Question for yall trucks about parking at truck stops

Posted by Charlie_Hustler@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 33 comments

I pull a set of doubles for my company everyday and usually parking in normal truck parking spots is difficult and borderline impossible for me to do at truck stops since I can't back my set. Usually most times I can't find any spots that I can simply pull into and have resorted to having to use the upper part of the fuel isle as my go to when I can't find any pull up type parking.

Do yall usually mind it when a truck like me parks in front for 10 - 15 mins at the fuel isle to use bathroom and grab snacks? I usually try and make my pit stops fast as to not inconvenience anyone but sometimes there are lines at the pilots cashier and it takes a min. I can't usually park anywhere else since I am unable to back my set anywhere in the lot and I don't wanna be that guy that's parked in a no parking zone. What do yall suggest I do? Where can a truck like me park when there's no spots I can pull into?

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robexib@reddit

If you pull up to the line for 10-15 minutes, that's fine. You could probably even get away with a 30 if the lines aren't busy. Don't take a 10 there.

Farmhand30-06@reddit

I have a few truck stops on my couple of runs I do, that I stop at pretty much exclusively. Most are smaller and don't get much traffic, especially in the middle of the night. I could park at the pumps, but I pretty much always pull through and park ahead. As you can see from other comments, you get a free pass being in a set, as long as you're not a total dumb ass.

tidyshark12@reddit

Nah, as long as you aren't taking your 30 in the pull up spot. You can always park in a "make a spot," too, as long as youre not in anyone's way.

RoamingNomadSoul@reddit

I’m cool with it because I’m a critical thinker. Some people will obviously be mad because you’re inconveniencing them

BingBongFyourWife@reddit

Bro you get the same 10-15 min as everybody else, who cares

If I have to wait on you ten minutes, and see fast food bags, I’ll roll my eyes and probably be annoyed

But if I have to wait a minute or two and see you coming out w just a plastic bag of stuff you bought in the store real quick, who cares

Nobody is gonna check if you got fuel or not. Those are essentially “free parking for about ten minutes” spots

Impressive-Menu8966@reddit

You get a free pass pulling dubs unless you are being a total chode.

CaliThunder559@reddit

When I pull up I usually talk to the driver pulling in behind me and tell them I'll be back out in 10 mins. If no one is pulling in behind ik I have a bit

firstblush73@reddit

Try and snag a spot along the entrance to the truck stops. There's usually a decent curb space that gets turned into ivernight parking at around 4pm, when all the other spots are taken.

Park alongside the scale.

Back into one of the endcap single parking spaces along the curbside, where folks can get around you.

Charlie_Hustler@reddit (OP)

Sometimes spots like that end up being taken tho. I work night shift so at the truck stops it'll be super packed when I show up for a put stop.

MysteriousMaximum488@reddit

I drive nights and most of the time I can take a full 30 at the pumps and not be in anyone's way.

Dragex11@reddit

Taking the spots at the fuel pumps at night, especially when there are several pumps open, is fine.

Pew_Goon@reddit

If you're running at night and there's several open fuel lanes you should be fine doing that for 15 minutes.

WMDZipperbag@reddit

Damn. Sounds like the conundrum for husband & wife teams hoping for a shower. Maybe such a group could offer some helpful take. Dunno

LaitBraker@reddit

If you park blocking a fuel pump to go inside to take a piss, YEAH, you can go get fucked.

Stop in a random spot because we all see you're running doubles, no worries, save travels, brother...

ChiDaddy123@reddit

So since it apparently wasn’t as clear to others as it seemed to me, I’ll point out that the OP’s question reads more like pull through either without fueling, OR after fueling, and be parked in FRONT of the pumps, not blocking a spot where another driver could be getting fuel while he’s parked… not like pull up to the pump like he’s gonna fuel, but then just go inside to get groceries after dropping the kids off at the pool…

potodev@reddit

10-15 minutes is totally fine bro.

For future reference, if you're gonna take a bit longer, try to park at one of the pumps further away from the store. The fattest laziest angriest dudes always seem to want to pull into the lanes closest to the store. Less likely to get an angry super trucker behind you if you're further out.

Hey, asshole, I’m fat and I’m angry, but I’m NOT fuckin lazy!

TojoftheJungle@reddit

Just do your thing and try and be courteous. If it’s a busy time of day then park next to curb in front or behind the fuel isles where you enter/exit. If that's not possible just pull up in the fuel isle, if you block, others will understand

RichCypher@reddit

Fuck anyone who has a problem with you pulling through the fuel island and stopping in front for 15 minutes. It takes that long to fuel if someone pulled up behind you immediately. Long as you aren't spending a ridiculous amount of time there no one has a right to complain especially with doubles. If you can find another easy option then go for it but I wouldn't think twice about 15 minutes or less there.

BackgroundMoney5931@reddit

Your fine literally everyone pulls forward after fueling and goes and does the same as you.

possibly_lost45@reddit

Doubles are the only trucks I don't get pissed at in the fuel island because I know they can't back in to a spot. Try to park along the scale if you can.

Existing_Inside5200@reddit

I agree... They don't have many options so they have carte blanche to park wherever they fit in my opinion

When I did it I'd park in the island and just rotate as traffic came in so I wasn't in the way

Auquaholic@reddit

Doubles? Yeah, I know. I try to use a different pump when I see y'all.

pingus3233@reddit

Everybody knows you can't back doubles into a spot and AFAIK wiggle-wagon drivers still need to empty out the stale coffee and roller dogs if you know what I mean, and I think you do.

Israel_the_P@reddit

Just don’t sit in the bathroom stall for an hour and you should be good 👍

J0HNNYCUPCAKES@reddit

Never had a problem waiting on doubles yet, most of you guys are on the move so I usually pull in behind you when the pumps are full because I know you're not taking your thirty. I don't mind waiting behind y'all to use a restroom, get snacks, fill up or all the above. Like I said, even if you did all those things it would take you less than thirty minutes.

1Stack_Mack@reddit

Daycab here. Do what ya gotta do. I don't envy trying to find a place with doubles

Be-It-coin@reddit

You are fine.

chtxfngrs@reddit

I also pull doubles. If you’re only stopping for 10-15 minutes, I’ve found that no one seems to mind if you park at the fuel island. If possible, pull forward far enough so that a driver actually getting fuel can still get to the pump.

jqmallah@reddit

Pull through spots are the move if you can find them. If not, I would rather see a doubles driver take the edge of the fuel island for a quick bathroom stop than get wedged in a spot he cannot back out of. Biggest thing is keep it truly quick and leave room for trucks to swing around you.

Emergency-Bus-998@reddit

Meh, the hell with it. Park like the first respondent posted. Or just put the fuel hose in your tank to make it look like you are fueling, and run inside. When you come back, come around the front of your truck if there is a lineup. I personally don't mind waiting for a few minutes. It's trucking... that's all we do is wait.

I’d much prefer you to try an use the first pump. Think some Drivers consider it the outbreak lane. Imagine it’s probably the one lane almost guaranteed to be working too

You gotta understand we all see things differently. What about designated spots. I mean sorry bruh. It’s late. I need to park. Being creative may have already occurred etc.

Ideally I’ll see tractor shutoff to know something’s up. I dunno. I mean yeah when I’m really just there to top my reefer. Dam I mean. Some can’t even pull up right

But yeah, I get most every truck stop doesn’t account for doubles or OS. It sucks