Refueling Along Rural Routes

[DRSMPS]

This summer we've transitioned from travelling along major highways to some more rural roads. We find we really enjoy travelling these routes through many small towns. The scenery is much more interesting and there are plenty of places to stop and sight see.

The problem we are encountering is how to plan for refueling. Typically along highways there are many truck stops. At these, we have no issue pulling truck and trailer into a pump. However, along the rural roads the gas stations often are too tight to maneuver the rig through. I can travel approx. 5 hours on 1 tank, so I often find myself finding a place to unhitch and then bring the truck only to the gas station. This is doable, but adds extra time and work. I also don't like leaving the TT unhitched along a side road or a parking lot while I fuel - worried about theft or tickets.

I've been experimenting with mapquest and google maps to try and plan my routes. I find that using the Satellite image I can estimate the size of the gas station and determine if I can safely maneuver through it for refueling. I then program the address in my GMP and plan for these stops. I also find, although my truck is gas powered, if I search for gas stations that carry diesel they typically accommodate larger vehicles.

Does any manufacturer make a GPS which has this type of information already loaded into it? Are there websites out there or maps I can purchase that would make this easier?

Also, is there a way to determine overhead clearances along a route? I've only encountered this once, but a ran across an underpass that only had 12 feet of head clearance. Luckily I was paying attention, pulled over and detoured around it. It would be great to find this info out ahead of time.

Thanks for any feedback or input you may have.

[2112]

h2guy wrote:
I'm sorry, but I just can't, understand, running out of fuel. Its ALWAYS avail.
Unless you make a really dumb decision I guess.

there are many small towns in Texas that do not have gas stations. The next one may be 50 miles away and you may have to ask a local which way to go to find it. Not a dumb decision but an uninformed action. As a motorcycle rider with a180 mile range, I have been stuck twice before the era of Internet, smart phones and gps.

[BurbMan]

Heck I have given up trying to find "easy" gas stations. All the new ones have the pump islands perpendicular to the ye old shack shoppe and there is no way to pull through. I have backed out of more gas stations than I can count, and when I stop for gas I just assume I'm going to have to back out from the pumps. If it's tight, DW gets out and spots. If I'm solo, I use the GOAL method before backing....Get Out And Look! Sometimes you have to back out onto the highway, and if that's the case, just do like the semis....4-ways flashing and go slow. Also helps to have 55W driving lights as back up lights on the TT.

[Tystevens]

I would be curious to know where the OP is traveling. For us, traveling in the west, it has never been an issue. My experience is that most of the smaller rural towns actually have pretty good-sized fuel stations. Maybe to allow for agriculture use, I don't know, but I have never had a problem on the routes we frequent.

Good luck!

[legolas]

K Charles wrote:
You might have to Waite for someone to move on occasion but if they can get the trailer in to make a delivery you have room to get in to fuel up.

Most, if not all the deliveries do not have to actually pull up to a pump and most if not all stations make special accommodations to get the fuel delivery truck in.....just saying, it isn't as easy as some might paint it. It does require some careful thought, and planning ahead. When travelling the back roads I am always looking for stations that appear easy to access and I gas up there.....sometimes that means I'm gassing up with more than half a tank....but it beats getting in to a tight spot and then having some local bozo block the only access route.

I have another fueling issue / gripe and will start a new thread for it.....

[K3WE]

h2guy wrote:
I'm sorry, but I just can't, understand, running out of fuel. Its ALWAYS avail.
Unless you make a really dumb decision I guess.

No, not really.

[2gypsies1]

We rarely use interstates and even with our 40' motorhome and towed vehicle we don't have problems finding fuel. Farmers, ranchers and folks that live in the areas need fuel, too. So it's available. Many folks travel to Alaska each summer and if you want remote..you'll find it there. However, I would guess very fuel run out of fuel. You need to plan ahead.

Always run on your top 1/2 so you have some leeway with finding the next station. If you stay in a campground near a town of any size, drive your tow vehicle separately into town to get fuel then you're ready to take off in the morning. It can be done and the secondary roads are so much more enjoyable!

