Avoid Angry Truckers! 7 Rules to Park Your RV Overnight at Truck Stops

There are often heated debates between truckers and RVers on whether it’s okay to park RVs overnight at truck stops. Yes, it is okay, but only if you follow these unwritten rules. As a longtime boondocker who has stayed many nights at truck stops, I will share my advice with you! Follow along with all the rules and more resources: rvlifestyle.com/rv-parking-ov...
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[@mortimusmaximus8248]

That is the best RV guy ever. We are tired, gone from home, work long hours and need open spots to park for 10 hours.. Thanks for respecting us.

[@robertcooper6853]

Thanks for posting this. As a trucker, it drives me nuts seeing RVs setup in the truck spots when there are designated spots for RVs. It also irks me when truckers take the RV spots because, in the end, we’re all out here on the road together. Treat each nicely, stay in the slow lane and everyone gets home safe.

[@100pyatt]

Agreed⚠️🤬🤬🤬🤬

[@ClutchTrucker]

As a trucker. Thank you for this video. There are so few places for us to park. I appreciate this video. Thank you. Thank you.

[@jeads21]

Before you leave your spot do a walk around your vehicle check to insure no one unlocked your awning, if your towing a trailer check that the hitch is secure and walk around the vehicle checking the lights and tire pressures. The truckers will believe you are a professional driver just out with the family.

[@the_fry_way]

Former trucker and current big RV'er.... the thing we see that sets all parties off is when there is an automobile parked in a truck parking spot! This happens at truck stops and Rest Areas. Come on cars.... go find a car spot and leave the larger ones! Thanks Mike! ~Lynette

[@adventureswithgrandpa3858]

What is probably happening is that it’s a day shift local driver that is parking their 4 wheeler in the truck space so that they have it when they get back.

[@onebadapple83]

Well….As a long haul/regional driver for forty+ years I have no issues with huge motorhomes, 5th wheels and big bumper pull trailers parking overnight at ANY truckstop! At a truckstop with 100+ parking spots, one or two or three RVs there will never even be noticed much less cared about

[@kevinattig6689]

Thanks for posting this. Most people don't realize that trucks are not designed like RVs, they don't have a bathroom with a toilet or shower, many trucks don't have a refrigerator or even a place to put a cooler, I've been in a number of trucks that all they had in the sleeper was a mattress to sleep on and hardly enough room for your baggage. And many don't have a way to cook food, so truck drivers are dependent on the truck stops for everything, food showers and a safe place to park. Parking on the side of the road in many places isn't safe for traffic or the truck drivers, however when the truck stops are full then they don't have a choice.

[@scdrescher1]

So wait…the key to getting along is by acting courteously? Great video and thanks for the tips. It’s a shame we need this but I’m glad it’s out there

[@Iminthebarn2010]

A lot of the major truck stops have RV parking in the front lot, where the car traffic is. I normally look for Flying J truck stops, as they have a separate RV Fuel island away from the truck area

[@mikebradford7780]

Been a trucker for 63yrs. Times have really changed.

[@BarbaraPeduzzi]

Thanks for this, from a former trucker and now tiny camper owner. Many people are not aware of the hours restrictions on truckers, or that breaking those can lead to tickets, hefty fines, and more. Share the road - and the parking spaces!

[@ottocarr3688]

Excellent advice from a trucker (43 years behind a wheel)

[@kevinbray1957]

Best advice I've ever heard. I'm a trucker and i'm spending a lot of time at truck stops thank you

[@MsSuzyQ2U]

Excellent video both as a truck driver and an rv owner. My other half actually had an rver ask him to move so they could open their slides 😂😂 and I’m sure you could imagine what he told them.

[@richardcooper7047]

I'm a Driver "Trucker" with over 2 Million miles.. Excellent advice!!! With Government regulations around our necks we have fewer options.

[@horacepierce9210]

It was a bit odd showing a video clip (1:01-1:04) of Buc-ee's in a truck stop video since trucks aren't allowed there.

[@stephenrrose]

This video popped up in my feed, watched it. Drove truck for 5 years, love RVing, this is a great video! New Subscriber!

