Long Haulers
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
We use an app that comes in handy (allstays). I want to say it was $5 and is one of the few apps I have paid for. You can select criteria for what comes up on the map from low bridges, camping worlds, truck stops, wal-marts, etc. The most handy functions for us is the rest stop locator and fuel stop locator. Even if the fuel stops are not "truck stops", they usually will give information to tell you if it is large trailer/ RV friendly.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,379
Likes: 1,863
From: Frederick, MD
Flying J/Pilot has a rv advantage card so you can swipe at the pump and pay cash prices.
As someone who travels long distance with a 40 footer and a DRW I use all the truck stops and the truck lanes.
You will be fine. At 1/4 tank look for a nice convenient truck stop and get some fuel.
I average about 500-600 miles a day with an average speed of 50 mph.
As someone who travels long distance with a 40 footer and a DRW I use all the truck stops and the truck lanes.
You will be fine. At 1/4 tank look for a nice convenient truck stop and get some fuel.
I average about 500-600 miles a day with an average speed of 50 mph.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 113
Likes: 2
i'll be camped there Memorial Day weekend. It is a great state park. My three month summer trip pulling my TT goes from Philly to Ky to Al to WI to IA to SD to Seattle to ID to Glacier National Park to the UP of Mi and back to Philly. About 7k miles
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 8
From: Tomball, Tx
My boat, on the trailer has a height of 13'10". I'll be towing it from Lake Erie to the Gulf of Mexico. Has anyone used the apps giving bridge height?
I'll also have a 63' oal, and 10'4" wide. I plan on getting oversize permits. We could use any tips on these long hauls.
I'll also have a 63' oal, and 10'4" wide. I plan on getting oversize permits. We could use any tips on these long hauls.
without knowing the route its hard to say where you could hit limits - I can tell you the Oklahoma Turnpike is to be avoided, they have several underpasses that are 13'3" and they have HUGE warning signs warning of such.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
We're heading out on a 5,000 mile round trip in 30 days pulling the 40' toy hauler. That will require 18 stops if I average just under 10mpg. With my new 34 gallon tank, I will keep two 5 gallon race jugs of diesel in the back of the truck just in case. In addition to all the good advice mentioned previously, you still have to be careful. Know your max height and watch out for low hanging fuel station covers. Don't enter a station if you can't see a decent exit. I will use an end pump but will never try to squeeze into an inside pump especially with regular cars around.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 471
Likes: 4
When traveling I alway use major truck stops. I might pay a few cent more for fuel sometimes but I'm getting fresh fuel. I used the same ones on my routes. I look at it this way if I go to a gas station that has cheap fuel I don't know that in the last month of raining they had flooded three times. With big name brand truck stops they not taking chances with leaking tank caps when they get 50+ tractor trucks in a day buying 300-500 gallons of fuel at a time, plus the small trucks filling up on diesel. Local I'll go to gas stations stores that I know has a high turn over. I rather be overly careful than get one bad tank of watered down diesel.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,379
Likes: 1,863
From: Frederick, MD
take a piece of wood and put it across the a/c unit. that is probably the highest point. Then some string or take measure to the ground to obtain your height.
I also have a RV GPS that takes into account roads/low bridges/propane restrictions and stuff. Handy thing to invest in.
I also have a RV GPS that takes into account roads/low bridges/propane restrictions and stuff. Handy thing to invest in.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 8
From: Tomball, Tx
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 177
From: Vancouver, BC
We use an app that comes in handy (allstays). I want to say it was $5 and is one of the few apps I have paid for. You can select criteria for what comes up on the map from low bridges, camping worlds, truck stops, wal-marts, etc. The most handy functions for us is the rest stop locator and fuel stop locator. Even if the fuel stops are not "truck stops", they usually will give information to tell you if it is large trailer/ RV friendly.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Good to know.
This app is still great since it is RV specific. You can view campgrounds, dump stations, low bridges, Wal-Marts that allow overnight stays, etc. Still a good app for RV owners.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 8
From: Tomball, Tx
I would rely on (more accurate) realtime nave programs via a smart phone: ie Waze and GasBuddy.
