Ask questions or let it be?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Infosaur, Feb 9, 2021.

  1. Infosaur

    Infosaur Road Train Member

    “Never ask a question you don’t REALLY want to know the answer to.” ~ some wise person, probably me.

    There is a defunct K-Mart conveniently near my mother’s house. Probably 6+ acres of parking and a few smaller stores in the strip hanging on reasonably well.

    Many local truckers have started using it for parking. Some discretely in the side yard, others pretty flagrantly in the front of the property.

    There are signs against parking but they seem to be loosely enforced.

    Which is why I’m scratching my head, I got a warning letter left on my windshield. Looks like it’s from the local PD and it seems like a form letter faxed in from the owner.

    Okay, fine, thanks for the warning, I’ll go. I understand.

    except,,,

    There are currently 5 other T/Ts here and one bobtail. I checked, nobody else has a letter that I can tell. 3 parked right with me and two out front. Was I singled out? Was it because I was here first? (There was a dropped refer trailer when I pulled in. I checked, it’s not the same as the one hooked to the spot where it was.)

    So I’m kinda curious, do these other guys have an arrangement? Should I call and see if they’ll let me park for a fee? Why no enforcement later in the evening if these other guys pulled in after me?

    Does anyone on TTR have an arrangement with a local property owner? What kind of terms do they offer?
     
    Flat Earth Trucker Thanks this.
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  3. Flat Earth Trucker

    Flat Earth Trucker Road Train Member

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    I would phone around. Perhaps one of these jokers put the warning note intended for them on your tractor.
     
    tscottme and Bean Jr. Thank this.
  4. ibcalm19

    ibcalm19 Road Train Member

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    It may have been just your day. The poIice may have been making their rounds. I have parked at few. The worst is onetime I have been towed. I have received the warning letter twice. I would do your homework in your area to see if you can work out an arrangement someone.
    I must say something times other truckers mess it up for others. I saw a trucker park his truck on an open lot. I joined him, then another guy joined in. Long story short the warning letters came. I saw that guy, he said I parked here for a while no issues until we showed up now he had to move because of us. It was within walking distance to his house.
    We made it bad for him. I hope the same thing doesn't happen to me. I park in a medium sized plaza mainly bobtail once in awhile with the trailer. I see another few guys who have started also. The worst is a guy who delivers to the grocery store sweeps his trailer out in their lot.
    I'm waiting to see him hopefully to tell him that is not good. It makes it bad for others. All the best on finding safe parking
     
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2021
  5. Infosaur

    Infosaur Road Train Member

    I have about 3 “local” spots and I alternate as much as I can. But we’ve had some weather lately and I understand the lots need to be plowed, which is making things more difficult.

    I get into this weird feedback loop sometimes where I drive my personal car to my office, and then after a few days of “local” work I might get a job closer to my house. So I take my truck home so I’m an hour closer and I can sleep an hour later. Then the next job also ends up near the house and takes me OTR for a few days. So I go out of town, and come straight to the house on Friday. Then they tell me I’m going OTR the next week starting on Sunday morning, so over the weekend I go to the office and take my car home, and I’m out of town for two weeks. Then I come home and I’m local for a few days but now I’m stuck at my office after work with no ride home. So the boss lets me bobtail for a few nights, but then a trailer gets involved, and the process repeats.
     
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  6. Eddiec

    Eddiec Road Train Member

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    I would contact the property owner and see if they are willing to make an arrangement to park there.
     
  7. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    If it an old Kmart, most likely Sears holding owns it, and they will not give permission to parking there.
     
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  8. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    Not a good idea, our old friend liability comes up again. Who knows what arrangement the others have. I still think, a freight yard would be your best bet.
     
    tscottme Thanks this.
  9. Trucking in Tennessee

    Trucking in Tennessee Road Train Member

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    Companies call me all the time with "home weekend jobs". So I explain how I plan to do this. They rebutt and say no, you just get your 34 at home, you have to be back on the road on Sunday. I say really? Are these the hours you work? You call this a weekend? I call it one day.
     
    tlalokay and God prefers Diesels Thank this.
  10. Dockbumper

    Dockbumper Road Train Member

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    In my world... No Parking means just that....why risk a potential 2-3K tow bill?...... Don't laugh, it happens every day!
     
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  11. F4T6UY

    F4T6UY Medium Load Member

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    You’ve already been told no (maybe). What have you got to lose by making contact to see if an arrangement can be made?
     
    ibcalm19 and 650cat425 Thank this.
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