Pilot/Flying J
Used several Pilot/Flying J's on my way to Vegas, Lake Mead, Grand Canyon North Rim, Kaibab Plateau, Zion National Park... Found that lots of these sites are not RV friendly sometimes with no facil...
Forum Discussion
I don't necessarily agree with the premise of the article. First, the sentiment "we can't pull those big commercial rigs over just anywhere" ignores the fact that many RV's are nearly the same size and far less maneuverable than those commercial rigs. We can't pull over just anywhere either. I can't remember the last time I was able to pull into an Interstate rest area after 8 pm because trucks are not just parked in the marked spots, but the off-ramp, on-ramp, and any space they can stop including the traffic lanes sometimes.
That being said, I realize that we usually have other options that aren't available to commercial trucks. I try to be respectful and certainly try to observe business owners rules and preferences. If the lot says commercial vehicles only, I respect that. If spaces are reserved as they are in many truck stops now, I obviously respect that.
As for the idea that an RV driver is camping just because they pulled off to get some sleep is ridiculous. They are no more camping than the truck driver in the sleeper cab. I wouldn't put out the slide if it's not absolutely necessary and I've always tried to maintain as low a profile as possible. Some bedroom slides make it so you can't get int the bed unless its at least partially out, but even then I would only slide out the minimum amount needed to get into bed.
I'm not even sure how to address the absolute lunacy of the statement: "A truck stop isn’t a place to camp or a place to slide out your slideouts unless you want to lose them. I’ve known “drivers” who actually get a thrill from ripping off the sides of slides….The trucker who pulled in beside you was sending you a message and you would have been wise to roll it up and move on.” I don't care where I'm parked as long as it's legal, any trucker that hits me while I'm legally parked better have REALLY good insurance and, if there's even a shred of evidence to support that it was intentional, alternate career plans when they get out of jail. I'm no fan of the sue happy state of our society, but this is one case I'd be willing to make.
Finally, I'm sick and tired of the notion that its just about being frugal or stingy or not wanting to spend money on a campground. While I don't deny there are some people who "camp" at Walmart or truck stops to avoid campground fees, I believe most people are not altogether unlike the truck drivers. While we may not have legal mandates to follow and log, we do need to be able to get off the road and sleep when necessary to avoid sleep deprived driving. I go to a campground to camp but I don't go to a campground at midnight to get a few hours sleep before hitting the road again. The logistics, disruption, and delays just don't make sense.
That being said, I realize that we usually have other options that aren't available to commercial trucks. I try to be respectful and certainly try to observe business owners rules and preferences. If the lot says commercial vehicles only, I respect that. If spaces are reserved as they are in many truck stops now, I obviously respect that.
As for the idea that an RV driver is camping just because they pulled off to get some sleep is ridiculous. They are no more camping than the truck driver in the sleeper cab. I wouldn't put out the slide if it's not absolutely necessary and I've always tried to maintain as low a profile as possible. Some bedroom slides make it so you can't get int the bed unless its at least partially out, but even then I would only slide out the minimum amount needed to get into bed.
I'm not even sure how to address the absolute lunacy of the statement: "A truck stop isn’t a place to camp or a place to slide out your slideouts unless you want to lose them. I’ve known “drivers” who actually get a thrill from ripping off the sides of slides….The trucker who pulled in beside you was sending you a message and you would have been wise to roll it up and move on.” I don't care where I'm parked as long as it's legal, any trucker that hits me while I'm legally parked better have REALLY good insurance and, if there's even a shred of evidence to support that it was intentional, alternate career plans when they get out of jail. I'm no fan of the sue happy state of our society, but this is one case I'd be willing to make.
Finally, I'm sick and tired of the notion that its just about being frugal or stingy or not wanting to spend money on a campground. While I don't deny there are some people who "camp" at Walmart or truck stops to avoid campground fees, I believe most people are not altogether unlike the truck drivers. While we may not have legal mandates to follow and log, we do need to be able to get off the road and sleep when necessary to avoid sleep deprived driving. I go to a campground to camp but I don't go to a campground at midnight to get a few hours sleep before hitting the road again. The logistics, disruption, and delays just don't make sense.
