Only parking at truck stops and Walmarts?

As often as possible, if I am running a long haul, I avoid parking at truck stops. My favorite places to sleep are out in the sticks with no traffic, only the sound of crickets and coyotes, with the engine shut off.

That doesn't mean I don't get to take a shower. I can easily get a 30 minute break and shower at that time. That frees me up to park for a ten anywhere I can get a great night's sleep.

The Trucker's Path app is one of my "go to" apps on the road. You can see current status of parking ahead on your route, or whether weigh stations are open.

My cellphone is on a magnetic mount on the dash, so I can quickly access Trucker's Path, Fuel Book (for determining cheapest fuel), MyRadar for weather information, or Google Maps with the traffic layer turned on to see if it's worth it to try and get through a major metropolitan area in the afternoon or shut it down early to run through at night. I generally run about 3-4 hours at the start of my shift, take a leg Shaker and determine where I will take a 30. On my 30 I might consult Google Satellite View to check out "hidey hole" parking, or during a 3rd stop after my 30. Satellite View and Street View are absolutely indispensable for previewing the correct entry to a new customer.

Trip planning includes planning your day to maximize your miles and maximize your ability to sleep. For me the best sleep is not idling (weather permitting) somewhere I don't have to listen to reefer units with bad bearings or spitter valves going off every three seconds. Not to mention not having to worry about a newbie destroying my bumper and hood, because they didn't get the memo about GOAL the backing.

 

I will add this:

There are certainly times I can't stop to get a shower. That's no reason not to stay clean.

Go to the pharmacy section of Walmart. Find the adult diapers. There you will find turbo sized wipes. I buy the Assurance brand 96 count, which can last a couple of weeks or up to a month.

One or two can give you a complete "shower". These are a godsend after spending a couple of hours in the hot southern Texas sun securing a load.

 

Dude... I was waiting like I know he is not going to say #### yourself on the hammer down days...

 

The problem with Truckers Path is that a lot of drivers will report that lot is full because there aren't any pull through spots left. I cruised through truck stops when the lot is "full" and have always found at least 3-5 spots. They were angle back spots,but to a truck driver,a spot is a spot.

 

I enjoy running nights when possible,I usually adjust the first day and shutdown early if necessary,to get a good start time.
I rarely look for truck parking after dark.
I need to be able to see well to get into some of the tight spots.
Not worth risking my CDL or damaging someone's equipment.
I won't park stupid either..I trip plan.

 

I miss running Publix loads because there DC in dacula GA is good sent, all the parking you want and a bathroom there, no shower but never a problem to park are the none driver are not well come,

 

That would be the Werner Trainer.

Werner Trainer Craps Himself

 

#### no, wouldn’t be me. How hard is it to take a shower? You’re on god #### e logs you HAVE to take 10 hours off. Take a shower. #### savages, I have zero tolerance for that.

The garbage man who comes to my warehouse has a similar Werner story. He left training after they made him sit in a hotel for two weeks doing nothing but waste money.

He now makes 25 an hour and works 8 hours a day with option overtime. No reason to work for Werner.

 

I once tarped and secured a steel load in a pouring rain storm in illinois.

I thought about leaving off the tarp and stowing the posts and side walls into the Ravens side box. But customer wants it tarped. And all of his steel was laying in the laydown lot waiting loading...

He wants it tarped mind you...

Took 4 beach towels to get dry. It was not that bad what with the temps in the 74 range...

 

Let me ask you this. Did the girl get into the sleeper with your driver for some play time?

I have to ask you this... because the driver should not have had any... distractions of that kind. I myself have been approached by pretty girls which is a red flag. Generally too clean, wholesome and pretty to be in a infested hole like that particular petro. I tell them no thank you, appreciated the attention but go away. I have nothing for you anyhow.

Does this make sense? Im not trying to pick a fight with you, your company or your employees but you would think it should have worked out without any losses.