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I have the OEM 48 gallon tank in my F-350 so I have pretty good range and can pick good locations. Traveling through Wyoming and Montana off the interstate system, I have to look ahead at what's available. I've passed on some locations that I get a discount at because they're just too challenging to get into. I don't like filling up at just half a tank but sometimes that's the best location.
If things are really stupid at the only station that is available, I have no problem dropping the trailer to make it possible getting into a station. I'm often traveling solo so there isn't someone with me that can help me get into a station.
I do use the Open Roads app at the big rig lanes and that's about a stress-free as can be. Some truck stops have RV lanes with gasoline and diesel. Flying J is one of those, but for me there's usually another truck stop nearby that's easier to get into.
As an aside, I'm also a long-time cyclist. A few years ago, one of the guys on the cycling forums was riding coast-to-coast starting in Portland OR and heading to Boston. He saw this straight highway south of Cleveland OH (SR303) and thought it'd be like those straight/level roads in the Great Plains. Wrong!!! A few very-steep inclines nearly gave him a heart attack!! He said that some were worse than going through the Rockies! There is an app/website called 'Ride with GPS' that will show elevation changes/grades along your desired route. "Choose wisely!"
I've hauled east west a lot the past 10 years with my diesel. Some of the bigger truck stops do in fact have an RV island now with gas. I think it helps keep their car pumps clear of bigger units and less damage due to poor RV drivers! When I had my gas F150 it was a pain too often and I always carried a gerry can, especially through states like Kansas where a gas station could be a long ways away!
Every trip
I googled map the crap oit of it
Look for know stations i like
Much, buccees, fly j etc
Look at roads into and out of the stations
the buccess in bowling green is huge, lots of easy pump access
but road leading out is tight ...
then i plug my route into the garmin for the bus or the nav in truck depending on whats going
i prunt a cheat sheet to with important fuel stops based on expected fuel burn etc
no to mention check road construction
the bus, i generally use truck stops
As we are a smidge over 65 feet all hookd up
The truck and boat is. Hmm 50
I can get it in usually without issue in larger stations
Key for us is planning
i hate having to try to gey the Navigator to jump through hoops fibding a station in a rush 🤣
We have also pulled an edge 4 down, while it was shorter overall..no backing up.
Now we are back to the trailer and the explorer
the above is older pic
Buc-ee's is on my "Do Not Visit" list when towing. It's just crazy at the pumps. So many knuckleheads fill up their vehicle and then walk into the store for 15 minutes, leaving their vehicle at the pump. This is mainly a problem on the weekends. Weekdays it depends on the time of day. Without a trailer, I'll stop there. Least expensive fuel around, great bathrooms and the food it dang good.
Biggest problem I have at the pumps, are the drug users/mentally ill/panhandlers (whatever) approaching me while I'm pumping fuel and asking for cash, gas, or some scam they dreamed up. Some take an intimidating tone. Management at the Loves, Flying J, Pilot, etc make zero effort to run these types off.
Often they just park at the pumps (blocking paying customer vehicles) and exit their vehicle just to ask for cash.
New Mexico is the worst, Gallup, Albuquerque areas. Also Amarillo, and plenty of others.
Biggest problem I have at the pumps, are the drug users/mentally ill/panhandlers (whatever) approaching me while I'm pumping fuel and asking for cash, gas, or some scam they dreamed up. Some take an intimidating tone. Management at the Loves, Flying J, Pilot, etc make zero effort to run these types off.
Often they just park at the pumps (blocking paying customer vehicles) and exit their vehicle just to ask for cash.
New Mexico is the worst, Gallup, Albuquerque areas. Also Amarillo, and plenty of others.
Some of these folks look really messed up!
ah yes new freaking mexico
Loves at amarillo can be a fun social gathering
🤣
I towed a 42ft 5th wheel with a gasser up to Alaska and back twice. I had more issues in the U.S. than in canada fitting in to fuel stations. DO NOT fuel up at Destruction Bay Lodge in Yukon Territory. Drive the little ways further to Burwash Landing and use the card lock pumps. You will save A LOT of money in gas. Most fuel stations along the Alcan are setup to be big Rig friendly because of all the 18 wheeler traffic that goes by daily. Once you hit Canada or more specifically, north of Calgary and Edmonton, you shouldn't have to worry about fitting in anywhere.
Buc-ee's is on my "Do Not Visit" list when towing. It's just crazy at the pumps. So many knuckleheads fill up their vehicle and then walk into the store for 15 minutes, leaving their vehicle at the pump. This is mainly a problem on the weekends. Weekdays it depends on the time of day. Without a trailer, I'll stop there. Least expensive fuel around, great bathrooms and the food it dang good.
I have NEVER understood people who fuel up, then stay parked at the pump, at ANY gas station. Or worse, the ones who pull up to the pumps closest to the door, then go in and get their cigarettes and lotto, take 10 minutes deciding to get the same stuff they always get, then leave, and never pump a drop of gas. I have INTENTIONALLY parked in front of those people and set the gas pump on slow (when in a gas vehicle) just to return some of the inconvenience they're giving to others. There's parking spots just around the corner, stop being an entitled *****.
This is getting off topic and talking about places the OP will not even get close to going from Connecticut to Alaska. I know fueling stations can be frustrating at times but this isn't the thread or place to vent.
Denny
I'm the same as a lot of guys here. I google maps the heck out of a site, right down to street level. Actually, my wife, the navigator does the job, and very well I might add. So we enjoy McDonalds coffee. Those locations can be CHALLENGING lol. She does a good job Google mapping everything thing. She has it down to a science. Thank god all I have to do is drive! I think I have the easier job...
I never have issues with my travel trailer similar size. Seems city gas stations can get more cramped than gas stations off the hwy. Google maps satellite view can be useful. Good luck and safe travels!
Do you have the 7.3 gas? If so, what MPG’s are you averaging while towing?
