Now that I'm starting to take this new 5th Wheel out more, I notice that gas station canopies don’t have clearance signs.

Can I assume that a modern gas station will have no issues with my 13’2” heigh 5’er ?

I have a gas truck, so the truck lanes are not an option…any other words of advice ?

 

I have never owned a diesel and have yet to encounter a clearence issue. I never really thought about it. It seems most modern stations are very high. I do a friend that put gas in his Chevy Duramax. The handle was miss colored at the pump. BP ended up paying for all his towing and repairs, over 3K.

 

I think most gas stations are designed so the fuel truck can pull through when refilling the station. It makes it easier for the truck driver and helps to keep the storage tanks closer to the pump.

 

I tow a Wildcat fifth wheel too, last year I was 13'4" and made it all the way across country with zero clearance issues until I stopped at the 49er Travel Plaza outside Sacremento. I pulled under the "RV" island that is adjacent to the truck islands and my front AC unit hit the canopy. If there hadn't been another RVer filling up beside me that warned me to stop, I would have kept on going and would have done more damage than just the shroud of the AC. I didn't hear it or feel it.
So, I guess the answer is not all islands have the needed clearance for your Wildcat. You'd think an island for rv fill up would be tall enough.

 

I don't think you will run into many problems. We watch for problems, but so far have never had a problem with an RV we have owned.

 

My advice if you have any doubt, DON'T. Get a spotter out there before proceeding. A lot cheaper.

 

If you are concerned as you pull up then use a spotter and go slowly.

 

Use care and good judgement (plus a spotter if close). I've only had one close one over 40 years in way upstate NY where with my gas powered truck and 13+ foot high 5er was able to pull to the pump but needed to back out. That was a case where truck just coughed and needed liquid nourishment NOW.

 

I didnt have any problems with overhead clearance anywhere, but with my gas tow rig, I found a lot of places that were too tight to get into with a 41' toy hauler behind. Colorado was the worst. Stations just didnt have enough room at the gas islands. That was the biggest issue I had pulling with a gasser!
I guess an option would be to drop 5er at a walmart, then go gas up and go back and hook up to 5er again, but that would be a huge PITA!

 

This thread reminded me of this video...

 

My buddy has one of those screens that supports 4 different wireless cameras. He has one on the pin box to aid hitching at night, another on the rear bumper to help with backing, then one on the A/C unit (highest point on his unit) to check clearances in tight places. He says he's been stuck at some remote places where he absolutely had to get fuel but the clearance was too close. So he had to unhitch, fuel, and re-hitch.

 

I think after a person travels with these 5th wheels you get used to spotting stations that are more assailable height / length friendly when push comes to shove if you have a passenger use them as a spotter making sure they know what your plan is for that spot, it's cheaper than fixing the rig. I do carry 2 5 gallon jugs in the bed for that incase time (have had to use it only one time). Remember it's better to error on the side of caution, filling when the tank might not be down but the station is easy to get in to.

 

Then there is always this..........just remember, when hauling big, it could be..............somebody in the mirror!

I drove a pickup with a high rack on it into a garage with a 7 foot door when I was about 17..........never forgot it! I will be 69 this year!

 

good stuff...

I used google maps and the street view to plan my fuel stops, no issues.

But, driving around Memphis without the trailer this week and I did see a few underpasses that could have turned out really bad...11'8" or so.

 

X2. I do the same.