Parking Overnight while in Chicago

Rollo · Dec 17, 2006

Would any of you straight truck drivers have a suggestion as to where I could park near my residence in a far Western suburb of Chicago?

We live in a town-home which is condo and rules prevent any commercial vehicles from being parked overnight. It seems costly to lease a space for use only 4-5 nights a month. Street and retail lots are forbidden. It prevents me from going to a straight from a cargo van. C-vans without signs are not considered commercial vehicles. I realize that Chicago is a most difficult area to do this. Please give me some more ideas, I have been to storage lots and find them expensive.

themagicoen · Dec 17, 2006

There is a few truck stops around that let you park for $10/night around the west side of town I know. You could also find a movie theater or mall close by and talk to the manger/owner about parking in the lot for $/month. That's what I did, I couldn't park by my house but 2 blocks from here is a movie theater with a HUGE lot and once I get my truck I can park it there for $10/night.

Moot · Dec 17, 2006

There used to be a Denny's on the corner of Busse (Ill. 83) and I think Mark Street. It is between Devon and Thorndale. That was a hang out for expediters in vans and straight trucks until they closed some years ago. I went by there last week and it has been rebuilt and no longer is a Denny's. It is still a restaurant, didn't catch the name but I saw some air freight bob-tails parked there. Or if you have a Wal-Mart nearby you could probably get away with parking for 24 hours at a time.

Is Hampshire too far away. There is a T/A, Road Ranger and something else.

Rollo · Dec 17, 2006

Thanks guys,
Yes, Hampshire is a possibility, but about 30 miles each way. Same in South, Joliette has a couple but they are very down on just parking for several days, remember there are about 2-400 other guys like me with straight trucks that would like to have a parking place for down time while at home in Chicago. We all have same problem. I've talked with many of them and we are all dealing with the problem.

langren18 · Dec 18, 2006

Chicago is a second home base for us - it's where I grew up and a lot of my family still lives. We consider home 5 hours north of Chicago in northern WI. We've contacted Wal-Mart, Kohl's, Menard's and other businesses near where we stay when in Schaumburg and they all said no. We got away with parking the truck in Mom's driveway for a little while til the village showed up. We parked the truck in Fox Lake at my cousin's most of the year until we got kicked out of there, too. There's an industrial park down the street where we've had no problems parking overnight/several nights, but the problem now is we're going home to WI and want to leave the truck in IL. We have a couple leads to follow up on tomorrow, but I'm sure they'll charge us for parking. Then we have to decide if we pay for parking or pay for 600 plus miles DH taking the truck up north for no reason and then getting back into a freight area...I'll keep you posted if we find anything out for any of you having the same parking woes.

Deb

simon says · Dec 18, 2006

I had the same problem in downriver area of Detroit, and used to park at a fuel stop with other expedites until we were all kicked out. Finally, I asked a company I delivered to once. They referred me to another company just on the other side of a complex. They gave me the number of the complex owner's maintenance man, who told me where to park. Now I park anytime I'm home- turns out the area is safe, no vandalism, and I'm only 15 minutes from home. You might want to get a "Club" to lock it up as well...

EagleRiverWI · Dec 18, 2006

>
We consider home 5
>hours north of Chicago in northern WI. >

I am also 5 hours north of Chicago. Where are you at?

langren18 · Dec 19, 2006

We live in Lake Tomahawk WI - my husband was born and raised there. Nice to "talk" to you, neighbor!

We're still working on the parking situation. We know we won't have any problem parking the truck at home, if we do decide to drive it up there.

Thanks for all of the suggestions so far - we'll let you all know what we come up with.

EagleRiverWI · Dec 19, 2006

I park my truck at Northwoods Truck Repair 1 mile south of Eagle River. It cost me a 12 pack of Old Style to park there when I am not having repairs done.