Community Forums

Caswelld · 11-04-2019, 06:59 AM

We are considering the purchase of a 32’ MH on the E450 chassis.

We will be towing a 2 door Wrangler.

Do owners experience significant problems getting to most gas pumps with a towed?

Thanks, Dave

A32Deuce · 11-04-2019, 07:09 AM

I tow a 16 ft car trailer behind mine and don't have a problem. Some Pilot and most Flying J stations have RV lanes. I try and stay out of small, tight stations. Most with a couple Pump Islands are not bad.
I'm 52 ft total length.

twinboat · 11-04-2019, 07:09 AM

I had a 30 ft class C with a 13ft rear overhang. I dolly towed a Kia Soul.

Had to be careful picking my gas pumps so I could get away from them without turning to sharp.
The rear overhang would swing towards the pumps and the dolly would track wider then the MH rear tires.

Discovered that, while pulling away from a curb. The dolly tire would ride up on it.

steve52 · 11-04-2019, 07:34 AM

Most larger stations near the interstates will have ample room. Look for stations where the pump islands are parallel to the road. Truck stops are of course ideal.

Mich F · 11-04-2019, 07:53 PM

My MH is 32 1/2' long and I flat tow a F150 supercab shortbed truck. Getting gas can be an issue. Just today I was filling up at a gas station and couldn't get out the way I wanted to exit the station and had to drive the wrong direction for a mile or so to where I found a place I could turn in to change direction.

Of course that length Class C can be an issue driving even when not towing anything. The turning radius is horrible and you need close to 4 lanes to make a u turn.

Ron Dittmer · 11-04-2019, 09:13 PM

An unrelated comment.

Because 32 foot E450 Class-C's are exceptionally heavy and are most prone to tire blow-outs......

One of the first things I would do is replace the standard "E" rated tires with what I call "E+" rated tires, (officially referred to as "Load Index 121). They are dimensionally identical, but each tire is rated for around 600 pounds more. That is an extra 2400 pounds of capability for the rear axle, and an extra 1200 pounds up front. CLICK HERE to see one of many industry available examples.

ThePowells · 11-04-2019, 09:58 PM

As far as the coach, unhooked no, but I did have my egress blocked by a tanker driver in training at a very busy Speedway store. As I was headed for the exit he cut across in front of me and then backed up to dump, blocking two of the exits and I had the toad so I couldn't back up. I went in and apologized for trapping the five cars in front of the store in their parking spaces and explained that had the tanker driver taken a moment to let me pass by that I would have already left and that I couldn't back up. I think the manager said something to the driver-trainer after a customer complained as he was pointing towards me then showing him where I was planning to go. After they got the end car moved, then they were able to move the trapped car. That's been my only issue in a gas station.

RBeau1954 · 11-04-2019, 10:17 PM

Download the Pilot app on your phone and put in the filters you are looking for like RV gas lines and it will tell you all you need to know about the station. Prices, RV lanes, dump stations, RV parking, what restaurants are their. Your E450 probably has a 55 gal tank so you can plan ahead when to stop. With that much fuel you should be able to look ahead around 200-300 miles to find a station that meets your needs. As a previous poster said, be careful with the backend when towing, it will swing out so watch it. I am good for about 150-200 miles and I need to get out and walk around a bit and if I am stopping for the night on the road like at Cracker Barrel or Walmart, I will fill up before I stop so I have plenty of fuel for the generator, yes I run my generator all night so I can watch tv or run the air conditioning.

pushtrk99 · 11-05-2019, 04:30 AM

Buy the book NEXT EXIT it will have the rv riendly gas stations in RED, as we visit a gas station we also mark in the book a rating of how good it was as far as getting in & out without a problem, we are a 32 ft class c with tow dolly and chevy Aveo, never ran into a problem yet

Offramp · 11-05-2019, 04:45 AM

We have a 32 ft E450 towing a Ford Edge and we have issues with typical gas stations.
We now use Google Earth to get a preview of a gas station looking for pump layout. If pumps lanes are perpendicular to road, how much room between the pump and store? Outside lanes are usually our friend because of the overhang issue.

jjrbus · 11-05-2019, 05:55 AM

I had a 35 foot diesel pusher and flat towed a van. After one bad experience early on I made sure that the stations were big rig accessible before I pulled in! It was easier with a 144 gallon tank!

Those little 7/11, Costco and Murphy type places are not laid out for us.

1ciderdog · 11-05-2019, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjrbus

I had a 35 foot diesel pusher and flat towed a van. After one bad experience early on I made sure that the stations were big rig accessible before I pulled in! It was easier with a 144 gallon tank!

Those little 7/11, Costco and Murphy type places are not laid out for us.

Until recently I had a 40 foot diesel pusher and towed different cars and a 24 foot enclosed trailer. Rarely had an issue with Costco or Murphy - always checked out the exits before entering. Some I did not enter as I was not comfortable with the exit set up.

jjrbus · 11-06-2019, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ciderdog

Until recently I had a 40 foot diesel pusher and towed different cars and a 24 foot enclosed trailer. Rarely had an issue with Costco or Murphy - always checked out the exits before entering. Some I did not enter as I was not comfortable with the exit set up.

With the mpg of the DP I did not want to be wandering around checking out the accessibility of stations.

Plus not knowing traffic condition's. There are areas here in FL where traffic is so bad during tourist season that it can take 45 minutes to exit and get back on the interstate without getting fuel. I will not stop for gas around Sarasonta FL with my car during tourist season.

Much easier to simply pre plan where I was going to get fuel at RV big rig friendly places. I would often times get only 50 gallons

KregChar · 11-06-2019, 11:11 AM

We have a 2018 Jayco Redhawk 29XK, towing a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe on a tow dolly. All in we are 53 feet long. Any Pilot, or Race Track(even the one on Fruitville in Sarasota) we have been to, were accessible to us. I usually go with the far right pump. No issues yet. I use the Pilot/Flying J app and I check for Loves truck stops if we are on longer trips. By now I kind of know how far we can go and with the help of my DW we can plan tanks stops far in advance. I also use RV Trip Wizard for my trip planning. Adding tank stops and rest stops for the dogs is easy with that.