[@enz6312]

Great to see you Mike!! I just found your channel on KZbin and have already subscribed. My wife and I spend most of our vacation time traveling with our RV. This Michigan (Detroit) native (who now lives in South Carolina) enjoys the extended RV season in the south. I also work in retail and can tell you first hand that we ALL rely on truckers. Most are good, hard working people that definitely deserve our respect. Remember, when at a truck stop, they are working. We are typically there during leisure time.

[@skoffco]

I have seen truckers abuse the fuel lane rule all the time. Pull in and disappear to get food, or use the restroom. I have also seen them pull up to the pump and proceed to wash there rigs using the window squeegee before even pumping there fuel. 😳

[@ge2623]

Cars do that too. Drives me crazy.

[@SemiLife411]

It’s a huge problem with truckers for sure, but the reality is that RVs just aren’t that welcome at truck stops.

[@ChikinPlukker]

Love's now has RV parking in a lot of their location. Used two last year on a trip to the East Coast.

[@mikeleo5990]

Great news

[@mikeleo5990]

Is there a website or map where these would be ?

[@gusm2752]

Getting gas and leaving your car at the pumps while going inside to shop or use the bathroom while other drivers are waiting for you to come back. See that all the time unbelievably disrespectful.

[@roberthepburn-gr4fq]

53 years driving truck and many years RVING AND I NEVER PARK IN TRUCK STOPS THERE ARE PLENTY OF CAMP GROUNDS EVERYWHERE THERE ARE precious few truck parking spaces so please use the camp grounds

[@mikebradford7780]

Not everyone can afford an rv spot for the night. Some are as high as hotels.

[@justinothertech7867]

Being unable or unwilling to afford a campsite is not an excuse to make some working dude's (or dudette's) life more difficult. I mean, if you can afford an RV and it's maintenance...

[@djohnson542]

I often use Flying J truck stops because they have RV overnight parking places. And I always see trucks parked in the RV spaces when there is truck parking available . This leaves RV’ers with few options. I would never park in a truck spot, and I would appreciate it if truckers would return the favor.

[@donmunro144]

That truck that is parked in an rv spot probably arrived in the middle of the night, only to find no available truck spots. And with our elds, we don't have the option of going elsewhere. When the clock runs out, it's out. To continue to drive is a violation that is kept on record. Dot does records check of paperwork and 6 months down the road, the driver and company can receive tickets. I'm not a fan of seeing rvs in truckstop parking, since parking is limited to begin with.

[@mattwaters6987]

Great advice. Thanks for sharing. 👍 😊

[@lynnbosuego497]

❤ thank you for the tips because we need to be reminded from time to time about certain behaviors❤

[@Ima-hoot]

I always respect the truckers and park far away. They work hard and help keep our economy going ! I always support any business (by either buying a meal and/or something there) that offers free parking to me.

[@longhair5860]

I am a retired truck driver and now I full-time rv .Truck driver don't have as many options as a rv.They have bigger rigs and are on a work day clock. So I do not park at truck stops. Rest areas are a different story. Just my 2 cents.

[@olsonsinoverdrive5153]

As a full time rv’er and a CDL licensed driver, even when I was hotshot trucking I would never stay in truck stops. I’m my opinion rest stops are fair game. When traveling with our rv we prefer harvest host stops or rv parks. Stay out of truck stops other than getting fuel.

[@waynehowes523]

Been a professional driver for over 40 yrs. Ty for your input. Huint. If you buy enough diesel you usually will get shower for free.

[@gailjohnson6670]

Great tips. Thank you. Blessings to you.

[@jacksunstone8771]

One minute in you show a BUC-EES while talking about truck stops. Buc-ees is not a truck stop. If a driver takes a big truck in there the manager will come runnin out faster than you can set your brakes.

[@craigw.scribner6490]

Great video! Thanks, Mike!

[@user-jn8nk5ek6l]

I’ve been driving a truck for 38 years. I even hate parking in truck stops. You go to bed wondering if you’re going to get backed into. I’d rather park with the rv’s.

[@BottomleyAdventures]

We are 65 ft. long, and our truck & RV won't begin to fit into the tiny RV spots. When we park at a truck stop, we have to park in a truck spot.

