That Fuel Stop feature ?

[Mikes47]

I'm interested in what the value of the fuel stop calculation is to other RV Trip Wizard users. I have a fuel gauge on my dashboard. i drive on the top half of that gauge. Fuel prices vary widely as you travel from state to state; mileage varies as well as you traverse various terrains. Other than an educated guestimate of cost for trip-planning, is there any other value to this feature?

[wingnut60]

Not being a subscriber to TW, not sure what good that feature is...I would assume you have enough miles driving under you to know how far +/- you can go on a half-tank. I also have DTE number on my 450 that pretty much keeps me out of trouble--do you not have the distance-to-empty available?
Using GasBuddy.com or GasGuru.com has made planning for fuel stops very easy and ability to price several stations ahead of me.
Hope someone jumps in that uses TW...

[pbucha]

I use it all the time. I try to always use Pilot/Flying J for fuel. I've learned how much diesel I can expect to burn (fuel, generator, & AquaHot). I use that as my MPG and always fuel up around the designated stops. Sometimes a tad earlier or later, but since I have specified a 30 gallon reserve, I have a little leeway since I never want to get below 1/4 tank. The fuel feature really works well for me.

[Sue46]

We don't use it at all. We drive on the top half and once the tank is below a half start looking for a FlyingJ/Pilot with an RV lane(we are a gasser). If none available we just keep our eye out for a station we can get into.



We solely use RVTW for trip planning.

[Victory Blue]

Originally Posted by Sue46

We don't use it at all. We drive on the top half and once the tank is below a half start looking for a FlyingJ/Pilot with an RV lane(we are a gasser). If none available we just keep our eye out for a station we can get into.



We solely use RVTW for trip planning.

Same here. I love Trip Wizard for planning a trip, but since I plan months ahead of time, thinking about fuel stops isn’t part of my planning. I use Copilot for actual navigation and, if necessary, I add fuel stops as waypoints on my daily routing.

[Sue46]

I generally look at the route the night before and if we are ging to need gas look for Flying J with RV lane but I also check Gas Buddy to see what the prices are. More than once we have filled up in one state with 3/4 tank(low prices), driven through a high price gas state and then filled up again in the third state with low prices.



It is more about managing the $$$ than the stops.

[Oldmso54]

We are new to RV'ing but like pbucha said - we try to use Pilot/Flying J so knowing ahead of time where those are on the route in the proximity that I'll want to refuel has been helpful.

We are building a trip to Biloxi right now and on the way back from Biloxi to Winter Springs (home) we want to take Hwy 98 along the FL Panhandle coastline.

Guess what I found out? NO Pilot/Flying J's along 98 between Mobile and Ocala!!

Like others I too strive to drive on the top half but knowing where the Pilot/Flying J's are ahead of time is helpful, less stressful and gives me options ahead of time to pick my fuel spots.

[Sue46]

Most Flying J's and other truck stops are along the Interstates. There is no problem finding additional gas stations that you wlll fit into along any route. You will learn which ones you can fill up at by experience. When you see one just fill up, you never know where the next one will be.

[Mikes47]

Thanks for your replies. Bottom line: nothing compelling about the feature.

[alpenlite29]

GASBUDDY.COM is the best overall when your traveling in foreign areas. The MPG...features only tells you or verify your fuel gauges. Also...tells you how efficient your vehicle is running and of course the air pressure of your tire..or type of tire witch directly relates to MPG. I always top off before entering California..as they have so many "GIMME" taxes added to the fuel cost.

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

I use it, but only to give me a rough estimate of my overall fuel costs for a given trip. Then I too use about a 30 gallon estimate for time to refuel.

[Mike8253]

I use the feature all the time. I think the benefit is more relative to those with larger rigs where stopping at any gas station tends to be a crap shoot as to whether you will fit or not. My RV is a gas Class A, so the truck lanes are of no use to me. I'm not overly long at 36', but that length and towing is long enough to get me in trouble when trying to fit in pump lanes that are perpendicular to the station building. Twice before I started using this feature to scout upcoming gas stops, I've been caught not being able to make a turn to exit the pump lane because of a combination of tight quarters and actions of station patrons next to me placing their vehicles in positions that further restricted my turning radius. When backing up is not an option, I want to know where I can go and be assured of being able to exit. Using the RVTW gas feature allows me to scout locations at around the point where I know I'll be needing to stop for gas. So, I view it as a nice feature and I haven't been caught since.

[Mike8253]

Originally Posted by Mikes47

I'm interested in what the value of the fuel stop calculation is to other RV Trip Wizard users. I have a fuel gauge on my dashboard. i drive on the top half of that gauge. Fuel prices vary widely as you travel from state to state; mileage varies as well as you traverse various terrains. Other than an educated guestimate of cost for trip-planning, is there any other value to this feature?

Just for grins and giggles, what are you driving?

[Mikes47]

Mike8253, I drive a 24 foot Sprinter van conversion from Advanced RV.