Where to park

dancorn · May 2, 2009

I am a few weeks old as a co-driver but was amazed when the lead driver had a hissy fit when I pulled into a restaurant parking lot in a small town. It was a local eatery with parking for 20 or so cars. I parked off to the side of the driveway in gravel, not blocking the lot. He told me we don't stop at places like this, we go to truck stops. There were no signs about trucks. Since that day I have not stopped at anyplace but truck stops, rest areas and pickup and delivery locations. Am I naive or is he over reacting? What are the rules, if any, about stopping at Walmart types and fast food places? No, I do not plan to go through the drive through!

inkasnana · May 2, 2009

I guess it's a personal choice thing. We regularly stop at Walmart for groceries and necessities. There are also plenty of Walmarts that you can park your truck at overnight if you so desire, to be close to a p/u or del for example, or if there are no other places available to park. Sometimes we stay at a Walmart "just because". You have to watch though, some do not allow truck's in their lots at all and some do not allow overnight parking.

We've stopped at a fast food place a couple time, but generally go to truck stops for those. We've even stopped at a Best Buy a few different times, and a Fry's once. We always park way out at the edge of the parking lots out of the way, do our shopping, and continue on our way. You really don't have a whole lot of choice if you want to go shopping and your truck is your only means of transportation at the time.

greg334 · May 2, 2009

Last year I parked at a mall, just in sight of my next pickup. That night I am sitting messing on the computer and up comes the cops. I thought "great they are going to tell me to move" but what they asked me to do was to watch the place for them, my presences seemed to matter to them.

I try to park at truck stops for a safety reason, after what happened in Memphis, safety in numbers.

are12 · May 2, 2009

I would guess that is his preference but he should have let you know up front instead of having a "hissy fit". (that is a term I have not heard in a long time)

Over the years, we have stopped at many fast food places and restaurants to get something to eat. We just make sure the parking lot is big enough that the truck is not taking up the majority of their parking spots. We have never had anybody ask us to leave or move our truck.

pelicn · May 2, 2009

Hey Arlene...long time no post! Good to see you again

Since we got into a straight truck, we have pulled into fast food places, the mall, Walmart etc. As long as we can park without hindering traffic or taking up too many parking places. We've never been asked to leave.
The biggest thing that irks me is seeing curbs that have been run over, or signs knocked down etc. In cases like that, I can see why the business owner wouldn't want big trucks in the lot.

If your co-driver didn't want you to stop at these places, they should have said something up front.

cheri1122 · May 2, 2009

The only rule I know of is that if you buy it at a truckstop, it costs 2 to 3 times what you'd pay elsewhere. Throw in the ugly views of garbage most feature, (and summer odors) and they're more to be avoided whenever possible, IMO.

are12 · May 3, 2009

Hey Pelicn, it has been a while since I posted but I do pop in to see what is going on in the expediting world.

The great thing about driving a straight truck is you can certainly take them more places than an 18 wheeler so why not take advantage of it.

Crazynuff · May 3, 2009

I bet that lead driver would really have a stroke if dancorn pulled into a campground like some expediters have been known to do . OTR truckers really appreciate seeing expedite trucks parked at places other than truck stops . Expediters have just as much right as everyone else to a parking space but parking spaces can be pretty scarce in some areas . I think parking in truck stops increases the risk of being hit by another truck .

Turtle · May 3, 2009

Jack Handy said:
I think parking in truck stops increases the risk of being hit by another truck .

I think going swimming increases your chances of getting wet.

Yesteryear · May 3, 2009

I have to agree with Crazynuff! We take our truck to many different places. Malls, Walmart, Chinese restaurants, Unos, ect. There is no law saying we can only go to 'truck-stops'! We straight trucks have the same rights as any other vehicle as long as we aren't blocking or impeding traffic. Is your 'lead' driver the trucks owner or just a fellow driver? If he isn't the owner I think I would be telling him, ok you go only to truck-stops and I will go where I want! If your 'lead' driver is the truck owner I think if I were you I would be posting a new thread called 'how to find a new truck owner to drive for'. There is no reason for a partner to throw a 'hissy' fit. If this occurred over something so insignificant in the first week it is only going to continue into other issues.

ron · May 3, 2009

I've never had a problem of parking on the road. I time my stops for lunch,dinner before,or just after the rush hour. I've parked at Mc.Donalds.Burger King in the back is where you find the parking. My problem was when I was home,and had to find a place to park. the truck stop wanted $20.00 to park for the weekend. So I found a closed factory,and backed up to the door as if I belonged there. The people that drove by got used to seeing the truck there all the time,and just accepted it as belonging there. If I was questioned I just told them I had just got in from a run,and they just left. The less you tell people the more they'll leave you alone. Sounded like that guy was just trying to ruin your day. just ignore people like that. You'll probably run into another person just like him again in the future.

Yesteryear · May 3, 2009

Have to agree Ron, the guy was just trying to ruin the posters day. There are some people that thrive on 'hissy fits'.

Think! The first few weeks are the 'honey moon'. If this driver is throwing 'hissy fits' the very first week what it is going to be like partnering with this person once the honey moon is over and the real personality comes through!

Kurn · May 3, 2009

I've worked with guys that just love truckstops,and stopped there for everything.Perhaps your co driver is one of those,although he didn't have to act the way he did.Personally,I can't stand truckstops and avoid 'em whenever I can.

bluejaybee · May 3, 2009

Now see, ya all wants to be a trucker. Now, truckers go to truck stops. They luv the smell of urinized asphalt, diesel fumes and hot engines. They luv to be seen walking across the lot with a limp and their bellies showing. A real trucker will not be caught parked anywhere else. It is a degrade to their image. Y'all need to wake up and smell the asphalt. We are all truckers here. No wonder the driver threw a fit. I bet he has practiced his limp for years!!! I sure have!!!

Big Al · May 3, 2009

Cracker Barrel is another spot for straight trucks or vans. Talk with the manager and sometimes it's easy to overnite as well. I was wondering about National Parks with our Senior Pass in the Campgrounds, has any tried them. It's free to any site with a Senior Pass and you can get one for $10, that includes you and your spouse. There are quite a fewsites where it would be nice to visit and sit for awhile but not overnite,i.e. Wilson's Creek Battlefield near Springfield Missouri.

Big Al
Branson MO
Retired Navy

moose · May 3, 2009

I found that memorial parks , and grave yards are the best for an over night .
just remember to lock the door , and circulate the A/C ...

Moose.

DougTravels · May 3, 2009

moose said:
I found that memorial parks , and grave yards are the best for an over night .
just remember to lock the door , and circulate the A/C ...

Moose.

They're coming to get you Barbara!

Yesteryear · May 4, 2009

bluejaybee said:
Now see, ya all wants to be a trucker. Now, truckers go to truck stops. They luv the smell of urinized asphalt, diesel fumes and hot engines. They luv to be seen walking across the lot with a limp and their bellies showing. A real trucker will not be caught parked anywhere else. It is a degrade to their image. Y'all need to wake up and smell the asphalt. We are all truckers here. No wonder the driver threw a fit. I bet he has practiced his limp for years!!! I sure have!!!

Nope Bluejaybee, we're not all truckers here. I'm a house wife and mother that just happens to drive a truck. No sirree no trucker me!