refueling

As said above, don't wait until it's an emergency, that can make you try to "force" in to someplace you shouldn't try to get in.


Don't rush, take your time, go slow, and be careful. Somethings this might mean waiting to get an end lane.

Once I hook up I only do truck stops.I try to do my homework and plan ahead.I will refuel at 1\3 of a tank,this gives me about 100 miles to go to plan B or C.

I abhor truck stops and have no problem pulling my truck and 5th wheel into service stations. In 6 years of fulltiming I've only had to back out twice once because someone blocked me and the other was in the first 4 months of towing. You just have to scope the station quickly and pass it by if it doesn't have good access and egress and make sure the canopy is high enough.
Better practice that backing up, I learned real quick when I went down a dead road, again during the first few months of fulltime travels.

When traveling long distances and you get off the interstate ramp, drive slow and scope out the available gas stations for entry/exit. Look for an end pump where you can fill-up and drive right out. I also look for gas stations that are part of big grocery stores or plaza parking lots. In other words.....look for a big plaza parking lot. Park, get a snack and scope out the entry exit on foot if needed.

uscgcolletti wrote:

KD4UPL wrote:
Truck stops do sell gas. They usually have regular "car" gas pumps and a few for RVs. These are typically located in the front; not out back in the big truck diesel lanes. There's normally no gas back there.
As for "smaller" gas stations; keep in mind that pretty much all of them get their gas delivered in tractor-trailer tanker trucks. If an 18 wheeler can get in there to unload you should be able to get in too.

I never really thought about 18 wheelers pulling in to deleivery gas.

It amazes me how some of them manage to get through considering how tight the lots are. I think a lot of them deliver overnight when the lots are empty because there is no way they could make it with cars in the spaces and normal activity during open hours.

KD4UPL wrote:
Truck stops do sell gas. They usually have regular "car" gas pumps and a few for RVs. These are typically located in the front; not out back in the big truck diesel lanes. There's normally no gas back there.
As for "smaller" gas stations; keep in mind that pretty much all of them get their gas delivered in tractor-trailer tanker trucks. If an 18 wheeler can get in there to unload you should be able to get in too.

I never really thought about 18 wheelers pulling in to deleivery gas.

Should be no problem for you. If you go to some of the smaller, older stations often found on secondary roads, it a real good idea to look up. Hitting the canopy can be a real bummer.

Find an empty parking lot, like a church or school, and practice parking. Two or three one hour sessions will really help. Make a special effort to use your mirrors and note the steering wheel input. Enjoy.

Maneuvering will get easier and better with practice. One other thing in addition to what others have stated is don't wait till your fuel level is really low before refueling.

Look for pumps on the end that give you a straight exit out or the option to to exit around the back of the building. Stay away from gas stations at exits with lots of other business. If you see lots of semis parked around chances it will be easy in and out. get a good look before you pull in and if you don't like what you see move on.