How to Protect Your Truck From Damage at Truck Stops: Trucker Tips

[@Trident587]

I was out with a trainer at Schneider as a roockie for over a week, they call them "training engineers" (TE). You're basically delivering their loads for them while they coach you. We are not going to go out 100s of miles out of the way to an operations center to practice backing. We practice backing where we need to back. Which is the customer, bol, distribution center, or truck stop. We practice backing in the yard a week before going out with a trainer.

[@richarerichrichards9222]

If you drive 2, 3, 6 states regularly and have a pattern of customers, it's easy to stay away from truck stops. have a thermos of hot water and instant coffee, get set up with food, keep a log of good (safe) places for a truck to park, then stay away from truck stops if you can do it. some times you're forced into staying at a truck stop but try to stay away from them. The less you back up the better. when you have to back up don't be afraid to get out and look. you'll never see any of those drivers again and you'll be the one with a clean record. keeping a clean record is like having a personality that wants a clean record.

[@integritytransport8762]

My favorite place to stop is the KY scales on I 24. Tons of room. We should be allowed to park at all scales. Some won't let you.

[@dmailaddress25]

Sams club, kroger, meijer, ect.. These are my go to's for late night parking. Usually no trucks within 50 feet of me.

[@baker93304]

Another good point on Parking in truck stops is if you have a limited choice of parking next to another truck, park next to a truck that takes pride in their equipment (polished, clean, well maintained). Less chance of them hitting yours than a Swift, Western Express, etc. Keep up the good work!

[@SmartTrucking]

Yup, great point!

[@XGiveMeLibertyX]

Great tips! I'm still a new driver and one thing I have done since I started to avoid hitting other trucks is I leave around 4 in the morning so that when I pull into a truck stop late in the afternoon the parking lot is wide open and I can get a nice pull strough spot were it will be easy to pull out in the morning.

[@SmartTrucking]

***** Good idea. Safe trucking. dave

[@delimac59]

***** Yep! Good Thinking! I can`t sleep while it`s still daylight,so...I drive longer than I should and then I am screwed! IT`s a bad habit I have! Actually,I would RATHER drive at night,and sleep in the day! But I MUST be REALLY tired! LOVE night driving! Less traffic,scales are closed,cops are more lenient,etc!

[@tylerbonser7686]

Driving at night and pulling into a empty truck stop, wish I could do that on every trip.

[@johnlong3197]

You hit the nail on the head, i've been back into at least three times and the driver has taken off, twice I was luck that a O/O got the info for me.

[@SmartTrucking]

John Long It's a scary deal out there these days. take care. dave

[@RushBig0786]

I had a great trainer when I first started out. He would have ne practice backing anytime we hit a city where we had a drop yard. The last two weeks of training, my trainer was comfortable enough with my driving to allow me to drive at night and he'd sleep pretty much my entire drive time

[@FatGuyInaTruck]

In 20 years, I've been hit by 4 people in a truckstop. All 4 of them were drivers who had at least 10 years of experience. It's not "just the rookies" at all. A lot of people just love to blame rookies for everything... But if you actually take the time to notice, it's usually not the rookies. It's the old guys who are so complacent at their jobs they are a danger to everyone.

[@delimac59]

Michael Tovar I been doing this crap for 30+ years! I have NEVER backed into anyone! But I have watched several others do it!

[@JaySkyBlueWalker]

Michael Tovar same thing i said about people dropping their trailers on the ground because they jumped the kingpin. In my 5 years ive only seen experienced drivers do this 3 times

[@musicalguru1228]

Your obviously a rookie!

[@realreviews7049]

Facts

[@dachopup8495]

Michael Tovar that’s something I believe

[@UnNamedTrucker]

Very sound advice. Along with the tips you already mentioned, I avoid parking in the middle of the lot at the end of a row where drivers are making turns in front of me. I've seen a few bumpers ripped off of rigs that choose the "suicide spot" by careless drivers cutting the corner too tightly with their trailer.

[@sandyhayes4896]

Damn shame drivers today, will never experience the bond we HAD, like a friggin family reunion when you stepped in a truckstop, good times.

