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

[krobbe]

For stations that have pumps parallel to the road, any lane will work but I prefer the one closest to the road. These are the stations I pick first.
For stations that have pumps perpendicular to the road, use the outside pump. I always ensure I have enough room to swing in and out before committing to a pump. Worst case is you'll need to back out but I've never had to do it.
On long trips I start looking for gas at about 1/4 to 3/8.
If there is a station near the campground, I'll wait to fill up while out site seeing and maybe get a car wash.
Just a little question for families... Did you ever notice that everyone jumps out to use the bathroom while Dad has to wait to pee to fill up the tank and then they wonder why it took so long?

[fireman41]

The best that I can tell you is practice makes perfect. Eventual you will be able to look at gas station and just know how to pull in and position your truck.
My plan for gas stops is if I can fit I go in. I don't plan gas stops I don't look to see how the pumps are position to the store.
Also you might have to change your comfort level, when you miss an object by an inch it is as good as a mile.

[Gdetrailer]

wing_zealot wrote:

4aSong wrote:

wing_zealot wrote:

I sometimes travel 500 - 600 miles a day. I have even went over a 1,200 miles before I unhooked and set up camp. How would you recommend I fill up when the trailer is not connected?

Follow Johno02's advise...
If you are going that far each day, your aren't RVing, you are just driving! Stop and enjoy the flowers!

This is not about me and how far I want to go, to go camping. This is about how sooner or later, if you do this long enough, and venture more then 25 miles from home, every camper is going to have to get gas with the camper hooked up. Your advice just isn't practical. Hundreds of people do it every day.

Wingzealot is dead on correct.

It isn't always "practical" to "stop and smell the flowers" unless you are planning to NEVER venture more than a few miles from home..

If I followed that advice it would take FOUR DAYS ONE WAY to get to my normal destinations!!! I typically travel 800 miles and will easily cover that in one day..

My older trucks which had 29 gallon tanks meant that I was stopping every 150-200 miles for fuel due to the lack of fuel stops with easy on/off access.

My current truck has a 35 gallon tank but still was having to short hop in a couple of places..

I added a small 15 gallon "landscaper" fuel tank to my truck bed and now I can make 800 miles with only ONE fuel stop..



Added a electric fuel pump to that tank and now I just stop at any rest stop and transfer the fuel..

As far as the OPs issue, reject any station that funnels the traffic towards the station building (I have learned that the hard way and had to BACK OUT of the lot and on to a busy road)..

You want a station that funnels the traffic parallel to the station building and has decent sized entrance/exits.

And unlike some advice that says any station is fine because the stations get the fuel via tank trucks (semi),I say don't believe that..

Tankers refilling the station DO NOT USE THE PUMPS, PERIOD when refilling the station.. Instead they are at the side, in front, behind the station.. They don't have to jockey to get close to the pumps..

Tankers unlike RVs have a very HIGH clearance under the tank and will not high center easily unlike a RV trailer.. So you also need to make sure the entrance/exits have a very low (or no) slope on/off the main road..

Ignore that advice and you will find yourself dragging not only the rear of your trailer but the TONGUE JACK ALSO (I HAVE been there done that).. This gets even more important the LONGER the trailer is, folks with short 18-20 ft trailers simply do not understand this..

I do, I went from a 20ft TT to a 26ft TT, stations I was able to get into before, I can no longer easily get in/out of without dragging, BADLY)..

[DiskDoctr]

Try to use the outside pump, with a fairly direct pull in and exit from the lot.

Beware of the tail swing of your camper. If you get too close to the pump or swing too quickly while exiting :E

If you approach a pump from a bit of a side angle, then swing your TV parallel at the last minute, your TV will be parallel at the pump and your camper will be a bit jackknifed away from the pump- allowing you to swing away after filling.

Essentially, you are making a "C" shape path into and out of the pump area with your TV and TT behind.

When you park in a lot and you are long without truck/RV parking spots, always park with your rig pointed to the exit at the angle you need.

People WILL park right next to you, in front of you, etc.

Had a guy pull up next to us while eating in our TV at a McD's. He pulled right beside the angle at my hitch where I couldn't pull forward to the exit.

I gave a friendly toot and waved for him to move farther away. He looked startled, gave a little wave, and moved. Many people really don't have a clue how towing works and will be in your way- intentional or not 😉

Many of the diesel stations we've been to have a wide swing, sometimes around the building path to the diesel pumps.

