Clearance at Gas Stations
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8060
Printed Date: 24 Jun 2025 at 9:39am
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Topic: Clearance at Gas Stations
Posted By: Rustler
Subject: Clearance at Gas Stations
Date Posted: 31 May 2016 at 6:23am
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As a newcomer to travel trailer use I wonder - what is the standard for clearance at gas stations? With the Rpod 171 at 9'6" do all standard gas stations offer adequate clearance? I see some stations have heights clearly labelled, others have no height signing. Also does the Hood River Edition add another 4" to the published height? Any help you can give in this area is much appreciated.
------------- Russ 2009 Toyota RAV4 V6 w/ tow package 2016 Rpod 171 HRE |
Replies:
Posted By: DaveC3
Date Posted: 31 May 2016 at 8:21am
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We have drove cross country over 7,000 miles, on major highways and small roads, never had a clearance problem. Some smaller stations have more of a problem with turning radius around the pumps but never been stuck.
------------- 2016 R-Pod 180 2015 Ford Explorer Limited |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 31 May 2016 at 9:04am
I am with DaveC3, we have had a pod for 7 years with no problems with the height clearance. Just a heads up, some mini-marts have kind of trenches around them for drainage, those are the ones you have to watch, especially as you go forward and your wife says you aren't going to make it because of the rear stabalizer jacks.......................................been there, done it, listen to your wife  ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 31 May 2016 at 2:46pm
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Yep.. turning radius, curbs,and those idiot poles protecting the pumps, THOSE are the dangers. ------------- |
Posted By: Mountainrev
Date Posted: 31 May 2016 at 5:32pm
That will ruin the rest of your day. Or so I've heard. *AHEM* ------------- 2014 177 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Turbodiesel "I lift my eyes to the hills." 
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Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 31 May 2016 at 5:53pm
Oh boy, I promise I won't tell her what those poles are called.  Yep, she caught one of those poles. Fortunately, I could pull the fender out so it's hardly noticeable. Oh well, I backed into a tree stump in the back yard.  Height at gas stations has never been a problem. Scarier has been taking a back road that first turns to gravel, then dirt and then just keeps getting smaller and smaller... fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: Rustler
Date Posted: 31 May 2016 at 5:57pm
Thanks to all of you for the feedback. That brings to mind another question - really a fear: How in towing a travel trailer do you avoid getting in situations where you are stuck, so to speak? By this I mean getting into a narrow street or parking lot where you can't go forward or easily back up. I guess that comes with experience. But I would hate to have the experience where I can't make a tight corner in a parking lot and can't back up because of cars behind. Any thoughts or words of wisdom in this regard? ------------- Russ 2009 Toyota RAV4 V6 w/ tow package 2016 Rpod 171 HRE |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 31 May 2016 at 7:07pm
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We had one of those experiences where we got into a parking lot that required some close observation to make sure I did not hit anything. Unfortunately, you may get into a tight spot. Hopefully, if you do someone will be around to move . In tight spots, small movements are needed. One may need to inch around and make small backing movements to work around. The R-Pod does follow well. I think in our case, the shorter wheelbase of our Escape helped. If we had a longer, extended cab pickup, I think the situation I was in might not have turned out quite so well. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Grey51shadw
Date Posted: 31 May 2016 at 8:03pm
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Mirror Extensions is that what everyone is using on the interstates to stay safe?
