Truck Stop Parking

[dkarr]

Originally Posted by 5er_tom

We now have a class c motorhome. We need to get from here (Durham,NC) to Sault Ste. Marie, MI. I am thinking it is a three day ride. We hope to leave here this Thursday, which means two nights on the road.

My question is what is the protocol for overnighting at a truck stop? Is it free? Pull in and find an unused spot away from traffic? Or, do I have to go into the office, register and perhaps pay? If I need to pay, how much is the norm?

Thanks.

Boon-dockers Welcome, truck parking is for trucks.

[Reverse_snowbird]

Two overnight stops sounds about right for that trip. Google says it's 15+ hours at highway speed.
I'd make alternative plans in case there are no truck stops on your route where you can stay. The smell of diesel fumes makes it difficult for one of us to breathe and security is minimal at most stops.
When we're traveling, we make reservations for a pull through spot at a campground.
Google maps has a new feature. If you use the 'Maps' feature on your computer, you can use the 'more' feature at the top to select 'campgounds' to be displayed. Zooming in will get you the name of the campgrounds. Doesn't work on my android phone, but it does on the computer.
At the very least, write down alternative places to call to find a place to rest.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Bhrava

You can overnight at Interstate rest areas as long as you don't deploy the slides.

Not all Interstate rest areas.

[RedRoverComeOver]

You should have already reached your destination, but here's my input. This isn't directed at you but the collective responses.

Tried looking for a highway rest stop on first leg of a trip and the two I tried were full, before, inside and after the stop. Ended up in a Bass Pro lot, drove around and saw one of those RV buses, and a couple of semis parked in the rear. Trolled some more and at the far end of a parking lot I saw an RV van and figured they needed company.

This was around 1 a.m. and came across some crazy woman talking to herself, looking at some papers/books, and chasing something flying around (never saw anything) as I went out to just chock the tires and get ready for a nap. She came by and asked me if I knew how to get across the highway and told her not by foot; off she went. By the time I went to the bathroom and got ready to get some sleep, she was at the other side of the parking lot chasing fairies again. Glad she didn't come knocking at my door although I didn't leave the stairs deployed.

The next night I pulled into what looked like a pay truck stop but the guy didn't appear interested in catering to an RVer. Again, another rest stop was full and the second one had one spot at the exit I could squeeze into. My stairs couldn't deploy fully because of a concrete barrier but stayed on top of it and was able to hop in and pull it back into the RV. That place smelled like urine and didn't open the windows...thankfully it was cool enough to do that. Another late night.

I'm not a morning person but a night owl so not altering my travel habits. I'll take the scraps. I didn't set alarm clocks and just got up when I was rested enough. Didn't extend the side since I could reach the bathroom with my near-boyish figure. Being able to reach a sleeping area, fridge and bathroom without extending the side was a very important consideration in choosing an RV.

If people are en-route to their destinations, why are they making a fuss about being able to be "comfortable"? Can't they "ruff it" just a little? And WiFi? Huh? That's the last thing I care about since it's just a place to lay my head, hit the head, grab some grub and hit the road again...yeah no shower. And if you are desperate for connectivity, don't you have data on a smart phone?

[Bill and Gail]

Originally Posted by correpat

I read a news blurb on Sunday indicating Cracker Barrel was going out of business! I hope it's not true because I've stayed there, too, but half the time I've tried to stay, the spots have been full when I arrive. First come, first serve, but it's a drag when you call ahead to confirm they allow overnight parking and there are no spots by the time you arrive. Harvest Hosts requires call-ahead "reservations" so I know I have a spot for the night.

Fake news. Check Snoops.com

[Ken Kreader]

Originally Posted by 5er_tom

I do have a generator so running the A/C at night would not be a problem. Especially considering how much noise the 18wheelers make.
Slides? I had not thought about that. We have two, both on the driver side. Perhaps we can find a spot where the slides would be over a curb or a grassy area.

We also have a class C with slides on both sides. In the case of a truck stop i would not put the slides out. The only inconvenience would be one of us would have to crawl across the bed to sleep.

[5er_tom]

Originally Posted by Ken Kreader

We also have a class C with slides on both sides. In the case of a truck stop i would not put the slides out. The only inconvenience would be one of us would have to crawl across the bed to sleep.

We do not have the option of keeping the slides in. Our bedroom slide has a flip bed that requires the slide to go out.

[Dakota 1120]

Originally Posted by HoppinTheMap

I’ve never stayed in a truck stop mostly because I’ve heard “horror stories” about angry truckers blocking in campers for encroaching on their territory.

Exactly - why steal a parking spot from a working person that driving time is limited by Fed regulations and the MUST stop to rest?