[@SmartTrucking]

Yeah, they sure were! Dave

[@Arbknight]

Your tip about nosing in makes sense to me now. Prior to this I always used to chuckle to myself thinking what a dummy, driver can't back up his own trailer!! But now it makes perfect sense that if you nose in, your trailer will take the brunt of the impact. But on the other hand, backing out of a nosed in spot also presents the danger of possibly hitting a driver/pedestrian on their smartphone or Bluetooth headset. I've seen a few near misses by drivers in the morning before sunrise when it's hard to see objects and shadows moving about.

[@SmartTrucking]

Arbknight right you are, got to be careful getting out of there in the morning. dave

[@randyloveladysr]

I still consider myself a rookie and I've been driving for 3 years

[@shaedbuech7361]

Never turn down spotting help, especially from the owner ops, from day one of my career I've always taken the back row. Besides a little walk never hurt ya, and after sitting all day it's good to stretch the legs

[@lynnjacob444]

Thanks, Dave. I really appreciate all your solid, common-sense advice. It is a bit intimidating as a new CDL holder... My goal is to be a really good, safe driver. (I didn't beat breast cancer last year to go kill myself, or someone else, in a truck! lol) I certainly don't blame experienced drivers for being wary of us new kids, and I certainly don't want to damage anyone's truck. The truck stops are so jam-packed, though... it is scary for us newbies! I'd love to see more fellas trying to help the new drivers, rather than just stand there, cursing them out. It really doesn't serve any good use, in my mind.

[@SmartTrucking]

Lynn Jacob Hi Lynn, yes, backing into tight spots in a busy truckstop is a challenge. All I can tell you is to take your time, get out to look as many times as you need to, and don't rely totally on a spotter if one comes along. I think there'll still be a few courteous drivers out there to help. Drive safe. dave

[@Matttchew5]

How about we work on solving the real problem: a shortage of parking. Skilled or unskilled, rookie or veteran, super trucker or steering wheel holder, what ever name and bias you have on other drivers, the problem is finding a safe place to park. I know paying for parking sounds terrible, but it costs less than a parking lot accident, and a ruined perfect driving record, preventable or not. DOT needs to be responsible to provide a safe place to park if laws are going to restrict drive time. What's a rookie going to do at 2am? back into the hole no one wants, and crunch. oops. Trucks must stop, and it doesn't have to be a truck stop, but rather a parking facility with safe, pull through, lighted parking spots. Big super mega company fleets or whatever can set up an account at a fixed monthly rate and put their drivers in a safe, accident preventable, commercial vehicle parking facility, secured access and monitoring. Make too much sense? not enough?

[@VISlONARY1]

I agree with you totally. Especially on the East Coast, and West Coast too, lol. In the middle is usually better.

[@Matttchew5]

VISlONARY1 I'm at the Pilot in Hisperia, CA. I'd never want to be here, but where else can I take a mandatory 30 min break? I've found the dirt lot in the back by the highway. It's better than the paved mess closer to the over priced store.

[@VISlONARY1]

Good for you, you found it.

[@LifesGreat74]

Matt's Van Life preach it!!! You're absolutely 100% correct. Our federal government has got to give us some kind of relief out here. I'm tired of fighting for parking and showers.

[@garytriano13]

Matt's Van Life stop crying guy

[@brandoncaldwell95]

This is helping me quite alot. I'm wanting to get a cdl for otr trucking soon. I know it'll all be tough, but I'm still at home being 20 with a part time job. Theres not full time around, and if anything doesn't happen by Jan. of next year I'll be entering a school. Hopefully ill find a job not ending with a trainer as I function better on my own. Beyond stressful with them around. I've been pulling and reversing 24'-40' trailers since I was 12. On a farm tractor since I was 8. Been taught by my stepfather who was a trucker. Also my actual father a trucker. Road with him many of times when I was 5 and younger...

[@Max20FA]

Ive been driving for 2 years coast to coast (except CALI and NY personal choice), yes I’m new but boy the things I learned : 1. Never park in spots right behind the pumps… busiest area to be, trucks tend to back to change what pump to get into when waiting in line and not look back, got hit once like that. 2. If snowing or icy grounds never park in a position where you have to pull out uphill, I got stuck once in iowa. 3. Don’t park by the curb, watch where you park because another truck will park behind you, another in front of you and another next to you… now you’re blocked in and they won’t be reluctant to move if you have to get out. This happens especially late at night when spots are full. 4. Don’t park where you face perpendicular parking spots because once those are filled trucks will tend to line up and park outside the boxes one by one so the space you have to get out is very little and they don’t care if you can’t get out. 5. Rest area… same as number 4. Trucks will often park behind you in a diagonal parking but also in front if there’s no curb. Leaving you stuck. 6. Always try to park in truck stops AWAY FROM BIG CITIES… this is big. I was robbed one time at the Petro in Atlanta. In big cities by 2pm truck stops are full anyway so go out to the middle of nowhere.

