Stopping For Gas

[Fourjs]

We bought our TT in January and have taken 3 trips. All great. Being newbies, we have learned lessons every time.

So far, our trips have been short. We haven't had to stop and fill our TV with the trailer attached. Eventually, I'll be faced with that situation. Not something I'm looking forward to doing, but I know it'll happen eventually. My worst nightmare would be getting hemmed in at close quarters with no way out.

FYI, our TT is 35 ft. TV is 176" truck.

Looking for what you do and how you handle filling up. Any suggestions and wisdom is greatly appreciated. Thanks, in advance, for your replies.

Jimmy

[Passin_Thru]

I started driving Tractor Trailer in 1966 and have never been where I couldn't get out unless a JB Hunt truck was blocking the pumps at J while he took a shower and 2 trucks were behind me. Plan ahead, that's what truck drivers and Pilots do. Come to think of it, I never left anyone up there because I didn't have a place to land.Whaich service station has a dump under the canopy on a fuel island. Never seen one.

[rbpru]

Like most RV issues you will eventually just cowboy up and learn to do it.

Your wife, kids and dog are all part of the crew whose job is to make sure you do not hit or run over stuff.

Eventually you learn to judge where YOU can put you rig and where to pass.

[fulltimedaniel]

Gdetrailer wrote:

fulltimedaniel wrote:

Johno02 wrote:
But the tanker trucks don't have to get to the pumps.

This is not always true. In some stations they must go under the canopy to be set up correctly to dump.

In any case if there is room in the lot for the tanker and the Coke Truck there is room for your TT and truck.

My combination TT and truck is a bit more than 53 feet long. I have never found a station I couldnt get in and out of. The vast majority are plenty big enough.

I think some folks have a bit exaggerated view of how big they really are and the space they need to maneuver in.

remember the length that really matters is the distance between your two pivot points...where your trailer connect to the truck and the centerline of the trailer axles.

A 40 foot 5th wheel may have the same pivot to pivot distance as my Bumper pull TT. and thus will maneuver in the same space.

Just "because" a tanker truck can get UNDER the canopy does NOT MEAN THAT YOU WILL GET CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE PUMP!

I have never seen a station yet that has the tanker dumping right at a pump.. Sure, they may drive under the canopy in order to get to the station tanks but they are not needing to jockey that rig into the pumps..

Most stations have no more than SIX FEET of pump hose, so you need to be able to get your entire rig within 4ft of the pump.. Many small stations just do not have the room to go straight in so you will find yourself backing up and pulling forward to jockey close enough just to get the nozzle in..

An experienced person with towing takes this for granted, NOVICE or NEW folks to the world of towing may not have the experience that you and I have and using your advice can get them into trouble like clipping a pump, damaging their trailer or another motorists vehicle..

Well what I was trying to say was that I have seen many cases where the tanker has to go Through the pump aisles to get set up correctly for the dumps. Thus there is plenty of room.

Everyone has to judge for themselves of course. But if you never try you will never learn. The stations in this country that cannot fit an RV are probably 1-2% of the total...mostly older out of date stations in central cities or small towns.

And with all due respect if a person cant get within hose distance of the pumps with their rig (ie they dont know how to set up that turn properly)...perhaps driving one isnt what they should be doing.

[profdant139]

One more hint -- there are some gas stations that are set up for "one directional flow," in other words, an entrance on one side and an exit on the other. Costco is a good example of that.

If you can find that arrangement, you're much less likely to be boxed in with somebody facing you. You can just pick your lane and wait your turn.

[DiskDoctr]

bstar1952 wrote:
I especially like the inconsiderate SOB's that fill-up then go inside and do 15 minutes of shopping or order a meal while leaving their car at the pump. Sometimes I "ask" them to please be a little more considerate in the future, and most times I just get a blank stare.

"See the green pump? There are only 2 of them with diesel. Please don't block the green pumps. Thank you"

By some of the looks, you know they had no idea. Wink and smile, wink and smile 😉

[BizmarksMom]

In addition to the good advice of planning your exit, looking for pumps that don't force you into the parking spots in front of the store, and looking for stations on the corner;


Grow a thick skin. I have gotten myself swung around, heading for the front pump at a station, only to have a jerk back into the pump I was aiming for. So there I was, blocking the normal traffic pattern with my trailer, with no good way out until the jerk decided to move. (I'm usually rolling solo - no spotter) Those situations happen, and you just have to deal with them.

Like some others, I will put in 600 mile days and stop for the night without unhooking on my way to my destination. I want to spend my vacation time in Death Valley and Joshua Tree. I don't want to fritter that vacation time away on the way to the destination.

[jake2250]

Fourjs wrote:
OP here. Thanks to everyone who responded. Lots to think about. I'm the planner. DW wings it. Together we make a good team. Been looking at gas station layouts on google maps. Definitely see some that do work and some that don't Need to put on my big boy pants and do it.