[h2guy]

Argosy24 wrote:

h2guy wrote:
I'm sorry, but I just can't, understand, running out of fuel. Its ALWAYS avail.
Unless you make a really dumb decision I guess.

When you see a sign on the expressway for gas, and another next station 90 miles it isn't always available.

Then YOU made a dumb decision by waiting for that next 90 miles.

[Argosy24]

h2guy wrote:
I'm sorry, but I just can't, understand, running out of fuel. Its ALWAYS avail.
Unless you make a really dumb decision I guess.

When you see a sign on the expressway for gas, and another next station 90 miles it isn't always available.

I've seen places in Colorado where the State Police patrol with gallon gas cans because it's so far between stations. Better to give away 6 gallons of gas than have half a dozen potential accidents waiting on narrow shoulders.

[Argosy24]

I am still wayne_tw wrote:
You know, every gas station has tractor trailers that enter it to deliver gas. Perhaps you are more cautious than you need to be.

Real good point. But where the tanks are isn't necessarily as tight as getting into the pumps. And then I've found a lot of the time the problem is where the cars park that aren't getting gas when it's a a really small station.

DRSMPS there are truckers GPS units that are supposed to be more big vehicle friendly, bridges, fuel, etc. If you've got a 5 hour range you should be able to look at your trip for the day and pick a larger town, then use something like Gas Buddy to find what stations are in that town. At least one of them will be relatively big vehicle friendly, farm and construction trucks are everywhere. Looking for diesel is a good idea.

[doxiemom11]

We fill at rural stations with our 36' motorhome pulling a utility trailer. There are some tight ones, but we have never run out of gas. We do start looking when we get to 1/2 tank and stop for gas when we see a station that meets our needs. We do use gas buddy for the best prices.

[Oldtymeflyr]

In the west you want to be careful and only work on half the tank. The next station may be closed, out of fuel or may not even exist. All of these have happened to us. Its not unusual to go 100 miles between fuel sources.

Take advantage of good opportunities to fill up, even if you don't "need" fuel, get it because its convenient. Also, sometimes the price is sky high, just buy it if necessary.

When we are in a bigger town, we fill up, it just works out better, you have more choices and the prices tend to be better.

We do have a 45 gallon Transfer Flow tank and that helps a lot. I don't carry extra fuel for the truck, to me its a nuisance, used to do that with the Scout, no thanks and planning should take care any issues.

Good Luck.

[ReadyToGo]

this is what we run into when traveling with the 5er.
Most newer gas stations now put the pumps facing the building. This mainly sell gas and food, not mechanics. When going to these, we go to the end pump put only after making sure we can get out. If someone is already there, we have to wait.
But we have found that small towns have a good mix of the older gas stations that aren't major food venders. These usually are great for 5ers, and MH as there don't have rain covers overhead. They usually have 2 entrances which make for easy in and out.
I second the idea of not filling up during the morning rush. We try to fill up a couple of hours after we head out. This adds a nice break to the morning drive.

[B_s_Bunch]

I am still wayne_tw wrote:
You know, every gas station has tractor trailers that enter it to deliver gas. Perhaps you are more cautious than you need to be.

while a true statement but the tankers hose is much longer than the pump hose:S Larry

[calewjohnson]

h2guy wrote:
I'm sorry, but I just can't, understand, running out of fuel. Its ALWAYS avail.
Unless you make a really dumb decision I guess.

I would not say it is always available. As I mentioned above, one of my pre planned stops for fuel on our cross country did not have diesel, as they were remodeling the truck side and the car side had only gas.... Why i didnot check prior to getting there? who would have thought a truck stop would have no diesel... It was quite a ways to the next stop, as we were in the middle of nowhere, but it all worked out.

Cale

[h2guy]

I'm sorry, but I just can't, understand, running out of fuel. Its ALWAYS avail.
Unless you make a really dumb decision I guess.