SWharton Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 Newbie worry We know our MH height is 12' 6", using 13' as our number. Light bulb just went on regarding height of gas station canopies. Is there a height tester we can put on the MH? We were thinking a short CB antennae with a spring or something like that. Are we over-worrying? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuffMan Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 Never over-worry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest THE TRAILERKING Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 Sure hope that guy never had his arm out of the window. Better call Goodsam............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat & Pete Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 BANK canopies are almost always much lower than gas station canopies . Still , we have to be vigilant anywhere we travel . I'll always opt for the 'outside' pumps of most any station . That usually allows ample room for turns and not being directly under a canopy . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted September 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 In the way past we clipped a gas station canopy. Trlr was OK, canopy was the loser. They were planning to take it down so only our pride was hurt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skp51443 Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 We didn't have an attached height tester but I did have a fishing pole and tape measure that I used to check unmarked places that looked iffy and tree limbs. Measure the pole from end to end and then feed out enough of the tape measure to match your height and lock it. Hold the tip of the pole against the overhead obstruction, put the tape measure on the ground and if the end of the tape and end of the pole overlap you won't fit. Others have used a couple sections of 1/2" PVC pipe and a fitting to join them, cheaper than a fishing pole if you don't have one handy. Using six inches as a cushion in all situations isn't a bad thing as dips and rises can put your rig higher than what it would be on flat ground. We used 2 inches as our default cushion but we were liberal in adding cushion in off-level situations. We also had a second height number with our suspension and hitch lowered as much as possible, came in handy a couple times when we were able to lower the rig and slip under something that otherwise would have required a long detour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cedrus Posted September 10, 2015 Report Share Posted September 10, 2015 Most gas stations have a height sign on the edge of the canopy: 12' 6"….or 10' 8"…or something. Look for that. I do like your idea of a flex antenna. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuffMan Posted September 10, 2015 Report Share Posted September 10, 2015 I wonder is a back-up alarm could be mounted on the front cap pointing up at say a 45 degree angle. That way as you approach an overhang you will get an audible warning if the canopy is getting close. Even one set pointing forward at 45 degrees to scream watch-it you're getting close and another set pointing straight up to warn of clearance problem for a/c. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRP Posted September 10, 2015 Report Share Posted September 10, 2015 At least 50% of the stations I encounter have no such height marking on their canopy. Some that originally did have it, painted over it and never replaced it. With a motorhome pulling a towed, by the time your flex antenna indicates the canopy is too short, you're too far in to go around and with a towed you can't back up, so you're still in for a major inconvenience. If it doesn't have a clearly visible clearance label I don't pull in. There's plenty of pumps without canopies to use. Most gas stations have a height sign on the edge of the canopy: 12' 6"….or 10' 8"…or something. Look for that. I do like your idea of a flex antenna. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdonlybob Posted September 10, 2015 Report Share Posted September 10, 2015 Good reason to use truck stops whenever you can.. Cheers, Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainJoe Posted September 14, 2015 Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 I have never used gas stations for diesel. I just do not believe that they sell enough diesel to keep it fresh. Truck stops for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimalberta Posted September 15, 2015 Report Share Posted September 15, 2015 I have never used gas stations for diesel. I just do not believe that they sell enough diesel to keep it fresh. Truck stops for me. Seriously? Where do you think all the diesel pickups fuel up? I would not and do not hestitate to fuel up at gas stations. Diesel doesnt go bad THAT fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mariner Posted September 15, 2015 Report Share Posted September 15, 2015 The only canopy I've ever worried about was the one at the border crossing at Sweetgrass/Couts going into Canada. My stubby little CB antenna rubbed the whole length of it, which only gave me a couple inches clearance to my A/C shrouds. The Border guys seemed uninterested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike and Claudia Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 Most "newer" stations re 16'. Otherwise you toss the dice and take your chances........ You will get to the point you can pretty much eye-ball them. Trust you gut unless you hear the CRUNCH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 We were thinking a short CB antennae with a spring or something like that. If you do something like that, be very careful in what you use as we once watched a motorhome with such antenna on the top drive successfully under one of those canopies that has the florescent lights at right angles to the path of travel and his antenna broke every one of the light tubes it struck. As I remember, the count was 8 tubes that fell victim. Glass was falling like rain! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuffMan Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 HERE - Mount these on the front cap pointing up at a 45 degree & 90 degree angle and they will scream if anything gets within 3 feet of them. IR version of your CB antenna idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted November 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 If any of us are really serious about this there is the GiraffeG4. Used by truckers, measures heights. Iowa80 and, surprisingly Camping World have it online. About $200. I looked on Amazon and it is not on their site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j2catfish Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 Have you encountered a station that has one height marked on the front edge and a second (lower) height marked on the rear? Sounds impossible but there is one off I20 in South Carolina at the WalMart no less. I had used it once before but forgot that I had pulled up outside the canopy and filled by stretching the diesel hose This last time, just pulled the cab under, filled up and then decided to pull on through to the big parking lot. Still did it but this time I had to wait for the local LEO to fill out the accident report. The new air condition unit is very loud, but rarely used anyhow. Catfish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray,IN Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 Seriously? Where do you think all the diesel pickups fuel up? I would not and do not hestitate to fuel up at gas stations. Diesel doesnt go bad THAT fast. True, diesel fuel doesn't "go bad", but it does become contaminated with moisture while in storage tanks if turn-over is not enough to prevent same. A partally-filled tank breathes with temperature fluctuations. During the cooling cycle air-borne moisture/humidity condenses inside the tank, falls to the bottom, and if turnover is not high enough it(the condensate) reaches the pickup pipe and the vehicle winds up with water-laden diesel fuel. I fill my MH and my Chevy dually at Murphy's fuel station because all the school bus drivers fill there, so it must be clean fuel. OTOH, there is a station a block away with 1 diesel pump that is seldom-used. I once filled there because of their very low price; next day I had to replace my fuel filter after the water-in-fuel light illuminated. It took 2 treatments with fuel conditioner to get my dually running right again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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