Posted 2010-03-29 11:54 AM (#118137) Subject: Finding appropriate gas stations
Member
Posts: 33 Location: Ohio
My husband and I just took our first trip in our new LQ horse trailer. I was a little worried about my ability to tow the big sucker, but after driving it through the mountains of VA (I'm from Ohio) I'm much more confident. The one concern I have is finding large-rig friendly gas stations. I will be traveling alone quite a bit (to endurance rides) and would love to be able to plan my gas stops ahead of time at RV/trailer friendly places (I have a gas truck, not diesel). When I drive on the OH turnpike I always know I'm fine, but don't know ahead of time what is available when heading out of state. I know some of the names, like Loves and Flying J - but is there any type of directory I could use when planning trips?
Posted 2010-03-29 12:20 PM (#118140 - in reply to #118137) Subject: RE: Finding appropriate gas stations
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330 Location: northeast Texas
I think the book is called Next Exit. I also think you can join and download it online . You might want to consider carrying 5 gallons of gas "just incase" and joining US Rider, as they will bring you gas if you run out. I always map out my trips on Mapquest and pick where I think I might need to stop. You can actually go on Googlemaps.com and drag the little guy down and look at the stations. I often travel backroads where there are no truck stops and I just did this to "look" at an Exxon station in Bandera Texas that I was told is an excellent stop if pulling a trailer. They were right :) I solved part of my stopping problem by having a 50 gallon auxialary diesel tank added, thats why I suggest carrying 5 gallons of gas.
Will give you all sorts of information about what types of services are available along major freeways, especially what service stations are RV/big rig friendly.
Posted 2010-03-29 1:53 PM (#118148 - in reply to #118137) Subject: RE: Finding appropriate gas stations
Member
Posts: 33 Location: Ohio
Thanks guys. I already am carrying a five gallon gas tank AND have US Rider. I am, as some people loving refer, somewhat anal-rententive and like to plan everything that I can. (Remarkably, I am very relaxed when it comes to things I know I have no control over!).
Posted 2010-03-29 4:27 PM (#118161 - in reply to #118137) Subject: RE: Finding appropriate gas stations
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
Hey, one of the Garmin Nuvi automobile GPS, the 465T, has a "truck" mode (as well as a car mode), you can EASILY customize it for the height, weight and length of your rig, that will give you all the fuel stops that are accomodating to larger rigs, repair, truck washes, all that stuff, and you have it at your fingertips, including their phone numbers.....works GREAT for KNOWING the area will be very accomodating for your rig. I think they all sell gasoline...
Posted 2010-03-29 5:38 PM (#118170 - in reply to #118137) Subject: RE: Finding appropriate gas stations
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
I pull with a Chevrolet 3500 with an 8.1 gas with Allison transmission... When I get down a little past half a tank I start looking for an easy station to get into... Trailer is 35' on the floor and the "convenient mart" stations aren't too convenient!! I keep a couple 5 gallon cans of "generator gas" in th truck bed when we're on the road. Never had to use them in the truck tank...... Yet!
Posted 2010-03-31 12:30 AM (#118244 - in reply to #118137) Subject: RE: Finding appropriate gas stations
Member
Posts: 28 Location: Broomfield, CO
I had the same problem here in the Colorado mountains. Fuel is MUCH more expensive in the mountains and there isnt much room in the gas stations. I bought a transferflo gas tank for my truck. It holds 100 extra gallons. LOVE IT! I can find cheaper gas and filler up! Yes it is pricey to fill itup all at once, but I love not stopping every 8 gallons... I also save money by not having to get my kid food or a snack at each fill up. My friend with 5 kids loved that Idea.... She traveled with me for a 2 week rodeo road trip.... I can make it from Denver to OKC with out filling up!
Posted 2010-03-31 7:57 AM (#118248 - in reply to #118137) Subject: RE: Finding appropriate gas stations
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330 Location: northeast Texas
The Transfer-Flo is the auxilliary system we have. I bought my truck with 30,000 miles already on it and the system had been added by the original owners who pulled a 5th wheel. (snowbirds) Whats so great is the computer system that automatically transfers the fuel as you drive so you dont have to watch and worry. I looked it up and its a company based out of California. For my truck, 07 Dodge 3500, and a 50 gallon tank it was about $1000 upgrade. Well worth it in my book for the type of hauling we do. If I bought a new truck I would add it myself. If you have a truck you are going to be keeping for awhile I strongly recommend looking into this. They have many different sizes of tanks and configurations. I like that if it were to malfunction you pull one fuse out of the back of the monitor and it all reverts back to your factory tank and settings. The monitor looks like a little GPS and mine is attached right above my brake controller. Shows gallons in truck tank, gallons in auxilliary tank, total gallons and pump status.
Posted 2010-03-31 2:19 PM (#118288 - in reply to #118137) Subject: RE: Finding appropriate gas stations
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330 Location: northeast Texas
Oh I agree, talk to the supreme commander. LOL And make sure you get the Trax II computer system to go with it. I could see the pictures of the LCD in the cab shots of the truck online and thought it was a GPS. When we got to the dealership to look at the truck and I saw the fuel tank and system I literally jumped up and down and the salesman thought I was nuts. Guess I was the first woman he had seen get excited over a big ole 4 door 4 wd diesel dually truck. Then the icing was when he handed my husband the keys and HE handed them to me for the test drive, and walked back into the office with the salesman. Would love to have a picture of that salesman's face. But seriously I am very spoiled now and would definatly purchase this system for any replacement truck in the future. I can usually get where I am going with the trailer without a refill, and then unhook (gotta love that hydraulic jack too) and run back into town empty at my leisure and refuel.
Posted 2010-03-31 2:55 PM (#118297 - in reply to #118137) Subject: RE: Finding appropriate gas stations
Member
Posts: 33 Location: Ohio
oh nooooo...now I am seriously coveting one of those tanks. I thought I was done spending money when I bought the trailer, but it seems that was just the start...
Finding appropriate gas stations
