I have posted on this subject before. I do long distance driving in the summer months. This year finding a place to park has been pure hell. In some areas the Truck Stops fill up before noon. Makes it very hard to find a good spot for the night. We are limited to 11 hours of actual driving. Plus you must take a half hour break before your first 8 hours has passed. Parking is so scarce there was just a National Conference on this subject. The problem is serious enough that the industry is worried it will affect the economy. I 5 in Washington is one of the worst. Even the rest areas are filled very early. Imagine how I felt when I pulled into a TA and there were 2 motorhomes parked in the truck areas. One was an expensive bus conversion and the other a DP. Folks these RV'rs have no good reason to be taking up those spaces. Yes, TA or the J does not care who parks on the lot but common sense and decency tell me it is: Rude, Ignorant, Selfish and just wrong . The truck drivers are trying to make a living and follow the regulations. The RV'rs are supposed to be enjoying themselves. Spend the $$ and go to a CG!!!!!! Or go to a Wal Mart. Moisheh

Moisheh, traveling recently from California to Florida we ran into the same thing. There was NO room in the normal interstate rest area's for our coach and car. Some of the older rest area's have curb type parking. Since we can't back up (tow car), we have to have room to pull in to a curb side spot and have room to pull forward to get out. You know RV'ers have to go to the bathroom too. LOL!We also have stopped at the truck stops after fueling to fix lunch in the coach. I'm very conscience of the driver's and try to stay out of their way. I have never noticed a totally full truck stop (T/A, etc.). Safe travels,MM.

moisheh wrote:I have posted on this subject before. I do long distance driving in the summer months. This year finding a place to park has been pure hell. In some areas the Truck Stops fill up before noon. Makes it very hard to find a good spot for the night. We are limited to 11 hours of actual driving. Plus you must take a half hour break before your first 8 hours has passed. Parking is so scarce there was just a National Conference on this subject. The problem is serious enough that the industry is worried it will affect the economy. I 5 in Washington is one of the worst. Even the rest areas are filled very early. Imagine how I felt when I pulled into a TA and there were 2 motorhomes parked in the truck areas. One was an expensive bus conversion and the other a DP. Folks these RV'rs have no good reason to be taking up those spaces. Yes, TA or the J does not care who parks on the lot but common sense and decency tell me it is: Rude, Ignorant, Selfish and just wrong . The truck drivers are trying to make a living and follow the regulations. The RV'rs are supposed to be enjoying themselves. Spend the $$ and go to a CG!!!!!! Or go to a Wal Mart. MoishehYou then lack common sense.You do not own the truck stop AND the RV drivers money is Green just like yours.Your version of freedom is "You are free to do things as long as it is okay with me."ANDBecause I am working I deserve special consideration. YOU DO NOT! I hope this does not carry over into your driving habits and the RV's have a good reason to be in the spot. THEY ARE SPENDING THE NIGHT.Instead of complaining may I suggest you find another line of work which stresses you less.

When the truck stop parking lots and interstate rest areas are signed "Commercial Vehicles Only", I will quit using them.IMO, the trucking industry needs to start lobbying the government to see to it that there are enough places for truckers to stop so that they can comply with the government regulations.There was an article on the local PBS station the other day about this issue, especially as it applies to female truck drivers (too many places where truckers stop are crime and drug ridden, the females don't feel comfortable).I can understand your concerns, but 99% of the people on the highways know nothing about the problems. You can bet that if the two RVs hadn't been parked there, there would have been two or three more trucks, and you still would not have had a place to park! The trucking industry is going to have to step up to the plate and demand action. NObody else will do it for you!

