Why are major gas station operators neglecting the huge market of RVers? Even new stations being built neglect to put in RV lanes that offer both diesel and gasoline. Last trip I pulled into 2 Love's and could not fit in either, had to maneuver around to get to an exit without being able to get gas. It seems that all the truck lanes only offer diesel. Pilot/Flying J are as bad or worse. I am 57 ft. long when attached to my TT and it is a challenge to say the least to find a station I can fit into and out of. It makes no sense to me the fueling companies would neglect this large portion of customers.

Probably because in the overall scheme of things, the RV fuel market is relatively small. At any larger station like a PFJ, Loves, etc, count the number of cars at the gas pumps and trucks at the diesel pumps compared to the number of RV's. Flying J has had dedicated RV lanes at most locations for years, although some could have been laid out better for longer rigs. But they're about the only one that has seen enough value in the RV market to make special accommodations for us. On the other hand, our rig is 55' long including the toad, and I've rarely had trouble finding stations that could accommodate our gasser. End islands usually work best for us.

That’s why we’re always on the lookout for stations on a corner. They always have a side exit that makes pulling out easier on the outside pump.Never wait till you’re down to 1/4 tank.

Sorry but the huge market you refer to just isn not that huge.Selling food novelties etc. is more profitable the selling gas. They can replace one RV with 2-3 cars of hungry people.The numbers are not in the RV'ers favor.

Lantley wrote:Sorry but the huge market you refer to just isn not that huge.Selling food novelties etc. is more profitable the selling gas. They can replace one RV with 2-3 cars of hungry people.The numbers are not in the RV'ers favor. And a percentage of the RVers could not stoop to using the simi-public restroom. Pull in, pay for gas at pump, maybe park out of the way, (maybe not) then pull out, never step inside for a chance at impulse buy.

Gas stations | Good Sam Community

down_home
Explorer II
Jul 23, 2019
down home wrote:
mich800 wrote:
down home wrote:
What gets me is WalMart. When we stop we generally spend two or three hundred dollars on provisions etc yet only I can think of can we get into to fuel our diesel MH in Decateur ,Indiana. And they pile, in the spring tons of fertilizer and things so it seems they want to block RVs from filling up there. In the early am or late is when we fill after leaving the factory.
Many more RVers would fill up...and buy a lot more groceries etc if they were welcomed. Clearly they let those they lease pr coop space for the fuel stations to keep put RVs.

I am not sure what you are trying to say in that last sentence. But as far as RV'ers spending money. People in regular vehicles spend just as much as someone in a RV. The whole "you lost my business because x" is no different than stating I pay your salary to the the police officer that pulled you over for speeding. Neither cares as there are plenty of consumers or speeders to keep everyone busy and profitable.

I said nothing of the sort that you posted. They do lose some business of RVers because if they could fill up there there would be a lot more stop, fuel and then shop there.
As far as how much we or anyone spends on groceries and other supplies,that non RVers spend as much has no bearing but...I suspect we spend a lot more when we stop at Walmart with Motorhome, because we can get the RV into and out of most of the lots easily, tha otherwise as we tend to shop other grocery stores.
RVers are not taking anythign away from Wal mart in any kind of protest but Wal Mart is losing a good bit of business by excluding and because of exclusion RVs from the fuel pumps.
down_home
Explorer II
Jul 23, 2019
mich800 wrote:
down home wrote:
What gets me is WalMart. When we stop we generally spend two or three hundred dollars on provisions etc yet only I can think of can we get into to fuel our diesel MH in Decateur ,Indiana. And they pile, in the spring tons of fertilizer and things so it seems they want to block RVs from filling up there. In the early am or late is when we fill after leaving the factory.
Many more RVers would fill up...and buy a lot more groceries etc if they were welcomed. Clearly they let those they lease pr coop space for the fuel stations to keep put RVs.

I am not sure what you are trying to say in that last sentence. But as far as RV'ers spending money. People in regular vehicles spend just as much as someone in a RV. The whole "you lost my business because x" is no different than stating I pay your salary to the the police officer that pulled you over for speeding. Neither cares as there are plenty of consumers or speeders to keep everyone busy and profitable.

