Gas stations and GPS questions

[MColley]

we have a 32 foot TT and have a question about gas stations and even RV GPS. Mostly so far we have stayed within a few hundred miles from home on our camping trips. So when I fill up I usually just fill up when the truck does not have the camper on. My question is when we start traveling longer distances we will have to fill up with the camper on. I will try to use places like travel America or Loves or something similar that is larger and has seperate lines for the big rigs. Do most of those pumps for the 18 wheelers have regular gas or mayber even just a line or 2? If so how do you know which line to get in? I am trying to not completely block an entire side of the regular gas pumps if possible. My GPS question is will they tell you which gas stations offer regular gas in the larger diesel lines? I know you can input the size of your trailer but Im curious about the gas situations. As I'm sure you can tell we run unleaded gas not diesel. If this is posted in the wrong place my apologies and please move

[bikendan]

Moved to the General Community Discussion section.

[kenandterry]

Getting fuel when you’re all hooked up, will be an ongoing adventure for each time you need to refuel.

There’s no GPS units that I’m aware of that can help you decide where you’ll fit.

Typically, the area for big rigs is just that…..diesel powered transport trucks with 55’ trailers….not you in your gas fuel pickup with trailer.

It’s a matter of scouting out the gas station layout on approach. The preference will be pump layout that provides the most direct route in and out. Also, be aware of the locations that have overhead coverage, and that you have the necessary clearance for your rig.

Hopefully you can know by looking if a location provides the space you’ll need to get in and out. Go extremely slow, and watch out for tail swing. Those posts guarding the gas pumps are quite strong and able to protect themselves.

Good luck.

[CHICKDOE]

The truck lanes are pretty much all diesel.

However, many large truck stop stations have a pump or two in a special rv area. The are generally out front where autos refuel but away from the auto pumps over to a side. They will be labeled rv lanes and won’t have a roof over them. That is what I would look for. You can fill up any type of fuel with the trailer attached.

Of course then you will find somebody in a regular car using them and you have to wait for him.

Look for anything that says rv lanes, rv access, etc. not all stations have them but many of the bigger one do.

[rk06382]

Originally Posted by MColley

we have a 32 foot TT and have a question about gas stations and even RV GPS. Mostly so far we have stayed within a few hundred miles from home on our camping trips. So when I fill up I usually just fill up when the truck does not have the camper on. My question is when we start traveling longer distances we will have to fill up with the camper on. I will try to use places like travel America or Loves or something similar that is larger and has seperate lines for the big rigs. Do most of those pumps for the 18 wheelers have regular gas or mayber even just a line or 2? If so how do you know which line to get in? I am trying to not completely block an entire side of the regular gas pumps if possible. My GPS question is will they tell you which gas stations offer regular gas in the larger diesel lines? I know you can input the size of your trailer but Im curious about the gas situations. As I'm sure you can tell we run unleaded gas not diesel. If this is posted in the wrong place my apologies and please move

I use Gas Buddy. Gas Buddy also has smart phone apps. Gas prices are updated by members.

[DougW]

I have not seen gas on the big truck side of a fuel station in a long time, diesel only.

I plan my trips knowing my approximate fuel range and look for a suitable station using any of several mapping sites on the web, you can check them out and pick your favorite - mine is RV Trip Wizard. Once I have located an area where I will need to get gas I use the satellite view to see if they have RV lanes or if the layout is such that I can go straight through the pumps. The best be for RV lanes seems to be Flying J with TA being another one that sometimes has RV Lanes. With a 32 foot trailer you might get by at some of the new Love’s because they sometimes have the pumps far enough from the building to allow you to make the swing. I won’t pull in unless I am sure I can get around and out again.

[dieselguy]

We are 68' long when we tow our Seadoo squirt boat behind the fiver. Like said, the trucker fuel islands are predominately diesel. The trouble with the big rig stops is the price of fuel is generally elevated to the point that even their discount cards don't make up for the price gouging. Usually within a half mile or so is a station that you could easily navigate for say .25 - .40 cents cheaper. At least that's common here in Kansas at the Emporia turnpike exit as a prime example. Anyways ... we always find a station in the MO, KS, OK, TX, NE, AR areas that have enough room on the outside fuel islands for even the lesser experienced drivers to fuel up without incident. Yes I run diesel, but gasser pumps are many times on the same island unless we go around back to the semi fueling islands.

PS No worrries about using an entire side of a fuel island, many of us do ... we get more fuel than a Ford Escort at any given time and the fuel stations don't mind it a bit.

