parking at the truck stop

Saw a couple of trailers broke in at a truck stop. Can't be sure anywhere you park.

 

This is the result of drivers who have been on the road for a total of three months and then become a trainer! They are just passing on their lack of knowledge combined with a "don't give a #####" attitude! Sucks but with the way these mega-carriers are recycling drivers that's what happens. Here is some experienced advice to a newbie driver that will solve the problem; get to a truck stop before 3pm. Either that or take your shower anytime between 10am - 3pm or 10pm - 5am. Get yourself a spot at a rest stop or Wally World. As you become more familiar with the country you are going to find your own secret spots where you can shut down and not be bothered. A lot of good mom and pop restaurants have truck parking and if you are a frequent customer or friendly enough they will probably let you spend the night there. It's tougher in the North East but doable. Hope fully you have a truck stop guide. That is just as important as an Atlas! In your T.S. Guide make sure to write down your secret spots correlating with your states and roads.

 

Good advice chompi! Complete with your usual mega-carrier hate but nonetheless good advice. lol The writing the small secret ones down are good though.

 

This is why, when I can, I run from 4-5am until my 11 are up...Pretty much guarantees me a spot and I don't need to run when it's dark and I'm tired...I don't mind starting in the dark but I don't like ending in the dark after 11hrs and 6-700 miles under my belt...As the days get longer I'm sure that will adjust...I also adjust that depending on whether or not I'll be going thru a big city during rush hour or not...

 

I don't necessarily "hate" the mega-carriers. Nor do I consider them evil. It's just the facts. Do some people do good at these companies? Sure. You are much more apt to succeed at a smaller company though and its not Swifts fault it is just a result of being such a large company and constantly hiring so many people who have no clue of what they are getting into. I am not here to post negative crap or bash companies (though its just plain fun some times) I just want to help others, especially the new guys who have absolutely no clue of what to expect or do. I believe it's entirely fair to tell them upfront what it going down in the industry and how to go with the flow to succeed. Even if it were my best friend that had decided no matter what he wanted to work for Swift I still wouldn't tell him "sucks to be you" or "good luck with that choice". Then they are automatically going into it with the thought of failure or the risk of working for a crappy company. Yeah sometimes it sounds like I'm bashing and I try to make it sound like positive advice and there are times I have to approach certain individuals with caution so that they don't hate me for recommending other companies but it's not always 100%. I know you don't think I am a bad person (I hope) like I said, just here to help others succeed.

 

The problem with doing that is you never really get a chance to eat a good meal or take a shower. Thats what sucks about doing that sometimes but hey you gotta do what you gotta do to make money and pay the bills right! I have a small list and highlighted spots in my little truck stop book of places that dont get filled up and actually have good food and some have free showers.

 

Chompi - Nope I get what you're saying and thanks for the explanation behind your mindset. Sometimes you do go straight into the mega carrier sucks thing but you obviously have your reasons and I'm sure they're valid. Time will tell for myself I guess.

Oh no doubt that is for people that are money before everything but my mentor was this way, I don't think we spent any time in truck stops besides his home lol.

 

Another quick suggestion is to look for Casinos. I've stayed a quite a few and most have truck parking. Plenty of dining options and security. Just typically no showers. I hear that the Aqua Caliente Casino Resort in Palm Springs is building a truck stop adjacent to their new mega casino too!

 

To me the best spot is on a side road near a warehouse where there is total privacy and peace.

 

I don't drive but I have always wondered: is it possible to run most of the time at night so you can find easy parking anywhere during the day?

Or does the nature of pickup and delivery appointments prevent that?

When I was about to drive a truck (before I got an office job), my three biggest worries were finding parking, bad weather and backing. LOL.

I just find it worrisome that truck parking is an issue but some of y'all have said you never have a problem.

Anyways, just wondered about the night driving thing. Any input?