Community Forums

HighDesert · 04-16-2019, 04:49 PM

We are moving up from a diesel Sprinter to a Tiffen Open Road 32SA, taking delivery next week. I'm curious as to issues people with larger gas coaches run into at fuel stops. Do you generally have issues with space and access, or are there some chains that have larger aisles and access for RV's? I have also been looking for an App that would show the layout of a station, but cant see to find one. I can just picture myself pulling in for fuel, toad attached, and end up with nowhere to go or no room to get out.

Sunny1 · 04-16-2019, 04:55 PM

I’m not aware of any app with gas station layouts. My wife types in the address of a gas station on google maps and looks at the street view/satellite to get an idea if it’s easy in/out.

Here’s a link to a discussion from a few days ago on this very topic of filling up with a gasser.

Fuel option locations pulling a toad
http://www.irv2.com/forums/showthread.php?t=438206

winniman · 04-16-2019, 04:56 PM

As a general rule, you can always use the outside pumps. Of course, make sure the canopy is high enough to clear the roof of the rv. With a little practice you can tell by looking at the pumps. Pumps that are at 90 degrees to the building are pretty much a no no. Ones with small parking lots are a last choice. Start looking for fuel at half a tank. Your generator wont run under a quarter, so you don't want to run it down too much. Another reason is lots of vehicles use the fuel in the tank to cool the fuel pump. This is one of the main reasons to never run your fuel low in the tank. 32 ft isn't that big. You will be fine. Use the GOAL principal if you are not sure. Get Out And Look. Cheers.

vsheetz · 04-16-2019, 04:58 PM

Look for exit strategy more than entry. Entry is usually pretty obvious.

Station with pumps perpendicular to the road typically are not candidate unless a end pump.

Use gas buddy to find candidates by price. Then use Google maps satellite view to see the layout and entrance/exit options.

If you get in a jam and have to drop the toad, it's not a big deal. Just don't get in a rush. Take the time you need to get yourself out.

garry1p · 04-16-2019, 05:02 PM

I have pulled off Interstate ramps looked at pumps and just get back on.
I start looking for gas at 1/2 tank so I don't have to get gas in a undesirable situation.

The stations that you pull straight in towards the store are the worse unless one of the end pumps are empty. Early on we stopped at stations with RV lane and found a LOT of folks are at the pump 30 min or more waiting for propane or going inside to eat.

I would say 90% of time no problem just look it over before getting into a tricky situation.

theroc · 04-16-2019, 05:05 PM

We would commonly use regular gas stations even when we had our 40' diesel pusher. As others have mentioned before on other threads, we would commonly use Google satellite view to zoom in on locations we wished to use ahead of time to kind of scope out how much room they had to maneuver in and out.

Several times we did mis-calculate and had to detach the toad to get out but those times were very rare.

**NLOVNIT** · 04-16-2019, 05:18 PM

We use Google maps to review approaches/exits on stations for any upcoming trip. We carry an Next Exit book & RV friendly stations are highlighted. We mostly shot for PFJ's with the RV lanes. 2nd choice were stations with pumps on the edge of a large parking lot (think Costco/Sam's Club/Meijer/WalMart). Last were stations with pumps parallel to the building.

Careful inspection & planning have allowed us to never have to unhook to get out of a jamb.

Lori-

Waiter21 · 04-16-2019, 05:56 PM

We generally try to find Flying J stations. as these normally have RV lanes. I have the MyPilot app on my smartphone, it shows the Flying J and Pilot stations, price, and services (i.e. RV lanes)

AbdRahim · 04-16-2019, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunny1

I’m not aware of any app with gas station layouts. My wife types in the address of a gas station on google maps and looks at the street view/satellite to get an idea if it’s easy in/out.

Here’s a link to a discussion from a few days ago on this very topic of filling up with a gasser.

Fuel option locations pulling a toad
http://www.irv2.com/forums/showthread.php?t=438206

IExit has a satellite view. Or you can enter the address in Maps and look at the satellite view.

jharrell · 04-16-2019, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waiter21

We generally try to find Flying J stations. as these normally have RV lanes. I have the MyPilot app on my smartphone, it shows the Flying J and Pilot stations, price, and services (i.e. RV lanes)

Yep Flying J RV lanes if I can, Allstays app to find them, made it out west and back mostly FJ's. Otherwise you get used to looking for a certain kind of layout to look for at a normal station, and yes Google maps satellite scouting ahead as well. Towing 4 down means looking for a place you won't have to back out of.

Has been less of an issue than I thought, biggest issue is people parking in the RV lanes and doing who knows what in Flying J for half an hour, pay at the pump and go park somewhere else when done people!

HighDesert · 04-16-2019, 08:48 PM

Thanks all - good input and recommendations.

gmann55 · 04-16-2019, 09:47 PM

Does flying j have lanes for gas motorhomes?

**Lt Dan** · 04-16-2019, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmann55

Does flying j have lanes for gas motorhomes?

Usually they are set up for both gas and diesel.

theroc · 04-16-2019, 10:25 PM

The RV lanes, if the particular FlyingJ has them, are set up for gas and diesel but the truck lanes are typically diesel only. So look for the RV lanes.

I have the link to the Pilot - Flying J RV Travel Guide in my files but it's the 2014 edition. There's probably a more up-to-date one out now. But this is the link I have bookmarked and it will show the locations that have RV dedicated lanes:

Pilot RV Travel Guide 2014