If You’re a Diesel RV Driver, You Need This Membership to Save Big on Fuel

With rising fuel prices, RVers everywhere feel the hit to their wallet after every visit to the pump. Triple-digit fill-ups have become the norm for many RVers. And those with the largest tanks are flirting with $1,000 per fill-up. You need to use the TSD Open Roads membership if you’re a diesel RV driver. It’ll save you big and help minimize the sting when you visit the fuel pump.

Today, we’re giving you the inside scoop on this membership and why you shouldn’t wait to sign up.  Let’s get started.

What Is TSD Open Roads?

The TSD Open Roads network is a discount program for drivers needing to purchase diesel fuel. By joining this program, drivers typically save 30 to 40 cents per gallon when fueling at locations like Loves, TravelCenters of America (TA), and Pilot. You can quickly save a ton of money when you buy over 50 gallons at a time. The more fuel you use, the more you save.

The program is open to any type of vehicle. This means those driving diesel pickup trucks, motorhomes, or semi-trucks can join. It has no hidden fees or annual membership fees. There’s no reason not to join, even if you only use it occasionally.

Pro Tip: We took a closer look to uncover Do You Need to Bulletproof Your Diesel Engine?

Where Can You Use TSD Open Roads?

The TSD Open Roads network has many fuel partners. However, the best places to take advantage of your membership will be Loves, TravelCenters of America (TA), and Pilot. Other stations may offer a discount, but not nearly as beneficial as the others.

Luckily, the Open Roads app for your mobile phone makes it easy to see partner locations and the discounted prices. This means you can quickly choose the most convenient station to give you the best deal.

Does TSD Open Roads Work with Gas?

Currently, the TSD Open Roads program only works with diesel fuel. However, the program hopes to broaden its offerings to gasoline in 2022. This is a highly anticipated offering, especially considering that many RVers drive gasoline engines and use a tremendous amount of gas. It may not take all the pain away from each fuel up, but it’ll absorb some of the blow.

Does It Cost to Join TSD Open Roads?

There is no cost to join TSD Open Roads. However, TSD does take 10% of your discount. So if you save $20, TSD will keep $2. Using the Open Roads app, you can keep track of your savings and watch them add up. While you may still not be excited about seeing the price at the pump, the savings can help it sting a little bit less and get you excited about saving money.

Join the Debate: We compared Diesel Pusher vs. Gas Motorhomes to determine which RV type is better.

Benefits of Using TSD Open Roads

You should consider joining and using your TSD Open Roads membership for several reasons. Let’s look at why we think you should join.

Potential Savings

You can save 30 cents or more per gallon in many cases. If you use a lot of fuel, you can see a lot of monthly savings. RVers who log lots of miles each month can save hundreds of dollars by using the program. And $1000 fuel fill-ups can be a reality for motorhome drivers with large fuel tanks, so you could potentially save significantly per fill-up. Who wouldn’t love that?

Easy-to-Find Locations

The TSD Open Roads apps make it incredibly easy to find the best deals on fuel. The app uses your phone’s GPS and internet connection to pinpoint the best place to stop to fill up your fuel tank. You could save a ton of money on your fill-up by driving one more exit to a partner station.

We recommend using the app to plan your stops ahead of time. Look at the map and see which station is the most convenient or lists the best deal. Recheck once you get on the road to ensure the price hasn’t changed. 

Purchase DEF

While the TSD Open Roads network won’t provide discounts on diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), it allows you to buy it at the pump. This is typically cheaper and more convenient than buying containers. You don’t have to worry about storing or using the jugs before they go bad. Simply fill up your DEF tank at the pump the next time your vehicle alerts you that you’re running low.

→ Learn about DEF heads and why they matter.

Faster Fill Ups

Another great benefit of joining the TSD Open Roads network is using pumps with a faster flow rate. These pumps have a 25 gallons per minute flow rate compared to 10 gallons per minute at the standard car lane. This means you can fill up even the largest of tanks in minutes and get back on the road before you know it.

During long travel days, every minute you can save is a blessing. It means arriving at your campsite and getting settled a little bit sooner. It just might make the difference between getting to watch the sunset or arriving after dark.

Use of Truck Lanes

Using the truck lanes at the truck stop means faster and more convenient fill-ups. You have much more space to maneuver your RV. You’ll have less to worry about when it comes to hitting something with your RV. The truck lanes for big rigs like semi-trucks can easily handle even the largest RVs.

Pro Tip: Time to top up the tank? Get the inside scoop on What Is Off-Road Diesel and Who Gets to Use It?

Negatives of Using TSD Open Roads

Despite the many benefits of the TSD Open Roads app, it’s not perfect. You need to be aware of a few things when using this membership program.

Must Use a Checking Account

You must connect your TSD Open Roads membership to a bank account. All transactions are done through ACH transactions to limit the number of fees. Some RVers don’t like this because they can’t take advantage of airline or other credit card rewards. However, the fuel savings is often enough to make up the difference.

Can’t Use Regular Pump Lanes

Another negative to the TSD Open Roads network is that you can’t use them at the regular pumps. You can only use the program in the truck lanes. Many members don’t like to use the truck lanes when not towing. They don’t want a confrontation with disgruntled truck drivers just to save a few bucks on fuel.

Not Always a Great Deal

You must check the app before filling up your tank at a fuel station. The prices vary from station to station and some don’t offer great deals. Just because one Pilot or Loves offered a great discount doesn’t mean the next one will do the same.

If you use your membership at a non-partner fuel stop, you’ll get an added fee from TSD on your account on top of paying full price per gallon. This means your fill-up will cost more than if you had not used the membership.

Must Provide Social Security Number During Registration

One of the biggest stumbling blocks for many is that setting up a membership requires giving TSD Open Roads your social security number. There is no credit check, but Open Roads keeps the information on file in case they need to file a claim for non-payment.

Many drivers refuse to give their social security number to just anyone, and rightfully so. Data breaches have become increasingly common, and drivers don’t want to risk having their identities stolen.

Pro Tip: Save even more money while RVing by using these Best RV Memberships for Saving Money on Camping.

Is TSD Open Roads Worth It?

A TSD Open Roads membership is free and can save you a lot of money. If you use diesel fuel, you have few reasons not to join. You can easily save hundreds, potentially even thousands, of dollars each year. Open Roads makes it easy to use and helps you make the most of your fuel budget.

Do you have a TSD Open Roads membership? Share your experience with it in the comments!

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