Safety & the truck stop

I don't think they need to worry.

The chance of someone breaking into the truck while you're sleeping is pretty slim. Most of us have a tire thumper or something nearby just in case though.

Outside the truck could be a little different I guess, depending on where you are but with a little common sense you should be perfectly fine.

It's pretty rare to run into problems in the truck stop unless you're the type that goes looking for it.

Some rest areas or dark parking lots may seems like walking down a north end street off of Selkirk Ave. at night but again, common sense.

A lot of times it may be convenient to go park at the shipper or receiver over night to load/unload first thing in the morning. Depending what you're hauling you could end up in some places you probably don't want to be sleeping and should be a bigger concern than rest areas, truck stops or walmarts. Again though, common sense. Call ahead to find out if you can park there overnight and if so where. Outside on a dark street in a large city may not be so good where inside of their secured lot is different.

 

I see in another thread you will be working at a company a relative has worked at for a number of years. He's your best source of info because he should know where you run. He's probably also the best one to set your family at ease.

Unless he's the one that's gotten them worried

 

Just be aware of your surroundings ,Try to park on well lit areas if possible .Leave your self an out if need be .Have your ducks in a row per say .A little common sense falls into place here.

 

I've never had an attempted break in. But you should be aware of your surroundings. It's better to park in a populatedd area than in AN isolated place.

 

some times the worse looking places are the safest--you kinda get used to it--park under a street light if you can--i have spent many nights in seedy neighbourhoods and never been bothered-but yet in major truck stops--especially the farther south you go--you have to be cardful

 

I have privacy curtains, so I always try to grab a spot with light on it. I noticed lots of drivers try to get into the darker areas, because most of the time, the lit areas are always open. I also try to be parked within line-of-sight of the truck stop and an open area.

I also try to park myself in a way that I can pull straight forward to exit. Like at the end of a row in the back, near a light pole, so I can pull straight into an aisle. I avoid parking at the very end of middle rows... this is asking for a rookie to come along and swipe your side with the side of his trailer... I've seen this happen.

Keep to yourself. I never talk to other drivers, unless someone comes to me in a friendly manner. You never know who's been having a bad day. I've had 2 aggressive drivers start crap with me, unprovoked, in my 6 months experience driving solo. I, however, ALWAYS come prepared with a friendly demeanor and if someone seems aggressive or upset, I get away, or figure out a way to get out of that conversation. Only happened two times so far... so no big deal. Not a common problem

Here's another thing you can try. Buy some ratchet tie-downs... loop them through your door handle to the other door handle or arm rest, or loop two of them in each door handle to their climbing handle near the doorway opening. That way, if someone breaks in or accidentally unlocks the wrong truck (I drive a volvo and the keys are so similar, you can usually open another volvo, but not be able to start the truck) they won't be able to open the door. I have accidentally entered the wrong truck at the Knight yard in Phoenix. The owner was sitting in his seat looking confused at me. We both laughed it off and I went one more truck over and got into the correct one. My point is, some drivers drink. At truck stops. Lots of truck stops sell beer and it would be wise to assume that someone will eventually try to get into your truck... probably NOT on purpose, though... by accident, like I did. My key easily unlocked the wrong truck and I was lucky enough to be greeted by a driver that understood my mistake!

The only thing that annoys me at truck stops is the beggars and people peddling movies that drive up and honk at you. This is fairly commonplace at stops. Just ALWAYS say no, thanks. If someone begs for money, say "sorry, but I can't help you" and KEEP WALKING. If you stop, they won't leave you alone.

I never carry cash. Then I don't feel like a liar, though most people begging are just looking for beer/drug money. I fell for one of these beggars early on and I literally watched him SHAMELESSLY walk straight into the truck stop and buy a 40 of bud light and carry it right out. He walked from the Love's to the Petro across the street to finish his beer and beg some more. Lesson learned.

In closing... I suggest using common sense and awareness of your surroundings to keep yourself safe. Also... try walking with confidence. Carry yourself with purpose, but don't try to look like a tough guy. BUT... you have to be tough with the non-truckers that just want to beg you for stuff and money. Be firm, but polite and KEEP WALKING. Don't let these people rope you into a BS conversation. Trust me on this one.

Now I'll share a story of my first trip to Memphis, TN. I was at the Pilot... well... there are two pilots next to each other there.

I parked at about 2pm... so there was a few hours of daytime left. I decided to polish my wheels, because I had just bought myself center caps and screw-on lug nut spikes for my steer wheels. I finished the job, took a photo and put my stuff away so I could go leave a leak and wash my hands. As I was walking along, this guy carrying bags and wearing too much clothing (obviously a bum or at least trying to seem homeless) approached me and said "I'm not going to beg, but do you have any money?" I said "you just lied already" and he asked if he could work for it by polishing my wheels... I showed him my hands and said that I already did my wheels. Then he tried to make me show him my wheels!!!! He literally tried grabbing my left arm, so I turned to my left and stepped backward to avoid his dirty paws. I asked him who he thought had the upper hand. He looked confused, so I explained that I work REALLY hard for my money, and I'll spend it the way I SEE FIT... I told him to stop asking to work for me, because I'm not hiring. I did my own wheels and I had also used some Lucas detail spray on my painted areas that got dusty and spotted.

Now... I TRIED at first to be polite, but this guy was relentless... even tried to put hands on me. I'm a small guy. I weight 140lbs at 5'9"

The other good part, though, is that other drivers saw this guy bothering me and came to my "rescue"... fortunately, they noticed I had diffused this guy and stopped him from touching me. I proceeded to the restroom, washed up and returned to my truck.

Of course, all the lot lizards later were enough to scare me away from those truck stops permanently... that and I discovered that Knight has a terminal 5 miles south of those truck stops... so I'll never need to go there again!

Good luck out there. Don't be scared. Be confident, but NEVER ####y. Use your brains...

Like my dad always said when I was a kid "use your head for something besides a hat rack" I DO!

 

I have been driving solo for 5 years, after driving team with my late husband. I used to park in Queens, NY on the street overnight. I walked my dog in wherever I park, and there have only been a couple of instances where I knew I should have left and didn't (got to love elogs) and I learned that I am rather late than park there again.

I never had any real issues. I am female, short and not exactly tough and I feel safe for the most part. Be smart, if you think you should leave....do it. I listen to my inner voice all the time and I believe it has kept me out of trouble.

You will learn where not to park. I myself, will not stop in certain areas, because I don't feel safe there. Indianapolis, any truckstop on the loop is one area I avoid. I don't like the TA west in Ontario. any place in West Memphis, Pilot in East St. Louis, IL.....the list goes on. No specific reasons, other than that I don't feel good about parking there, so I don't.