Community Forums

stearn · 06-07-2010, 07:35 PM

I often wonder why the " travel centers" like Loves, Pilot, ect. aren't gas RV friendly ? When traveling finding a place to get fuel can be a bit challenging. Most of the travel centers have a very easy area if you need diesel fuel, but if you need gas the pumps are facing the building with cars parked in front. This makes it almost impossible to fit a large MH with a toad to get in and exit. Wouldn't it be nice if they would add a couple gas pumps on the islands for us folks that are towing that TT, or 5th wheel or MH., meaning something for those of us that need gas and room to maneuver.
In a perfect world they could all be designed like the flying J's.

RVThere · 06-07-2010, 07:48 PM

Ahh a pet peeve of mine for years. See the post I made a few years ago in the Humor section:

I think gas station designers are conspiring against motor homes.

Gone are the days when you could just pull right up to a gas island that was parallel to the roadway. Remember how gas stations used to be? Usually a maximum of one or two islands with three pumps each. You pulled up, pulled the nozzle out of the SIDE of the pump, flipped the metal switch over the opening and those rotating numbers for the gallons and dollars would click-click-click to zero.

NOW, you have SIX islands, each with only 1 pump, all positioned so that you face the convenience store and see all the high-calorie, high-fructose, high-trans fat goodies that draw me in like a fly to a pile of ... you get the idea.

To make matters worse, they put a row of parking right in front of the store with about 10 feet of clearance to the pumps. I usually end up pulling in when NO ONE is parked in front. By the time my 75 gallons of gas are on board, I have three SUVs with soccer ball stickers, two pickups with rebel flags and a landscape trailer all parked and blocking me in. Hard turn to the right and my back half is taking out a pump. Hard turn to the left and I'll pull a couple of Toro's off the landscape trailer.

Some ˜generous' stations have TWO pumps per island. But as every motor home driver knows, your coach takes up the full lane to gas up. When I pull up to a crowded station, I quickly scan the situation and make my assessment. Profiles are quickly created in my mind determining who will leave the pumps in the shortest amount of time. Double XL guy with a car that looks like it came from the demolition derby? Nah, he's paying cash and stopping for Twinkies and will take too long. Ford F-250 with double gas tanks – no way. Ah, there's a lane with only a small Toyota at the near pump with the far pump clear. I'll get behind her. And wouldn't ya know it, as soon as she's putting the cap on her tank, a bleach-blonde, female version of Hulk Hogan in an Escalade comes flying around the far side and parks at MY pump. I imagine using the Toyota as a battering ram to move that Caddy...

After years of gas-gridlock and near ˜gas-rage', I have learned to swing around and face out so my escape route is always clear.

Now don't even get me started about fuel discount cards. I usually follow this sequence – buy fuel, pull over to side and then go into the store to buy ˜stuff'. Flying J kindly let's you know AFTER you filled up on gas that your discount is ZERO until you spend a small fortune in their store. I had to get my magnifying glass out to see that message on the bottom of my receipt – when a receipt actually prints. My Good Sam/Petro card puts even more hurdles in the way. Pull up to pump. DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING until you make your way the store, wait on a line, give them your discount card and THEN go back to pump your gas. By this time, three other brother motorhomer's are waiting patiently (and sometimes not so patiently) for the goof-ball who is trying to save 50 cents on a tank of gas.

So now I've ˜moved up' to the world of diesel and can mingle with the truckers. Where I can skate on a crust of dried fuel, wrestle with an Anaconda-like hose that spews foaming, diesel venom with the force of a fire hydrant. Oh, and realize my discount card is not accepted at the truck islands...

Bill Adams · 06-07-2010, 08:14 PM

Have you tried the Flying J RV pumps? I have always found them to be quite RV friendly. I don't like to use them with my diesel coach (but I have) due to the low fuel pumping volume (I generally take on 150+ gallons) but a gasser could get in and out easily and the time to fill would be reasonable.

Vegasdan · 06-07-2010, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Adams

Have you tried the Flying J RV pumps? I have always found them to be quite RV friendly. I don't like to use them with my diesel coach (but I have) due to the low fuel pumping volume (I generally take on 150+ gallons) but a gasser could get in and out easily and the time to fill would be reasonable.

While fueling with those pumps one can write a letter to mom and reconcile your check book.

Wayne M · 06-07-2010, 11:03 PM

Less tendency to foam up.

jtroop · 06-08-2010, 01:26 AM

Has anyone tried Speedway? It seems most of the ones located at interstate offramps have the pumps parallel to the store.

stearn · 06-08-2010, 06:14 AM

I do look for Flying j, and I agree some are in need of updating, however it's much easier in and out. I don't like the slow pumps either, but being retired my time schedule is flexible. I did not know Speedway had different set ups. The ones I have used with the car I would not want to try with the MH.
A while back I needed gas saw a Pilot station got of the exit. The gas pumps were pretty full (as they should be) but no way would I fit. While trying to work my way around I noticed this long island of diesel pumps half full ! That's when I wondered why they didn't have a couple gasoline pumps maybe on the end? Most gas RV's would be the equilivent of 3 or 4 cars !

JMonroe · 06-08-2010, 09:25 AM

I've often thought it would be nice if, in addition to rating campgounds and RV parks, Good Sam (or Woodalls, or...) would rate gas stations along the Interstate system for RV access. Perhaps they could come up with a little symbol or marker that the retailer could put on their road side signs that indicated they'd been inspected and "approved" for good RV access. The rating could include such things as good ingress and egress without the need to back up, as example.

donie · 06-08-2010, 10:36 AM

For me, Pilot is a PIA, and one of the worse stations to get into.
We either use Flying J or Maverick when on the road in Utah as they are better suited to RV s. Also found several T/A stations on I 15 arent bad either.
Iv also found some Shell and Cheveron stations that work great.