gassing up with TT on

If you're talking about the Shell at the intersection of US-6 and US-93, no problem. There's a large semi-parking area at the rear we used to turn around and get lined up to pull out onto the highway.

We went thru there in 2011 with our 31' class C towing (hooked up length = 31' + 24' = 55'). Not quite as long as what you're pulling perhaps, but we didn't have any issues at all.

I will usually wait for an outside pump or one that looks like it will have plenty of clearance. With the motorhome, I have no choice but to pull to the forward pump, but when we had a TT and 5W, we'd still pull forward to avoid being blocked in.

At the Sam's Club in Yuma, the staffer at the pump helped marshal me out of the spot, and even directed a few cars to other lines.

Just take your time, and as you'd do at a campsite with trees, use a spotter even if you don't think you really need to.

I'm one of the old guys on here -- started driving a truck on the farm when I had to use the hand throttle to give it gas because my feet didn't reach the foot pedals. I've been hauling campers for 40+ years. I always figured I could get into and out of any gas station.

Couple years ago we were in a remote area of eastern Oregon and running low on diesel. Couldn't find a station close by the highway and finally had to leave the highway and head into town. We spied a road sign that said "Shell diesel" so headed that way. Pulled into a little station in downtown Podunk. Filled up. No problems. Pulled out and headed down the street, looked in my side mirror and noticed a fender skirt hanging loose.

Damn! The camper had tilted so much pulling out that the tires scrubbed the fender skirt enough to break it. I stopped and walked around to the other side of the camper. Ouch! Seems I'd turned too quickly and got some paint off the fuel island's protective post as the tail swung around -- and left a little metal in return. Dinged both sides of the camper at one time and didn't even know it!

So this is really to say, good on the OP for being concerned. Some of these small stations aren't really designed for us towing campers. Best advice I can offer is to plan your fill up before you NEED to fill up, so if the station looks iffy, you can keep looking.

One major advantage of a shorter trailer is the manueverability it offers in tighter turns .
There are more active posters on this forum that prefer the longer trailers .
After having a 36' diesel pusher and a 26 foot TT I decided to order a new Komfort 21T a decade ago . The TT is 23.5 feet with the tongue .
With my diesel extracab short box gmc I can manuever into most any station when towing .
I am from the school that says the shortest trailer that fits my needs rather than the longest works best .
My 21T has 1 potty , 1 bathtub , 1 6cu ft refer , 6 gallons water heater , a double kitchen sink , 1 oven , 2 big propane tanks , 2 batteries , 50 gallons fresh , 45 grey, and 45 black just the same as the 27 footer ( 29' actual ).
Going down the road I am definitely more stable than my longer friends .
I have less uncontrolled weight on the Lever that is behind the trailer axles.
And I can get into any station and many campsites that the longer rig cannot use .

Old-Biscuit wrote:
I don't use Flying J or any other truck stop.
I use the regular old service stations as we travel most secondary & back roads.

I have always been of the mind set.......if I can park this rig in a CG site then I dang sure can get fuel.

Majority of time I pull in to outside pump and swing around when done.
I have had to back the rig out a few times.
Service stations just don't concern me.

Dang Semi & tanker gets in/out every week delivering fuel. I can do the same getting that fuel.

Just scope the entrance/exit out....and then pull in and fuel up.
You can get back out........besides it helps hone your skills :B

X2 And you usually get a better price.

Don't forget about Google Earth too.......scope out the stations you figure you will be stopping at and see what your options are for getting in & out or going around behind building etc.....do a street view where it is available to see entrance exit etc......diesel pumps are not always placed the same configuration at all Pilot/ Flying J car islands....some times my GW has to jump out and find which is the diesel pump while I go round and get lined up for that pump .....most Pilot's are really busy and you have to learn to be a bit aggressive at taking your space you need for your rig.....it seems daunting at first, but gets easier as you learn what you are capable of with handling your rig......seems all people just do what they have to do at the gas stations and I have never had anyone blow their horn or show anger....I have pulled a 26 ft tt to SW Arizona for the past 5 years. 47 ft overall length of rig.

There are a couple of stations in Ely that you can just pull through, so you should not have a problem there. Ash Springs as well and then you can bypass stopping for gas in Vegas.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
I don't use Flying J or any other truck stop.
I use the regular old service stations as we travel most secondary & back roads.

I have always been of the mind set.......if I can park this rig in a CG site then I dang sure can get fuel.

Majority of time I pull in to outside pump and swing around when done.
I have had to back the rig out a few times.
Service stations just don't concern me.

Dang Semi & tanker gets in/out every week delivering fuel. I can do the same getting that fuel.

Just scope the entrance/exit out....and then pull in and fuel up.
You can get back out........besides it helps hone your skills :B

You are 100% correct on all counts. 30 years and never had an issue.

I don't use Flying J or any other truck stop.
I use the regular old service stations as we travel most secondary & back roads.

I have always been of the mind set.......if I can park this rig in a CG site then I dang sure can get fuel.

Majority of time I pull in to outside pump and swing around when done.
I have had to back the rig out a few times.
Service stations just don't concern me.

Dang Semi & tanker gets in/out every week delivering fuel. I can do the same getting that fuel.

Just scope the entrance/exit out....and then pull in and fuel up.
You can get back out........besides it helps hone your skills :B

The worst thing that can happen is that you unhook the TT, gas up and repin... What's 20 minutes of additional work, when the downside is walking for gas?

Being new at this requires a bit of thinking while pulling in. If you can get familiar with what minimum turn radius you have you can get to an end fuel island and pull out even with cars in the front parking of a gas station.

Many times I have taken the right hand side and there are times where I had to back out when traffic allowed, after awhile necessity becomes the mother of invention you get used to your limitations.