darsben wrote:moisheh wrote:I have posted on this subject before. I do long distance driving in the summer months. This year finding a place to park has been pure hell. In some areas the Truck Stops fill up before noon. Makes it very hard to find a good spot for the night. We are limited to 11 hours of actual driving. Plus you must take a half hour break before your first 8 hours has passed. Parking is so scarce there was just a National Conference on this subject. The problem is serious enough that the industry is worried it will affect the economy. I 5 in Washington is one of the worst. Even the rest areas are filled very early. Imagine how I felt when I pulled into a TA and there were 2 motorhomes parked in the truck areas. One was an expensive bus conversion and the other a DP. Folks these RV'rs have no good reason to be taking up those spaces. Yes, TA or the J does not care who parks on the lot but common sense and decency tell me it is: Rude, Ignorant, Selfish and just wrong . The truck drivers are trying to make a living and follow the regulations. The RV'rs are supposed to be enjoying themselves. Spend the $$ and go to a CG!!!!!! Or go to a Wal Mart. MoishehYou then lack common sense.You do not own the truck stop AND the RV drivers money is Green just like yours.Your version of freedom is "You are free to do things as long as it is okay with me."ANDBecause I am working I deserve special consideration. YOU DO NOT! I hope this does not carry over into your driving habits and the RV's have a good reason to be in the spot. THEY ARE SPENDING THE NIGHT.Instead of complaining may I suggest you find another line of work which stresses you less.Whoa, I couldn't have said it any better.

I tend to stay at WalMarts for just this reason. We are on vacation, the truck drivers are trying to make a living. I also try to give them a little extra space on the highway as well - same reason. They normally have a deadline to meet, we do not. Having said that, I guess it is public space and it is what it is. And who knows, maybe there was some unknown reason they had to park there vs another location.

Ovenight in a Truck Stop | Good Sam Community

Sully2
Explorer
Aug 31, 2015
darsben wrote:
moisheh wrote:
I have posted on this subject before. I do long distance driving in the summer months. This year finding a place to park has been pure hell. In some areas the Truck Stops fill up before noon. Makes it very hard to find a good spot for the night. We are limited to 11 hours of actual driving. Plus you must take a half hour break before your first 8 hours has passed. Parking is so scarce there was just a National Conference on this subject. The problem is serious enough that the industry is worried it will affect the economy. I 5 in Washington is one of the worst. Even the rest areas are filled very early. Imagine how I felt when I pulled into a TA and there were 2 motorhomes parked in the truck areas. One was an expensive bus conversion and the other a DP. Folks these RV'rs have no good reason to be taking up those spaces. Yes, TA or the J does not care who parks on the lot but common sense and decency tell me it is: Rude, Ignorant, Selfish and just wrong . The truck drivers are trying to make a living and follow the regulations. The RV'rs are supposed to be enjoying themselves. Spend the $$ and go to a CG!!!!!! Or go to a Wal Mart.

Moisheh

You then lack common sense.
You do not own the truck stop AND the RV drivers money is Green just like yours.
Your version of freedom is "You are free to do things as long as it is okay with me."
AND
Because I am working I deserve special consideration. YOU DO NOT! I hope this does not carry over into your driving habits
and the RV's have a good reason to be in the spot. THEY ARE SPENDING THE NIGHT.

Instead of complaining may I suggest you find another line of work which stresses you less.

Amen brother...amen!
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Aug 31, 2015
I have shared many a Wal*mart lot with a truck driver.

Also truck drivers have an option NOT open to RVers.. The local terminal.. Might not be the company you work for but I suspect many terminals might well have (or could be pursuaded to establish) a lot that is OUTSIDE the fence for overnighting truckers.
Cloud_Dancer
Explorer II
Aug 31, 2015
I use Walmart parking lots. Truck stops are way too noisy.
korbe
Explorer
Aug 31, 2015
I believe that rest areas are to be shared with all vehicle types that use the highway. And the truck stops that I have seen have acres of parking that I have never seen even close to full.
slemnah
Explorer
Aug 31, 2015
I certainly understand the issues that truck drivers face. When I travel my motorhome and trailer are 65ft and I weigh over 50k lbs. Just like everyone else I get tired and have to rest. The last thing I want to do is fall asleep and kill my family or some innocent person. I always park out of the way when possible so that I am not affecting other truck drivers but understand that since I pay taxes and fuel taxes just like you are I will be parked in one of those spots when I need to.
Bruce_Brown
Moderator
Aug 31, 2015
I tend to stay at WalMarts for just this reason. We are on vacation, the truck drivers are trying to make a living. I also try to give them a little extra space on the highway as well - same reason. They normally have a deadline to meet, we do not.