[@bradleythompson5737]

I am a trainer for Stevens. If I have my student work on there backing I always make sure to have 3 open spots next to each other to make sure they don't hit anything.

[@clarobert]

This is an excellent video of advice presented by someone that is quite evidently a dedicated professional driver. Thanks for the upload. I enjoyed watching it and reminding myself of these great tips. Thanks.

[@stanleywilliams134]

I'm only 15, turning 16 in June, plan on getting my Class A when a I turn 18. Lots of advice. My brother, he's a truck driver and his dad was an independent trucker for 35 years, throughout those years, he owned 8 trucks. My dad, last I knew he was a trucker, my mom's previous husband, and my mom's ex-boyfriend are local truckers. So I plan on driving. Great video

[@SmartTrucking]

+Dylan Meinhardt Thanks, sounds like destiny certainly has trucking in mind for you. Good luck! Dave

[@stanleywilliams134]

Yeah it does. It's been my chosen career choice since I was about 3 or 4 years old, maybe younger.

[@brianpfeiffer1959]

Keep on truckin! Do I need a college degree to truck? Thinking about doing it !

[@brandoncaldwell95]

+Brian Pfeiffer 140-180hrs of training at a verified school. some companies will train you and you'll be put with a driver trainer once through the classes....

[@ThunderingDiesel]

im 17 and i wanna be a trucker too

[@mcfilthy6731]

I had my first screw up in a truck stop after 22 years, I was just not thinking.

[@joshkrause2977]

SideShowJohn great honesty!! Most wouldn’t admit that.

[@Vasilyevich05]

Wow these are actually pretty good tips. I like the one where you get the information off of the two trucks by you.

[@wainber1]

Getting a dashcam: very smart. A lot of vehicles on the roads of Russia have them, given how common crashes are over there.

[@KevinJSharp]

I know this is an old video, but I'll comment anyway. I only drove OTR for about 1 year back in 2010. Just wasn't my thing after getting screwed over by 2 companies, and getting stuck with an aggressive drunkard co-driver, but I still like watching trucker videos and have a lot of my regular flatbed owner operators I unload at my job I consider friends. You made some good points in your video, but some are easier said than done, and a couple I disagree with . But what do I know, I was a rookie driver for only a year & don't even drive anymore? I remember many, if not most of the time driving that finding a place to park was usually difficult, especially when I was on the East Coast. Sometimes you don't have any choice where to park, and can only take a spot that's available. I remember many times having a truck stop that had maybe 2 spots open, and of course they were always the worst ones. Getting to a truck stop early to get a good spot was very seldom an option, or at least for me. Sometimes (most) your running time wouldn't allow you to have that choice. Also, I was always told to never park "nose-in", because you would need to back out basically blind. And by doing that, wouldn't you become that person you are trying to avoid?? And by parking "nose-in", how is a dash cam helpful in capturing an incident? Your trailer might be the thing getting damaged, but not necessarily, and wouldn't having to back out every time you park at a busy truck stop raise the risk for an accident by multiple times? Just my 2 cents...

[@sinaiyicus]

Would love to be trained by you. Im new to this and trying to get into the industry. love your voids. keep up the helpful information. And help.

[@samuelavila1977]

I always call the place I'll be delivering or picking up and ask if I can park overnight I used truckstops only if Im fueling or last resort and like this guy from the video I go way 🔙 to find a spot!

