Where get gas with trailer attached

I use iExit app on my Iphone and it list everything at every exit as you travel. It's very nice and easy to use.

DutchmenSport wrote:
Several have commented the gas trucks get in and out of every fuel station. I agree. But have you ever seen one fill the under ground tanks when parked between pump islands. No! The filling spots are away from the pumps that we, the consumers have to use and navigate. So this assumption is really not true. Some station pumps simply cannot be navigated by vehicles with trailers.

No, they are generally right. I see lots of tight gas stations where the tanker trucks do first class tight tight maneuvering and the tank deals are in tight to the pumps.

I rarely have problems filling up at any station (27 ft TT) sure there's a small percentage out there, but conversely, big roomy stations are easy to find.

Indeed, you can't be totally ignorant, there are a few stations to avoid and you do need to be able to maneuver and judge, but we have had minimal issues with gassing up and the giant tankers do get into and out of basically all stations with no special favor from the filling ports in many cases.

Do not stop at regular gas stations if you have a large towing configuration. We used to have a 35' long TT towed with a 20' truck. We used large gas stations like truck stops. We preferred Flying J's because they have seperate RV lanes that are easy to maneuver in and out of. We now have a Class C that is nearly 33' long. We often tow our car behind it which can add another 15'. So we still look for similar type places.

schlep1967 wrote:

Veebyes wrote:
The major annoyance is that the diesel pump is usually on an end island shared with a gas pump. It is the inconsiderate car drivers who will use this island instead of a gas only island who cause the problems.

Attitudes like this are the problem. Why is a car driver inconsiderate for fueling up at a gas pump? The station didn't put that pump there so nobody would use it. Maybe those of us with diesel trucks pulling 40 ft 5th wheels are inconsiderate for not going to a truck stop where there is plenty of room and we are not blocking the gas pumps that 98% of road users are trying to get to.

Sorry, not trying to be rude but more acting like the devils advocate. We are the minority. Most stations that have a diesel pump with the gas pumps in our area also have signs saying "auto diesel". This is because the location is not designed for large trucks. They also have a gas pump there because they don't make money on that real estate if nobody is fueling there. And there are a lot more gas burners than diesel burners on the road.

No offence taken & I have no issue if the station is busy & it is obvious that all of the gas only islands could have been occupied when the car pulled in.

It is the thoughtlesness & lack of consideration for others that gets to me. Without the trailer I will make the effort to use the inside side of the diesel pump leaving the easier outside for somebody with a trailer, diesel or gas, to use if they come in after me.

Very often the transaction has to be taken care of inside by the DW. International credit card used. No zip code attached. When finished & if possible I will get out of the way for the next person while she takes care of the payment.

It really is not that hard to be considerate of others when you can.

I have a gasser so the truck lanes are useless to me so I have to find a accommodating arrangement at a gas station. I find the corner locations to be the best option for me. I know there are some truck lanes that offer gas on one side of the pump but its few and far between. My set up is 50 ft. long so its critical that I can maneuver. I've had to pass more than a few statins to find one I can get into and out of..... but I have never had a problem doing it.

Kohai,

With a long bed crew-cab and a 35' fiver, I seldom use anything but truck lanes. Straight in approach and departure and room to swing around.

One drawback is that, as a non-corporate user, I frequently have to take my credit card in to the fuel desk and have the clerk clear the pump I want to use. The card readers on truck pumps are set up for central billing systems and not bank cards. After fueling, pull forward clear of the pumps and go inside to sign the charge slip. Don't leave your rig blocking a pump. Notice that the over-the-road truckers do this also.

A couple of observations:

Some pumps are marked that they will take MC or VISA. When the clerk asks for your company name, just say "Private operator on VISA." or whatever and they will clear the pump. You may still have to go inside to get the charge slip.

Many diesel truck islands have double pumps; one on each side of the lane. One is the "master" and the other is the "slave". Keep in mind that most OTR tractors have saddle tanks on both sides, under the running boards. The entrance side of the lane will be marked. If you go through in the correct direction the master will be on the driver's side. You cannot use the slave pump without first activating the master. You don't want to have to mess with this. Just go through the correct way.

Just have fun out there.

pitch wrote:
Yes C-Bear, I am much smaller than you and I don't full time. At just under 11 feet and about 48 feet in length there are very few places I can't go.
I am small by design because our desire is to go where we wish with out length or height being a major concern.

I try start the day with a full tank and refill once during the day.I do not want to drive more than two tanks (50 gal) in one day. Ideally I will find a station after I drop the trailer for the night.

Pitch, if I were that size I would not worry about height restrictions nor would I even own a Trucker's Atlas.

But to me there is a limit in size where it becomes almost a requirement to start fueling up where the big trucks do. I am not sure where that limit should start, but I know I am certainly there.

We have witnessed a MH (36'-40') size stuck half way in the driveway for a regular gas station. The incline was a little steep and he/she went charging in there and actually hung up on his frame. It was a busy intersection and now he was blocking a lane of traffic. We sat in the backed up mess forever thinking there was an accident. Needless to say I was not pleased when we finally worked our way up past this idiot.

I have never had an issue using any of the major truck stops. I know I am getting fresh fuel and I have found 90% of the truck drivers fueling up along side of me to be friendly. They always pull their rig up out of the way after fueling so the next person can pull in and start fueling, which is something that doesn't happen at gas stations.

Everyone has to make their own decisions based on their size, abilities, and preferences. I generally only have to fuel once a day while traveling. If I pay .10 more a gallon for that 20 gallons I don't care. It is worth $2.00 to me for guaranteed fresh diesel, a long handled windshield washer brush, and a place to park 60' of RV if I decide I need an extra break after fueling.

Yes C-Bear, I am much smaller than you and I don't full time. At just under 11 feet and about 48 feet in length there are very few places I can't go.
I am small by design because our desire is to go where we wish with out length or height being a major concern.

I try start the day with a full tank and refill once during the day.I do not want to drive more than two tanks (50 gal) in one day. Ideally I will find a station after I drop the trailer for the night.

Several have commented the gas trucks get in and out of every fuel station. I agree. But have you ever seen one fill the under ground tanks when parked between pump islands. No! The filling spots are away from the pumps that we, the consumers have to use and navigate. So this assumption is really not true. Some station pumps simply cannot be navigated by vehicles with trailers.

Veebyes wrote:
The major annoyance is that the diesel pump is usually on an end island shared with a gas pump. It is the inconsiderate car drivers who will use this island instead of a gas only island who cause the problems.

Attitudes like this are the problem. Why is a car driver inconsiderate for fueling up at a gas pump? The station didn't put that pump there so nobody would use it. Maybe those of us with diesel trucks pulling 40 ft 5th wheels are inconsiderate for not going to a truck stop where there is plenty of room and we are not blocking the gas pumps that 98% of road users are trying to get to.

Sorry, not trying to be rude but more acting like the devils advocate. We are the minority. Most stations that have a diesel pump with the gas pumps in our area also have signs saying "auto diesel". This is because the location is not designed for large trucks. They also have a gas pump there because they don't make money on that real estate if nobody is fueling there. And there are a lot more gas burners than diesel burners on the road.