5er Newbie

Be aware of your height - for not only gas stations but low overpasses. Check ahead as you are pulling around or driving up to (as is possible on some interstates) of the room in and out of the gas station. Parallel to the building is best. I've hopped out many times spotting for DH for the overhead and while he's fueling, I've run around to check for an easy out. There have been times that we've had no choice and have had to back up to get out. If you travel the same areas, you'll get to know the easy in and easy out gas stations. Also, you can buy a trucker's atlas with route clearance information. There's a book on interstate stops and gas stations for RV'ers too. What we've done to ease in's and out's is to fill up whenever possible at the roomiest gas stations, even when we don't need gas, so that we are not forced to stop where we don't want to. Just a thought.

If you are traveling and need to stop for fuel the experience will be similar.

If you have arrived at your overnight or extended stay you can easily disconnect from the 5ver and take just your TV to refuel.

Also you will not need to drag a toad around...it's on the front of the 5ver. :B


Hope this helps.

My awareness level definitely goes up a few notches when it's time for fuel. Besides checking the prices, and checking circulation and obstacles, the process is normally in more conjested areas with cars and stop lights. Since my truck is diesel, I'm also looking for the green nozzle that may not be along every island. My advice would be to not worry about traffic around you too much. At least you will be large enough so you won't surprise anyone. Take your time.

Watch your mirrors on tight turns, the fiver will track inside the truck. Watch trees at campgrounds. As Renee said, get in the habit of scoping out an exit plan before you pull into a service area or any parking lot.

Most important - enjoy yourself!

May also want to consider taking extra fuel.

We have a 65 gal. aux tank tn our TV bed which gives us over 100 gallons on board when full.

Can go a long way...with options for where to refuel.

We carry ten extra gallons of fuel just in case.
Sometimes I'll just unhitch and drop in a safe location when fueling looks to be a nightmare.
We're in no hurry so at times it makes a nice break.

I'll agree with Renee about height also.

Enjoy that 5ver!
Regards,
jim

Height is my concern also. If you have a diesel, refueling can be a little easier because along most interstates there will be truck plazas that have pumps with high overheads to accommodate big rigs. If like me you have a Gasser you may have to use the normal pumps that could present a problem with height and ease of in and out. All of the above advise are very good advise. Take notes.

-BC-

You don't say if Gas or Diesel, hopefully Diesel with a heavy rig like that. Low price for fuel is nice, but not at the expense of getting stuck, so we generally fuel up at the major truck stops and use the truck lanes. The RV lanes at Flying J's are a joke if you have a big rig, not to mention those that sit there and have lunch. We use the GoodSam Pilot/Flying J card and get the cash price plus an additional 8 cent/gal off on Diesel. Pull up to the pump, swipe my card, enter my PIN, pump my fuel then leave, don't have to go inside unless I want a hard copy receipt. Works for us with a 40' plus 5er.

If your only choice is a gas station with the islands perpendicular, I've found that there may be room to pull in from the building side giving you a straight exit out if you use the end island near the facility exit. This also keeps you from blocking the facility entrance. Make your turns wide to allow for the fiver tracking inside of your TV.
But I try to pick highway exits that have multiple gas stations so I have a selection to scope out.
Top off fuel whenever there is opportunity even if you are only down a quarter tank.

We try to use truck stops as often as we can because of easier access and the fuel is more likely to be fresher. At other stations the diesel pumps seem to be on the outside ends of the gasoline islands, which makes for easier access. Also, if you're looking for diesel, don't be fooled by the green handles. Many of the stations where we've gotten fuel have had black handles for diesel. At BP stations especially the green handle seems to be for higher octane gasoline. Hope this helps.