Question Michigan Road Trip

[Toolguy]

Will be making our first trip in our new Class A. First stop Elkhart Indiana, Then Ludington, Michigan for a few days. Then to Petoskey, Michigan for a week. Then onto Munising Michigan. Just wondering the ease of gettin in and out of Gas stations a long the way with the Motorhome. Length with Tow vehicle is around 50 feet. Height is 12’10”. I am used to pulling a 5th wheel with a diesel truck so never had to go to a regular gas station.

Motorhome is a gas engine. Also uncertain how far I can go without filling up. Have an 80 gallon tank but have no idea how many miles i can expect on a tank of gas.

Thanks for advice and help.

 

[SGilbert]

I'm similar to you, but a tad shorter. I've had no problems as long as I planned ahead when entering a gas station. Height has never been a problem, but always plan an "escape".

 

[Joe Hogan]

This might help...

 

[Toolguy]

Thanks
I will use google earth and do planning

 

[Dan_Frisbie]

I have 34' gas Class A and a 20' box trailer. I fuel at the bigger stops such as Love's, Pilot, etc and a always just take a look in before I commit. I seldom have any problems getting into position for fuel, but that does sometimes block others. I just try to get fueled and out of the way as quickly as possible.
I keep my speed below 65 mph and average around 6 mpg on the interstate, but it goes up as high as 7.5 on the slower two-lane roads. I start looking for fuel at 1/2 a tank.

I use my Garmin to plan due to a 12.5' height and long length. The Garmin allows me to input my vehicle specifications so that I don't end up on a road that I can't safely travel.

 

[Toolguy]

I use goodsam to plan as well as a Garmin GPS too.

Once we get into Michigan my route does not indicate any Truck stops. So far I was looking at fuel close to RV parks or so. just don’t know how far I can go before actually getting fuel. I checked google earth out to observe fuel stations. So far looks like there are ones that will be easy as long as they are not packed.

Looks like I must be committed do more more planning if not traveling interstates

 

[Dan_Frisbie]

I use goodsam to plan as well as a Garmin GPS too.

Once we get into Michigan my route does not indicate any Truck stops. So far I was looking at fuel close to RV parks or so. just don’t know how far I can go before actually getting fuel. I checked google earth out to observe fuel stations. So far looks like there are ones that will be easy as long as they are not packed.

Looks like I must be committed do more more planning if not traveling interstates

Don’t get wrapped around the axle on this. The absolute worse thing that can happen is that you get into a station and have to back out, causing confusion, a lot of horn blowing, and people calling you an idiot. Nearly all stations have enough room for your rig.
You’re not going to hurt anything. I have pulled into stations and as I pull in, realize that I have made a bad move. I have never been unable to extricate the rig.

 

[SGilbert]

Don’t get wrapped around the axle on this. The absolute worse thing that can happen is that you get into a station and have to back out, causing confusion, a lot of horn blowing, and people calling you an idiot. Nearly all stations have enough room for your rig.
You’re not going to hurt anything. I have pulled into stations and as I pull in, realize that I have made a bad move. I have never been unable to extricate the rig.

Don't forget the OP is towing a toad, liokely on all 4's, and is damn near impossible to back up!

 

[Toolguy]

Yes i would have to disconnect car to back up. Not impossible but also not convenient.

 

[SGilbert]

Yes i would have to disconnect car to back up. Not impossible but also not convenient.

Been there, done that. Not fun!

 

[AbdRahim]

I never let the tank get below half. That way it isn’t an emergency. Also, my gas stops are usually planned before I start, having examine the station on satellite view.

 

[Buster]

I never let the tank get below half. That way it isn’t an emergency. Also, my gas stops are usually planned before I start, having examine the station on satellite view.

Same here. I've avoided a few that looked like an invitation to trouble that way.

 

[Jabber Jaw]

We (DW) use Google quite a bit, while I'm driving. She will first look for Pilot/Flying J with "RV" pumps, then those without, then other stations (Loves, T/A, Buccee's, etc.) She finds a location, then uses Google Earth satellite views to "scope" it out, as feasible, or not.
Often times, when not traveling Interstate highway system, many of the stations have "Parallel PUMPS" to the roadway, and are actually easier to get into & out of!
With the toad, I'm just a few inches shy of 60' in length, and this approach works well for us.
I too, have an 80 gallon fuel capacity, but always refuel when right around half tank level.
At 6.5-6.8 mpg, I generally drive in the 200-250 mile range, and fill up.
I also plan trips so that I am driving around 275-300 miles per day, average. Sometimes I will do 400 miles, but that's about the max. I'm retired and am not in a huge hurry to get to a particular location, BUT, it is "Five-o-clock Somewhere", and the evening Margarita calls!!
Hope this helps, and have a great trip!

 

[DennisT]

We (DW) use Google quite a bit, while I'm driving. She will first look for Pilot/Flying J with "RV" pumps, then those without, then other stations (Loves, T/A, Buccee's, etc.) She finds a location, then uses Google Earth satellite views to "scope" it out, as feasible, or not.
Often times, when not traveling Interstate highway system, many of the stations have "Parallel PUMPS" to the roadway, and are actually easier to get into & out of!
With the toad, I'm just a few inches shy of 60' in length, and this approach works well for us.
I too, have an 80 gallon fuel capacity, but always refuel when right around half tank level.
At 6.5-6.8 mpg, I generally drive in the 200-250 mile range, and fill up.
I also plan trips so that I am driving around 275-300 miles per day, average. Sometimes I will do 400 miles, but that's about the max. I'm retired and am not in a huge hurry to get to a particular location, BUT, it is "Five-o-clock Somewhere", and the evening Margarita calls!!
Hope this helps, and have a great trip!

Always 5 o’clock where we are

 

[Toolguy]

I used google and Gas buddy to look at fuel around my stays. Going forward I will keep doing that and plan my fuel stops out ahead of time.

I after this trip hoping to understand I many miles I can travel on a 1/2 tank.

Thanks to all for your help

 

[Jabber Jaw]

Always 5 o’clock where we are

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