Paid parking...

I love the reserved parking, especially when I know I will be getting there late.
In some areas that fill up early I will reserve a space even if I am getting there at 1600. Better safe than sorry.

People gripe about it all the time, but it is another option to use.

 

It depends on the area of the country. Out west the rest areas are safe.

I still have a few rest areas and hidey hole spots out west that are on my bucket list to take a 10. By far the most memorable night I had was shutting down on a WIDE parking area on a side road a couple of miles from the 395 in California. I found it on Satellite View. I had dinner watching the sun set over the Sierra Nevada mountains, then settled in and listened to five different coyote packs having quite a conversation. I think two cars came down that highway all night.

 

My APU doesn't work well enough to rest comfortably with the sun beating down on the truck in the afternoon. Summer time, I really don't like to shut down too early, but not too late either. It's a matter that requires careful consideration (trip planning) that varies from one day to the next, depending on your ending location options.

In my style of driving and the hauls we do, I will not need to pay for parking more then maybe 10 times a year. I will sometimes take a hotel option before I will risk going to a place that will likely be full and require paid parking.

 

i paid twice so far. First time i ran outta hours at the customer and they kick me out, had the cop escort me to the nearest truck stop which was pay to park.
2nd time was recently, i had to load up at 1500 and i knew i wouldn't get to a truck stop till late and it's gna be all full.

 

In a heart beat. When I was driving it has saved my hind quarters a few times. If im bobtail I wont but if Im pulling a trailer I would.

 

I run local now, but I always get fuel at the same Pilot every night. I-40 x374 in Knoxville. They recently added several pay spots, but when the lot is full drivers just roll those wheeled "reserved parking" signs into the grass and park there for free anyway. The two ladies that work the graveyard every night have told me that they can't be bothered to go out to check whether or not the trucks in those spots have actually paid.

 

I bought a reserved spot at the TA in Livingston, CA last night. This is where I booked one a couple years ago for the first time when I unloaded in Modesto with an 8pm appointment and didn't get out until after 10.

 

Probably wouldn't come up unless someone who reserved early showed up to check in and all the spots are taken.

Then it's just a matter of checking Trucking company,.color and truck number in order to find the scoff law.

I wonder what they do if the guy refuses to move....

 

I used to prefer the way that TA and Petro used to have the person in a booth...especially in Laredo. Kept all the riff raff, all the cheap assets, and all the New Canadians out. And it prevents those oilfield A Holes from using the parkinglot as their own personal terminal.

Even the pickle parks are going to the reserved parking now.

 

Did they call the police to kick you out?