Gas Buddy is your friend 😉

[Fourjs]

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.

[wing_zealot]

4aSong wrote:

wing_zealot wrote:

I sometimes travel 500 - 600 miles a day. I have even went over a 1,200 miles before I unhooked and set up camp. How would you recommend I fill up when the trailer is not connected?

Follow Johno02's advise...
If you are going that far each day, your aren't RVing, you are just driving! Stop and enjoy the flowers!

This is not about me and how far I want to go, to go camping. This is about how sooner or later, if you do this long enough, and venture more then 25 miles from home, every camper is going to have to get gas with the camper hooked up. Your advice just isn't practical. Hundreds of people do it every day.

[Ivylog]

Johno02 wrote:
If you are going that far each day, your aren't RVing, you are just driving! Stop and enjoy the flowers!

Unlike posts like Dutchman's how does this help the OP get in/out of gas stations? When doing the 1500 miles to Colorado I do it in two days because there is nothing in between I need to see again... what business is it of yours how many miles I drive or why?

X2 on using GasBuddy, especially for saving $0.15+/gallon on fuel by going a couple of blocks further from the interstate. I have not used a truck stopped since Pilot bought FlyJ and their prices have gone through the roof compared to stations close by.

I'm as long as you are and I almost always have to use the in the end pumps were the diesel is located. With the DW watching you should be able to back out of a tight situation... less likely to happen if you use the end pumps. Backing up with the DW helping is something you need to get good at... before going to the campground, although it does make for good entertainment for the other campers.

With a little experience and practice you will wonder why you ever worried about this.

[Mikesr]

Planning is key to making a long trip stress free. Plan your stops in advance and not when you urgently need them for fuel. Know the maximum distance you want to travel on a tank of fuel. I use Google Earth to scope out all potential stops for fuel, food and breaks. Sometimes you will not always need the huge truck stops for accessibility of a larger TT. I also pre program the GPS with these stops which I call my waypoints for the trip. Take your time at the pumps. Don't be a jerk and by loitering around for an hour but use the time wisely. DW usually goes into the restroom while I pump fuel, then she stays with the rig while I do the same, which is always faster, Find a plan that works for you and be safe.

[mredneck]

I pulled a 36' TT with a 19' suburban. In 6 years I only remember having to back out of a station into the street one time. Wife guided me no problems.

[MarkTwain]

Woodtroll wrote:
Having not taken a trip that required truck stop fueling for quite a while, which one is it that requires you to go in before fueling, even if using a credit card? I remember stopping at several of these before giving up on them in frustration, but can't remember which it is/was? Flying J, perhaps?

Apply for a "Flying J RV Plus charge card" from the Good Sam Club. You then don't have to go in before fueling up.

[rbpru]

Our biggest fear is a steep drive entrance, twice we have bent the skid plates. We are a lot more careful now.

We fill up then the fuel monitor says 100 miles to empty which is about when we need a break anyway. It gives you a lot of leeway when picking a station.

My first choice is a truck plaza. They usually have a lot of room to maneuver.

However, we always scope out the fuel pump approach and as mentioned if you are really really desperate, you can find a parking lot and drop the TT then go for gas.

Mostly it is a matter of just learning how to do it.

Good Luck

[time2roll]

Most stations out on the highway and interstate have more space than in the city.
Have your navigator look for truck stops as they also tend to have more space.
Otherwise you just deal with it. Often you will wait for a spot that is better vs. just pulling up to any open spot as you do in a car.

[yillb]

I always pick a pump on the far left, or far right, and pull in on a sharp angle ( not like if i were to pull in normally ), i'm about 5 feet away from the pump, and just stretch the line to my tank.

[IndyCamp]

Dutchmen had some great advice.

I especially like the tip about starting to look for gas options when you are at 1/2 tank. In my experience, truck stops right off the interstate are the easiest, even for gas. They are usually somewhat new and were built to accommodate many vehicles. They also usually have several ways to get in and out.

I have also had to to do the small town gas station thing while hitched up, and that usually required a spotter.

I was very nervous at first about fueling while towing, but it's really no big deal, IMO.

[Woodtroll]

Having not taken a trip that required truck stop fueling for quite a while, which one is it that requires you to go in before fueling, even if using a credit card? I remember stopping at several of these before giving up on them in frustration, but can't remember which it is/was? Flying J, perhaps?