ALSO all the truck stops have their own app that provides (almost) realtime fuel pricing data....get those apps!
The Pilot/FlyingJ smartphone APP will tell you what services are available at each stop (# of pumps, RV Island, Dump Station, Showers, etc) and how many miles away the truck stop is from your current location.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 722
Likes: 7
From: Oregon
My boat, on the trailer has a height of 13'10". I'll be towing it from Lake Erie to the Gulf of Mexico. Has anyone used the apps giving bridge height?
I'll also have a 63' oal, and 10'4" wide. I plan on getting oversize permits. We could use any tips on these long hauls.
I'll also have a 63' oal, and 10'4" wide. I plan on getting oversize permits. We could use any tips on these long hauls.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 177
From: Vancouver, BC
the factory nav / maps is not up to date - I wouldn't RELY the in dash nav.
I would rely on (more accurate) realtime nave programs via a smart phone: ie Waze and GasBuddy.
ALSO all the truck stops have their own app that provides (almost) realtime fuel pricing data....get those apps!
The Pilot/FlyingJ smartphone APP will tell you what services are available at each stop (# of pumps, RV Island, Dump Station, Showers, etc) and how many miles away the truck stop is from your current location.
I would rely on (more accurate) realtime nave programs via a smart phone: ie Waze and GasBuddy.
ALSO all the truck stops have their own app that provides (almost) realtime fuel pricing data....get those apps!
The Pilot/FlyingJ smartphone APP will tell you what services are available at each stop (# of pumps, RV Island, Dump Station, Showers, etc) and how many miles away the truck stop is from your current location.
Correct, the updated aps would be better. I was just stating that it is available on the factory system. I currently still have my 09 F150 Lariat (waiting for my 17 Platinum) with factory navigation and it has worked for me crossing the country the last few years just fine. Rest areas are in there minus anything built in the last couple of years (not many!) and still haven't had an issue finding fuel along interstates. As i'm a Canadian using data on my phone to use as a navigation tool would cost me a fortune!
My vehicle prior to this was a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a stand alone Megallion GPS....drove me nuts. The cord was always in the way, the screen was hard to see in the sun and way up on the dash. Personally I like the in dash unit that I don't have to put away every time I park the vehicle and that resumes right away.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 8
From: Tomball, Tx
Correct, the updated aps would be better. I was just stating that it is available on the factory system. I currently still have my 09 F150 Lariat (waiting for my 17 Platinum) with factory navigation and it has worked for me crossing the country the last few years just fine. Rest areas are in there minus anything built in the last couple of years (not many!) and still haven't had an issue finding fuel along interstates. As i'm a Canadian using data on my phone to use as a navigation tool would cost me a fortune!
My vehicle prior to this was a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a stand alone Megallion GPS....drove me nuts. The cord was always in the way, the screen was hard to see in the sun and way up on the dash. Personally I like the in dash unit that I don't have to put away every time I park the vehicle and that resumes right away.
My vehicle prior to this was a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a stand alone Megallion GPS....drove me nuts. The cord was always in the way, the screen was hard to see in the sun and way up on the dash. Personally I like the in dash unit that I don't have to put away every time I park the vehicle and that resumes right away.
I recommend you give WAZE a serious try - WAZE is a crowd source app that leverages everyone else use & reporting of incidents to provide REALTIME alerts and reporting of where cops are and accidents/backups and will re-route you to save time.
These days I don't know why anyone would bother w/ a (dedicated) GPS (too narrow in purpose and redundant compared to a smart phone).
I use a cell phone holder on the dash of any of our vehicles & I always carry my phone w/ me (when I leave the vehicle etc), Waze has the ability to pause and resume navigation too.
There are several apps for RV'ers and highway travelers that we use too -
Sanidumps has a smartphone App that shows you where dump stations are (Including any fees that might be associated). There are several Rest Area Apps (also free) that help you w/ the location of rest areas, the distances to them and what services (and how many parking spaces there are) at each location.