is finding parking really that difficult

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by rpad139, Mar 20, 2014.

  1. rpad139

    rpad139 Heavy Load Member

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    Is finding parking really that hard sometimes? I remember when I was with my trainer there were times when it was hard to find a spot but for the most part there was always one lucky spot. If you can give a percentage%, how many times will there be no parking. Maybe 50/50? Also what happens when you get to the truck stop and there's no parking:biggrin_2555:. Park on the on ramp?
     
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  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Parking on a ramp is a source of revenue for many states.

    Sometimes you may have to shut down early to find a parking spot. I've done that; for example may have 2 hours driving left but that 2 hours will put me in El Paso at midnight, so I'll shut down early before getting to El Paso.
     
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  4. skateboardman

    skateboardman Road Train Member

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    it seems to be hard to find here at the pilot in mt sterling,ky, tonite anyway
     
  5. lonewolf4ad

    lonewolf4ad Road Train Member

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    It's about planning. Knowing where you will be at a given time, and what those areas are generally like. I found it safer to begin looking for a parking spot 9 hours into my 9, unless I knew I had a spot if I pushed. Also, as a general rule spots begin getting full around late evening.
     
  6. cdub304

    cdub304 Light Load Member

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    percent wise 100 when you got to do a number 2 before you shut down for the night. If I am going to a heavily populated truck area I usually opt for casino parking or adult store parking and hit the truckstop when I wake up for fuel and hygiene. I have utilized off ramps but do not recommend it.
     
  7. PackRatTDI

    PackRatTDI Licensed to Ill

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    You need a place to park in El Paso there's a few places you can shut down that's not a truck stop. :)
     
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  8. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    It all depends on where you begin your search and what you consider "adequate and safe". Last night, I left Walmart DC Robert, LA at 21:45 with 35 remaining on 14, after arriving at 17:00 for a 16:00 (with next stop in Cleburn, TX) , guess where I ended up taking my 10 ?

    You're just now getting out of the "slow time", try finding a spot in most any area east of the Mississippi after dark and let me know what the results are. You obviously have not ended up in a less then optimal area at a less then optimal time. \

    Yes, on some isolated lanes in some areas of the nation, parking is rarely a problem, but for the rest of us in the real world, it IS a REAL problem.

    We, as an industry, have to force the grocery warehouses and Walmarts and similar who receive 24/7 to provide 10 hour post-unloading parking areas to a level of being to accommodate at least 20% of daily inbound loads at any one time i.e receive 100 trucks a day?, need 20 parking spaces for trucks to park and take a 10 following unloading and being detained for who knows how many hours past the initial gate arrival. This idea of refusing allow over-nite parking on premise, following 3-7 hours of lost time unloading in an eLog era HAS TO STOP NOW!
     
  9. tangerineGT

    tangerineGT Road Train Member

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    When did trucking start to be a 8 to 5 kinda gig?
    I normally didn't have a issue , I show up at 4 to 6 a.m. and its all good slide right in , but in the evening places are full as hell ....
     
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  10. droflex

    droflex Light Load Member

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    Jan 30, 2013
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    Shut down before 6pm, should be fine.

    After that, taking a chance

    Don't trust a rest stop will be open especially in winter.

    Don't wait till last minute.

    Look at least an hour ahead.

    If your GPS gives you details on truck stops, the ones that say trailer-drop are likely to have more parking.
     
  11. koncrete cowboy

    koncrete cowboy Medium Load Member

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    Everyone rolls in early to make there you tube videos.....lmao..j/k :)
     
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