In the last two years we have seen a huge change in how interstate gas stops are set up. We just returned from a trip to Orlando (from Ohio).
Gas became a problem right away and continued to be a problem the entire trip until we got as far north as WV/KY.
It is the new configuration of gas stops that is driving us nuts; we can't get in to the pumps and if we do, we can't get back out. I imagine you know what I am talking about. They have changed the configuration of gas stations, from having two or three lanes of pumps laid out parallel with the road to setting up 8-10 pump islands set up perpendicular to the road. Great for getting more cars to the pumps at one time but impossible for larger rigs to use.
Like many of you, our rig is 57 feet long with the jeep attached. And also like most (but not all) with a gas rig you have a larger turning radius because you can't create a 55 degree cut when you have an engine sitting between the two front wheels. So even if you can angle in (blocking two islands typically) you don't have the wheel cut to pull out. These islands put you in the position of having to drive toward the building, or toward the curb, even if there are no cars parked in the spaces in front of the building, it is still doubtful you can make that sharp turn. It doesnt help the problem when they fill the area on either end of the islands with parking spaces.
This was really a frustrating situation this trip. We made a half dozen dry attempts to get gas off the interstate until we found an older gas stop that had the longer islands with enough space to get in and out.
The turnpike plazas have proper entry and exit setups and the truck stops do too but again only one or two the rest of the islands are the short ones.
We made 6 successful stops for gas and half again that many unsuccessful stops. The point is, though we did find gas on the 2100 mile trip, it wasnt easy and I find some stops to be a little stressful as you try not to swing the toad into the pumps on the way out while also watching the curb, building and traffic. If you get caught or blocked, there is only one way out, disconnect the toad, something I try to avoid when on the road.
This is not as much a problem for shorter rigs of course.
What are others with 36/40 foot rigs doing about this? Have you find a way to use these new set ups?
Gas became a problem right away and continued to be a problem the entire trip until we got as far north as WV/KY.
It is the new configuration of gas stops that is driving us nuts; we can't get in to the pumps and if we do, we can't get back out. I imagine you know what I am talking about. They have changed the configuration of gas stations, from having two or three lanes of pumps laid out parallel with the road to setting up 8-10 pump islands set up perpendicular to the road. Great for getting more cars to the pumps at one time but impossible for larger rigs to use.
Like many of you, our rig is 57 feet long with the jeep attached. And also like most (but not all) with a gas rig you have a larger turning radius because you can't create a 55 degree cut when you have an engine sitting between the two front wheels. So even if you can angle in (blocking two islands typically) you don't have the wheel cut to pull out. These islands put you in the position of having to drive toward the building, or toward the curb, even if there are no cars parked in the spaces in front of the building, it is still doubtful you can make that sharp turn. It doesnt help the problem when they fill the area on either end of the islands with parking spaces.
This was really a frustrating situation this trip. We made a half dozen dry attempts to get gas off the interstate until we found an older gas stop that had the longer islands with enough space to get in and out.
The turnpike plazas have proper entry and exit setups and the truck stops do too but again only one or two the rest of the islands are the short ones.
We made 6 successful stops for gas and half again that many unsuccessful stops. The point is, though we did find gas on the 2100 mile trip, it wasnt easy and I find some stops to be a little stressful as you try not to swing the toad into the pumps on the way out while also watching the curb, building and traffic. If you get caught or blocked, there is only one way out, disconnect the toad, something I try to avoid when on the road.
This is not as much a problem for shorter rigs of course.
What are others with 36/40 foot rigs doing about this? Have you find a way to use these new set ups?