Getting to a Gasoline Pump with a trailer in tow

[Cate&Rob]

OK! . . . this is a rant .

There are those of us who tow trailers with trucks with gasoline engines . . . why are the fuel stations forgetting this

All of the following happened on one refuelling attempt . . .

First try: A new Pilot station (Pilot is not cheap but historically has room for trailer haulers). This station has carefully cordoned off the gasoline pumps so you can't get to them with a trailer. Hmmm. There must be gasoline around back with the diesel lanes. Nope.

On to the second try: Next Pilot station has two RV lanes for gasoline or diesel. The line is out on to the highway.

On to the third try: This Pilot has one pump accessible with a trailer . . . the guy at the pump (with a Reflection no less) is just finishing, so I wait (with the tail of the trailer blocking access for everybody). He then gets his dog out of the trailer, leaves the rig at the pump and takes the dog for a walk. (There are signs at every pump directing customers to pull forward after fueling.) I decide to continue on to the next station because I am causing a real traffic jam at this one.

On to the fourth try: (Fuel level is getting really low by now). I wait in line at the next Pilot RV lane. Get up to the pumps and there is diesel or regular gas. (the Ecoboost needs premium when towing) So, I wind truck and trailer through the pumps and the cars until I can reach a premium gasoline pump. It is amazing how close you can maneuver one of these rigs to other objects . . . when you are desperate . (The rest of the customers are pretty sure that this guy is crazy and are getting out of the way)

Rant over .

Rob

[DougW9876]

Flying J and TA seem to be the best bets for RV lanes.

I just wish gas stations would put their pumps so the lines run parallel to the road, that way we could pull in, fuel and pull out without having to make a 90 degree turn in the narrow space between the pumps and the building.

[TheGuy]

Flying J and TA seem to be the best bets for RV lanes.

I just wish gas stations would put their pumps so the lines run parallel to the road, that way we could pull in, fuel and pull out without having to make a 90 degree turn in the narrow space between the pumps and the building.

Oh, God I don't want to think about the mess that would people trying to parallel park at the gas pumps. [emoji1787]

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[Country Campers]

I have only got gas once off the Pa. turnpike at the Bedford exit, I believe it was a Sheetz. Pulled into the "car" pump , filled up and had to back out. Everybody was so nice , they got out of my way.
Thinking about your "rant" I have very seldom traveled farther than a tank of fuel so have not have had to deal with that. A good rant for sure.

Brian

[MidwestCamper]

I have only got gas once off the Pa. turnpike at the Bedford exit, I believe it was a Sheetz. Pulled into the "car" pump , filled up and had to back out. Everybody was so nice , they got out of my way.
Thinking about your "rant" I have very seldom traveled farther than a tank of fuel so have not have had to deal with that. A good rant for sure.

Brian

Brian,

I have been to that station and had to back up as well. Its a small world.

Jim

[FT4NOW]

The Flying J does have dedicated RV islands with 2 - 4 pumps of gas and diesel. Some are designed great while others stick the RV island in a corner near the store parking lot.

I use the truck lane at truck stops 95% of the time since I use diesel, but there are times I have to use a traditional station. Just pick an outside lane and realize you will be blocking some of the station traffic. Just be considerate and move as soon as your fueling is done, there is usually somewhere off to the side where you can park if you need to do anything else.

Depending on what state you're in will determine how nice people are about it. On the East Coast, the more south the nicer for the most part (grew up in NJ, I can say that).

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[Bob/OlallaWA]

With truck stops charging much more than regular stations WHY??? I usually checked the enter and exit before making a move. When the tank got very low, I had to back out a few times. I just told the people in line they could either make room or we could order in some fast food cause it would be a while. Now with the diesel it isn't quite the challenge, and as said above, usually only travel one tank a day.

[srobins]

OK! . . . this is a rant .

There are those of us who tow trailers with trucks with gasoline engines . . . why are the fuel stations forgetting this

All of the following happened on one refuelling attempt . . .

First try: A new Pilot station (Pilot is not cheap but historically has room for trailer haulers). This station has carefully cordoned off the gasoline pumps so you can't get to them with a trailer. Hmmm. There must be gasoline around back with the diesel lanes. Nope.

On to the second try: Next Pilot station has two RV lanes for gasoline or diesel. The line is out on to the highway.

On to the third try: This Pilot has one pump accessible with a trailer . . . the guy at the pump (with a Reflection no less) is just finishing, so I wait (with the tail of the trailer blocking access for everybody). He then gets his dog out of the trailer, leaves the rig at the pump and takes the dog for a walk. (There are signs at every pump directing customers to pull forward after fueling.) I decide to continue on to the next station because I am causing a real traffic jam at this one.

On to the fourth try: (Fuel level is getting really low by now). I wait in line at the next Pilot RV lane. Get up to the pumps and there is diesel or regular gas. (the Ecoboost needs premium when towing) So, I wind truck and trailer through the pumps and the cars until I can reach a premium gasoline pump. It is amazing how close you can maneuver one of these rigs to other objects . . . when you are desperate . (The rest of the customers are pretty sure that this guy is crazy and are getting out of the way)

Rant over .

Rob

One advantage of pulling a trailer is that you can always drop it somewhere and then go get fuel. Not an ideal solution but there is always that option

[Paul & Deb]

On to the third try: This Pilot has one pump accessible with a trailer . . . the guy at the pump (with a Reflection no less) is just finishing, so I wait (with the tail of the trailer blocking access for everybody). He then gets his dog out of the trailer, leaves the rig at the pump and takes the dog for a walk. (There are signs at every pump directing customers to pull forward after fueling.) I decide to continue on to the next station because I am causing a real traffic jam at this one.

Rob

First of all, this guy I want to punch in the face. Okay, I feel better now. What an A-Hole!!!!!

Secondly, I guess I'm in the minority but I avoid those places (Flying J, Pilot, etc.) like the plaque. I think they are generally way over pricing their fuel, way too busy and so many idiots! I'm so glad I have no fear when it comes to fueling stations. I'll go anywhere. In all my travels there "may" be 1 station I chickened out on.

[Keebler]

Secondly, I guess I'm in the minority but I avoid those places (Flying J, Pilot, etc.) like the plaque. I think they are generally way over pricing their fuel, way too busy and so many idiots! I'm so glad I have no fear when it comes to fueling stations. I'll go anywhere. In all my travels there "may" be 1 station I chickened out on.

I am jealous of your confidence!! Major chicken here; I usually stop at TA or Flying J. I am diesel, so I use the truck lanes. I have had to deal with not being able to pay at the pump and being forced to leave my credit card, them go back. When you are as big a chicken as I am, that is a small price to pay. I do really like the big truck gas lanes; the large nozzles are quite nice too.

I have the same struggle when stopping to eat. I typically look for something in a large shopping center with a hug parking lot. I haven't been forced to do it yet, but if I was in a pinch, I'd definitely unhitch in a parking lot and go get gas.