Where get gas with trailer attached

DutchmenSport wrote:
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Here's what we do! #1... I forget about traffic and I forget what's going on at the gas station. If I end up being a jack-a$$ to block the entrance or block a set of pumps, or block in cars that are parked! #1 ... I DON'T CARE ANY MORE! It takes time to get this attitude, but I've encountered way to many rude morons that don't give you time time of day. The WILL NOT wait on you, they will not give you an opening, they dodge around you when your backing up. So I finally got the same attitude..... ONLY I'M BIGGER... So bite me!

Well if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!

I try all of the above, but also, just drive past if you can't make it in. There will always be a place to turn around somewhere past the station you were looking at.

schlep1967 wrote:
I know about how far I can go on a tank of fuel. So I will look at google maps and find stations in that area. Then look at street view to see how much space there is to get in and out.

^^^ This ^^^

I know all my gas stops before I leave the house.

I find gas stations on a corner with a main entrance and side exit and use the end pump. Fill up and go out the side. Easy.

I have pulled, got gas and just backed out the way I came in.

DeanRIowa wrote:
I was wondering when pulling the trailer on the road if there are any hints getting gas in the tow vehicle and not having problems fitting in and getting out of the gas stations.

thanks,

Dean

Welcome to the world of trailering Dean!

Your truck and trailer really will fit into about 90% of the gas stations out there. Even the small ones have to handle the huge trucks that deliver the dinosaur juice, so they'll fit your rig as well.

Remember you're a paying customer, don't feel bad about blocking extra pumps. Some folks will complain, just ignore them, they'll survive waiting a few extra minutes to get their turn at the teet.

It seems to me most of the newer stations have all the vehicles facing towards the station - good for them so they can see you but terrible for RV's and trailers. I always look for the stations that have the pumps laid out in horizontal fashion - preferably so after fueling you can pull out fairly easily and not have to back up which is the worst.
And not being really low on fuel helps too so you can go on to the next place if need be.

Truck stops are great if you find them. Pilot, Flying J, etc. Otherwise, I just look for a station with a lot of room for easy in and out. Most of the stations off the big interstates are RV friendly.

I always fuel up early
When looking for fuel at regular stations we both go into bug eyes scoping out the station arrangement and if we have doubts we just go on. Look for outside pumps with easier go around instead of pointing right at the station and have to make tight turns.
We try to always go to truck stops as even the car side has plenty of room. They also have room for pulling out of the way and taking a break.

I have diesel so the truck side of truck stops works well. Messy at times but easy.

Depending upon the length of your camper, this is always a challenge. I absolutely do NOT use truck stops (I despise them), so diesel fuel is even more challenging as often there is only 1 pump for diesel at "normal" gas stations.

Here's what we do! #1... I forget about traffic and I forget what's going on at the gas station. If I end up being a jack-a$$ to block the entrance or block a set of pumps, or block in cars that are parked! #1 ... I DON'T CARE ANY MORE! It takes time to get this attitude, but I've encountered way to many rude morons that don't give you time time of day. The WILL NOT wait on you, they will not give you an opening, they dodge around you when your backing up. So I finally got the same attitude..... ONLY I'M BIGGER... So bit me! Get that attitude, and you'll be able to navigate most gas stations.

OK, now that the anger is over!

#2. In a country setting, most gas stations are accessible with a trailer (at least in the Ohio-Indiana-Illinois-Michigan to Florida zone they are. So, if at all possible you have PLAN your fuel stops to avoid towns and congested areas. We do this at all costs. If doing this, this eliminates the need to be a bad boy with #1 above!

#3. Sometimes you really do not know what's going to happen before you actually see the fuel station. Sometimes you can't even figure out how to get into them unless you go cross-country! In that event, you have to circle them, or circle the block, or drive up and down the road a couple times to figure out how to navigate before pulling in, so you can pull out the easiest way.

#4. Fuel up at 1/2 a tank, never, never, never on empty. That way, if you CANNOT get into a specific fuel station, you've still got plenty of fuel to make it to the next one. And yes, it is OK to drive right on by a fuel station if the situation looks too tight for comfort. Drive on, and don't look back. We have done this so many times, it's just second nature now.

#5. When traveling to new territory we've never been to before, we use the I-phone app "Gasbuddy" (Gasbuddy.com). We set it for "diesel" and just hit the map feature. The map will come up and you can select your next fuel station. You can zoom in on the map and zoom right down to the nitty-gritty and make a judgment call if you want to tackle that station or not, before you even see it. When traveling, we live by this... This also eliminates the need to use #1 above!

Hope this helps. (do all you can to avoid #1, but if you find yourself in that position, it's OK)

I know about how far I can go on a tank of fuel. So I will look at google maps and find stations in that area. Then look at street view to see how much space there is to get in and out.