parking for lunch without going inside is a bonus beyond the savings.

[cbr046]

Everybody has a "deal".  I wonder how many trucks pay full price at the big truck stops . . .

Keeps me awake at night.

- bob

[Scotty Hutto]

I actually asked my BIL about this.  He runs a fleet of 14 large wreckers, lowboys, bus haulers, etc. He said virtually all truckers have discounts at the major truck stops.  Even independents use a service like TSD. 

He said the exceptions would be local devilery trucks like concrete and dump trucks. Also *some* farmers who don’t use their trucks a lot.  

In his experience, almost nobody pays full price at the pump, (except maybe unsuspecting RV’ers… 🤪)

There is also “strategy” in this on the part of the super pumpers.  They really don’t want “casual” business coming through the truck lanes. They want customers who buy a lot of fuel and get out of the way (to park and rest, or go inside and buy).