Gas Fueling Accessibility Issues

[D-S]

This may have been discussed somewhere else but I have found it difficult to refuel a my gas burning motorhome. As a newbie to motor coaches and RV'ing it is my observation that it's much easier to refuel your coach if your running a diesel rig verses a gas burner due to fuel pump accessibility. And if you have a dolly behind you it becomes even more difficult for a gas burner to get to a pump without obstructing traffic flow.

Are there any gas stations that have pumps situated for gas burning rigs that make it easier to get into?

[t55watson]

Flyin J has RV islands with gas and diesel pumps. I have never had a problem (damage) in any gas station but slow and careful is the answer.

[Betr2Trvl]

Originally Posted by D-S

This may have been discussed somewhere else but I have found it difficult to refuel a my gas burning motorhome. As a newbie to motor coaches and RV'ing it is my observation that it's much easier to refuel your coach if your running a diesel rig verses a gas burner due to fuel pump accessibility. And if you have a dolly behind you it becomes even more difficult for a gas burner to get to a pump without obstructing traffic flow.

Are there any gas stations that have pumps situated for gas burning rigs that make it easier to get into?

I have run into the same challenge on our first trips as well. Most gas islands run towards the building, and / or only have one way in and out, and there is no way to get in and out without backing up. Even ran into this issue with a Pilot and Flying J on our last trip.

We are thinking that stations / truck stops that are more "rural" have more land, so we are going to work that plan going forward as appropriate.

We did find a gas station near our storage place that we can get in and out of, so we're always going to start with a full tank. And once we get to the 1/2 tank level, start looking for "promising" stations. Also, if we can make it on a single tank, will probably wait until we get close to our destination to fill up, and if we have to unhook the toad, one of us will just drive the MH and the other the Jeep until we get to the campground instead of hooking up again.

Looking forward to see if anyone else has a better plan!

[doublehooked]

Not all Flying J's have RV islands. You need to check on their web site to see if the station you want to stop at has an RV island for gas rigs. I use Google maps to check for gas stations along my route. Then you can check out the gas stations with a photo and satellite picture from the maps. You can also use Google earth. It takes a little time but worth it.

[Fred and Bonnie]

Originally Posted by Betr2Trvl

Most gas islands run towards the building, and / or only have one way in and out, and there is no way to get in and out without backing up. Even ran into this issue with a Pilot and Flying J on our last trip.

We plan to refuel when the tank is 1/2 full, scope out stations avoiding, stations with aisles facing in. We haven't had any problems finding gas.

Fred

[jacwjames]

We had a gas Class C 31' and now have a Class A 40' diesel.

The Class C only had a fueling location on one side, which means we had to watch where we went. Knowing this dictates how you approach. The only real problem we had was when we were waiting in line, to be courteous I wouldn't block the main access but as a result there were times when people would jump in front of us. I remember 1 time I had a yelling match with a driver who jumped in front, I was not a happy camper.

Now with the Class A we have fueling on both sides which does provide flexibility. Most of the time we are pulling a Jeep which does limit approaches with the inability to back up, so we have to be cautious of entrance and exit strategies.

We have had good luck with newer Walmarts and Sam's clubs, they usually have plenty of room with multiple access. If I jump off the interstate I try to take an exit with multiple fuel choices and we pick the one that has the easiest access in and out. I use Gasbuddy.com and try and pick lower price locations.

[CampDaven]

Some folks have not seen the new, bigger stations. This one across the street from a FJ.
42 + toad. Easy-peasy, convenient and no need to back up. Give it a try! In this case, the price was $0.49 difference.
You know what an FJ looks like. Truck fleets get rebates or discount contracts. We don't.
Lots of ROOM!!!

[wa8yxm]

There are many,, As noted Flying J has RV islands.. Which may NOT be the best choice.. Flying-J,Loves, Pilot TA and other major truck plazzas often have very large and easily accessed auto pumps..Make sure you get one of the OUTSIDE pumps as those are the easiest to get to.

In addition I find many MURPHY's USA (Wal*mart) stations have easily accessed pumps (But not all) And what's more you go into the store and put money on a gift card.. Do your grocery shopping,, (You can charge up the gift card at the register when you check out by the way) now stick the card in the pump and watch the price go down Either 3¢ or 10¢ depending on the time of year.

Citgo stations which have RV accessable pumps may also offer cents off for use ofa gift card..Fill the card in the station, then use it at the pump.

Some other stores have loyality points or other cents off programs.. And again many have easily accessed pumps.

However not all do.. You have to do a drive by and figure out which pump to use if any.

Oh, one more thing: Many Class A Gassers do not like to take fuel on very fast.

I found that leaning the RV away from the pump (Drop jack if needed) helps.

[Glenn and Kathy]

IN what part of the country do WalMarts have gas stations? I can't recall ever seeing one that does.

Glenn

[HoneyBadger]

Originally Posted by Glenn and Kathy

IN what part of the country do WalMarts have gas stations? I can't recall ever seeing one that does.

Glenn

They're all over Texas, and they were building one in the local Walmart the last time we were at the kids' in Wisconsin.

They're all Murphy stations, I believe.

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by Glenn and Kathy

IN what part of the country do WalMarts have gas stations? I can't recall ever seeing one that does.

Glenn

It's the Murphy station that's usually out on the other side of the Walmart Lot. I don't really know what the relationship is between Walmart & Murphy.


Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

[Glenn and Kathy]

Never seen a Murphys!

Glenn

[Bobb.25]

As mentioned elsewhere not all PFJ stations have RV islands. However they do publish a "Pilot RV Travel Guide" which is downloadable, and occasionally I find a pamphlet version of this guide in the PFJ store, ( by the free trucker magazines )
I plan my travels around the locations of these stations, and try to hit at least one each day. Occasionally there are lines, but I just tell the wife to go in and shop ; and I go around a chat with the other RVers in the line.
Bob

[BillL]

I try to find a Sam's Club or Cosco if I can never had trouble getting in or out of those. I am always watching gas stations as we pass by. When we left Gulf Shores last week we gassed at a Texaco station we had driven by several times. I knew I could get in and out. And has been said, getting off the interstate where there are multiple stations usually produces at least one station you can make work.