I have filled my car up with the van on the back at service stations all over the country and only once had a problem, and that was because it was an ancient place with terrible access I had to unhook the van take it in, fill the car and go back and hook up, but I could see that it was impossible before I started I would have gone elsewhere but the next nearest place was miles away. Everywhere else I have just pulled in filled up and pulled out, I am not sure that I would do this with a maximum sized twin axle though.
------------- Bill
For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013
I saw a car and caravan in a petrol station the other day for the first time.
I don't know how much caravans vary in height but my caravan's about the same height as my high-top campervan, so if the average high-top builder's van will go under the canopy of a petrol station, a caravan should.
Nora
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The only time I ever had a problem in a filling station was at Asda. Most filling stations on main roads have very good access it's only when you get into the towns and villages the forecourts get tight. I have used a couple of Morrisons filling stations without a problem but don't recall taking the van to Tesco filling station. I have taken the van to Tesco shopping en route on a couple of occasions. I also went to Asda once and had a nightmare getting back out. The height is not an issue in a filling station with a caravan.
I pulled into the HGV bay when I first got a longer van as I was concerned about the exit on normal pumps, don't bother! the sometimes larger nozzle won't go into a normal tank and it takes forever to dribble in a full tank! also you sometimes have to leave your credit card behind the counter before filling at the HGV pumps.
Nowadays I do as advised above, simply fill before its empty and if I cannot find a pump with an easy exit I'll go to the next service station, it also only seems to be this country who don't cater for caravanners! Maybe we should start demolishing the newspaper stands and BBQ fuel tubs on the way out!
Also remember that the back end of the van will swing out when turning, so leave enough space if you have to turn away from the pump when leaving
A lot of the motorway services also have very high kerbs to stop ramraiders and such So when swinging out to turn be wary of the kerbs
Would it be possible to carry an empty 25ltr jerrycan Then if you can't get into the pumps fill the jerrycan then top up the car I would think 25ltrs on most tow vehicles would be good for another 100+miles
Quote: Originally posted by andy1kenobe on 05/10/2009
I tend to fill up before hitching and setting off both at home and away. It just makes life that little bit easier.
We do this too, but sometimes the Disco gets a little thirsty. After saying that, we can always get a good days travel without having to fill up.
We try to avoid filling up with the caravan on the back too. Only occasionally have we had to and not yet had a problem, though we do try to look fist at the access (in and out). We like others fill up before trips with caravan on the back. I like the idea of the petrol can - I think we will be adding that to our list!