[@WMNana-nt4ky]

Great info - Thanks for posting - these truckers are our life line and I am truly thankful for them, I'm a planner who make arrangements to send grocery items from manufacturing warehouse to the store warehouse - drivers are under strict laws with limited hours - great people who are moving your grocery items - be kind and happy - the best to all this year - cheers!

[@patti3566]

Thank you for this PSA....as a wife of a career trucker and an RVer, I thank you! Truckers are required by law to stop after 14 hours on the road to shut down for 10 hours so it's imperative they have a place to do so.

[@MsSuzyQ2U]

That would be before 11 hours of driving… you’re confused. Once we start our clock, we have 14 hours to get everything done and be parked before that 14 hour mark.

[@JosephBrown83805]

We’ve always called and asked if we’re even thinking about using a truck stop. Some have said no RVs overnight, others have said if we could find a spot in the very back areas. We have yet to stay at one as others options were discovered. We have stopped for fuel, like middle of the day, and after fueling we will park and do our laundry. That’s the extent of our using truck stops for anything other than fuel. We also use the Open Roads card specifically to be able to not have to go inside since we always use the trucker lanes when traveling with our 5th wheel. I really like that there have never been pan handlers or religious representatives looking for donations at those pumps, love that! We have experienced being boxed in by trucks at a rest area, I get upset by that as we’ve seen people with camper vans of truck campers taking up entire truck lanes when they should be in the car parking since they we not towing anything. In our case we thought we were out of the way enough but during the night one truck came up less that 4 feet away of the drivers side, parking in a no parking area, we didn’t have any slides open and the next morning we couldn’t open any due to the closeness. A really rough night after that guy pulled in since his engine was just a few feet away from our bedroom. Only bad experience we’d had in all our travels so far. Another great video!

[@Perdoct]

Very well done video

[@ge2623]

I don't park at truck stops when RVing but at rest areas, I try to stay out of their way. IE: I don't take the closet spots, park between the trucks, or in their potential blind spots etc.

[@i70show]

My tip is park next to a light and angle the rear of your rig to allow slide out without taking up other space or risk getting hit....

[@Kitchfox]

For God's sake don't try to get around behind a truck that's in the middle of backing into a parking spot.

[@patrickbullock2136]

Not need for conflict, remember these are TRUCK STOPS, not RV STOPS.

[@ronaldjohnson1474]

All valid tips (directives). Mutual respect is earned and RV'ers fall below those fueling our nation.

[@mikebradford7780]

False.

[@justinothertech7867]

Other than fueling, I steer clear of truck parking areas for precisely the reasons you outline... Those guys and gals are out there to make a living. I do see that Loves now has "RV Stops" at some of their truck stops. I've stayed in a couple (Bliss, ID, and Brigham City, UT) and they are Ok for overnight. But ultimately we, as RV'ers, have LOTS more choices of quieter and safer places to spend the night and, IMO, should leave the truck spaces for truckers unless it's really unavoidable.

[@nicovantol7363]

In Europe we truckers have problems in the holiday season because cars+caravan park on truck spots !!! Seems to be this way all around the world !!!

[@marvinrose33]

It is truck stop, some of the stops have rv parking, park there and do not park in a spot for a truck

[@graywolftravels1025]

I try not too park in rest stops unless they have spots for RVs seperate

[@skoffco]

I have never seen rest ares that have separate RV parking. They are few and far between no doubt.

[@graywolftravels1025]

@@skoffco tow road rt 80 has them where you can pay for electric and they have dump station and I think water

[@BrandonLeech]

This is generally a bad idea anyway to park your expensive motorhome or camper trailer next to a bunch of trucks, and is considered bad etiquette to hog a big truck spot. Those guys have a tough job to do and part of reason it's tough is because finding a spot to park for the night can be a joke in many areas and a stressful problem. There is usually always a corner of the parking lot somewhere either in front or back where you can plop and not be in anybody's way.

[@scottpool4777]

Yes I’m a truck driver and I don’t like to see truck SUVs that’s an unwritten rule

[@knuckles-3386]

The only problem I see with this video is that it’s only in English a lot of drivers don’t speak English and can’t read road signs the horrible accident that happened in Denver a few years ago is a good example!