Truck stops are for truck with truck parking. Before I would ever consider using one to park an RV overnight - I would check with the truck stop manager/clerk for permission and location to park....if you like listening to hammering diesel engines running all night.

Have used WalMart parking lots a few times and a location where the slide can be deployed over a grassy area - no issues. A standard RV park with full hookups is best IMO.

[gbpacker]

When we travel across country and want to find a place to spend the night, we look to Cracker Barrel restaurants or casinos. Cracker Barrel restaurants have parking spaces specifically for RVs and buses, and are very friendly.We always enjoy a good meal and thank them for allowing us to spend the night.

Casinos allow free parking or have campsites for a fee.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Bill and Gail

Fake news. Check Snoops.com

It's SNOPES.com

https://www.snopes.com/

[J Autry]

Originally Posted by robo44

Cracker Barrels allowed me to travel from CA to Michigan parked in their lots free they are a good place to spend the night..

Cracker Barrel is also is a good place to eat!


If you're a member of the Elks, there are Elks Lodges that offer overnight RV parking. Some with water and power, some with full service. Many also have social quarters where you can mix and mingle, beverages and food.

[Dakota 1120]

Originally Posted by gbpacker

When we travel across country and want to find a place to spend the night, we look to Cracker Barrel restaurants or casinos. Cracker Barrel restaurants have parking spaces specifically for RVs and buses, and are very friendly.We always enjoy a good meal and thank them for allowing us to spend the night.

Casinos allow free parking or have campsites for a fee.

Casinos I"ve stayed at have only had electric hookup - nothing else. Ate at Cracker Barrel once ---- and would only go to one again if a last resort.

[Marji]

We regularly stay at pilot/flying J. They have camper spots. No cost. No registering. First come, first serve. We usually patronize the store out of courtesy. My hubby drives semi so I know it is acceptable. He says just don't use the semi spots since they are working.

[Bill and Gail]

Originally Posted by bikendan

It's SNOPES.com

https://www.snopes.com/

Oops, DW was showing me something while I was typing.

[The Evil Twin]

Originally Posted by HoppinTheMap

I’ve never stayed in a truck stop mostly because I’ve heard “horror stories” about angry truckers blocking in campers for encroaching on their territory.

Originally Posted by Dakota 1120

Exactly - why steal a parking spot from a working person that driving time is limited by Fed regulations and the MUST stop to rest?

Truck stops are for truck with truck parking. Before I would ever consider using one to park an RV overnight - I would check with the truck stop manager/clerk for permission and location to park....if you like listening to hammering diesel engines running all night.

Have used WalMart parking lots a few times and a location where the slide can be deployed over a grassy area - no issues. A standard RV park with full hookups is best IMO.

I have never ever run into any issues at truck stops. Quite the opposite really. Mostly friendly people. Truckers going in to get coffee will ask if I want any. I've shared coffee when I made it in the kitchen. I have only stayed at a non truck stop once in the last 2 years. Granted, I have a tow behind and am 62' long total. It almost looks like I'm for-hire. Still, I often see class B and C there as well.

All the big chains advertise RV welcome. They often have dump stations and LP refills for convenience. They are typically (I think) safer because the long haul boys are not going to put up with a thief or crook messing with their stuff.

[Mike134]

Leave the truck stop spots for the trucks so they can get some rest and not run you into a concrete pier because some guy in a motorhome was too cheap to find a campground and let them get some rest.

[Scott V.]

Interesting read, all these posts. All I can think of, those that prefer to sleep in rest stops, truck stops, Wally World parking lots, Cracker Barrell lots and the rest are a bunch of sleep deprived RV towers heading down the highway. SMH.

[asphalt_rivers_3000]

WALMART is always my go-to. No one questions you there, parking in their lots is 100% free. That way you avoid all the protocol!

[mmartin_tdc]

Originally Posted by Mike134

Leave the truck stop spots for the trucks so they can get some rest and not run you into a concrete pier because some guy in a motorhome was too cheap to find a campground and let them get some rest.

Mike,
On my trip from CA to AR this past summer, I pulled into a rest area that had signs for commercial trucks only and another section that said RV's only.
The RV spots were full of trucks. I continued down the highway to find someplace to pull off and get some sleep after a 742 mile day.

[moose074]

Originally Posted by Mike134

Leave the truck stop spots for the trucks so they can get some rest and not run you into a concrete pier because some guy in a motorhome was too cheap to find a campground and let them get some rest.

Most truckers don’t mind until it full. That said I know a few guys that tow cross country with no bed except the one in the hotel they rent they make about as many miles in day as the truckers with sleepers. In my town we are experiencing a sand boom. Our small town 25 miles from interstate probably has 2-3k trucks through in a day. Truckers park anywhere and everywhere they want even if posted no to