Canadian Truck Stops

perhaps fleets ought to start looking at that as part of a driver retention program. A simple lot with expected facilities maintained by a local custodial service. A small investment I'd say.

 

I have to say that I am impressed with the Irving Big Stops here in the east. Clean lots, clean bathrooms and showers.

 

A Canadian truck stop makes peanuts .. many drivers just use the microwave and washroom while their truck is parked at the fuel pump . Then they leave without spending a penny or fueling

 

There is a reason for that, back in the 80's when my dad was still driving, Esso/Gulf, Husky and Petro Pass, decided truck drivers had more money than they needed; so they started charging this huge premium for everything in the store/fuel and the let the restaurants turn into greasy spoons. I can remember riding with my dad, and he knew some spots we could stop all over town, to go to 7-11/Mc Donalds or Willies burgers; in the big truck to save money/get better stuff.

I also remember ESSO (Which had some decent places at one time) deciding that they simply didn't NEED to have truck stops, that cardlocks will do. Husky has not given a #### in 30 years, and Petro Pass has always been out to gouge truck drivers since Trudeau 1 was in office.

That being said, look at the Pilot Flying J's in Canada (the Corporate Stores, not the Dealers like the Road Kill in Calgary). Those places go thru product and food and fuel like its #### near free. A-lot of the time, with your rewards card, its cheaper to go the J than it is 7-11. Also the fact that they have a meaningful, easy to use rewards card goes along way.

No sir, I believe Esso/Husky/PetroPass did it to themselves, and they have earned their lack of business and the dumpy status they have achieved. COOP Truckstops and Cardlocks, have been around longer, and are in WAY better condition than any of those listed above.

 

The Musky Husky needs to go out of business. The only decent one I've ever seen is the one in Golden, BC, which has some of the best scenery from a truck stop in North America on a side note.

The Husky in Medicine Hat is horrible. Thank God Flying J opened up a new truck stop there. This has the side benefit of screwing the Petro Pass in Redcliff out of some business.

The Coop in Weyburn is a good place to park, if the Wylie driver parked next to you doesn't take a dump under his flatbed because the store closes up at night.

But, yeah, parking is pretty limited in between the "major" cities in SK.

 

If you drive in BC there's very few places to stop for the night, or get something to eat anywhere at night, or drop the shorts for a little reading time. A fridge and an inverter and a microwave are musts here. Carrying along a porta potty can also be handy if you're stuck because the highway is closed, or you don't want to wade through p*ss to find a toilet that doesn't have the previous user's leavings in the bowl at a truck stop.

 

Them Petropass cardlocks aren't truckstops, not even close. They're dumps. Calling them showers is completely laughable, they're disgusting.Good for washing your feet I guess......

 

I keep saying to my wife (and she agrees with me) if we ever happen into some serious capital, we'll start a truck stop business in Canada, and focus on providing quality food and services for drivers.

It's really about time Kwik Trip or Love's crosses the border and starts opening some places on the major routes. They'd make a killing. All I look for as a driver is a clean bathroom, a clean shower, reasonable cost and healthy food options and a decently sized parking lot with good lighting.

A major chain truck stop with 200+ parking spots and good facilities would make tons of money setting up anywhere between the Manitoba border and Kenora, ON. You can't get to Winnipeg from southern Ontario in a 62 mph governed truck in two days, so a spot opening there would be perfect.

Even if the Esso in Prawda, MB were to pave their lot, improve their facilities, and stay open 24 hours with a decent restaurant, they'd do a lot better.