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Old 02-25-2020, 07:24 PM   #1
meg38
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Fuel stops

So going to the Keys in June. Upgraded to a 5er last fall. This is my first fifth wheel so the height can be a bit intimidating. I did get an RV GPS to help with trips. I also use the Rvparky app which is great for showing lots of info that's RV related. We will be taking I81,77,26, to 95. So this may be a dumb question but its one of the things that makes me nervous for the trip. What do you all do as far as knowing you'll fit in a fuel stop? My truck is a gasser not diesel. So the trucker pumps are out. Camper is 35ft long & 13'4 height. In a perfect world I would pull into a place with lots of room to pull up to the pumps & a tall canopy. So to the experienced owners of a gasser truck & 5er please feel free to give me any advise or tips. I'm sure I'm overthinking it. Just have this fear of pulling in & getting stuck while low on fuel. Grateful for any help!!
 
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Old 02-25-2020, 07:31 PM   #2
Hblick48
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I've used Google Earth to make sure I can get in and out.
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Old 02-25-2020, 07:57 PM   #3
Route66Rambler
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A lot of Pilot/Flying J stations of RV specific fuel islands that have gas and diesel. Usually they have no canopy overhead and plenty of room to get in and out. Check out the Pilot/Flying J app or use RV Trip Wizard. They show which have the RV islands.
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Old 02-26-2020, 05:20 AM   #4
mazboy
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You'll have to do what happens to us at times. Look ahead as you come up to an exit to see what the gas station has for you.

As for the keys, there are plenty of gas stations for you--with the trailer.

If that worried just carry an extra 5 gallons of fuel. MAKE SURE when going towards Miami that you are full...suddenly you are in traffic and no gas station that you can go into.
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Old 02-26-2020, 06:30 AM   #5
Daryles
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Google maps satellite view to see if we can fit, turn around. Carry a gas can. You can always disconnect in a nearby parking lot.
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Old 02-26-2020, 08:15 AM   #6
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Most newer stations have covers high enough to be no problem. The problem tends more to be getting into and out of the front pump lanes. I have a diesel but rarely use the truck stops. Just don't like them. So I use the regular station front pumps.

I am very much a planner. I typically plan ahead before leaving, estimate where I will need to fuel up, and use google maps satellite view to locate and view stations in that area, and google maps street view to see them from ground level. With those two tools, I can see how entrances/exits look and how high the covers are. Hasn't failed me yet. Saves me having to start searching while driving along and wondering what I am going to find. With a 35 gallon tank I never have to stop more than once on any given day. I start with a full tank, and fill up before hitting the road again after a stay somewhere.
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Old 02-26-2020, 08:19 AM   #7
Kyle and Lisa
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We always top off our tank the day before we move to another location, although we only travel 2-5 hours at a time.
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Old 03-04-2020, 01:41 PM   #8
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Gas stations are a real problem, especially for gas vehicles, and yes at RV pumps without exit space. I've had to have my wife stop traffic so I can back out onto main highways. It's one of the stressful parts of towing. Out West, it's even more difficult. Having to do Google earth to buy gas indicates that gas stations are not aware of this. After a recent trip I wrote to Pilot/Flying j and they personally called me to say theydidn'trealizethis and would look into the problem. Please write corporate in Tennessee. More voices the better.

Many times, I didn't have reasonable options
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Old 03-04-2020, 01:49 PM   #9
davemitchell59
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I agree with a previous post that most newer stations have canopies above 14', so that isn't typically a worry. It's the navigation in/out that can get tricky.

I've used the satellite view on Google Maps at times. We've found that most truck stops have pretty good space at their pumps on the car side too. When fueling at a car island, I try to minimize my navigation needs. That usually ends up being the first pump. But, I've also had to back out of one location after fueling when I discovered I didn't have turning options that I was comfortable with.

We've even done a drive-by before and said, "Nope. Not trying that one."

We typically start looking for fuel options up ahead when we drop below 1/2 a tank. At that point we know we have 80-100 miles to 1/4 tank, which is when DW starts getting nervous. It allows us to be more flexible with our fueling options.

We use to always get diesel on the car islands at smaller stations because I wasn't going to pay the truck stop inflated prices. But we don't worry about that any more since we secured a TSD fuel card for RVers that gets us significant discounts at the major truck stops. Now we join the truckers, so no more issues with clearance or navigation.
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Old 03-04-2020, 01:56 PM   #10
Peter1965
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I would agree. I remember the days when I was using a gas truck. The overwhelming majority of the gas side of truck stops had enough height to get you into. Maneuvering was always the trick. I would just pull in and position myself for the outside pumps. There were some stressful times blocking traffic with our 5ver which is 42 1/2 feet.

Gone diesel now and those days are behind us.
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Old 03-04-2020, 02:10 PM   #11
oddjobal
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I always go and top off before I hook up. I am like others. I never go more than 5 hours. I also have a aux tank in my bed with 10 gal on board. I have had some close calls in TEXAS
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Old 03-04-2020, 02:34 PM   #12
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Extra expense. I use a RDS gravity feed auxiliary fuel tank.
Paying (cost of tank) for peace of mind.

Live the Keys.
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Old 03-04-2020, 02:43 PM   #13
DaveK
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Is the tank for diesel or gas?

Every time were travel, I end up gassing up during the trip, even when I leave with a full tank.
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Old 03-04-2020, 03:05 PM   #14
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I've researched and kept notes on the gas stations that worked for us (and marked ones that might in the future) on



www.rvislands.com
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Old 03-04-2020, 03:38 PM   #15
Rdt1012@att.net
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RDS auxiliary tanks can be used with either gasoline or diesel (with kit)
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Old 03-04-2020, 03:46 PM   #16
StageCoachDriver
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I also pull with a gasser and I prefer truck stops. Flying J, TA, Loves, etc all have taller gas islands than most gas stations.
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Old 03-04-2020, 04:02 PM   #17
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I live in Miami has gone lots of times camping in the keys what I do is fill up before going into the keys you’ll have enough gas to make it all the way you’re going unhitch at camp site and go fill up your truck for your trip back
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Old 03-04-2020, 04:19 PM   #18
darbutis
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I have recently purchased the 2020 edition of the book "The Next Exit." If you are on an interstate, it tells you what is at each exit. Not only does it tell you available gas stations, but which are RV friendly. I haven't tested it yet.
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Old 03-04-2020, 04:53 PM   #19
Jeff W
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Ditto the Pilot/ Flying J comment. Many have an RV lane. Also, you can just park off to the side, drop the trailer, fill-up and then hook back-up. I have had to do that twice, but honestly I didn’t mind, because at the end of a tank, I am getting antsy and need to stretch the legs for a while.

I also pre-plan my fuel stops if I will need one before we arrive in the evening. I often limit myself to 250-300 miles which I can just get with my truck. So if I am going further, I use RVLife, Pilot App and Google Maps to plan my fuel stop.
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Old 03-04-2020, 05:37 PM   #20
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When in doubt, I have DW get out and watch. Some canopies are marked for height but I always wonder if that measurement includes the lights and cameras that hang below the canopy. Better safe than sorry.
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