[@scottsveinbjornson8784]

some very valid points I've never thought of for parking

[@grimmpickens5766]

As a trainer for a large carrier i gotta argue with you about the backing practice bit. You want us practicing at our terminals, but i only go to a terminal MAYBE once a month. So my only option is to do training at shippers, recievers and truck stops. I dont have a choice. I do try to find spots with plenty of spaces around them. But terminals are an option because im never at them. And that's the same for a bunch of us

[@AmishHitman73.Archive]

For a cheap dashcam look up the Yi it is around $60 US

[@kadenmoreland7055]

My dad is a truck driver and he drives for for Cassens Autotransport and he haul cars for a living and he been working for 30+years and I always tell that I want to work at Cassens Autotransport when I get older but I'm 13 so I still have a few years to go and This March I'm turning 14 so awesome video

[@SmartTrucking]

+Kaden Moreland Hey Kaden. It sounds like your Dad has an excellent job. Also sounds like you may want to follow in his footsteps? Be sure to get your education first.:)

[@kadenmoreland7055]

Thx and I will get my education

[@ladytrucker6768]

Oh, now Dave ya sure put this down in black & white..totally agree with everything ya said...now the years on the road for me was not a worry about this cause we never spent the night in the truck stops..I was drivin all night...only damage that ever happened to the truck when I wason the road ,was when I blue a steering tire in the constructon zone over on 1-40 in Arkansas..but your so right about the way things have changed..but a great video..

[@rossdickens]

I'm a rookie, but I park at the back of the lot. Need the exercise,walking to the building!

[@ryanbotkin5150]

we were all rookies at one time but some of us rookies are just better then or understand it or had a better trainer and some people are just better at somethings that take others years to learn I'm extremely fast learner sometimes I make a pro look like a rookie I strive for perfection

[@RedemptionTruckin]

And you park next to him.

[@ClosingTheTruckingGap]

That was good information. I'm going to take your advice on nosing in to spaces in the back of the lots. Thank you

[@BigLisaFan]

Don't park at the end of a row either!!

[@frankfromupstateny3796]

Listen to this man and his lovely wife....he knows what the deal is...with parking shortages....ridiculous pay....and modern life....society is just not the same.

[@Zeviander]

Training in a truck stop? Are you kidding me? Anyways, thanks for the video. I appreciate all the advice I can get from veteran drivers. Starting training on Wednesday, very anxious to get out there, but confident that I will do well. Cheers Dave, drive safe.

[@SmartTrucking]

Zeviander I'm sure you will. good luck. dave

[@weeniewawa]

+Zeviander I saw one a few weeks ago that couldn't hit an open spot that was actually 8 open spots together. I was watching them out of the windshield and had a couple of trucks next to me so I couldn't tell exactly where he was trying to get into. I walked out a few minutes later to water my dogs and saw where he was trying to get into and was glad it wasn't next to me.

[@williamcarey8529]

You are 100% right about Pilot Travel Centers!! I have had three trucks in two years hit at a Pilot!! Love's is not much better either!!

[@ryanbotkin5150]

I do the same thing and I am a 8month rookie and I truck smart as possible but I'm always learning thanks for the video​ I will share it

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks Ryan! Dave

[@blthetube1]

5:03 I would have the rookies drive through an executive parking lot of their company. "I want you to imagine that you are always driving through and or are surrounded by your bosses cars.... GO!"

[@SmartTrucking]

That would be fun! Dave

[@shvetes]

Thank you! Great ideas for preventing damage to our trucks!

[@beerrunner8153]

I do a lot of what you do to keep the truck safe. But you forgot to mention if you know your route you get to know where to park. On my route there are some places I can hit at 10 or 11 PM and still find room. Others you best parked by 7. If you run west the truck stops are bigger and offer lots of parking for the most part. In the east park early. Friday and Saturday are the best times to find a spot.

[@weeniewawa]

I park as far away from the building and find end spots next to a grassy or dirt area too. but I do that to have a place to water my dogs. It still looks to me that most of the guys pulling in nose first are the ones who can't back in or are not wanting to sleep next to a noisy reefer which is fine because I am gone long before the "solar powered" trucks leave in the morning

[@NBHank]

Noisy reefer, heater, supertrucker that idles her up to 1500 with straight pipes winter, spring, summer, or fall, or those crappy little chinese apu motors that make more racket than a truck engine.......

[@michaelbierlein5642]

I find everyone of your videos to be interesting and informative. You can always tell who the guy is that has experience.

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks Michael!

[@turtlegrl1749]

I always assumed guys parked nose in because they didn’t know how to back up all that well🤔 Makes sense that they just want to protect the tractor. Great info!

