|
|
11-20-2021, 10:09 AM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 550
|
Getting gas with a 40 ft trailer
When traveling how easy is it to maneuver into gas stations with a 40 ft trailer to get gas. I know most truck stops have fuel lanes with diesel but do they have lanes that are easily accessible for long trailers being towed by a gas truck?
|
|
|
11-20-2021, 10:17 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Brunswick Hills
Posts: 916
|
Tip to tail, ours is 35', but same issue. I look for stations that have gas lanes parallel to the serving road. Most Pilot, Flying J etc. are perpendicular and full of traffic so I always avoid them. The stations that are parallel, are easy (easier) in and out since the turns are minimal, limited mainly to getting off road and back on, and with more room to maneuver. In my part of the world, Marathon, Exxon, BP (50/50) and many stations a few extra miles from any interstate exits in more rural areas work for me. Bottom line, it's an Easter egg hunt but once I find 'em, I enter the location into my GPS in a fuel stop file for future needs.
__________________
Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want.
"We'll be friends until we're old and senile,....then we'll be new friends."
|
|
|
11-20-2021, 10:21 AM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Missouri City, The Republic of Texas
Posts: 5,063
|
I use the truck lanes. Early on I made some poor choices making fuel stops. If we have to stop at a smaller station I look at the satellite view on google maps to get an idea of a good entry/exit plan. Our 5th is 39’
__________________
Cheers,
T_
2013 F-350 CC SB 2WD 6.7PS
2013 Eagle Premier 351 RLTS
-SOLD- 2012 X23B
-SOLD- 2003 Ford Expedition 5.4, Bilstein shocks
|
|
|
11-20-2021, 10:25 AM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 550
|
I didn’t think truck lanes had gas, just diesel. Am I wrong?
|
|
|
11-20-2021, 10:28 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Missouri City, The Republic of Texas
Posts: 5,063
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by slabat
I didn’t think truck lanes had gas, just diesel. Am I wrong?
|
Oops, sorry bout that. Didn’t note you were buying gasoline. You are correct. Google maps would still be an option.
__________________
Cheers,
T_
2013 F-350 CC SB 2WD 6.7PS
2013 Eagle Premier 351 RLTS
-SOLD- 2012 X23B
-SOLD- 2003 Ford Expedition 5.4, Bilstein shocks
|
|
|
11-20-2021, 06:06 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Rock Island
Posts: 1,073
|
As you expect, not all stations will work. I have found my self waiting for an end pump to open before pulling to the pump rather than trying to get into the center. You just need to be patient.
As you travel The “gas buddy” app will have reviews on accessibility to long rigs and well as show you best pricing on your route.
__________________
2017 Eagle 291RSTS
2017 Chevy Silverado Duramax 2500
|
|
|
11-20-2021, 06:49 PM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9,780
|
I have seen a few inner city large gas stations that the truck fueling lanes, that have gasoline.
We are not that big, I always start looking early so I can have options. Some people will use Google services to figure out what stations are goo.
Getring gas is like playing a game of chess. I'm planning 3 moves ahead. My key tip, always plan the escape.
Generally speaking, I always want an end lane. As I usually can pull around cars ahead of me. I always look at the traffic flow. I never want to be forced, to drive across-the-board front of the store.
If I pull into a town to get fuel and I see multiple stations, I'll do a drive by, to see which one is easy in/out. I'll pay a few cents more for convenience.
|
|
|
11-20-2021, 07:28 PM
|
#8
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: James Island, SC
Posts: 22,859
|
If you are not familiar with the area, you will have to do some planning ahead for possible fuel stops.
We have a diesel but we still try to fill up when we are un-hooked.
__________________
Moderator
2011- 351RLTS Eagle, MorRyde suspension/pin box,
2017- F350 6.7 PSD Lariat FX4,SRW, SB,CC
Hughes PWD SP-50A, TST TPMS
Gator roll-up bed cover
B&W Turnover ball, Companion Std hitch
Can't find what you're looking on JOF? Try Jayco Owners Forum Custom Google Search
|
|
|
11-20-2021, 07:48 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 479
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by slabat
When traveling how easy is it to maneuver into gas stations with a 40 ft trailer to get gas. I know most truck stops have fuel lanes with diesel but do they have lanes that are easily accessible for long trailers being towed by a gas truck?
|
No, you cant depend on a truck stop as having a dedicated fuel "lane" to accommodate a gas rig with the length of a semi. Generally they do not have special gas lanes.
You may try going around back to to the semi truck fuel up area- but thats generally diesel only.
For the most part you are are going to fuel up in the common area where cars fill up.
Plan ahead- google satellite potential fuel stops on your route and estimate if you "have 40 acres to turn that rig around".
|
|
|
11-21-2021, 07:56 AM
|
#10
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Mendota
Posts: 6
|
I orderd “The Next Exit” from Amazon, it has been very helpful not just for fuel stops. Once I needed to find an urgent care and it was just 30 miles down the road.
|
|
|
11-21-2021, 08:09 AM
|
#11
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: James Island, SC
Posts: 22,859
|
They also have an app but it's not rated as well as the book.
