Community Forums

Maggie8 · 04-03-2013, 12:05 PM

On this model, Newmar put the gasoline tank in the back of the rig to the very right of the roof ladder. This makes it very difficult to find a place to refuel it. I don't fit in conventional gas stations because I have to pull so far forward to get the gas tank behind me. When I can find a Flying J with a dedicated RV island, no problem. Otherwise, I cannot fit into a regular gas station and only once in a while can I fit into a Wal-Mart gas station but then block lanes or entrances/exits for the 15 minutes or so it takes to fuel. Seems like a small amount of time but people get irrate/rude. Getting out is whole'nother problem. My experience is that the hose from a tank on the right will not come far enough over to the tank for the nozzle to fit into the hole. This is a logistical nightmare. This is the only year Newmar did this and obviously they realized the screw up and put it back on side in 2012.

When I can't find a Flying J, I look for truck stops but they are few and far between in some states and are mostly for the diesel crowd. Pilots/Love's have diesel in the rear of the stores, but not gasoline. Anyone want to share where they go to refuel while on the road if they have this same rig? Tips?

I am currently planning a trip out west and I am finding on some routes... no Flying Js. I-29N out of MO into IA and then SD (Sioux Falls) ... zip. I've looked at truck stop finder websites but there is not enough info to figure if they have gasoline pumps that are not right on top of the store front where I can't pull up far enough or get back out easily. I'm even finding that some of the original Flying Js don't have the islands for RVs up north and I can't fit in their islands in the front without hanging out in the road or blocking traffic in the station.

Anyone?

Thanks.

rosannemarie · 04-03-2013, 12:51 PM

Hi Maggie,

We have the same coach and it is also our first Class A! However, we've not had any problems to speak of, but we also live in the West where things are generally more spreadout. One time we gassed at a station which was tight getting in/out, but applied careful 'sharp' turns huddling up close to the island edge and we took our time. People were patient. We try to choose wide/open gas stations over gas prices. Having the tank opening in the middle gives us more options with choosing the 'easiest' island. We usually drive straight in to the gas pump. Additionally, we fill up usually at a 1/4 of a tank. Sometimes at 1/2 a tank if we know we're going through a stretch with minimal services available. Your experience maybe our fear when we eventually go East after retirement - but hopefully tools for identifying suitable places in advance will be readily available.

buttster · 04-03-2013, 02:33 PM

This may help as we also have a problem in refueling, with our 2011 "3810" which is longer (and towing). First we use "Streets and Trips" to plan a route. You can then request on route all gas stations, campgrounds etc. thru settings. Then use "Google maps" and use the little man to view the selected station for pump location and room provided at pumps.
We have also found most "BP stations" have good access, but check on "Google maps".
Have a great trip, lots to see as we've been there. Averaged 7.5MPG towing. We used I-94 out & I-80 back.

Maggie8 · 04-03-2013, 10:38 PM

Rosannemarie: Thanks for the reply. I live in the East and have no problem finding Flying Js with the dedicated RV lane. I am having trouble finding them out west. What are the names of some of the wide/open gas stations are you using to fuel up in SD, IA, WY or MT? Maggie

Maggie8 · 04-03-2013, 10:44 PM

Buttster: Thanks for the info. I have not tried google maps, will do so. Do you know offhand if BPs are common in the west? Dakotas, WY, MT, UT, AZ, CO? They are not common where I live in NC. When I lived in Central FL they were fairly common. Maggie

KSCRUDE · 04-04-2013, 05:38 AM

It's really not that big of a problem. My fuel fill is far back on the drivers side. I can fill at about any place that sells gas. Sometimes I pull way ahead and fill the gas tank on the back of the car on a trailer behind the RV. That's way back there. Gassing up is a first come, self serve event. If others don't like me fueling up, they can go else where, or come earlier before we get there. Never had a problem yet as we fuel up then get out of the way. Find a parking place then do our messing around. The fuel islands are for fueling, not a parking spot after you fuel as many seem to believe!

buttster · 04-04-2013, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggie8

Buttster: Thanks for the info. I have not tried google maps, will do so. Do you know offhand if BPs are common in the west? Dakotas, WY, MT, UT, AZ, CO? They are not common where I live in NC. When I lived in Central FL they were fairly common. Maggie

Sorry I'm not sure about BP out West as we found Flying J most of our way out.

rosannemarie · 04-04-2013, 08:40 AM

We haven't had our Canyon Star long enough to visit those states, but will this summer, except IA. I think Buttster has a great idea w/ Streets & Trips! We use google maps/little man all the time to get a 'visual' when driving the car around - it's great! You have a wide range of options out West. Lots of truck/travel stops, Loves, Pilot, Flying J and many independent stops too. Freeway signs typically list gas stations at upcoming exits and we usually select those with multiple choices (prices are similar too). Hwys usually post a sign "No Services for next __ miles" just before last exit w/ services. We use truck/travel stops about half the time (just off interstates). You'll also see spacious chains like Chevron, Shell, Conoco, Arco, and of course Costco/Safeway etc. Nearly all the newer stations tend to be spacious. 'RV friendly' logos may be on some road signs too. BP is not so common, mostly seen in rural areas. Rural areas typically have the older 'small' stations. Honestly, I don't think you'll have a shortage of options unless you drive mostly off the beaten path in rural areas. When we go rural, we usually gas up before so we don't have to think about getting gas.

rosannemarie · 04-04-2013, 08:42 AM

Also...Oregon does NOT allow self-serve. The attendant will pump your gas.

PDR John · 04-04-2013, 09:55 AM

In South Dakota there is a Flying J the junction of I 29 and I90 in Sioux Falls and again on the east side of Rapid City.

But you shouldn't have problems any where in between. We put our 38' in gas stations in Chamberlain, Mitchell and Wall. All right off an exit on I90.

In Iowa on I29 there are truck stops in a few different places that will hold you with no problems. A few have recently become Flying J/Pilot, so their most likely not on the web yet.

I been back and forth on that route dozens of times. You'll be fine and have fun.

We now drive a 43' and have stopped at several places along there as well.