Re-Fueling with Caravan Attached

[Mike_5041040]

Sorry, this is a stupid question, but some novice has got to ask it !

How do you all manage to re fuel on a long trip, when there is next to no turning space between the pumps and the kiosk ??

I can't even use the HGV diesel pumps because I need petrol.

Twice last week, returning from Sth Wales, I drove into two motorway service stations and straight out again because I felt sure I'd get stuck with my six berth caravan !!

Maybe I'm just chicken !!!!!!!!!

Mike.

 

[CliveV]

I do try to fill up before a trip to save me the hassle of doing with the 'van attached but I have never had a problem refueling with the 'van attached.

If you think about a whacking great panel van or motorhome come to think of it - a caravan should not be a problem.

Just make sure you give yourself enough room and time.

 

[Lutz]

I've had to give the odd petrol station a miss when, upon approaching it, it became obvious that I wouldn't be able to get out going forwards. Otherwise, I try to head straight for the 'easy' pumps but, on occasions, I have overlooked the odd obstacle, forcing me to reverse out.

 

[Tony A.]

MIKE,

My van is 7.3 mtrs shipping lenght, I`ve never had a problem at the pumps on M`ways, some local stations can be tight but I`ve never got stuck. just take it easy.

Maybe find somwhere to practice, going around cardboard boxes (as bollards they dont damage the van or car)until you find what you can do. It will become easier honest.

good luck mate

Tony A.

 

[joeby]

I get really annoyed ,in fact i have come close to having a punch up in some of these fuel stations ,why is it when you drive around some pumps, you see sign saying out of order ,then you have to get out of your car and tell the guy who's at the back of your van that you have to reverse to use another pump why dont they put a sign as you approach the pump ,the other one is when you pull up behind a car and after sitting there for 5 minits you realise they walking around shopping ,you look at them and they walzting around without a care in the world they must have skin like rhino ,until i go in there and tell them to shift or i will shift for them

 

[cris_408518]

My youngest daughter has recently towed our T/A Senator behind my Extra Long Viano for the first time to France and the Loire and on down to Arcachon.

It's a very big rig and she coped OK with six young 20 something friends in the car!

Some "quick fill" truck pumps will throw diesel back over you as a cars tank can't cope with the faster filling. So be careful.

 

[Steve L]

We tow a twenty foot twin axle van behind our car which gives a rolling length of around 38 feet. With the filler on the right side of the car it is a bit tight even at the supermarket to fill up.

I start off by taking the car solo and filling up before starting. Then I use the large supermarkets to fill up due to price and facilities. I unhook the van in the supermarket car park, then while her in doors, does a cuppa in the van and a butty,I drive round to the petrol station and fill up.

After all we have done well over 350 miles by then and I reckon a break is due anyway. We have been callenged a couple of times by the trolley boy(aged 65+) but when we explain our caper and offer a quick mug of coffee on the side, they are quite chatty and amienable to our plight.

Mind you travelling as a group of three to five vans and doing this does give the impression of invasion, but we all have to eat drink and be re-fuelled.

 

[joeby]

We tow a twenty foot twin axle van behind our car which gives a rolling length of around 38 feet. With the filler on the right side of the car it is a bit tight even at the supermarket to fill up.

I start off by taking the car solo and filling up before starting. Then I use the large supermarkets to fill up due to price and facilities. I unhook the van in the supermarket car park, then while her in doors, does a cuppa in the van and a butty,I drive round to the petrol station and fill up.

After all we have done well over 350 miles by then and I reckon a break is due anyway. We have been callenged a couple of times by the trolley boy(aged 65+) but when we explain our caper and offer a quick mug of coffee on the side, they are quite chatty and amienable to our plight.

Mind you travelling as a group of three to five vans and doing this does give the impression of invasion, but we all have to eat drink and be re-fuelled.

Hi steve in Leo ,i would have thought with a twin axle you would have had a longer rolling length than 38 feet ,our Mondeo Estate hitched to a single axle Senator Indiana gives a roLling length of 39'7"

 

[BJ]

Preparation is the key.

Visit the filling station solo, before you hitch your van up to leave home or a site.

A full tank of petrol/diesel should be more then enough for ther amount of miles you will go in one day.

 

[Woody3]

The secret is to go to one of the near pumps as you enter, then you can swing away from the pump as you pass the further pumps before turning.

Also, with very few exceptions the filler pipe will reach across to the opposite side of the car, so going for a left pump when it is a right exit will usually get you through without problem. It makes me smile to watch people queuing in Sainsbury's to fill up from a pump on their filler-cap side when there are 'other side' pumps empty!