[@SmartTrucking]

My pleasure!

[@kevinsmith5318]

Truely appreciate the sharing of your wisdom of your well earned experience.

[@egbertsouse5085]

One of my first goals in OTR was to limit my truck stop trips to fueling and a shower every 4th day. DUDE shower body wipes work lol. I do not eat truck stop food unless it's an occasional Iron Skillet or local diner. And this was before I saw you say these truck stops are for the most part still configured for 50 years ago! Most are zoos and at some point because guys park ANYWHERE you can barely tell how to exit when it's dark. There ARE alternatives. Keep your eyes open and take notes so you remember them and keep it to yourself haha!

[@brendanclark1]

I agree I do the same in many ways. Nosing in is inconsiderate. You are not entirely in.a spot. The trso let sticks way out. More than likely you block off more than one spot. Especially corner spots.

[@bobbytee333]

WHEN YOU NOSE IN, AND HAVE TRUCKS ON BOTH SIDES OF YOU, IT LIMITS YOUR ABILITY WHEN BACKING OUT OF YOUR SPOT. IVE BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR 50 YEARS.

[@jameshamm730]

You were never a rookie right

[@starblazer64]

Good points. I might need to invest in a really good dash cam or two.

[@FirebirdCamaro1220]

And FWIW, when he talks about getting to truck stops early, this especially goes for California, where I do most of my driving, only truck stops in CA where you are guaranteed to find a spot after 1 or 2 pm are the 4 in Barstow, or the TA or Petro in Ontario because those two charge $12 to park for the night, I've heard the same about the Pilot in Sacramento but have never been to that one so can't speak first hand

[@t.a.t.3342]

i really liked your video on parking!! & you are right. & why like you i'm a old school owner/operator to & there is just to damn many young driver's out there to day that should not be behind the wheel of a big rig......................

[@DavidSmith-vo3nd]

Thank you very much, a lot of your sugestions I used to do way back when I first started driving just to protect my job as a driver lol!! But you have added a few move for me :-) so when I re-enter the driving profession again it will help a lot! Again Thank you I always enjoy your tips and suggestions!

[@SmartTrucking]

David Smith thanks and good luck. dave

[@DavidSmith-vo3nd]

Thank you!! Have a good week you guys!

[@SmartTrucking]

You too, David.

[@blthetube1]

If there is a Dumb move to be had....it will happen... especially at a truck stop. Look at me!!.... I got my truck license. My best advice...Start as early in the morning as you can. Finish early and get the best spots. Besides, you drive in less traffic and feel less stressed at the end of the day. Just turn your freaking High Beams off and be quick about passing....

[@arizonabounce2528]

I'm a company driver. in the last 2wks I've been hit twice in lots. your advice is greatly appreciated.

[@frozerekmeyata4091]

Nose into a parking spot instead of backing in, yeah I've seen those guys do that then when they have to get out they can't see a thing coming at them and other truckers have to swerve around them while blowing their horns and cussing at them on the CB. I've seen drivers back out after their nose first parking and hit trucks as they were going by. Great advice.

[@SmartTrucking]

It helps if you know what you're doing. Dave

[@MavOrl]

I avoid truck stops all together. I only use them for fuel. I've found success parking at Walmart or my company terminal if one is in the area. I don't own my own truck, but I can't afford to be shacked up in a hotel if my truck is damaged.

[@FirebirdCamaro1220]

I actually had to park in a Walmart in Azusa recently because I had a delivery in La Puente and then had to go to a pickup at the Budweiser brewery in Van Nuys, but the tandem axels wouldn't slide on that trailer unless I used wheel chocks and I had to scale the load 3 times, so by that point, I didn't have enough hours to make it to the company terminal in Fontana

[@pegbars]

Never park on the end. Higher probability of getting hit.

[@23tracy91]

I practiced at the truck stop, at the back, middle of the day, with no other drivers around. I can't imagine having been asked to practice around other trucks

[@keeturbo]

It's also good to avoid parking next to company trucks whenever you can because those drivers most times don't care.When you park next to nice customized trucks it's easier because they don't want to hit you either and damage their truck.

[@SmartTrucking]

keeturbo good point, very true thanks dave

[@michellandry714]

Really good advise! Makes tons of sense!