I said nothing of the sort that you posted. They do lose some business of RVers because if they could fill up there there would be a lot more stop, fuel and then shop there.
As far as how much we or anyone spends on groceries and other supplies,that non RVers spend as much has no bearing but...I suspect we spend a lot more when we stop at Walmart with Motorhome, because we can get the RV into and out of most of the lots easily, tha otherwise as we tend to shop other grocery stores.
RVers are not taking anythign away from Wal mart in any kind of protest but Wal Mart is losing a good bit of business by excluding RVs from the fuel pumps.
hornet28
Explorer
Jul 23, 2019
Well I guess I'll be stepping on some toes. If you can't manage your rig to fuel up maybe you need, A. a shorter rig, B. lessons in maneuvering, C. motel it instead of RVing. When I'm on the road with my car hauler I'm a tad over 60 ft, with the 5er it's 50 ft and have never been unable to fuel up where I choose. I very seldom fuel up at truck stops because generally they are higher priced. Also I've already towed over 12K since mid April this year. Are all places easy? No as someone else said I've also had on occasion needed to back out.
westernrvparkow
Explorer
Jul 23, 2019
mich800 wrote:
down home wrote:
What gets me is WalMart. When we stop we generally spend two or three hundred dollars on provisions etc yet only I can think of can we get into to fuel our diesel MH in Decateur ,Indiana. And they pile, in the spring tons of fertilizer and things so it seems they want to block RVs from filling up there. In the early am or late is when we fill after leaving the factory.
Many more RVers would fill up...and buy a lot more groceries etc if they were welcomed. Clearly they let those they lease pr coop space for the fuel stations to keep put RVs.

I am not sure what you are trying to say in that last sentence. But as far as RV'ers spending money. People in regular vehicles spend just as much as someone in a RV. The whole "you lost my business because x" is no different than stating I pay your salary to the the police officer that pulled you over for speeding. Neither cares as there are plenty of consumers or speeders to keep everyone busy and profitable.
I would venture to say the people in regular vehicles spend more than the person in an RV. They have homes with full size refrigerators, large closets, garages for storage and things like lawns, pools and landscaping to take care of. They have the need for more stuff and the ability to store more stuff. Hence, they buy more stuff. I would be curious as to just exactly where these people who whine that Walmart isn't a convenient stop go to as an alternative. The suggestion that Walmart should cut back of inventory to make room for an RV to maneuver or park probably would earn a chuckle or two in Bentonville.
monkey44
Nomad II
Jul 23, 2019
HAHA - sorry guys, Truck Camper here, 22 ft total. We have no problem fueling or getting out. just sayin' :)
bigred1cav
Explorer
Jul 23, 2019
Use gas buddy and plan ahead. We're 50 ft long with toed and do not enter where we can not exit. I have never encountered a truck stop where I had to back or maneuver to exit. We are diesel and when possible I buy at Indian Casino pumps. As for Ohio I live in Ohio and have never had any difficulty getting fuel. Most grocery stores now have pumps and all I do is look for the exit and can I make it in and out.
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Jul 23, 2019
colliehauler wrote:
Most of the newer stations along the interstate are easy to get in and out of. Most cater to semi's as well and have wide drives and a multitude of pumps.

My experience exactly. BTW, I think this is a brand new one of a kind gripe. :W
naturist
Nomad
Jul 23, 2019
Lantley wrote:
Sorry but the huge market you refer to just isn not that huge.
Selling food novelties etc. is more profitable the selling gas. They can replace one RV with 2-3 cars of hungry people.
The numbers are not in the RV'ers favor.

My RV is only a 21 foot TT behind an SUV, but parked it does fill two parking spaces. My wife and I pulled in to a tourist trap once and were told to leave by the manager because we were taking up the space of two cars. This was a bad move on his part because we were looking for stuff to take home for Christmas and would have spent a fair amount, money we were happy to take down the road to his competition. But this does illustrate the thinking of the folks who determine the layout of their facilities.
am1958
Explorer
Jul 23, 2019
I simply use the ancient Zen art of disconnecting from the trailer and fueling the truck on it's own if there is insufficient or questionable space... The bloody trailer isn't welded on you know!!!
jplante4
Explorer II
Jul 23, 2019
I use the old trick of finding stations on Google maps and going to street view to see what the pump layout is. Although I do diesel, I don't care for Flying J/Pilot so I try to find a station that has a separate diesel island or one that has islands parallel to the C store.

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