As this is my first MH and essentially first time driving something this large, I am having a bit of anxiety about driving this thing with a Toad in and out of a gas station. With the Toad I will be somewhere in the neighborhood of 60' long total. Our maiden voyage will be 9/18 to Marathon Key, FL which will also mark the beginning of our adventure full timing.I have driven to a Love's recently without my Toad and was able to get an end pump so it was pretty easy to get in and out. I might be overly concerned about nothing. I have watched a video on YouTube about a guy who covered this subject and how he gets his DW to Google Earth the station before arriving to plan his entrance and exit. Just looking for some pointers from some of you more experienced folks on things to do (or not do) or what to look out for so I don't paint myself in a corner.Thanks in advance for your advice.

Loves and Pilot have done some of the planning for you. Use them and you should have no problems. Start looking at 1/4 tank. Slow and easy get your copilot to help you look.

I would suggest that you take advantage of the special RV fueling islands at FlyingJ. We too drive a gasser and refuel at FlyingJ whenever possible. They accommodate our MH and toad quite easily and we're about 63 feet long. Download the Pilot/Flying J app to view locations along your travel route. You even save 5 cents a gallon with your GoodSam card.

I have the Pilot/Flying J app. Didn’t know they had special islands for RV’s. That will be helpful. Thank you!

We travel on a lot of back roads so we don't always have the big truck stops available. Once I get to about 1/4 tank or so I will stop at any station that has clear access to their pumps. Sometimes it is a little station with pumps adjacent to the road or other type of station where I can see that I will have easy access in and out. I do not get hung up on stopping for one specific brand when I need fuel. I just go for the ones where it is obvious that I can get in and out with ease.

Station with island pararallel to the building are normally easier to get in and out.FlyingJ/Pilot stations are commonly higher price for fuel.Other truck stops are very easy to get in and out even on car island. Love's and TAPetro are examples.Get fuel early in morning or later in day to avoid high volumne.

Gassing Your Gasser | Good Sam Community

Mike_W
Explorer
Sep 07, 2021
I try hard to plan my gas stops out ahead of time. Obviously it won't work out exactly every time. So I also carry and use "Next Exit." Big reference book ($20 something on amazon) and it stakes out each exit on US Interstates. Marked in red are stations that can handle long rv rigs. It has never let me down. Obviously if you take other routes it doesn't help much. I also do some internet research. Figure out what towns or cities you'll look to refuel and look up the stations that can handle the rig. Then verify on google earth.
CAUTION: I see many have recommended Costco. I would too...EXCEPT my two costco stations near me are iffy at best. Both have sharp turns at exit. One I wouldn't even try, the other you have to be all the way right pump to get out with a Toad. BUT i have seen many other while travelling that are super easy. and you can't beat the prices most times.
Rick_Jay
Explorer II
Sep 07, 2021
Great advice so far.

Not sure if this has been said yet, but in my opinion, I will opt for a station with a higher price per gallon if the access is better. It's just not worth the heartache of possible damage, or even the stress of causing that damage, to save a few bucks. Usually I fill with about 50 gallons of gas while on the road. Even if the price difference is $0.20 per gallon, that amounts to about $10. That amount is trivial in the overall operating expense & vacation budget. Heck, $10 doesn't even feed one of the (fully grown) kids at MacDonalds! LOL

While the cost is higher, many times the stations which are right on a major highway often have better access, too. You'll pay a bit more, but again, much lower stress.

I start looking for potential spots about 50 miles or so before I really want to fill up. And even then, I'd have 20-25 gallons left in the tank.

~Rick
hohenwald48
Explorer
Sep 07, 2021
Just to make things easier, I installed a small camera right above my gas fill door and connected it to an extra video input on the dash. Now I don't have to guess how to position the RV to make sure the pump hose will reach.
rk911
Explorer
Sep 07, 2021
Dutch_12078 wrote:
The key rule for refueling long rigs like RV's is to the extent possible, plan your exit before you enter.

this! best advice so far. i learned...the hard way..that's there's not a parking lot anywhere on the planet i can't get into. getting out with the toad attached is something else.
rk911
Explorer
Sep 07, 2021
enblethen wrote:
Station with island pararallel to the building are normally easier to get in and out.
FlyingJ/Pilot stations are commonly higher price for fuel.
Other truck stops are very easy to get in and out even on car island. Love's and TAPetro are examples.
Get fuel early in morning or later in day to avoid high volumne.

FJ gas prices are very competetive. can't say about diesel.
azdryheat
Explorer
Sep 07, 2021
Once you get more seat time you'll be amazed at the tight quarters you can get in and out of. Those A gassers are pretty nimble.
Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Sep 07, 2021
The key rule for refueling long rigs like RV's is to the extent possible, plan your exit before you enter.
Up_DownDeCoast
Explorer
Sep 07, 2021
Been to the Keys several times with our rig. 50+ feet long with the dollied toad.

Always fueled up before reaching the keys in Florida City. There's Citgo station about 1/4 to half mile beyond the final expressway exit on US1. Its just after E.Palm Dr on the right after the Wendys. Easy in and out

On the way off the Keys we hit the Shell station just before the causeway in Key Largo right at the US1/905 split. Stay right on 905 and make a left into the station. Very easy in and out.
donkeydew
Explorer
Sep 07, 2021
watch your tail swing,it is easy to clip a gas pump or pole as you pull out.
wanderingaimles
Explorer
Sep 06, 2021
It's been a while since I was there, but there were several larger gas stations on US 1 in Florida City and Homestead that would be preferable to most down in the Keys.
Land on the islands is at premium so lots tend to be tight. Gas up before you cross over from the mainland, easier and cheaper.

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