Gas stations you can get in and out of.....

[KenMast]

Hi,

Planning our trip to Naples FL from Cincinnati Oh. I have a 32ft class C and I pull a Chevy Equinox toad.

This my sound like a dumb and basic question, but has anyone noticed that it's hard to find a gas station you can get in and out of? Almost all gas stations are built so that you have to pull in facing the building. At 32ft and a toad, how are you supposed to maneuver out of these places? If I could only back up, it would not be as difficult.

I get on Google maps and check out gas stations along the way where I need to stop, looking at the street view of the stations along I-75. I'm looking for the older versions, where the pumps are parallel with the road. Very hard to find one that will accommodate my rig & toad.

I know that Flying J has many stations with RV lanes, but they're not where I'm going all the time. Love's and Pilot and other truck stops don't have gas in the diesel lanes.

I'm having a hell of a time finding gas stations anymore. What does everyone else do when searching for a place to stop?

Ken

[Jack_Diane_Free]

I have a 35ft TT and a 20 ft truck. All in with bikes on the back and hitch I am 60 ft long. Have never had a problem finding gas up and down from Ontario to Florida and in Northern Ontario going around the Great Lakes.

Most of the major brands near an expressway have access and I usually look for a station with a road beside it so I can use the end pump and pull out the side entrance.

Don't overthink this. If you are reasonable comfortable manoevering your rig you should have no problem.

[rhagfo]

I only worry about the over head, stop and think then need to get tankers into them! :S

Just may take some thinking a head as to best path.

[dave54]

KenMast wrote:
?..I'm having a hell of a time finding gas stations anymore. What does everyone else do when searching for a place to stop?

Ken

I google for Loves, FJ, Petro, et al along the route. I know they are accessible. I have the loyalty cards, but they just knock the price down to the same as all the regular stations.

If I do not find any suitable truck stops I look up the route in google earth and start looking at stations from the top, and street view if available. I make a list of 2 or 3 at every location where I estimate I will need to stop.

I use google earth a lot. When investigating a new CG and want to know if my rig will fit the access road or sites I look at the campground from google earth. If I see RVs already there I figure mine will fit too.

[4X4Dodger]

I think all of this stressing out about what size gas station to pull into is a bit overdone and you really dont have to worry.

All gas stations are serviced by tractor trailer fuel trucks. So by default the vast majority are sized to accept that. The exceptions may be smaller inner city stations.

Generally speaking I find that the smaller stations along interstates are faster, easier to deal with and I dont find myself standing in line with 10 truckers needing scale tickets or showers before I can pay for my fuel. It's for this reason I avaid the long lines and hassles of the flying J's and Pilots etc unless my options are limited.

If you can adequately handle your rig you should have no trouble in 99% of all gas stations.

[ctpres]

bobsinn wrote:
We use the Next Exit book .It highlights (in red) the gas station etc that are big rig accessible for every exit on the interstates

Been carrying that book for several years and did not know about the red print meaning. THANK YOU!

[rjsurfer]

In ten years of camping with three cross country trips under my belt plus numerous local trips I have never been stuck for fuel.

Plus, I refuse to use truck stops, why pay more and get diesel fuel and oil all over you, run in and out of the building to pay and get nasty looks from truck drivers if your not moving fast enough for them, for that privilege.

The biggest tip I can give you is slow or stop for a second or two just before entering a station, just enough to get the lay of the land and figure out where the diesel pumps are. DONT worry about slowing traffic they will survive.

Most diesel pumps are on the outside pumps, parallel pumps are the easiest along with ones that are at angles to the station building. Pumps at right angles to the stations are the hardest but not difficult they just require another second or two of thought.

Remember this is supposed to be fun, don't over think this.

Ron W.

[SDcampowneroper]

You can back up your towed, its no different than a short trailer behind a long truck. seen it done many times Try it, practice. Watch that the front wheels of the towed stay in line.

[philandterri]

I have found that most Exxon stations have pumps parallel to the building.

[jrobert01]

I have a 32ft. dutchmen and tow a CRV. I travel from E-Tn. to key west Fl. every year and never have a problem but i am cautious and use gas buddy mostly to find cheapest gas.I-75 almost all the way.

[AmericalVette]

Many times I travel state highways and there are just not the truck stops one would find while traveling the Interstate.

Prior to a trip, I will sometimes use Google-Earth and "fly" my planned route. This is a good way of getting an overhead view of possible fuel stops along the way.

[Jim_Shoe]

I start looking at a half tank. So far, in 10 years, I've always found a pull thru spot . . . except once. I pulled into a station that had parking in front of the building, but no one parked there. Somebody pulled in as I was fueling. I had to unhook the toad, back it out of the way, and hook up again after I got turned around. I find that Flying J and Pilot have the best chance of having an RV friendly setup.
On an expressway, "gas this exit" means nothing to me. I check, but I don't get my hopes up.

[Matt_Colie]

I used to tow a 7.9m (~26') racing sloop with a 2.7 (9') beam on a 28' trailer with a 23' coach. I know the problem.
If you stick to buying fuel near the highway, you will not have a big problem, but I know of several stations that way. If you end up at a station like that, and you didn't detect the problem from G-Earth/StreetView, just pick the end pump so you have the extra room. If you wait, you can get there. If someone gets upset, tell him that he is free to lean on the horn but that might make you miss seeing when the pump gets clear.

Matt

[bobsinn]

We use the Next Exit book .It highlights (in red) the gas station etc that are big rig accessible for every exit on the interstates

[MrWizard]

35 ft with another 3 ft of motorcycle rack
But no "toad"
In metro areas you can sometimes get off the interstate and drive song the parallel surface street to pick and choose the filing station you want, this is common along I-10 in Texas
I drove from Calif to Indiana, never had a problem finding a place large enough

[K_Charles]

When I pulled a 33' TT I never had a problem and I wondered about a class A. About 3 months ago we got a 35' class A and I hooked a toad to it and took off to try it out. Our first trip was 5 weeks and 3400 miles. It's easier to get in and out of a gas station with the A and a toad then it was with the Excursion and the TT.

Look before you pull in and you will be fine. This whole RV thing is supposed to be fun. Isn't the "R" for recreation?