[USAF Retired]

I drove OTR for 5 yrs and never once saw anything other than diesel in the truck lanes.

What I like to do is before getting to the gas station, campground, stop along the way, etc, is that I will do a satellite view of the location to check the area out and to make sure there’s enough room and you can usually see any obstacles that might present a problem. You can also if there’s a better entrance/exit for larger vehicles.

[larry2c]

Although it's not an advanced notice, most of the Love's and Pilot J's we've gone to have a sign that indicates where RV's should go. Usually that is where the regular cars go so you may hang out into space or cover two pumps when you get into the pump.

Just our experience and my 2¢

[CurtPutnam]

Out west. at least, Love's and Pilot/Flying J USUALLY have either/or lanes that you can negotiate or special RV lanes. The RV lanes are usually full of regular cars who seem to think the gas is better there and who are doing their weekly grocery shopping in the store. The gas is more expensive close to the freeway.

There are no resources, of which I am aware, that detail entry/exit situations for gas stations.

[SailorSam20500]

FWIW, I've noticed at some of the stations on the Ohio Turnpike, they have gas in the big rig lanes.

[Sharon455]

We use the iExit app to scope out gas stations along the interstate system. It shows stations, prices, and usually a comment regarding whether it’s RV friendly. For state routes we use Gas Buddy.

[007matman]

I've never seen gasoline in a truck lane.

I use them all the time when travelling (we have a Diesel truck). They're not just for big rigs but you do need a Diesel.

Sometimes, payment can be a pain because you need to go inside to authorize but I've never had an issue with that.

Otherwise, stick to the Lowe's, Pilots, and Flying-J's (or other large stations) if possible.. they typically have large enough fuel lanes (for Gas) for you to get through.

[CaptnJohn]

I haven’t see gas in the Truck lanes since the 1970s. Many Flying J have an RV lane, the rest are hit or Miss, mostly miss. One of many reasons I went diesel many years ago and have an auxiliary tank. I can go 975 miles pulling 15,500# before I need to think of fuel. With a gasser I was searching fuel every 250 miles or less. It can be done, I’ve done it and many still do.

[puestads]

I have always used google maps in satellite mode to make sure
Pumps are parellel with the road for easy in and out. I also find that it is worth the trouble to find stations away from the big truck stops.

[USAF Retired]

Another good app is Trucker Path. It will allow trip planning and will list low bridges along said route, truck stops, both mom n pops as well as major chains, will also give Walmarts and usually say whether or not they allow overnight parking. It will also give updated fuel prices.

[Jim in Halifax]

I have a Truck and a 36' 5er...I use the outside islands most of the time and keep well outside of the island..keeping in mind that the hose will reach....Gives you room for your RV to go around the island when you exit...Gas filler door is on drivers side!

[moose074]

My first trailer was a TT 36’ hitch to bumper, I started with a 2011 Ram 2500 CC long bed CTD and rarely used the truck lanes ( don’t know what I was thinking or if there was a reason) . Needless to say long truck long trl there were some tight spots but we did it. I traded for a 2014 Toyota Tundra CC so long but not as long. I was always able to find a station but some were really tight. I only have two places that I still remember because they were bad. One was a gas station just outside the DFW area off I 20 the layout was rv friendly but the traffic was crazy and people didn’t care I needed room and the wife had to get out and stop traffic and unfortunately while she was doing that some jerk decided that since all the parking spots were full they would park at the end of the pump area not leaving me room to move forward.
The second station I believe was an Exxon station in Suzanville CA heading thru town I didn’t want to cross traffic because it was a busy little street at the time and I would have to cross to get back on route. So I passed a few stations that would have worked by the time I thought I was running out of options. So I hit that Exxon station. Because there was a wall between there parking lot it was a pull in and back out but it was a small lot trying to navigate it was difficult but doable. Now I love the diesel lanes the big rigs use.

Driving a bus occasionally and needing to feed kids I use google earth to see if the bus fits. I just wish the other coaches would as they often put me in bad spots trying to get the team fed

[camper Dave]

Lots said about space and should be but I have a more important issue for myself. I.tow with the fridge on meaning gas flame. So.i look for a pump (preferably on the outside) and only pull in far enough to fuel the truck leaving the TT behind so no chance of igniting fumes

[dieselguy]

We travel with the gas on at the fridge as well. However, taking a chance on an errant cloud of gas fumes blowing by just isn't worth not taking a whole two minutes to turn off the fridge.