[@anthonyrich4763]

Some of the weigh stations have awesome parking and oddly they are usually empty.

[@yhwhswarrior6086]

If the truck stop has a middle row try not to park at either edge. I've seen other trucks take the turns to sharp and the trailer takeout the front of the truck at the end spot.

[@elainejamison3828]

I get where your coming from with rookies backing in or out, what I believe what's not happening is on the trainer; post look at and taking responsibility!

[@KKLayton1]

You said you don't like trainers practicing in the parking lot. I was wondering what your thoughts would be on how my trainer did it. We went to an empty part or a non-busy (at that time of day) and he would have me practice there using water bottles to simulate other trucks that would be on the sides of me. Note: I did have to pay to replace any and all water bottles I busted.

[@SmartTrucking]

+Kenny L I like that method! Smart! Dave

[@billywayne6104]

Except I wouldn't be paying for water being how they're being paid to train me...

[@kippahthefrenchiewhippasni9689]

Man I love your channel…

[@FirebirdCamaro1220]

I'm a company driver, but someone backed into my truck at a Pilot in Lost Hills, CA yesterday morning, scratched up passenger side (thankfully just cosmetic), and didn't even let me know, so a hit and run in essence :(

[@wetlettuce4768]

Some people really have no respect for other peoples property...

[@gladiator5281]

$5000-$10.000 insurance deductible? never heard of that before ya'll getting ripped off

[@alans.4167]

From working in a yard that we'd get damage in at least once or twice a month... Rookies had more "what the hell were they thinking" moments but the experienced guys who got complacent also did their fair share of damage. The #1 reason for damage I seen was during pulling out, they'd misjudge tailswing and clip the rear of their trailer on the nose of the tractor next to them.

[@johnmichaels6678]

Great tips and advice !!

[@ANDREASRIAL]

Very good advice, thanks.

[@delimac59]

Good idea to take info down B4 leaving your truck! Better safe than sorry!

[@vendingdudes]

So next time you see a "big company" trainer/trainee practicing, get out of your truck (with or without camera) and follow them around. Stand in the open slot it looks like they're aiming for and block them til they get it. Should make for an interesting followup video, if this is really happening.

[@TRANSFORMER2508]

Very true...i do the same procedure at certain truck stops...

[@bd1zzle]

My trainer told me park where there is 2 or more spots when I was in his truck

[@franciscojavieragudelo8690]

Good tips, I’ll keep on mind.

[@cobratrick96]

I pulled forward after fueling and in the time it took me to piss and grab fuel receipt an impatient a/hole ran over my trailer trying to squeeze between my step deck and the fuel pump. I've been scared to pull forward ever since. Witnesses said the driver sped out of parking lot so quick no one could get decent description on truck or trailer. What can ya do?!.. Anywhere you go you're at risk of some inconsiderate pos.

[@antoniocampbell463]

That's why I stay in the fuel island until I'm ready to leave!

[@kippahthefrenchiewhippasni9689]

You ain’t lying these pilots are soo tight.

[@samporter8290]

I understand parking facing in but I’ve also seen many accidents when they try to back out

[@lesgarten]

Hi, I'm looking at getting a Volvo VNL 780 to pull a 48' Semi Based RV trailer. We would be fueling up sometimes and occasionally staying at a truck stop. How do most truckers feel about an RV like this at a truck stop and would we have problems?

[@SmartTrucking]

You won't have any problems, most drivers will be fascinated by your concept of combining a big truck with a form of vacation! Dave

[@lesgarten]

Thanx! The RV will be around 49' 35-40,000#

[@johnmichaels6678]

This is the best trucking video I have ever seen !!!

[@SmartTrucking]

+John Michaels Thank you. Dave

[@TheIntelligentView]

Is it illegal to park along side of entrance ramps to the hiway? I see this all the time.

[@SmartTrucking]

In some states. Dave

[@tanaire5801]

Another one that I uses if I'm in a darker spot in the back of the truck stop I'll leave my Amber's and reds on dont keep my headlights on but I've noticed that haven just those lights there make it a lot easier for people to see me and when they're back in their trailer in right up against me they'll notice the reflection and it gives him a better view of my hood mirrors my side mirrors and just about everything

[@SmartTrucking]

Good idea!

