Fuel on the motorway services with a caravan

Lyke Wake Man
Lyke Wake Man Forum Participant Posts: 238
edited August 2016 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

when I had to buy D.E.R.V. on a motorway I found on the L.G.V.  (Lorry) pump's the nozzel is to big for a car and it pumps very fast, yet the car pumps are not caravan friendly, with low canopy and some are tight to get in with a caravan, its time they had
some small nozel pumps in the L.G.V. pumps

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Comments

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #2

    They perhaps find there is not much call for them. Personally I would have thought due to the extortionate price, often 20p a L more, most using motorway fuel stations are not paying for the fuel themselves. I suppose it depends how far you are traveling and what you are towing with, but we always start off with a full tank, which will get us well over 300 miles. If others are able to do similar distances not many are going to pay the premium.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited August 2016 #3

    They perhaps find there is not much call for them. Personally I would have thought due to the extortionate price, often 20p a L more, most using motorway fuel stations are not paying for the fuel themselves. I suppose it depends how far you are traveling and what you are towing with, but we always start off with a full tank, which will get us well over 300 miles. If others are able to do similar distances not many are going to pay the premium.

    But if you're travelling 400 miles you'll have to find a pump  somewhere that you can get at with caravan Wink

  • richardandros
    richardandros Club Member Posts: 2,684 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #4

    Although my car has a towing range of over 400 miles - if we're doing a long trip, I find that after 200 miles of towing, I've had enough even if the car hasn't!.  So we always plan an overnight stop which allows me to find a local (cheap) filling station
    to top up the tank without the van on the back. Broadway is a favourite since it is exactly half-way from home to Devon and has a filling station right outside the site entrance.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #5

    when I had to buy D.E.R.V. on a motorway I found on the L.G.V.  (Lorry) pump's the nozzel is to big for a car and it pumps very fast, yet the car pumps are not caravan friendly, with low canopy and some are tight to get in with a caravan, its time they had some small nozel pumps in the L.G.V. pumps

    Never had a problem filling up on motorway services or any other garage at home or abroad.  I think Canopies are a standard height

  • RangeRoverMan
    RangeRoverMan Forum Participant Posts: 125
    edited August 2016 #6

    Same for me, no problem ever.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #7

    I have always thought the motorway garages the easiest to use but you have to be pretty desperate to use them at their prices. I used a garage recently at which the pump had two discharge rates which you could select at the push of a button.

    peedee

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited August 2016 #8

    As has been posted earlier, a range of around 300 miles is usually sufficient to satisfy most tuggers daily 'towing fix'. If travelling further, research your route that passes big towns. Most have a retail park with a large supermarket forecourt on the
    outskirts and close to a junction. Better than paying M/way prices. I've recently completed a 1300 mile tour and all the refills were at discounted fuel prices.

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #9

    While avoiding motorway fuel prices it is still hard in Scotland not to have to use trunk road services which are almost as expensive. Never had a problem with the nozzle fitting into a Land Rover but I do need to remind myself NOT to engage the pump lock
    as what I want is a few gallons to get me to Tesco and not a full tank!

  • Briang
    Briang Club Member Posts: 670 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #10

    There is an Asda just off the M6 at junction 44. up the slip road turn left and a couple of hundred yards turn right at the lights and Asda is just there. Can't remember if it is on the left or right. That is the only one i have ever used.

    Anyone know of any more.?

     

     

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582
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    edited August 2016 #11

    We very rarely use motorway services for fuel but have never had a problem on the odd visit or seen one that would worry us. Certainly the canopies are high enough  as they have to be able to take light vans, motorhomes and the like which can be as high
    if not higher than your caravan.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited August 2016 #12

    I had a problem at Warwick - my fault I suppose really but it was very crowded and I didn't see I was headed for HGV only - but it did me a favour as I was about to come off the M40 to the A46 where the first station was a much more reasonable price - I
    can't remember when I last used a Motorway filling station apart from that one.  Like others I try and organise my break and research a cheaper supermarket nearby. 

  • Lyke Wake Man
    Lyke Wake Man Forum Participant Posts: 238
    edited August 2016 #13

    Some of you hava said that you have had enough a 300 miles, when  going down to cornwall it is 450 miles, as a ex long distance driver I can drive all the way with just a couple of breaks no prob

  • Mike Greenfield
    Mike Greenfield Forum Participant Posts: 20
    edited August 2016 #14

    I always do a bit of research before traveling with the van on the back.  Once I have found a petrol station I use the Google man to have a look around to see I can can judge if it's suitable to get in and out.  Never failed yet.

  • Mitsi Fendt
    Mitsi Fendt Forum Participant Posts: 484
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    edited August 2016 #15

    There is an Asda just off the M6 at junction 44. up the slip road turn left and a couple of hundred yards turn right at the lights and Asda is just there. Can't remember if it is on the left or right. That is the only one i have ever used.

    Anyone know of any more.?

     

     

    Junction 36 M4 Sarn Park Services. SAinaburys on the same exit roundabout of the M4. Large forecourt manageable with caravan as long as you chose the pump carefully.

    There is also an Asda with a large fore court about a mile off junction 37 (Pyle/ Porthcawl in Pyle and a Texaco garage  in Pyle)

    Junction 30 M4 Cardiff gate. Asda about a mile from Services. With caravan you may need to use pay at pump pumps. 

