Delivering to small gas stations

That's the way most smart dispatchers plan the loads. It's just easier and safer not to have to struggle to get in and out.
I didn't mean to make unloading sound like a horror show. It usually goes along with little or no problems.
I just wanted you to know about some of the things that can happen.

 

Well said. Tanker drivers are about the best I've ever scene when it comes to sharing knowledge. I used to carry a little notebook and I'd put down the fill locations and maybe a rough diagram of how the station was set up and the best way to get in and out. After a while I didn't need the notebook any more but it came in handy when new drivers needed information.

 

You just got to pull in the station the right way the first approach......so your near the fills.

Double hosing sucks.....

 

Also it makes a difference if you’re driving a semi tanker or a truck/trailer setup. The truck/trailer being the more maneuverable of the two.

 

up here in New England, you most certainly DO back in off the street, block off intersections, and from another company's property.

 

In the years I hauled fuel with a tankwagon (bobtail), and pup trailer it was always easier to back in, then drive forward out.

 

I back in from the street rather than back out onto the street like you do. You'll get used to the parking situation quickly if you are an experienced driver. Here in Las Vegas, I've had to get a W900 with a 42' lead trailer and a pup trailer into some really small parking lots, but you just figure it out.

 

When I hauled fuel in Florida in the mid 90's we always were given a map of the station layout with location to park the truck labeled on it. It made it easy to plan back before Google maps were a thing.

 

That's for sure. I drove in Las Vegas for over 10 years delivering to over 75 local stations. We drove super tankers in the city and i never had to back into a station. You pull into the station slow and creep over to the fills. What I found to be amusing was when the station is out of product and the people will not move. They don't get gas until i drop. Just remember at the store if you've got problems with the drop go notify the store manager. If he or she does not want to help then fail the station and go on.