__________________
Moderator
2011- 351RLTS Eagle, MorRyde suspension/pin box,
2017- F350 6.7 PSD Lariat FX4,SRW, SB,CC
Hughes PWD SP-50A, TST TPMS
Gator roll-up bed cover
B&W Turnover ball, Companion Std hitch
Can't find what you're looking on JOF? Try Jayco Owners Forum Custom Google Search
|
|
|
11-21-2021, 08:14 AM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: McKean, PA
Posts: 1,073
|
Many Flying J and Pilot stations have special drive through RV lanes that also come equipped with dump stations and propane service. An RV Plus card also gets you a fuel discount.
__________________
2011 Skylark 21FKV
|
|
|
11-21-2021, 10:18 AM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 770
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by us71na
Many Flying J and Pilot stations have special drive through RV lanes that also come equipped with dump stations and propane service. An RV Plus card also gets you a fuel discount.
|
Ditto. I have the Flying J app and it shows where the stations are and confirms RV lanes. I believe all Flying J have lanes and some Pilot - both stations are listed in the Flying J app.
Lanes are not always great and can be tighter turns than I would like or exit goes between store and car lanes, but it has always been possible to get through where many times the car lanes are not.
__________________
2018 Jayco Greyhawk 31FS
2023 Wrangler 392
|
|
|
11-21-2021, 11:50 AM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9,780
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by mini4mw
Ditto. I have the Flying J app and it shows where the stations are and confirms RV lanes. I believe all Flying J have lanes and some Pilot - both stations are listed in the Flying J app.
Lanes are not always great and can be tighter turns than I would like or exit goes between store and car lanes, but it has always been possible to get through where many times the car lanes are not.
|
X2, I got in big trouble at on in Wisconsin a few years back. Big sign said RV lanes. Did not look great, but I was able to get fuel easily. Went to leave and was stuck. They had installed K rail, I think to keep them senis out. But due to how every was parked, I could not loop around. Called the district manager on Monday and he was aware of the issue I had and why. He said it would be fixed. I drove past 2 weeks later for work, and the K rail was rearranged. Last time I have been to that station.
|
|
|
11-21-2021, 12:24 PM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Rock Island
Posts: 1,073
|
I have found the fly J and Pilot very convenient and for those diesel guys, they have def fluid pumps also.
My issue with them is that even with their discount fuel card they can still be 20-30 cents a gallon more than across the street.
__________________
2017 Eagle 291RSTS
2017 Chevy Silverado Duramax 2500
|
|
|
11-21-2021, 01:56 PM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 1,808
|
Ideally you have a co-pilot who can scout ahead for locations. My wife will often pull up Google Maps and go to the satellite view and look at the parking lot. Small parking lot, unlikely to be friendly. Larger parking lots give you more room to manuever.
Street view will also give you a better sense of the layout of the pumps and let you know what way to attack.
Either way, slow down and confirm your route BEFORE you get too far in. There have been times that I've found a gas station that looks ok, then as I am about to pull in I realize it just won't work for a variety of reasons. Consider the angle of the approach/exit, the height of the canopy, crowds in the lot, etc.
|
|
|
11-21-2021, 02:31 PM
|
#17
|
Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 49
|
I am also in the camp that likes to plan ahead by looking at the aerial pictures and street view if the location has it. Not always possible, so sometimes you just have to eyeball it and when in doubt if you will fit, go on to the next station. If we are out sightseeing in the truck alone, we always come back to camp full of fuel.
|
|
|
11-22-2021, 08:24 AM
|
#18
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Gurnee, IL
Posts: 1,307
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by ExxWhy
I am also in the camp that likes to plan ahead by looking at the aerial pictures and street view if the location has it. Not always possible, so sometimes you just have to eyeball it and when in doubt if you will fit, go on to the next station. If we are out sightseeing in the truck alone, we always come back to camp full of fuel.
|
x2. That's how we do it too. I also look at the approach apron to make sure I won't drag going in or out. I'm 51' bumper to bumper. I always preplan a few options as once the pump I could fit in was out of service and another time there was road construction that prevented me from going to my station to choice. I had to go to plan B. Most of my trips I know of certain stations along frequently traveled routs that I know I can get into and out of.
__________________
Scott, DW, and Identical Twin DS (12)
2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ Crew Cab 3.0L Duramax 4WD
2019 Jayco Jay Flight SLX 298BH
2013 Jayco Jay 1206 (Sold)
|
|
|
11-24-2021, 12:53 PM
|
#19
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Niagara Falls
Posts: 27
|
I have found, in my travels, that the majority of gas stations tend to have their pumps facing the store, hoping to direct you there to make additional purchases. When traveling, I always travel with two empty 5 gallon gas cans secured in the bed of my truck.
If things are too tight, and I need gas I can park nearby and fill up my two cans and put it in the truck if need be.
I currently have a diesel on order … besides the need for the pulling power, fuelling it certainly factored into that decision.
|
|
|
11-24-2021, 12:57 PM
|
#20
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Cleveland
Posts: 2
|
Looking early
I have a 36 gallon tank in the truck— I start looking when my gauge gets to half — That gives me a couple of hours of travel time to find a place I like— I am 50 feet long-
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|