Sounds like you have a good idea on what will and will not work for you. Google maps is a great tool to plan ahead. After 30+ years of driving trucks I have been put into some tough situations that made for a sweaty exit!
If you are not sure of whats ahead, Fuel early at a place your comfortable with. Second,Do not commit if it doesn't look good,check the map and see if there is an alternative. Look ahead,, try to find a station on a corner, it probably has two or more exits and entrances most fueling stops on the highways and freeways have good access and exiting,it's the small towns that get you in trouble, fuel up before heading into those situations.
Other than that, ENJOY!!

[Jackfate]

Allstays app is great it cost $10 but has so much useful info . It gives aerial views of gas stations, campgrounds & any other points that show up on their map. They show where repair /RV /parts are located by you. Detailed explanations of camp grounds enroute. Walmart's ,propane and numerous other things
Gas buddy set to map mode is wonderful

[2oldman]

Fourjs wrote:
Been looking at gas station layouts on google maps.

Flying J's, Love's.. those places are always crowded, especially around noon. Everyone's looking for 'a few cents off' on the fillup, hence those places are busy.

Fill up where it's easiest, and less busy.

[samsontdog]

I have towed RVs for nearly 60 yrs and I have never filled up at a truck stop.
I just check out the Service S before pulling in. I never worry about it except
when towing a 40 ft 5th w. That was not fun I use it now as a Rental in Yuma.
At this time I tow a 30 ft TT and have no problem filling up mainly at Arco S

[bstar1952]

Short rant here -- Like others have suggested, I usually wait to get an end pump as it just make getting in and out a little easier. I especially like the inconsiderate SOB's that fill-up then go inside and do 15 minutes of shopping or order a meal while leaving their car at the pump. Sometimes I "ask" them to please be a little more considerate in the future, and most times I just get a blank stare. It's getting to where I'm not surprised any more by people's actions. Short rant over.....

I also use Google Earth when pre-planning a trip.

[cmcdar]

Dennis12 wrote:
Jimmy,
Quit being so paranoid. Hook your trailer up, take someone with you for a spotter and go to a big empty church parking lot and practice with it several different times. You will feel better about yourself and there is not that much to it once you figure it our. I always use a spotter if available. (Why Not) The empty church parking lot is not really empty so watch you language when you get discussed. most pumps have 2 sets of pumps pull to the second one so the trailer is blocking the rear pump. Then wait if you have to to pull out. Just another reason we should all go to church. Try it and God bless

THIS is important to do if you are new to towing!

I bought some of the orange traffic cones at Home Depot and used them in an empty factory parking lot on a few Sunday mornings.

The cones created useful obstacles to navigate around that were indestructible.

[Dennis12]

Jimmy,
Quit being so paranoid. Hook your trailer up, take someone with you for a spotter and go to a big empty church parking lot and practice with it several different times. You will feel better about yourself and there is not that much to it once you figure it our. I always use a spotter if available. (Why Not) The empty church parking lot is not really empty so watch you language when you get discussed. most pumps have 2 sets of pumps pull to the second one so the trailer is blocking the rear pump. Then wait if you have to to pull out. Just another reason we should all go to church. Try it and God bless

[Gdetrailer]

fulltimedaniel wrote:

Johno02 wrote:
But the tanker trucks don't have to get to the pumps.

This is not always true. In some stations they must go under the canopy to be set up correctly to dump.

In any case if there is room in the lot for the tanker and the Coke Truck there is room for your TT and truck.

My combination TT and truck is a bit more than 53 feet long. I have never found a station I couldnt get in and out of. The vast majority are plenty big enough.

I think some folks have a bit exaggerated view of how big they really are and the space they need to maneuver in.

remember the length that really matters is the distance between your two pivot points...where your trailer connect to the truck and the centerline of the trailer axles.

A 40 foot 5th wheel may have the same pivot to pivot distance as my Bumper pull TT. and thus will maneuver in the same space.

Just "because" a tanker truck can get UNDER the canopy does NOT MEAN THAT YOU WILL GET CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE PUMP!

I have never seen a station yet that has the tanker dumping right at a pump.. Sure, they may drive under the canopy in order to get to the station tanks but they are not needing to jockey that rig into the pumps..

Most stations have no more than SIX FEET of pump hose, so you need to be able to get your entire rig within 4ft of the pump.. Many small stations just do not have the room to go straight in so you will find yourself backing up and pulling forward to jockey close enough just to get the nozzle in..

An experienced person with towing takes this for granted, NOVICE or NEW folks to the world of towing may not have the experience that you and I have and using your advice can get them into trouble like clipping a pump, damaging their trailer or another motorists vehicle..

[fulltimedaniel]

Johno02 wrote:
But the tanker trucks don't have to get to the pumps.

This is not always true. In some stations they must go under the canopy to be set up correctly to dump.

In any case if there is room in the lot for the tanker and the Coke Truck there is room for your TT and truck.

My combination TT and truck is a bit more than 53 feet long. I have never found a station I couldnt get in and out of. The vast majority are plenty big enough.

I think some folks have a bit exaggerated view of how big they really are and the space they need to maneuver in.

remember the length that really matters is the distance between your two pivot points...where your trailer connect to the truck and the centerline of the trailer axles.

A 40 foot 5th wheel may have the same pivot to pivot distance as my Bumper pull TT. and thus will maneuver in the same space.