Question about truck stops.

"Rainbow" (rainbeaux) 01/30/2020 at 19:18 • Filed to: None

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I can't find a definitive answer on this. If I were to build a sleeping quarters in the bed of the Colorado, where would I need to park it overnight on road trips? Would I need to be in the area with the semis, or could I park in the regular sized lot? This isn't a thing that's going to happen any time very soon, but still.

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > Rainbow 01/30/2020 at 19:34

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Normal sized lot. Most have signs saying no overnight camping, but the likelihood of the officers allowing someone to sleep vs drive drowsy...you’ll get to sleep. And normal spots. Large spots are made for vehicles that can’t fit in normal spots.

VincentMalamute-Kim > Rainbow 01/30/2020 at 19:37

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Regular lot. Stay out of the way of semi’s. They’re working and spaces are often hard to come by for them at night.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Rainbow 01/30/2020 at 19:37

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I’ve parked behind trucks with no trailers, & car slept no problem . Just don’t take an empty spot, find a partial one. Also W almarts (as long as it 24hrs ) & Cabelas are good for car sleeping.

Chariotoflove > Rainbow 01/30/2020 at 19:41

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What they said.  You can still buy the showers, etc. at the truck stops.

Brickman > Rainbow 01/30/2020 at 19:41

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Watch out for the lot lizards. Which I never seen one yet.

Dogsatemypants > Rainbow 01/30/2020 at 19:51

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Check boondocking sites/ forums. They have lists of places to overnight for free.

Dusty Ventures > Brickman 01/30/2020 at 20:01

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I think the lizards are largely extinct, except from at the sketchier truck stops. Most truck stops these days are so much cleaner and more professional.

Dusty Ventures > Rainbow 01/30/2020 at 20:10

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Another tip in addition to what’s already been said. As someone who’s crossed the country car camping at truck stops, finding an app that can tell you about the truck stops before you get to them is a big help for picking a good, clean, safe place to park up for the night. I used the AllStays Truck & Travel app. It maps out all the truck stops (as well as other regular legal truck parking locations like rest areas, Walmarts, etc) and gives the truck stop’s amenities and ratings/reviews. Sticking to places with a lot of truck parking, lots of amenities/features, and at least a four star average made for a good trip without any issues.

Also if you want another alternative, camping is free in all national forests.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Rainbow 01/30/2020 at 20:29

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Like others have said, you’ll be able to park and sleep just about anywhere without problem.  Beyond not taking up a big spot at a truck stop, you won’t want to sleep in a pickup in the big lot.  There is still a huge number of trucks without apu’s, so they’ll be a bunch of semis idling all night long.  Trying to sleep in the midst of that in the back of pickup wouldn’t be great with that low rumble and vibration all night long.

wafflesnfalafel > Rainbow 01/30/2020 at 20:50

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I messaged my little bro, long haul trucker, and he said stay away from the semi lot, stick with the regular sized lot.

Manny05x > Rainbow 01/30/2020 at 21:08

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If i saw your regular sized truck parked on a parking spot designated for trucks i would be very pissed.

Manny05x > Brickman 01/30/2020 at 21:09

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I saw one in my career so far lol.

Harry Shipman > Rainbow 01/30/2020 at 21:22

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Stay away from the truck lot. Not enough spots as it is for trucks, we dont need cars taking are spots. Cars have a million places to go 24/7 without being bothered.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 01/30/2020 at 22:39

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What I've heard too is that if you keep it inside your car, and only stay for a night, you're usually okay. What they don't want is someone setting up a sunroom or staying for 3-4 nights in a row.

Matty > Rainbow 01/31/2020 at 00:15

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Normal lot. Don’t park by the building, park in   the outer most parking lots and they won’t bother you. If you’re sleeping in a spot close to the building that they would prefer awake customers have access to they will come knocking. Don’t park in the semi lots, most have signs for no personal vehicles because they aren’t expected back there and it is a hazard. Also that’s how hookers used to hang out in cars trolling for John’s... So cars typically get chased out or asked to go-to the car lot. Save yourself the hassle. Many of the big stops have RV marked parking on the car side also. Truck stops expect the tired to come and sleep in the lot just remember they are also a business and reserve the nearest parking areas for in and out customers.

Allstays app is good for RVers and the app TruckerPath also has reviews and truck stops locations. Pilot, flying j, loves, ta, Petro, Sapp Bros are some of the largest ones and often have security and keep the sketchy people away. You can also sleep at rest areas, Walmarts if you park wayyyy out in the lots noone uses.

As a trucker I have had the police knock and ask me to leave walmarts and store parking lots, malls after hours .. it’s not a big deal just be respectful and go on down the road. 

Pete-389-131 > Rainbow 01/31/2020 at 00:41

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Just please stay out of the main truck lot as it has been stated parking is extremely hard to find nowadays and plus some of these steering wheel holders can’t drive or simply don’t care about you or your property so be advised you might go asleep one night and wake up missing a hood fender bumper mirrors you name it I’ve seen it.That being s aid be safe and have fun out there and don’t be afraid to ask most of us  scary no good for nothing truckers for help.

Monkey B > Rainbow 01/31/2020 at 07:14

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WalMart allows parking lot camping.

nerd_racing > Rainbow 01/31/2020 at 07:35

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I’ve slept in my car a few times on long road trips. Mainly just to get a few hours to a decent 6 hours on longer hauls without planned lodging. Make sure to bring blackout curtains to keep the parking lot lights out of your sleep space. Also, a white noise app will help drown out idling trucks, flag poles, etc. I usually sleep in rest area parking lots in the normal car spots. If you have shades/curtains I’d recommend parking somewhere well lit so no one messes with your vehicle.

I’ve slept a night in the Autozam, which is quite a feat for someone my size.  It was relatively comfortable with the right amount of pillows.  

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Rainbow 01/31/2020 at 09:29

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We slept on the grass one time at the nicest rest stop I’ve ever seen (in Wyoming).

Was great until the sprinklers went off.

Rainbow > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 01/31/2020 at 10:07

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To be honest, a low rumble and vibration would probably help me sleep. I fall as leep easily at music festivals; the bass is soothing and the noise is oddly comforting.

I'll stay away from the truck spots, of course, but I'll probably park as close to the trucks themselves as I can be.

Rainbow > Manny05x 01/31/2020 at 10:09

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That's what I assumed. I just wasn't sure how the rules work, like if the trucks parked in a designated overnight area for everybody or something.