[@SchrodingersQuark]

Why aren't back up cameras not a thing? I would think any downsides of implementing and maintaining would be well below the upsides of the vision you gain?

[@SmartTrucking]

+SchrodingersQuark Really good question. Of all the stuff that is mandatory, you'd think back up cameras should be.I wish I had the money to invest in a camera company and then start lobbying congress for that. Dave

[@SchrodingersQuark]

+Smart-Trucking.com also, they could invest in some VR gear to give drivers a good deal more training before they are let lose commanding 80,000 pounds of death... Don't know if you've read up on the tech but it looks very promising for a wide range of teaching applications. I'm going to see what I can get done when I join swift. I would love to at least connect a camera on my truck that extends up to watch the back. Not on the trailer like I would like but less wire running and I don't have to depend on the tractor having the gear. You see lots of those custom expensive trucks right? Have none you've seen added cameras?

[@TacticalTrucker]

What I do is I try to back in all the way right towards the fence, if I have to I will back my tandems up onto the grass yard where the nose of my tractor is right up to the driver cab door of each truck beside me.

[@giovanideparma3500]

It's all true . I try to park at truck stops outside the city not the ones down town . The truck stops downtown are small and tight forget that . Another place I like to park at are rest areas . All I'm getting is my ten hours and leaving it doesn't have to be a truck stop all the time . As for as rookies ; very true, just a few weeks ago this company driver pulled out from my left side parking spot and turned his wheel to soon . The back end of his trailer came one inch close from crushing my entire mirror. I try to park at a safe isolated spot if I can .

[@DrunkenGuitarGuy]

so u could tell by the turn how much experience he had?? how do u know he was a rookie??

[@curtis7599]

I know you cannot be one of those drivers that have the trailer sticking out so far that it will be very difficult for the one beside you to pull out or have it blocking a perpendicular spot, right?

[@WheresHerb]

Fact!. truck stop parking spots are designed to be backed into. I have seen drivers take hoods off trying to pull into a space, or struggle to pull into a spot then wake drivers up to move because they can't back out after pulling in.

[@tg580]

Don't nose into parking spots. Its probably ok with 48 ft trl but anything longer will hang out to far and cause more problems. Not to mention I don't know how many times I've seen drivers that can't back out of the spot there in.

[@CHOPSBOWLS1]

In my opinion, last point should have been the first and most important point of them all. As soon as the sun begins to set I'm already scouting for the closest truck stop

[@VISlONARY1]

Good for you. The only thing I could add is that if you can get to know individual truck stops, some of them still have parking available at dusk, if you know where to look. Or bypass them altogether and shoot for truck rest areas, and accepted places for trucks to park for the night.

[@gopherchucksgamingnstuff2263]

If you have to park on the end of a row, park nose in. I have seen trucks lose hoods because some drivers go too fast and turn too sharp. Better to bump the trailer.

[@brianbaltzly4482]

Feel like you picked my brain. exactly what I do. or park at the customer.. Hauling cars is even harder to find a safe spot

[@miekylamason2734]

Thank you so much for your advice ,both of you are too beautiful.

[@LukeLGK]

Great tips! Thank you!

[@aliciamillerministry4520]

Hello Sir here watching

[@JasonVladimir]

Good show, thanks for sharing!

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks Jason! Dave

[@TruckingBiker1967]

I never park on the end. Unless it’s next to a curb.

[@dachopup8495]

I’m just getting into trucking but I feel like backing shouldn’t be done unless your at your destination and getting rid of the load other then that pulling into a spot should be done I feel like that would cut down accidents drastically maybe I’m wrong

[@anthonydrummond9770]

Fatigue is a drivers worst enemy. I don’t care how experienced you are, if your tired you have to really be focused. And most drivers don’t take the time to get out an look to set themselves up to back in a spot. But if drivers really cared about each other they would help each other out. It jus a matter of a driver being humble enough to ask for help when backing up. Better safe then sorry! 10-4 driver

[@firstgoinpostal]

If you park nose first in the rear of the lot.Many times the nose will be sloped up. For me I sleep on my left side. If the nose is sloped down I wont sleep well. It makes me fell like I'm going to roll out of the bunk. Nosing in also keeps my reefer from disturbing the drivers on either side of me.

[@thomaskemper8336]

Thank you good advice for a old rookie.