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Non typical end of day parking

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by davenjeip, Nov 6, 2010.

  1. Nov 6, 2010 #1
    davenjeip

    davenjeip Medium Load Member

    459
    257
    Dec 20, 2009
    Port Charlotte, Fl
    0
    Just got back behind the wheel about six weeks ago, after several years off. All previous jobs had me home nightly, so this whole OTR/Regional thing is still new to me and I'm having to teach myself as I go.

    Just finally got to where I can route my day out well. However, it is typical for me to do close to 500 miles in a day with 4-5 stops along the way, which leaves me with a lot of room for error as to where I will run out of hours at the end of the day, making planning ahead difficult.

    Most days I can find a truckstop, and since I now have a cooler so I can carry food, it has opened up the world of rest areas and customer yards as parking spots. I still am not comfortable with parking on an on ramp, and will push on if that is my only option.

    Ran into a situation last week where I had to go an hour over my 14 because I couldn't find parking, and I want to avoid this ever happening again. Thought I had six different options, but they all fell through and left me driving for the closest truckstop with parking listed in my truckstop guide. I'm sure I must have driven past several places I could have held up for the night, but I'm not sure what I can get away with and not get hassled in the middle of the night or wake up with a ticket on my windshield.

    So, other than truckstops, rest areas, and at shippers, what are some good places that I can get away with parking to take my 10.
     
    davenjeip, Nov 6, 2010
    davenjeip, Nov 6, 2010
    #1
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  3. Nov 6, 2010 #2
    canuck in da truck

    canuck in da truck Road Train Member

    4,352
    2,601
    Aug 6, 2010
    western pa
    0
    if i am in a business/warehouse area ,i look for for sale signs---sometimes you can even find the spots where abf/nemf types hide to sleep in the daytime
    usually pretty safe--can back your trailer up to a door for safety
     
    canuck in da truck, Nov 6, 2010
    canuck in da truck, Nov 6, 2010
    #2
  4. Nov 8, 2010 #3
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    10,679
    12,234
    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
    0
    Just make observations as you approach consignees on places to park. Such as motels that have truck parking off site (dirt lots next door). Or abandoned K-Mart lots, or warehouses that have open lots entrys, or huge malls or restaurant strips with big lots, or the loading docks area behind large department stores.
     
    Allow Me., Nov 8, 2010
    Allow Me., Nov 8, 2010
    #3
    Mastertech Thanks this.
  5. Nov 8, 2010 #4
    Racecar17

    Racecar17 Light Load Member

    103
    55
    Oct 5, 2010
    Yucaipa,Ca
    0
    Most Wal-Marts are truck friendly too...
     
    Racecar17, Nov 8, 2010
    Racecar17, Nov 8, 2010
    #4
  7. Nov 9, 2010 #5
    chompi

    chompi Road Train Member

    5,653
    3,485
    Jun 21, 2008
    Deland, FL
    0
    Try to avoid the off ramps at all costs. They are dangerous. Canuck and Allowme had some good ideas. One thing you can do too is look on Google Earth. You can look up your shipper/receiver and zoom right in and literally count the trucks in the parking lot! It enables you to see what kind of parking their will be at the facility or if there is room to park near there. Also lets you know what kind of neighborhood it might be in the surrounding area. My wife and I would use this all the time and I cannot tell you how great it is! Plus once you have some driving time under your belt you start to figure out all your secret parking places and the best times to get there. Just give it some time. Good luck!
     
    chompi, Nov 9, 2010
    chompi, Nov 9, 2010
    #5
  8. Nov 9, 2010 #6
    EZ Money

    EZ Money Road Train Member

    3,251
    2,478
    Oct 27, 2010
    The East Side Gang,Charlotte,NC.
    0
    I have used them several times....
     
    EZ Money, Nov 9, 2010
    EZ Money, Nov 9, 2010
    #6
  9. Nov 9, 2010 #7
    outerspacehillbilly

    outerspacehillbilly "Instigator of the Legend"

    4,349
    2,430
    May 28, 2009
    The Who's Your State
    0
    Actually Walmarts are becoming more and more truck unfriendly all the time. They are even putting up low clearance poles to keep trucks out except for theirs. It is due to the idiots who leave trash, pizz bombs, etc... all over there property. Most have posted signs that limit you to 2 hours or not at all and they will tow you if you violate them. Just try and find out for yourself.
     
    outerspacehillbilly, Nov 9, 2010
    outerspacehillbilly, Nov 9, 2010
    #7
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