Where get gas with trailer attached

Most stations can be handled without any real problem. The advantage to the truck stops is the sheer ease of maneuvering -- doesn't even require thinking. The smaller stations may require you to quickly look over the layout to plan your entrance/exit. Occasionally you encounter a small independent station with such a restricted layout some backing and jockeying may be required. I think I maybe had two of those in my career. Usually there is another station nearby that is friendlier.

Yeah, you get some drivers that quickly pull in and block you. I have had that happen in my regular car. Worst case one of you get out and hand signal cars out of the way.

After watching one guy pulling a 5ver get cut off 4 or 5 times will trying to leave I pulled my car around blocking the driveway to everybody else and waved him through. A few people gave me a one finger salute, but I just smiled at them and waved as did the 5ver.

Buy a book called "the next exit". It lists all the stations and then highlights the rv friendly ones. It also lists stores and places to eat that are at each exit.

GordonThree wrote:
Even the small ones have to handle the huge trucks that deliver the dinosaur juice, so they'll fit your rig as well.

I hauled into these for 17 years, your trailer will fit into them just fine. This is about the last thing to worry about when traveling. I am not being sarcastic, I am serious, this really isn't a big thing to worry about.

I start looking for a fuel station when the computer says 125 to empty. For the most part I avoid the big truck stops. When traveling on the Interstate in open country service stations have plenty of room and many have diesel pumps away from the gas pumps. I find the same setup on US routes and major state routes. Only once in 30,000 miles of towing did I have to back up to exit a station and only because I was blocked by mini mart shoppers.

jmcnab wrote:
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.

Funny, I actually like the exact opposite. The ones that are horizontal tend to have 2 or 3 pumps to a row, and with only a 21' trailer, that means I do not always fill a whole row if a whole row is even open. I have found that I either have to pull into the back pump and back out again or get just get boxed in by someone who comes in later resulting in backing out again. I find the stations with pumps facing the station usually only have a single pump per row so when I finally get a pump I can always pull forward when done. Only downside is that it is often a tight turn when pulling out, which would be worse for a bigger trailer.

Those diesel fuel hoses can be pretty darn long. Much longer than car pump hoses. Sometimes I park next to the awning at a 90º angle to the pumps and fuel from there.

Or park on the other side and pull the hose around the pump.

Those orange reflective safety triangles most states make me carry come in handy to block off a section of a gas station to guarantee my ability to exit without leaving camper parts behind or taking car parts with me.

I have never used the Truck Stops to refill. Always use the Service Stations. Only had to back out one time in over 50 years of towing all types of RVs. I check it out thoroughly before entering. If people have to wait for me to finish,so be it. I never loose sleep over it. I tow a 34 ft TT at the present time. Before that I towed a 40 ft 5th w. That was a challenge. So now I use it as a rental in Yuma

DutchmenSport wrote:

2112 wrote:

DutchmenSport wrote:
...
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 really try to avoid this attitude, but we've been in some situations (even this last Christmas on our Florida trip) when people were so rude, we could barely move he trailer to get out of the station and out of everyone's way. It's those time you just have to show everyone you are bigger than them! Sometimes this is the only language that some people recognize.

Dutchman Sport you and I are usually on the same page, but we disagree on this.
If you have a diesel I recommend using a truck stop.
All your grief centers around you choosing not to use truckstops.
Using a truckstop does not require one to enter warrior mode to get fuel.
One of the biggest untold advantages of having a diesel is you can refill at truckstops.
I can agree that truckstops are not perfect,they maybe very busy places with lots of commotion some can be seedy. The pumps can be oily and dirty. Some,not all are uninviting.
However they all have is SPACE.
SPACE to:turn,swing,pivot and make an uninhibited approach to the pump.
The ability to pull right up the the pumps without obstacles supersedes any other requirement for me while towing. For this reason I use truck stops exclusively while towing the RV.Once I pull up to the pump. I can deal with anything else.
But If i have to fight just to get to the pump, my mindset is shot and my experience will be bad!LOL.
Did I mention I will be pissed off even more if I have to fight and jockey some more to pull away from the pump.
Use truckstops fueling doesn't have to be a battle

I fill my truck up the day before I leave. We have a 100 aux tank in the bed so we can easily go 1000 miles before having to refuel. If I have the fiver hooked up I use truck stops when possible. Easy in, easy out and quikly fill my aux tank.

I have, as other have said, blocked pumps and one lane of a road to fill up when I've had too. Get out as quick as possible to keep everyone happy. Good luck.

2112 wrote:

DutchmenSport wrote:
...
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 really try to avoid this attitude, but we've been in some situations (even this last Christmas on our Florida trip) when people were so rude, we could barely move he trailer to get out of the station and out of everyone's way. It's those time you just have to show everyone you are bigger than them! Sometimes this is the only language that some people recognize.