Trailering

Gdetrailer wrote:
Skip stations that have islands arraigned so traffic heads toward the station..

The illustration below should be helpful..



Often that results in extremely tight turns to get around the islands without hitting the station store.. Not to mention there is often a lot of vehicles parked in front of the busier stations and high amount of traffic to dodge.

Something else to consider, you have to be aware of the steepness of the stations entrance and exits, longer trailers will bottom out much easier than short trailers.. So you need to watch for stations that have a gradual entrance and exit pitch.

I have run into a few that hit the tongue jack AND the rear drag bars, scrapping both times.. Don't want to high center the trailer and be stuck half in traffic..

I often find the ones you show as good...undesirable. That configuration is often used when the station has limited land to work with.

On the other hand, most modern stations with lots of space, use the style...you find undesirable.

Thoughts:
- Fill up before hooking up when possible.
- As others have said, look on Google Maps
- Truck stops and rural stations as opposed to stations in urban areas are often more wide open.
- Don't be afraid to wait for an end pump that's easier to get into.
- Don't be afraid to have the copilot get out and back you up to get out.