Having said that, I guess it is public space and it is what it is. And who knows, maybe there was some unknown reason they had to park there vs another location.
mikensallyt
Explorer
Aug 31, 2015
darsben wrote:
moisheh wrote:
I have posted on this subject before. I do long distance driving in the summer months. This year finding a place to park has been pure hell. In some areas the Truck Stops fill up before noon. Makes it very hard to find a good spot for the night. We are limited to 11 hours of actual driving. Plus you must take a half hour break before your first 8 hours has passed. Parking is so scarce there was just a National Conference on this subject. The problem is serious enough that the industry is worried it will affect the economy. I 5 in Washington is one of the worst. Even the rest areas are filled very early. Imagine how I felt when I pulled into a TA and there were 2 motorhomes parked in the truck areas. One was an expensive bus conversion and the other a DP. Folks these RV'rs have no good reason to be taking up those spaces. Yes, TA or the J does not care who parks on the lot but common sense and decency tell me it is: Rude, Ignorant, Selfish and just wrong . The truck drivers are trying to make a living and follow the regulations. The RV'rs are supposed to be enjoying themselves. Spend the $$ and go to a CG!!!!!! Or go to a Wal Mart.

Moisheh

You then lack common sense.
You do not own the truck stop AND the RV drivers money is Green just like yours.
Your version of freedom is "You are free to do things as long as it is okay with me."
AND
Because I am working I deserve special consideration. YOU DO NOT! I hope this does not carry over into your driving habits
and the RV's have a good reason to be in the spot. THEY ARE SPENDING THE NIGHT.

Instead of complaining may I suggest you find another line of work which stresses you less.

Whoa, I couldn't have said it any better.
mowermech
Explorer
Aug 31, 2015
When the truck stop parking lots and interstate rest areas are signed "Commercial Vehicles Only", I will quit using them.
IMO, the trucking industry needs to start lobbying the government to see to it that there are enough places for truckers to stop so that they can comply with the government regulations.
There was an article on the local PBS station the other day about this issue, especially as it applies to female truck drivers (too many places where truckers stop are crime and drug ridden, the females don't feel comfortable).
I can understand your concerns, but 99% of the people on the highways know nothing about the problems. You can bet that if the two RVs hadn't been parked there, there would have been two or three more trucks, and you still would not have had a place to park!
The trucking industry is going to have to step up to the plate and demand action. NObody else will do it for you!
darsben
Explorer II
Aug 31, 2015
moisheh wrote:
I have posted on this subject before. I do long distance driving in the summer months. This year finding a place to park has been pure hell. In some areas the Truck Stops fill up before noon. Makes it very hard to find a good spot for the night. We are limited to 11 hours of actual driving. Plus you must take a half hour break before your first 8 hours has passed. Parking is so scarce there was just a National Conference on this subject. The problem is serious enough that the industry is worried it will affect the economy. I 5 in Washington is one of the worst. Even the rest areas are filled very early. Imagine how I felt when I pulled into a TA and there were 2 motorhomes parked in the truck areas. One was an expensive bus conversion and the other a DP. Folks these RV'rs have no good reason to be taking up those spaces. Yes, TA or the J does not care who parks on the lot but common sense and decency tell me it is: Rude, Ignorant, Selfish and just wrong . The truck drivers are trying to make a living and follow the regulations. The RV'rs are supposed to be enjoying themselves. Spend the $$ and go to a CG!!!!!! Or go to a Wal Mart.

Moisheh

You then lack common sense.
You do not own the truck stop AND the RV drivers money is Green just like yours.
Your version of freedom is "You are free to do things as long as it is okay with me."
AND
Because I am working I deserve special consideration. YOU DO NOT! I hope this does not carry over into your driving habits
and the RV's have a good reason to be in the spot. THEY ARE SPENDING THE NIGHT.

Instead of complaining may I suggest you find another line of work which stresses you less.
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Aug 31, 2015
Moisheh, traveling recently from California to Florida we ran into the same thing. There was NO room in the normal interstate rest area's for our coach and car. Some of the older rest area's have curb type parking. Since we can't back up (tow car), we have to have room to pull in to a curb side spot and have room to pull forward to get out. You know RV'ers have to go to the bathroom too. LOL!

We also have stopped at the truck stops after fueling to fix lunch in the coach. I'm very conscience of the driver's and try to stay out of their way. I have never noticed a totally full truck stop (T/A, etc.).

Safe travels,
MM.

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