Now that I'm starting to take this new 5th Wheel out more, I notice that gas station canopies don’t have clearance signs. Can I assume that a modern gas station will have no issues with my 13’2” heigh 5’er ? I have a gas truck, so the truck lanes are not an option…any other words of advice ?

Learjet wrote:Now that I'm starting to take this new 5th Wheel out more, I notice that gas station canopies don’t have clearance signs. Can I assume that a modern gas station will have no issues with my 13’2” heigh 5’er ? I have a gas truck, so the truck lanes are not an option…any other words of advice ?Assume nothing. Canopies vary a lot. Have shotgunner get out and watch. Be sure the the frig is not running on propane when in a service station.Chris

We try not to have to get fuel while towing (38 gallon gas tank helps) but when we do, I'm the spotter that gets out and watches carefully while DH pulls in under the canopy. Sometimes the canopy will be tall enough but lights under that same canopy will not be! It's almost impossible to just eyeball it from the cab of your truck.By the way, most Shell stations do tell you what the height of their canopies are by marking them very clearly. I wish all stations would do that.

Agree with "assume nothing", but with that said I've never had a problem nor seen a situation where it wasn't obvious. Regardless, I watch heights on the road and off the road closely and if in doubt would stop and proceed very slowly with a spotter to ensure I didn't ruin my day.Off topic - now have a residential fridge so it doesn't apply to me but prior trailers I traveled many many times with fridge on propane without worrying about shutting off to fill up with gas (as I'm sure most do). Is this just a "theoretical" issue? Is everyone just getting lucky, or has anyone actually had a real problem with this?

went to one on route 66 out of OK it was labeled 13 ft. I guess my trailer is a bit under 13 ft. there was a small gap

As one that sold and built many stations the industry height standard for canopies is 14'6" clear height. That does not mean they can not be lower but that is the norm. As for truck lanes....most have at least one island with gasoline as many box trucks are still gasoline

gas station canopies height ? | Good Sam Community

43 Replies

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
May 28, 2015
Me Again wrote:
Old-Biscuit wrote:

Before!
Me_Again
Explorer III
May 28, 2015
Old-Biscuit wrote:

Before!

After!
Me_Again
Explorer III
May 28, 2015
Ed9824v wrote:
I got off the highway in Needles last month on the start of our vacation, got gas with no issue then use the phone gps to get back on the I40 next thing I see is a sign low bridge 8 FEET clearance, at least with the 5er I was able to make a u turn right before the entrance, as we did I see one motorhome after another taking the same path. That sure made me pay attention to bridges the rest of the vacation.

OK, I have been by Needles a few times and have not stopped. Now I know that I will not stop in the future. Chris
Ed9824v
Explorer
May 27, 2015
I got off the highway in Needles last month on the start of our vacation, got gas with no issue then use the phone gps to get back on the I40 next thing I see is a sign low bridge 8 FEET clearance, at least with the 5er I was able to make a u turn right before the entrance, as we did I see one motorhome after another taking the same path. That sure made me pay attention to bridges the rest of the vacation.
Hvyhauler
Explorer
May 27, 2015
We have been in some fuel stops that were very close on clearance,I get out and look and then proceed slowly with DW watching.

I try to do as much fueling as possible in South Carolina due to cheap diesel prices... $2.42 per gallon credit card price a few weeks ago.
ependydad
Explorer
May 27, 2015
For the OP, see the pictures on this thread:
http://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f56/hairy-moment-31412.html
Tango__AE7UI
Explorer
May 26, 2015
The frig is in the rear of the trailer and we never turn off the propane when refueling the truck.
frizzen
Explorer
May 26, 2015
Dtank wrote:
frizzen wrote:
I got a couple of joints of 3/4 pvc and cut them down to make a measuring stick. When they are together they are the height of my air conditioner plus 3 inches. They can ride in the bed of the truck or in the basement. No need for a spotter, just take a quick check for clearance.

Good for canopies, tunnels or bridges.

So at a suspect low bridge or tunnel w/out a sign......you stop traffic, get out your 3/4 PVC and determine your clearance??..:S

.

A lot less of a hold up than running the trailer under something it won't clear. I've only used it out in the country with no one around.
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
May 26, 2015
ASSUME Nothing.... we were on a back road and needed fuel... had DW up on the rear ladder watching as I moved.. The sign said it was 14'.. It DID NOT have 14'... maybe the canopy had it , but not the light fixtures..
We were able to move in between the low light fixtures and fill up.. my alternative was to drop the trailer , fill up , re hook...

OH Yea..... I also leave my fridge on.. and have always done so..
disclaimer : that DOES NOT MAKE IT RIGHT.. just my way
Oakman
Explorer
May 26, 2015
Back when my tow vehicle was a V10 gas engine I would look for major travel plazas to gas up. I’ve yet to see a major brand travel plaza that didn’t have a canopy that was more than high enough for my fifth wheel. I really preferred Flying J’s because most of them had the RV fuel island.

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gas station canopies height ?

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