------------- '17 178 '16 F150SC ..aRtPODist at large |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 31 May 2016 at 8:30pm
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You will probably want towing mirrors/mirror extensions. In fact, if you decide to go to Vermont, they are required. We will be going there this summer, and do have strap-on towing mirror extensions. They work okay, but the rubber straps do affect the paint finish on the stock mirrors. I have been using plastic wrap and/or self-adhesive paint protector vinyl plastic to protect the finish after I found out that the "non scratching" rubber straps will instead rub through the finish if it isn't protected somehow.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Grey51shadw
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2016 at 8:28am
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Thanks Stephen. I appreciate the tip on protecting the paint. Do you find the tow mirrors enough visual while driving interstates and maneuvering around gas stations? ------------- '17 178 '16 F150SC ..aRtPODist at large |
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2016 at 10:13am
| Just remember the trailer will cut the corner compared to the tow vehicle . The sharper the turn, the mor it cuts in. A vacant school parking lot on a weekends a good place to practice. |
Posted By: danorte
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2016 at 10:53am
| We have used the suction cup mirror ext. They have safety cord and suck on the mirror. Good for us on freeway, dirt, gravel etc. As to tight spots. We may drive around the block, send the messenger to look to make sure it is a drive around or oops. IF in the tight situation as said most folks will help get you out of the tight spot. In the forest however we mark places to turn around and check odometer. Then you will know how far you may have to back up. North |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2016 at 12:48pm
They provide sufficient visibility. What they don't provide is a view directly behind. The only way to get that would be to have a rear-view camera. However, the mirrors are sufficient as long as one maintains situational awareness which includes being aware of what is behind farther back but getting closer. For passing, I allow a comfortable cushion of space before cutting back to the right. Since I limit my speed to 60 mph, most of the time, people are passing me though. As previously stated by others, the trailer's track will be to the inside of the car's track. I allow for this. For gas stations, the mirrors are more than adequate to help me ensure that I don't hit the pump or the "idiot poles." ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Jewel59
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2016 at 1:04pm
OMG this is my biggest fear......new owner, female, traveling alone and getting stuck!!! My first voyage is this weekend!
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2016 at 5:07pm
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Practice! Practice! Practice! Make the time to practice maneuvering your R-Pod in an empty lot. If you have access to some traffic cones (even the toy ones) then set them up and maneuver in and around them. Get comfortable with your tow vehicle and trailer so that if a tight situation comes, you will already have some experience.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2016 at 5:18pm
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Good tip!!
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2016 at 4:52pm
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And when you back up, put your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel. If you want the pod to go to your right, move your hand to the right. If things start going wrong, it is almost always better to just pull forward a few feet and start over. Never take your eyes off of your mirrors or you will jackknife faster than you can sneeze. There is more discussion on this in the link in my signature. As for maneuvering in parking lots and gas stations, a lot of that just comes with experience. I always look ahead and figure out how I'm going to move before I do it. I have even gotten out and walked around to be sure. At the very worst you could unhitch the pod and turn it around manually (you can't do that with bigger campers), but once you are comfortable backing up that won't even be necessary. And all of this becomes much harder with a longer camper, so be happy you have a pod to learn on.  ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Rustler
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2016 at 6:10pm
Thanks for the information. I hadn't thought of being able to unhitch and reposition the Rpod. That would take a bit of brute force with 300 lbs. tongue weight. But it would be an option with some help if necessary. But the thought of practice and experience preventing being in such a situation is comforting. I'll be taking my first trip with the Rpod 171 in three weeks, going over a few mountain passes. But I'll just be careful and not in a rush. This forum has been a big help with many of the questions I've had. ------------- Russ 2009 Toyota RAV4 V6 w/ tow package 2016 Rpod 171 HRE |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2016 at 9:22pm
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If your tongue jack doesn't have a wheel on the end you can get one. No need to brute-force the tongue around. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: WillG
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2016 at 6:19pm
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Well I finally picked up our rp179 last week, we had it for a while but then had to acquire a truck to pull it.... we'll need to figure out where to park it some day... anyways driving back from dealer I set my gps to get me home - almost an hour drive. It was rush hour around Portland, OR & instead of taking me on a highway (26) it took me on a very winding, hilly 2 lane road where speed limits are always ignored. Surprisingly I didn't find it stressful or that tough at all even though it was the first time I pulled the thing. Just got back from a parking lot and driving it around before I get brave enough to try to turn it into our back alley and see if I can back it up into the spot in front of our garage - which leads me to clearance requiring a little trimming but your tip on getting a wheel for the tongue I think will due the trick if it gets to tight for me. Do any of you have experience with tongue jacks & wheels? Specifically do some roll / turn easier than others / are they all solid wheels and is there a better brand? I purchased a fastway flip jack - but haven't installed it yet... I figure I can just throw the wheel in the truck & use in a pinch. Thanks for your suggestions! Hopefully I can pass down some wisdom in the not to distant future ------------- R-Podder by process of elimination 2014 RP179 2011 GMC CrewCab Short Bed |