  • jeffcc
    jeffcc Forum Participant Posts: 430
    edited August 2016 #16

    Unless i absolutely have to i.e. tank about empty i dont use motorway filling stations, usually use supermarkets. However have found no problem with services anywhere with c/v on back

  • MJ730
    MJ730 Forum Participant Posts: 184
    edited August 2016 #17

    justoffjunction.co.uk show petrol stations near motorways,some are only just off junction some a couple of miles off.

    Mike

  • Mitsi Fendt
    Mitsi Fendt Forum Participant Posts: 484
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    edited August 2016 #18

    http://justoffjunction.co.uk/

    Moderator Edit:

    Link now live.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited August 2016 #19

     .... but I do need to remind myself NOT to engage the pump lock as what  .....

    You're very lucky to find one these days ..... but don't let Tesco staff see you using your own Innocent

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited August 2016 #20

     ..... Never had a problem with the nozzle fitting into a Land Rover but  ...

    I found myself alongside a HGV pump in France the other year ..... the nozzle didn't fit my R Class, fortunately I was solo at the time

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited August 2016 #21

    Some of you hava said that you have had enough a 300 miles, when  going down to cornwall it is 450 miles, as a ex long distance driver I can drive all the way with just a couple of breaks no prob

    Hello Pheidippides

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #22

    Some of you hava said that you have had enough a 300 miles, when  going down to cornwall it is 450 miles, as a ex long distance driver I can drive all the way with just a couple of breaks no prob

    Hello Pheidippides

    Had to Google it, but yes I would think it a marathon as well. I have had enough at 200, or less.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited August 2016 #23

    I know someone who drives 6 hours + without a break - that doesn't suit me at all - Each to his/her own - but please everyone let's stay safe and alert.  I know my limitations and they definitely don't include 6 hours without a break!  Recently I have taken
    to multiple breaks on a long journey and definitely feel better that way. 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited August 2016 #24

    I know someone who drives 6 hours + without a break - that doesn't suit me at all - Each to his/her own - but please everyone let's stay safe and alert.  I know my limitations and they definitely don't include 6 hours without a break!  Recently I have taken
    to multiple breaks on a long journey and definitely feel better that way. 

    It all depends on the situation. As mention somewhere on CT before, I have driven home from La Rochelle in a oner - Chunnel excluded. But I've also had to stop at the services for 40 winks after a night shift when I could hardly keep my eyes open on a 35
    mile commute.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,671 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #25

    M6 J43, near Carlisle, there is a Tesco only a few hundred yards towards Carlisle.

    Always stop there to top up.

    Access is fine, and we have a long twin axle.

  • pip the beast
    pip the beast Forum Participant Posts: 45
    edited August 2016 #26

    There is an Asda just off the M6 at junction 44. up the slip road turn left and a couple of hundred yards turn right at the lights and Asda is just there. Can't remember if it is on the left or right. That is the only one i have ever used.

    Anyone know of any more.?

     

     

    Write your comments here...M5 J11 A40 towards Cheltenham  1st roundabout turn left follow hospital sign Asda about 1 mile from M5 £1.06 Ltr compared to £1.22 Ltr for diesel at Gloucester services. 

  • SELL
    SELL Forum Participant Posts: 398
    edited August 2016 #27

    Some of you hava said that you have had enough a 300 miles, when  going down to cornwall it is 450 miles, as a ex long distance driver I can drive all the way with just a couple of breaks no prob

    Hello Pheidippides

    Had to Google it, but yes I would think it a marathon as well. I have had enough at 200, or less.

    I have done East Yorks to Cornwall before with just two breaks before, but for me it was just under 400 miles

  • richardandros
    richardandros Club Member Posts: 2,684 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #28

    Some of you hava said that you have had enough a 300 miles, when  going down to cornwall it is 450 miles, as a ex long distance driver I can drive all the way with just a couple of breaks no prob

    Hello Pheidippides

    Had to Google it, but yes I would think it a marathon as well. I have had enough at 200, or less.

    I have done East Yorks to Cornwall before with just two breaks before, but for me it was just under 400 miles

    When I was 20, I regularly drove in my Triumph Spitfire -through the night - roof down - from Plymouth to Ipswich - without a break and that was before there were any motorways to speak of.  Thoroughly enjoyed it even though it must have taken 6 hours at least.  But 45 years on - with a TA van on the back, horrendous traffic to cope with and the fact that I simply don't have to do a marathon, I have simply had enough after 200 miles or so!Frown

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #29

    Tesco do seem to have a handy standard filling station layout with the lane on one side going straight past the building. Unfortunately someone with less sense sometimes gets allowed to design the surrounding roads. Filling up at Tesco just off A9 in Inverness
    another outfit pulled up behind to use the same lane, and then the tanker arrived as well - which uses the end lane to discharge.  So now no further vehicles could enter the filling station and a tail back of everyone going to the store built up on the road.
    By the time I came to leave I could not move forward due to the tailback of vehiles (not) leaving as the access road tailback blocked the exit.  Took the tanker driver and I with our yellow jackets about quarter of an hour to clear the mess, and then only
    by getting some cars to move onto the other side of the roadway. Driver remarked it was not first time that had happened.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582
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    edited August 2016 #30

    I have driven 450 miles in a day when working but when I have the caravan on the back I am on holiday and 250 is enough.

  • Briang
    Briang Club Member Posts: 670 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #31

    I have driven 450 miles in a day when working but when I have the caravan on the back I am on holiday and 250 is enough.

    Totally aggree with you.