phone app for rv friendly gas stations

[scottraycraft]

title says it all...what do you use?

I usually pull into any old regular gas station with a 30' trailer...I barely get in and out of there, usually with a lot of stress and swearing...

I want to avoid that...find rv friendly gas stations with my phone

[TWP723]

I use RV Parky.

[Sundancer330]

I just pull off when I need gas, Never had a problem

[Davejavu]

We just traveled from Michigan to Orlando and back (about 2400 miles round trip). It sure would have been nice to have a comprehensive app for gas. Makes me jealous of all the Ford Super Duty guys with diesel engines using the truck stop pumps. Our whole rig is just over 60 feet with the bike rack. We destroyed my sons bike trying to maneuver in to a pump at Flying J. Our best luck was using Google Maps satellite view to scope out the pumps and then we stuck to outside pumps. One time, found gas for 20 cents less per gallon than anywhere around, so we unhooked the camper at a nearby parking lot so we could use the station.

[Bassdogs]

I use 2 things, my eyes and my brain. As I approach the 1/2 tank I start watching the Exits ahead for available fuel stations. I'm looking for exits with 3 or more on the service signage. That way I will have choices. Then as I exit I go the direction of the majority of the stations and immediately eyeball the station layouts. You want a station where the pump islands are laid out parallel to the road. That way it s/b an easy in and out without having to make tight 90degree turns to get to the pumps. Forget all your old favorite brands, all you are looking for is the layout of the pump islands. It is easy to spot the best ones. If you can't find the right layout, head back up on the highway and catch the next exit. That's why you start looking with 1/2 tank.


Hard rule: Don't pull into any lot without first planning your escape route when you are finished. Most people I've seen with a problem have driven themselves into a trap. Easiest way is to follow this rule.

[Midnightmoon]

Flying J has a search feature on their website that allows you to search for their stores that have dedicated RV lanes and dump stations along your route. If possible, I try and use those since they are usually very easy in and out.

[RAurand]

Originally Posted by Sundancer330

I just pull off when I need gas, Never had a problem

Same here. As I start to pull into the gas station, I am planning my exit every time. If tight, I stay on the end pumps.

I strongly agree with Bassdogs "HARD RULE"

[RedHorse1]

We pull with a diesel and use the Allstays app as the first search tool. I back that up with Google maps (sat view) if I have concerns about getting in/out. Like many posters I don’t enter unless I can see the way out.
Using the commercial pump lanes usually works pretty smoothly and I can find a parking spot if we want to get a bite to eat. Usually a single fuel stop in a day will get us to the next destination and I will hunt fuel while we are out for dinner while unhitched.
If I had to buy gasoline it’d be a different story.
Thought about getting a Titan tank to replace the OE but decided against it due to $$$, weight and my bladder makes me stop anyway.
The Bride/navigator does an excellent job of finding fuel stops and usually has the day’s stop picked out before we leave the CG.
Here in S TX stopping at a Buc-ee’s is a given.

[3'senough]

I use the gas buddy app to check the market in areas we are passing through. Fuel along any interstate is always priced higher. State to state varies widely as a result of taxes. In the NE most interstate fuel stops are easy access for any size rigs, gas or diesel, just you pay for it. NJ used to be the cheapest like VA, but no longer the case and the lines are shorter now too. DE, VA, MA are the cheaper states up this way and where I plan to stop most times.

A week before the trip I check the app and plan a few stops. This allows me to get a market feel and what is a good price. It's varied as much as .80 cents a gallon at times. Now I look out for a price in that range along the route and I'll fill up if it's easy access. The truck stops are the highest most of the time and I avoid them unless I have to do it.

You should know your range. If not then just figure 9/10 MPG with a cushion of 50 miles. Do a little homework and plan a stop around it. I find it's less stressful that way and I can set my GPS for it.

Google earth street view is a great tool that I use as it gives you a good feel of the station and if it's an issue or not.

[travelingjw]

I agree with Bassdogs, but understand your concerns, espcially when the Navigator gets nervous. When traveling through cities and there is no Flying J, Loves, etc. we look for a place with diesel. (Our course, this could be a West Coast thing). Not once have we pulled into a place that advertised diesel was there an issue. Another solution is to Google truck stops.

[nighthawk87]

It’s really best to plan the stops ahead of time. Having internet makes that so easy now. Then you also have a countdown on your nav until your next break. With the kids that makes a big difference. We found out how nice it is taking a stop every 1.5 hrs to stretch. Makes each leg easy and doesn’t delay much if you pick the stops out in advance and have a plan. Since we started doing that we enjoy the drives much more and it only adds about one hour to our day.

[Bassdogs]

Originally Posted by nighthawk87

It’s really best to plan the stops ahead of time. We found out how nice it is taking a stop every 1.5 hrs to stretch.

I don't plan it out that way but agree that occasional stops make everything more relaxed. In our case its about Dog stops and they have no problems going 3hours or more if needed. More frequent stops tends to waste a lot of time and makes it harder to make your destination and still get landed by late afternoon or early evening. With the mpgs while towing being in the 10 range, fuel stops fulfill most of our needs with an occasional rest area as needed.

Remind yourself that you are driving on the top half of your fuel tank and keep in mind that there is a different strategy needed when traveling regular hwy's rather than interstates. Fuel stations are mostly located at crossroads or communities on regular roads and may not offer as many choices as an interstate exit. Fueling doesn't need to be stressful, if you give yourself time and stay on the top 1/2 of the tank.

[Seann45]

Most Pilot/Flying J's have dedicated RV pumps with diesel and gas. I would assume that most other truck stops have the same..