Fueling up your (gasser) truck - how do you do it?

[Berrie]

I have quite a bit of experience towing a large (as in: oversized permitted load) boat with my F-250 gasser.
One of the bigger challenges I run in to is getting gas.
I have to refuel every 200 miles, and most gas stations cannot accommodate my combination. The ones that do are generally crowded with limited understanding from others trying to get gas. And the truck sides of Pilot etc only provide diesel.

We are looking at getting a 20-24' bumper pull or 5th wheel. So how do you refuel your gasser, and how long is your camper? Do you look prior to your trip for gas stations that can accommodate you? Do you find a spot, unhook your trailer, get fuel, and then rehook the trailer?
Any other tips? (And getting a diesel truck is not an option at this time... )

 

[LarsMac]

I've almost always found a pull-through gas pump at Pilot or FlyingJ that can accommodate my outfit. but it is a relatively modest rig. 30' Class C with a Towed so total length is just under 50 ft.
But when running through unfamiliar territory, I run the route through Google Maps, and use the Traffic/Street View to scope out the terrain, and see what the potential fuel stops look like. At 200 miles per stop, that can get a bit tedious, I know, but it works.
There have been a few times where I had to park and walk around a bit to be certain that there was a way to get through.

 

[Joezeppy]

I towed trailers ranging from 27' to 35' with gas trucks from 2004 to 2022 and rarely ran into troubles. I do recall having to back out of one mom-and-pop station back in 2007, though! If I'm on an interstate or other major highway, I'll use satellite images and try to scope out possible rest stops, truck stops, or larger gas stations ahead of time to save some grief. I agree the design of some stations at rest stops are terrible for trailers.

 

[Martian]

Been towing for a long time and the biggest problems I have had refueling is when I get behind a car that is refueling and when they finish they leave the car there and go in and have a meal. Mostly in Florida but they do it in a lot of places. The problem then is backing out to get on another lane. I figure if gas and diesel are sold at the same pump there is a good chance just about anything will fit through there.

 

[CharlesinGA]

Same way I do with my diesel, size things up before entering, aim for the end islands, My trailer is 23 ft ball to bumper plus the truck, and I usually don't have any issues maneuvering around. I travel with a friend often and his newer diesel sucks more fuel, so he is the determining factor. One stop on the last trip we initially went to a Circle K, there was a Loves across the street. I circled around and got on a pump without blocking traffic in the station but he gave up and went to Loves. We tend to avoid Loves, Pilot and Flying J. The diesel is, many times, the 20% bio crap and many of them are older stations that are almost as tight around the pumps as smaller stations. Generally we both avoid the truck lanes as they have the large nozzles. My buddy's truck won't take the large nozzles, and I hate them due to the foaming of the fuel. I aim for an auto diesel pump whenever I can. Thank goodness for Buckee's!!! Murphy's/Walmart are the worst, very tight, no room to maneuver a car, let alone a truck and trailer.

Charles

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

I look for a certain type of fuel stop, one with pumps parallel to the road rather than pointed into a convenience store and generous space for access & exit. That generally meant avoiding fueling in metro areas and even stations within smaller towns, since they were typically wedged in by the surroundings. Stations on the outskirts or along less busy highways were easier to utilize and I got adept at figuring where I was likely to find them. And quickly sizing up a station when I saw it and not driving in unless I could clearly see a way in & out. I also learned to not get hung up looking to save a couple pennies/gallon, since my gas trucks weren't getting more than about 25 gallons anyway and even the gas motorhome were generally around 40 gallons. Saving a dollar or two on a tankful isn't worth the risk & aggravation of a bust station or tight quarters. Hint: don't wait til the gauge is on E!

Once I changed over to diesel (first a truck, later a DP coach), it got easier.

 

[Tulecreeper]

I hauled heavy equipment regularly on a 35-foot gooseneck flatbed and can't remember ever having much of an issue. But then, it was a diesel so the pumps were almost always on the end and I didn't usually have to negotiate an inside pump.

 

[RVfixer1]

I have a Ram truck and a 29 foot travel trailer. Everything that can happen in gas stations to trap you in has happened to me. We try to scope out the stations before entering then take what we need to take. More and more gas stations are built with stores in front. There is always a car just where it needs to be to trap you in. We usually get lucky and get out soon. I often ge out and walk and see if the station has a drive-around.

I stopped at a view spot on our last trip and a guy backed up and stopped a few feet in front of me...I guess to get a better view...? As I went to back up a car pulled up close behind me. Trapped! I went over to the guy who parked behind me, who was now taking photos next to our truck, and I said, "I'm going to back up and TRY to get out of here. If I crush your hood I'll let you know." He promptly moved his car.

 

[Professor David]

Getting gas when towing is a challenge but it has gotten better the more I do it. Good advice above. It is even more challenging when pulling a car four wheels down with a motorhome because moving forward or unhitching the car are the only options…no way to back up. I scope out the station before pulling in. If I’m not 100% sure it will work, I go on to the next one. I got stuck at Loves one time due to a delivery truck blocking my exit. Cars could maneuver around the delivery truck but not the Motorhome/toad. After asking nicely inside and to the driver himself and waiting way way too long, I just pulled out close to the delivery truck and he finally got the message and moved so I could get out. We also had some difficulty with heavy snow accumulation coming back from AZ in Feb. Stations had been plowed only partially making it difficult to maneuver around.

 

[Lou Schneider]

A 20-24 ft trailer isn't long enough to worry about. It will track nicely anywhere your truck can go. Many truckstops have dedicated RV islands, usually off to one side where you can pull through and get either gas or diesel.

 

[RedForeman]

Some great suggestions so far. At least in the Atlanta / rural GA area, Kroger and Ingles grocery store gas stations are usually on the edge of their parking lots with easy, wide-open access and decent pricing as a bonus.

