Fuel stops

[JohnWedell]

My rig is also 60 feet long but it’s a gasser. I try to stay with the big boys like flying J with the RV fuel islands, but even then it gets to be a problem when people block you in. We usually fill up every 150 miles. So from New York to Florida then back it’s a lot of fuel stops. The only good part is I only have to do it once a year.

[Tonyzsi]

That's the benefit of a small rig- 21' truck & 21' camper. I can usually whip it in anywhere and get gas. Good thing too since I can only go ~170 miles on a tank.

[Sola123]

Love those 50 gallon aux tanks....combined with my 37 gal stock tank can easily drive over 800 miles between fill ups.... no stopping for fuel between campgrounds.....fill up anywhere we want to without the 5er.....easy to install yourself....takes couple of hours....buy tank and connectors online....

[jbrnigan]

Having lots of fuel, is no doubt a giant plus when you are trying to make lots of miles between fueling stops. But, now in my golden years (or gray hair days), having either 30 gallons or 100, makes no difference anymore. I gotta stop every few hours - stretch, snack, call of nature, or just to enjoy a vista. Fuel stops just always seem to fall into one of those reasons. Enjoy the journey as well as the destination.........

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by Sola123

Love those 50 gallon aux tanks....combined with my 37 gal stock tank can easily drive over 800 miles between fill ups.... no stopping for fuel between campgrounds.....fill up anywhere we want to without the (trailer).....snip

Originally Posted by jbrnigan

Having lots of fuel, is no doubt a giant plus when you are trying to make lots of miles between fueling stops. But, now in my golden years (or gray hair days), having either 30 gallons or 100, makes no difference anymore. I gotta stop every few hours - stretch, snack, call of nature, or just to enjoy a vista. Fuel stops just always seem to fall into one of those reasons. Enjoy the journey as well as the destination.........

We have a 50gal aux fuel tank and I agree with both of the above:
We fill up when WE want to and we enjoy the journey more because the added fuel capacity means fewer mandatory fuel stops.

[Sola123]

Having the fuel and being able to drive 800 plus miles does not change the journey really....I still just drive about 200-250 per day...take my time...enjoy the scenery...take breaks....let the good times roll.....and enjoy the RV life....

[mnaquaman]

I tend to go where the big rigs go as long as I ma traveling on the interstate! If traveling the two lane highways I tend to hit the stations on the outer edges of towns - the inner city stations can many times be to small and tight! Look it over good and if anything feels wrong - move on down the road!!

[Jagiven]

If you have a Diesel, truck stops are great! But with a gasser, it's hit or miss. When I need gas, I like to pull off somewhere with multiple options, and try to get an outside lane, that is easy to get out. My goal is to get out easily!

long story short; where I really learned my lesson about paying attention to your exit plan, I stopped at a Truck stop (gasser) in Wisconsin a few years ago. Sign say RVs->, so I went off to the pumps. When I went to leave, they had K-rail everywhere, and I could no turn around to leave. I called the district office on Monday and complained. They knew exactly what my problem was and said the K-rail was there to keep the semis out of the gas pump area. Drove past the next week for work, and the K-Rails had been moved around a bit, so an TT could get out.

Lesson learned, make sure to have an exit plan!

[Atlee]

Assuming gasser, I've found that sometimes Pilot stations were among the worse places to refuel. Their pumps were closer to the building, giving less maneuver room.

And when I've used other fueling places that have a T arrangement, I usually try to use the furthest outside to the right as I faced the pumps and building. Usually here, I had plenty of space to turn right after I finished refueling.

I have found after refueling many, many times while on the road, that with experience, you will be able to determine fairly quickly what are go/no go places, and it will not be quite as intimidating.

And one last thought, always look before you pull in. Figure out in your mind a path out, before committing.

[larryrebos]

flying j and pilots are great with good sam discount. All of them are easy in and out. Costco also works great. We have a 20 footer so it's all easy. no t too big on Loves but anything is better than pushing it!

[TCNashville]

Originally Posted by jbrnigan

But, now in my golden years (or gray hair days), having either 30 gallons or 100, makes no difference anymore. I gotta stop every few hours - stretch, snack, call of nature, or just to enjoy a vista.

Yep, that call of nature thing gets me too about every 200 miles or so.

[Jopopsy]

The few Flying J's I've been to on the east coast had 2 RV lanes off to the side (gas). I really appreciated that !

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by Jopopsy

The few Flying J's I've been to on the east coast had 2 RV lanes off to the side (gas). I really appreciated that !

Me too! Flying J has been my first choice for years because of the RV lanes and RV parking. BUT, things have changed; Flying J is now owned by Pilot, their newer locations do not always have those RV lanes, and I've seen locations where all the RV parking sites were filled with bob-tail semi trucks!.

[Akraft]

Originally Posted by mcwoods2

What are the best places for Fuel and easy access when you are on the road. Truck Stops? Large Retail Gas Station? Whats your preference?

I have went to truck stops and unless you have diesel they are not any better. I look for the far right pump t be available and scope it out for having enough room to pull it around. My experience has been about 1 out of 4 stations are manageable. Just scope it out before you pull in.

Good luck.