The Lilly's new to rv'ing

[rlilly0619]

HELLO EVERYONE My husband and I have a 2017 Thor Windsport 34J with a small car tow and have been camping a few weekends locally in Florida. We decided to take a few days and take a little trip to Tennessee. One of the problems we had is finding a service station to get gas. We tried a couple of Pilots, Flying J's, Loves these places boost that they are RV friendly we had to leave all of these because of the size lot, spacing between pumps, just basically lack of space and of course there is no backing up when your flat towing . I know that diesel RV's can access the trucking fuel pumps but we are gas. Has anyone else with a fuel RV had this problem and does anyone have any suggestions.

[Beau388]

You can download a listing of all the amenities at Pilots/Flying Js. It shows which ones have RV lanes, propane and dumps. I have found only one Pilot that I couldn't use when towing - it is near Washington, PA

[gmc]

It might surprise you how tight a space you can actually swing a Class A with toad... Very few gas stations I haven't been able to use when towing - though sometimes I do wait for the pump I want to use (most often an outer one...)

I do stay several feet out from the pump - which then allows me to turn either way on the way out...

Try in an empty parking lot using the lines for reference.

[SuperD]

It just takes practice, pretty soon you'll learn how to size up a gas station and get in and out with no problems. I TRY to look for empty pumps in the outside lanes where there is more room, sometimes this involves being patient and waiting for someone to move. Take your time and you'll be a pro soon!!!

[Jegdrum5050]

We just came back from a 4000 mile trip.....used all kinds of stations for gas. One was really tight, I mean 2 feet on each side, didn't think I would get out but did without mishap. I try to use outside pumps at Loves, pilot etc. I just wait and sometimes have held up a small line behind me but with an 80 gal tank it takes awhile. I'm usually about 4 feet from the pump. Practice!

[jpmihalk]

Like everyone has said, it just takes practice and patience. We have a Hurricane 35C which is closer to 37 feet long, plus bike rack and towed. Some places are tight, but I like to wait for an outside pump as well as it leaves more options. Some gas stations are just no good at all, especially when the pumps are perpendicular to the street and there isn't more than one exit. Most of the Pilot/Flying J/Love's have space to turn, even with a towed. Some of the local mom and pop stations only have a couple of pumps and they aren't always easy to turn into.

I also make it a rule to never let the gas get below 1/4, once I am below 1/2 tank I start looking where to fill in the next 100 miles or so. (That way I know I will have some gas for the genny, if needed, as well as some gas to get to a good station.)