[@jacksunstone8771]

Americans wouldn't take the job so companies have brought in people from other countries to drive their trucks. Many of them don't know much English. They don't know American culture or the "unwriten" rules of the road. They are getting very little training, if any. And when the Feds took over the logbook(our time) many of the oldtimers quit. So, your best bet as an RVer is to stay away from trucks.

[@JamesStreet-tp1vb]

This is becoming a problem. Truck parking is scarce as it is then you drive into a truck stop and there sit motor homes parked in the truck parking. We HAVE to park after a certain amount of time on the road. If the truck stops are full of motor homes and canpers, we can't park our truck. Honestly, if you can't afford to park your motor home at a KOA or some other site designated for motor home parking, then stay home. And, i'm not trying to be a Richard but there's just not enough truck parking and we can't afford to have what little there is, taken up by people going on vacation.

[@tedfisk1211]

Quite frankly, RVers should find places OTHER than truck stops for overnighting. Truckers are important to the economy and doing anything to adversely affect them is wrong.

[@mikebradford7780]

Find other places? Hmm, where?

[@mikebelnap3079]

I worked for one of the largest trucking companies here in Utah they recruited drivers from the front gate of the Utah state prison be really careful around truck stops. I’m not saying all truck drivers are serial killers but serial killers are over representing in this group.

[@mikebradford7780]

False information. Congratulations.

[@chipsrafferty8362]

The title should be ‘’AVOID MAKING TRUCKERS ANGRY’’…..

[@idontwantnohandle]

Only park in car parking area

[@duaneskranak8414]

Can you park a truck at an R.V. park?

[@ge2623]

Depends on the park.

[@100pyatt]

GET A PAID PARKING SPOT✅

[@AcmeRacing]

I use truck stops as a last resort. We spent one night at a Flying J in the designated RV section. A trucker drove through at 2 a.m. and blew the "train horn" on his tractor. I practically had to peel my wife off the ceiling, and there was no reason for it Nobody had slides out. Nobody was in a truck space. He was just being obnoxious.

[@dippst]

technically, it's part of our pre-trip inspection. very few actually do it, for that exact reason.

[@AcmeRacing]

@@dippst Do you usually do it while you're driving through an area full of people sleeping, _after_ you've started driving?

[@MsSuzyQ2U]

I do for the AHs who think it’s okay to block the entrance, exit, or isles between spaces. Once I saw an rver actually parked overnight blocking a fuel lane. Same goes for trucks if you don’t want your stuff messed up.

[@daveb.8692]

You’re in our domain. Make yourself invisible

[@bobw9297]

As a transport driver for 45 years and a RV er, always park your RV at the farthest back of the lot out of the way ...... If you want to strike up a conversation ask him/her what they are driving , use slang such as Peterbilt is Pete International is Cornbinder Freightliner is shaker and so on ,

[@dregadson2454]

Nice informative video. But the one thing he should said is.. no the truck stop is not for campers or RV that's why it's called a " truck stop " ...but if you going to go in then those are the rules to follow.

[@jimb3137]

Here is the rule. Do NOT park your camper in a truck stop. While most truckers are to polite to say much, we all agree that it's an extreme douchbag move for folks rolling around in a camper to take parking spots from truckers. Go to a campground and camp there. We working here, and there's a 50,000 spot shortage. Stay OUT! Oh, and learn to drive ffs!

[@mikebradford7780]

Aww, cupcake you sound sweet. There arent always campgrounds around, especially ones that are free. Mind your own business.

[@Rustycarr59]

The bigger the RV ,the bigger the "self entitlement" you are taking up the space that many smaller travellers could occupy I am entitled to park my McRv mansion. I've paid my taxes!

[@TonyBenton0728]

And the big RV’s pay taxes also ; even more than you. So you are playing the victim card because you are small. 😂

[@roberthansen3546]

Any R.V. 'er that parks in a truck stop is asking for trouble.

[@mikebradford7780]

Highly doubtful. Have done it many times with no issue.

[@tonydeeugenio1489]

Common sense goes along way unfortunately there r a lot of people who lack it