Need Quotes For New Article: Your Best Tips For Staying Out Of Trouble At A Truck Stop

One last thing is to always make sure you inspect your vehicle before moving it. There are dirt bags out there that doing stupid things like pull fifth wheel release arms, lower landing gear, put quarters in glad hands, pull tandem release handles etc.

Put quarters in glad hands?!? I never thought of that being a possibility!! I'll add that to my pre-trip/TIV checklist right away!!

Please don't forget to upshift! Nothing worse than hearing someone driving around the lot in 1st gear revving up to 2500 RPMs trying to find a parking spot in the middle of the night.

I was actually complimented by, I guess, keeping my engine noise to a minimum. I drive an automated so I never actually paid attention to it, but ever since then, I make sure I'm not chilling in a low gear too long.

Check the drive pattern, especially at larger stops. Use your truckerpath app. I was called many bad names in WA this winter over that.

I know many have cited personal safety tips which are all good but please don't get the impression that truck stops are crawling with beggars, and thugs, bathrooms crawling with diseases and dead hookers.

All of that is very rare. You're more than likely to get hit up by the tame scams. "Magazine subscriptions, and Charities"

Really good advice, don't step in puddles, might be A/C condensation might not.

Don't hit on shower attendants or staff in general. Polite chit chat, passing pleasantries are OK.

Alot has been covered already. Big T brought up a really good point about being sure to inspect your vehicle before you drive it, even if you only stepped away for a few minutes. I don't do a full inspection every time I turn my back, but I pretty much always pop my head under the trailer to check my fifth wheel release and tandem release--it only takes a second for someone to reach under and pull one of those, and the consequences can be very serious if you don't catch it. You never know who might be angry at you or your company and decide to take it out on you.

One thing to be wary of at truckstops is scams. I'm ashamed to say I was scammed once at a truckstop when I really should have known better. If something doesn't seem right or the deal seems too good to be true, it is--not probably, it just is. LOL. If you are going to buy something from another driver, absolutely make sure it works before you buy it.

As far as parking, it is socially acceptable to make a parking spot as long as you're not blocking anyone else in. Just be aware, if you park in an area that says "No parking," you do run the risk of being ticketed. Most of the time, you'll either be left alone or simply asked to move, but some places do ticket. Personally, I can't recall a specific instance when I had to make up a spot though. If I remember right, I've only had to do that once. Trip planning is the key to finding a parking spot, not creativity in the parking lot. Also keep in mind, with some trucking companies, if you make up your own spot and end up getting hit, it could be counted as a preventable accident by your company.

Like others have mentioned, I don't really remember any times I felt unsafe in a truckstop. Try to stay out in the open, especially at night. I've noticed the big chain truckstops like Love's, Flying J, TA, etc, tend to have better lit parking lots than some of the mom n pops. Either way, keep in mind alot of drivers these days have outward facing dash cams recording 24/7, so most people wouldn't try anything out in front of all those cameras anyways.

This has already been brought up several times, but it's worth repeating. Please do NOT park in the fuel islands for any reason other than to get fuel! Standard procedure is to stay in your truck while you wait in line for fuel, then after getting fuel pull forward and park for no more than 5-10 minutes so you don't block in the person behind you. One of the most frustrating things on the road is pulling off the interstate to get fuel and not getting going again for a good forty-five minutes because every one and their mother was parking in the fuel island.

Do NOT pickup hitchhikers from a truck stop. Even if they only want to go 10 miles up the road, that's plenty of time for something bad to happen.

Some of these hitchhikers are actually really good at reeling suckers in. I was at a pilot in Salina KS doing a 34, just chilling in the lounge shooting the breeze. This middle aged woman (obviously a druggie) came up to me and started talking to me. I didn't want to be rude so I humored her and carried on a conversation. It got kinda deep, about religion and afterlife. Eventually, when she thought she had loosened and friended me up, she asked for a ride to Kansas City (I was going to Olathe). Respectfully, I told her, "I would, but I'd risk losing my job over it. I'm sorry." Of course in my head I'm thinking HELL NO!! Never told her my name or what company I worked for. She walked away, didn't say a single word to me after that.

I would contribute by saying once parked and getting out or going anywhere always check out your six, swivel head, be aware of your environment.

-Traffic Jam

This article is published so check it out!

The Truck Stop Survival Guide: Advice From Experienced Drivers

You guys had tons of awesome advice and insights, as always, and this is going to be a super helpful article for new drivers. We quoted a whole bunch of you from this conversation, and even a couple from another conversation we had on this topic not too long ago. So check it out and see if your quote made the cut!

Great job everyone!

The Truck Stop Survival Guide: Advice From Experienced Drivers