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 26, 2015
bfast54 wrote:
MNRon wrote:
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?

It is "Theoretical" issue...
Fridges are Many feet off the ground, gas vapors settle most of the time.....Have you ever seen the "Contact Spark" when you engage your STARTER???????

Yet,,,,,How many gas stations BLOW UP when people start their cars??????

And.....before people Jump all over me...30 yrs FIREFIGHTER... ..GUESS how many "Gas station Fires" have I seen or heard,or READ ACTUAL report.. of..........Caused by RV fridge????????????

ZERO...NOT ONE

Now, I am NOT saying it dosent happen.......But how many fires are started at gas stations, by people getting in/ out of their cars...Static Electricity??????
Thousands.....Documented.
rmalik1
Explorer
May 26, 2015
We only go where the 16 wheelers go; at 13 ft 3 inches tall and only 6-7 feet shorter than a rig with a 53 ft box it just makes sense. IMO
Allworth
Explorer II
May 26, 2015
Like Water Bug, I found one where they had mounted new light fixtures much lower than the canopy clearance.

The attendant warned me as he saw me pulling in and I got way over to one side and slid my A/C past the fixture. I would either have taken the light with me or left the Duo-Therm behind.
bfast54
Explorer
May 26, 2015
MNRon wrote:
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?

It is "Theoretical" issue...
Fridges are Many feet off the ground, gas vapors settle most of the time.....Have you ever seen the "Contact Spark" when you engage your STARTER???????

Yet,,,,,How many gas stations BLOW UP when people start their cars??????

And.....before people Jump all over me...30 yrs FIREFIGHTER... ..GUESS how many "Gas station Fires" have I seen or heard,or READ ACTUAL report.. of..........Caused by RV fridge????????????

ZERO...NOT ONE

Now, I am NOT saying it dosent happen.......But how many fires are started at gas stations, by people getting in/ out of their cars...Static Electricity??????
Thousands.....Documented.
Water-Bug
Explorer II
May 26, 2015
Only issue that I ever had was when I owned a Class C MH with CB antennas up top. Station was clearly marked but station had been recently rebadged and remodeled. I had gassed up there before, so wasn't expecting any problems. Prior to the remodel, the fluorescent lights were parallel to the traffic lanes above the pumps. After the remodel, the flourescent lights were across the traffic lanes. I took out four tube before I realized what was going on. Station attendant just laughed and said "This might suck after dark".
MNRon
Explorer
May 25, 2015
Me Again wrote:
MNRon wrote:

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?

http://www.rvhelpdesk.com/rv-refrigerator/ Chris

Thanks. I understand the "theoretical" advice, my question is if anyone is actually aware of this ever *actually* being an issue?
Dtank
Explorer
May 25, 2015
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

.
frizzen
Explorer
May 25, 2015
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.

I also put a piece of electrical tape at the height of the side of the trailer at its highest point.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
May 25, 2015
We traveled secondary/backroads for 7 yrs. (13' 4")

Only time canopy height was an issue was those old service stations with guy sitting in chair out front.

Fridge ON...........YEP

Engine starters throw more sparks from open commutators down low to ground where fumes collect vs LP Flame or sparker 4' above ground where fumes dissipate/don't exist

YEP......I'm one of those.
timflood
Explorer
May 25, 2015
I am 13-6, when in doubt get the Wife out. Then the next time you go to that station you will know

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gas station canopies height ?

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