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03-05-2021, 10:56 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Holiday Rambler Owners Club
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Davison Mi
Posts: 25
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Gas stations for motorhomes
I just upgraded to a HR Vactioner 35p from and Minnie Winnie 31g Class C motorhome. With the Class C I could get into most gas stations for unleaded gas. Now that I have gotten this rig, I am going to be heading back home next month to Michigan. I am thinking how am I going to get this rig into the same gas stations with my toad as I did with my Class C. I have stopped at the truck stops before but it seams like all the big pull thru are for diesel fuel. So what are the best gas stations to get in and out of. Thank you all for any help.
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03-05-2021, 11:02 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 577
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Many members here use Google Earth to look up a station in advance if they aren’t sure.
Pilot at many locations has Gas RV lanes that are as easy to get in/out as the diesel lanes. You can use their website or app to see which ones.
When I had a 39’ gas MH with a car and dolly behind we had a few regular stations that were really tight. We found ourselves using the truck stops more often.
- Richard
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Richard & Denise
2019 VTDP 4310 K2
2019 Expedition, Nighthawk & AF1
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03-05-2021, 11:22 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 4,456
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Get the 'gas buddy' app. it's free.
you can search near your location or your route of travel for the product you want (regular gas, premium, diesel). All the stations that meet your search criteria will show up. Then click (or touch) on the station that gets your attention. Then click 'directions'. (a small box at the top)
A map will be displayed showing you possibly several routes to get to that station. Now this is what many people don't know. DON'T click the 'start' button. Instead, take 2 of your fingers on the map and expand the map. You'll get a birds eye view of the gas station.
This procedure works on my Apple products. (Iphone, IPad). Not sure about other products.
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Bill & Brigitte
06 Windsor PEQ, Cummins 400 ISL
2014 Honda CRV or 2012 Jeep
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03-05-2021, 12:07 PM
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#4
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,563
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Most of the big name truck stops have large gas fuel islands as well, but ease of access depends on how the individual station is laid out. Some regular gas stations are as large or larger, depending on location, the local terrain, and land costs in the area. I don't think any brand of gasoline or station is universally better than others.
If possible, look for stations that have the pumps parallel to the highway rather than pointed in towards a convenience store. That type typically has better drive in/out access. Sometimes Walmarts, Sam's Club, Costco, etc. have their fuel stations out in their large parking lots, with good room around them. But sometimes not.
When we drove a large gas coach, the toughest thing for me to learn was to pass up a fuel station that looked congested or crowded. Try to size it up and identify how you will enter and leave the pump area BEFORE you pull in. If it doesn't look promising, drive on. It's not worth getting trapped in a congested station.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
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03-05-2021, 12:09 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 7,494
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Like Gary I look for pumps that are parallel to the road. Most of our trips are less than 200 miles from home so I fuel up at a local place.
__________________
2008 Phoenix Cruiser 3100
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU.
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03-05-2021, 01:17 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Out there, somewhere
Posts: 9,896
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We've been dealing with this situation for 10 years now with our present coach, an '04 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the CAT C-7 330HP. Getting fuel in unknown areas/cities/counties/etc. can be a bit unnerving at times. On occasion, we'll slowly pass by a potential fueling station and have a look-see to plan a tactical approach and get-a-way. That works both ways. It can tell us if it AIN'T gonna work or, we have devised a plan to make it work.
If you know your rig, and its turning and handling characteristics, you can tell from a quick glance of a situation whether or not it will work for you. We don't bother with all that looking up fuel stations, and certain brands and all that. And I have only used a truck stop ONE TIME in 10 years and was such a pain in the A$$ that I will never, ever use one again. Besides, our coach is one of those that does not accept HIGH FLOW diesel. It already gives me a lot of crap during the last 10-12 gallons of fueling anyways.
Sooooo, again, don't overthink this situation. You know your range, plan ahead. We do that often. We may pull into a campground or RV park for an evening and need fuel. But, before we hook up in the morning, I have already scoped out nearby fuel stations for angular attack and get-a-way. Oh, and price too. We have a pre-planned place for hook-up after I get fuel and, it all works great.
Scott
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2004 ITASCA HORIZON 36GD, 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Toad '20 Honda NC750X DCT
Retired-29.5 yrs, SDFD, Ham - KI6OND
Me, Karla and the Heidi character, (mini Schnauzer)!
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03-05-2021, 03:12 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: NorCal
Posts: 3,000
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My first choice is large truck stops especially when toad or car trailer is attached.
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Outbound
2002 Monaco Executive 500 ISM
2004 GMC 2500HD 4X4
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03-05-2021, 03:18 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Prescott, Arizona
Posts: 3,564
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I only use stations where the cars filling up are parallel to the street.
They are getting harder to find likely because there is as much money in Junk Food as there is in gas.
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'04 Newmar MADP, 1100w of solar, Rubicon toad
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03-05-2021, 03:33 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 110
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Your need to look for North South Gas Stations. Flying J is the easiest to get into. Pilots are bad And Loves are bad. They are east west can't fit. Our MH is 36'6" towing a jeep. plus it has a rear fill. It takes planning to fit. But Flying J is the best.
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2@lo8
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03-05-2021, 06:37 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,536
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Get the Flying J / Pilot app. It can be filtered to show only those locations with RV lanes. Otherwise Trucker Pro is a good routing app to show you gas / truck locations but then Google maps is your friend to determine if you can navigate the station. We’ve spent hours with detailed planning for peace of mind. However i had enough and just move up to a DP - which now has it own set of headaches....
__________________
Taking in the sights with our Trolley ...but life is always better under a Palm Tree
2019 Jayco Embark (Entegra) 39T2. - our Trolley
2019Jeep Cherokee Latitude, Western New York
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03-05-2021, 06:48 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club Pond Piggies Club Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NE. Ohio USA
Posts: 5,973
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Google is your friend....
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03-05-2021, 07:10 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Ontario, CANADA
Posts: 318
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I find that every station be it a Flying Jay, Pilot or Loves; that they all have thier own personality and set up. Many of the new stations are RV friendly for both diesel and gas. Some stations have a RV sign on the billboard indicating RV friendly. We always use the high speed diesel fuel fill in the truck lanes. It is the fastest and easiest way of fueling.
As many have said that Google earth is your friend. Many of times I have planned my route of travel and viewed it from ground level on Google earth to see the entrance and exits of truck stops and possible rest areas.
__________________
Mike and Family
98 American Eagle EVS, Cummins C8.3
2022 Jeep Wrangler Sahara ECO, Blue Ox
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03-05-2021, 07:39 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 156
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A lot of Pilot/Flying Js have dedicated RV lanes with both gas and diesel available. I printed out a listing of those with dedicated RV lanes and don't leave home without it. I have it in an XLS format. If I can convert it to something that I can attach here, I will later.
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David, Sherry and our three fur kids, Nicholas, Finnegan and Bentley
2013 Coachmen Encounter 36BH
2014 Honda CR-V/ Blue Ox Patriot II
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03-05-2021, 07:54 PM
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#14
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Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Near Montreal, Qc
Posts: 83
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While travelling in the states, I always have a copy of ‘the next exit’ https://www.amazon.com/Next-Exit-202.../dp/0984692193
It will indicate which gas station are ‘RV friendly’ and also rest area and lots more.
My wife does the searching while I drive
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