Another Rookie question, Where to park?

Truck stops, shopping centers, truck / car repair facilities, dealerships, malls, schools, hotels, it really just takes some leg work getting out and meeting people and asking. I've seen trucks parked in some crazy places

 

We asked nicely certain store managers if we could stick a 18 wheeler somewhere out of the way on his property overnight or two at most for family visit in Ocean City once or twice and he was generous enough to allow it. And that area was not exactly a good truck parking area as it already was...

Another was a truck mr fix it dealer. Sometimes he will let me stick my trailer in his bullpen a weekend while I stash the bobtail into a parking spot not far from my home. But these were more into the country where it's no problem to stash a bobtail on 5 acres a while. Just be sure the chase the cats out from inside it before cranking.

Worst case scenario I'll leave it at the 76 in Frederick with extra keys to manager to hold and I'll come back for it whenever. It was a busy enough truckstop with turnover in all the spaces so that it's not like I was taking any spots away in that time. But those days are gone forever.

What you don't want to do is stick it somewhere and the owner sees it? Does not know a darn thing and decides to have it towed. Guess who is getting that phone call. YOU. And the Bill too. That is not how to go about it.

Good luck.

 

You have got some sage advice here. I admit I am ignorant of the minutia of your situation. Just know this. This parking issue is something that has the potential to become a major issue. I HIGHLY recommend you get this solved before you accept a job. You will need this for emergencies as well. I know a great girl that was forced to quit her dream job because of this very thing. It seems like a simple matter until it slaps you aside your noggin.

 

If I'm at home all weekend, I'll park at our yard. Other times I'll park behind a shopping center. If parking at a shopping center, find the ones with a lot space, abandoned stores, or a spot where other trucks park.

 

Parking in shopping centers and abandoned places is done all the time and I have did it too. However back in 2010 a driver did a drop and hook at the Walmart DC in Marcy NY. Because he knew Marcy well he went over and parked next to Duncan Donuts. During the night he repowered a load there headed up to the Boston area. I can't remember all the details but this driver was notified of a drug test and had to get a cab to the collection site. He was gone for several hours and while he was gone his trailer was busted open. The company held him responsible because he did not secure the load. Just keep this aspect in mind when you park. If it is not secure in most situations YOU will be held responsible.

 

That's a very good point. I live in Memphis so I am very particular about where I park. I always ride with a lock on the trailer. I recommend reefers and dry van drivers do the same. Don't get a basic master lock. Spend the few extra dollars and get a Brink's lock with the 10000 lbs cut resistant. If some we're to cut that lock with bolt cutters, that's one strong SOB, and I would be glad that I wasn't near that person. With a lock that difficult to cut, they would have to get a blow torch and probably damage the trailer in the process. Now if I have a high dollar load, I won't even go home. Living in Memphis, it's too risky

 

This parking issue also brings up another issue I tend to have with some employment advice. I don't know if it is because of my age (60) or just my nature. However there is more to trucking then just how many cents per mile you can make. MUCH MUCH MORE! Just things like parking. Traffic lanes in regard to home. Retirement options could take several days to think over and work out. This is why I always council careful planning taking everything into account. I know my words sound silly and I sound like an old fuddy dutty. It just seems like yesterday I was in my early 20s fresh out of the Air Force. The time flew by. Best solution to fixing retirement issues is TODAY not when you turn 60.

 

A lot of Walmarts will allow truck parking.

 

Just don’t park somewhere without getting permission first.

We have a lot at our warehouse. Trucks used to park there for free, without permission. We let it slide until they started dumping all their trash and backing into the fence. We now have a couple of drivers that pay to park and they take care of things.

I see you parked in my lot without permission, you will be towed. I hate to be that way but I got tired of fixing fence, picking up piss bottles, and having to dispose of somebody’s blown tires.

 

I spent a half a day a couple weeks ago looking for a place to park a bobtail in Grand Rapids Michigan , because the small company I was looking at hiring on with wanted me to take my truck home.

Even though the area I am staying with friends at is rural and used to be all land I farmed 35 years ago, it is now UpScale.

Old farms are now upscale private toy farms. I was really shocked how little of available parking there was around here.