+1 on Walmart/Sam's scoring an F- for pump access. I hate going there even without a trailer. Great discount, but not worth the hassle.

Someone already mentioned some PFJ locations have an rv island near the car pumps somewhere. They don't have canopies, so easier to spot with satellite view. The PFJ smart phone app can filter a search on this.

If I'm not mistaken, QT truck stops have an rv lane closest to the store. Unsure if gasoline is dispensed on those, but they have the smaller car hoses. I'll try to look next time I'm in one. No filters seen in the app or website searches either.

Winning = stopping at a Buc-ee's during a non-peak time, and occupying an entire pump island. With some minor adjustments, can get diesel, def, and no-ethanol gas at the same stop. Only downside: they aren't on the same pump, so 3 pump starts and move the truck a few feet to get each product flowing.

 

[gwinger]

I've almost always found a pull-through gas pump at Pilot or FlyingJ that can accommodate my outfit. but it is a relatively modest rig. 30' Class C with a Towed so total length is just under 50 ft.
But when running through unfamiliar territory, I run the route through Google Maps, and use the Traffic/Street View to scope out the terrain, and see what the potential fuel stops look like. At 200 miles per stop, that can get a bit tedious, I know, but it works.
There have been a few times where I had to park and walk around a bit to be certain that there was a way to get through.

Only some the Flying J's have dedicated RV lanes. I've never seen one at a Pilot. I have a list of all the Flying J's that have dedicated lanes, by city.
Most Pilots have the pumps facing the storefront with very little room to maneuver except some of the end pumps.

 

[NY_Dutch]

Only some the Flying J's have dedicated RV lanes. I've never seen one at a Pilot. I have a list of all the Flying J's that have dedicated lanes, by city.
Most Pilots have the pumps facing the storefront with very little room to maneuver except some of the end pumps.

When Pilot and FJ merged, some Pilot stations became FJ stations with no RV lanes, and some FJ stations with RV lanes became Pilot stations. Then there's the independent franchise PFJ stations that never have RV lanes and often don't even have PFJ gas, just diesel. And then there's the FJ stations with RV lanes that were sold to Love's as part of the federal merger requirements.

 

[LarsMac]

Well, I have not really looked for a "Dedicated RV lane". I just look for where I can get to a pump, and get back out without having to deal with a lot of extra traffic in the place.
You cannot go by brand. You have to do your homework.

I've found some FlyingJ locations where, yes, they have a RV lane, but getting out of it after fueling can be real tricky when they are busy.
At the FlyingJ off I-40 in Amarillo, We ended up spending over an hour waiting for some people to leave after we fueled up because of the way the lane exits into the auto parking area. We took that one off our list.

 

[Jackiemac]

We don't have many issues refuelling out West. If you pass one without room you can normally find one down the street.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Have had my share of filling my gas truck issues. Try to stay to the outside when possible. Have blocked traffic a few times when using the middle pumps. The wife gets out to help me maneuver out of tight areas. Most folks are good about backing up to get out. With all the RV’s on the road these days, would think truck stops/large gas stations would put one gas pump by the diesel pumps that truckers use.

 

[CharlesinGA]

The Quik Trip at I-85 and US178 has a long shed with truck fuel lanes, and a scale and then a short shed with 4 lanes that have auto diesel nozzles and (I think) gasoline. Its the biggest QT station I have ever seen.

Charles

 

[RedForeman]

The Quik Trip at I-85 and US178 has a long shed with truck fuel lanes, and a scale and then a short shed with 4 lanes that have auto diesel nozzles and (I think) gasoline. Its the biggest QT station I have ever seen.

Charles

That's the thing, I'm always using the truck island for diesel and never looked at the rv pumps to see if they have a gas hose. I just know those lanes are there LOL.

Pretty much all the QT truck stops are the same as that one. A few are smaller. In addition to that one in Anderson exit 21, there's two more along I-85 in SC at exits 60 Greer and 90 Gaffney. You've probably already seen the ones in NE GA exit 137 Pendergrass and 96 Doraville. Visiting that last one can be an adventure, especially for folks not familiar with the neighborhood LOL. The Pendergrass QT surrounds a Wendy's if you're hungry for something a notch above roller food.

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

I love using Love's, TA's, and other truck stops for my diesel class A with toad and dolly. The biggest obstacle I face is making sure I find the right "Trucks" entrance. The truckers are polite, some will start up a conversation about where you are traveling to or from. With the Open Roads/EFS discount card, there is no running in to pay, pump, and run back in for your card or receipt.

I can see how the larger nozzles could be a hindrance to p/u's that don't have the larger openings. As far as the high flow rate and foaming, I don't squeeze the handle all the way to prevent that and overfilling the tank. I have not noticed any 20% bio crap. Most RV'ers with DP's like using the truck stops feeling the fuel is fresher than maybe small gas stations. My fuel mileage is consistently good using truck stops.

There are times when there are no chain or Open Roads affiliated stations in a reasonable vicinity so I'm stuck with looking for a regular gas station that has diesel. At least those with towable 5'ers and TTs can back up and maneuver if they get into a jam, A's and C's towing can't which can make finding a station with parallel pumps to the highway almost mandatory. But, with my wife's eye along with mine so far we haven't had too much of a problem finding some place to fit into. At times I'll partially pull into a station and my wife will jump out to scout out the diesel pump and also an exit to use.

 

[joerone]

I agree with a few of the earlier responders about scoping out the stations with google, street view and satellite view ( you can measure distance with this view) and looking for parallel pumps. Also, if all else fails there are two other options; park and disconnect to drive truck alone in....not a very good option and carry a five gallon gas can so you can manually give yourself some more distance to find a better spot