New Boot Device Being Deployed To Threaten Walmart Overnighters

Rubber Duck: Up in New Jersey, you may have trouble. I once got into a bind in New Jersey, but found a strip mall to park in with 5 minutes left on my clock. But I never worried about parking because I was confident I could find a spot. And not just at a truck stop. There are many alternatives. Industrial parks, strip malls, etc. This is a skill drivers need to develop. Usually parking will be semi-easy (pun intended), but if not drivers need to figure it out.

As was said, this is not a new topic about parking. But what about a refresher course?"

Tell me more about parking please. I’m all ears. I’m 60 miles east of hillside New Jersey on I78 with one hour left on my clock. Where should I go to park at the moment. Where are these infinite spots

Drivers have the responsibility to determine where they can park and where they can't park. There are usually ample places to park and if a driver has some thinking ability, he can find a legal spot 99 times out of 100.

That being said, I don't like Wal-Mart parking policies. I know they have been instituted because of driver abuse and other issues, but on the other hand, Wal-Mart depends on drivers to keep their DC's and stores stocked. Without truck drivers, the ENTIRE economy would collapse. So, can there be common ground found?

There's a rest area in Asbury and a pilot in Hampton.

What i want to know is why is Walmart required to provide you a place to park overnight. Nobody ever mentions target or malls yet I never see anyone parked there. If I were to deliver a brand new pool to your home does that mean I can set up a tent in your front yard without permission and leave my trash in your grass? Similar concept

My local mall will allow a 24 hour limit on parking. after that they tow. You just have to call security and tape the name of the guy you talk woth to the window. They leave you alone.

Im guessing Walmart because they are often 24/7 so restrooms available and most of us shop there. the lots are large. Targets near me have the mulch cutouts... but many park at Lowes and Home Depot.

I always plan where to park for the night. I sleep in truck stops every night, with the very rare occurrence of sleeping at the customer.

There are some Walmarts with truck parking. They have lined truck spots or other designated areas.

Apps like Trucker Path and Driver Pulse show parking. There are books of truck stops. Both of my GPSs have places to park. As you drive keep note of big truck stops you see and any other place you see trucks parked.

Big Scott points out:

There are some Walmarts with truck parking. They have lined truck spots or other designated areas.

Apps like Trucker Path and Driver Pulse show parking. There are books of truck stops. Both of my GPSs have places to park. As you drive keep note of big truck stops you see and any other place you see trucks parked.

This is true. I use Trucker Path mostly, along with DAT Trucker (DAT-T is also good for Hotels for truckers). A problem with TPath is the the reviewers are unmoderated.

But if a Walmart has parking, and Google Map's Satellite View shows trucks in the lot, I'll pull in. If I'm looking for a 10 hour spot, I will go in and ask either a manager or the checkout supervisor.

Some truck dealers that are open 24/7 let companies that use them park overnight. Your DM should have access to that info

I learned some interesting things about this predatory booting practice that I didn't include in the article.

For example, there are instances where a store hires a booting contractor. They sit in the parking lot with a trunk full of these Barnacles and watch the store's parking lot. If they see someone go into the store, shop, and then walk out of the store and go into another store they immediately jump out of their car and slap a boot on the offending driver's car.

Or the parking garage that buys 100 of these barnacles and has a great revenue stream from fining cars for parking over the time they paid for.

Legal? Perhaps in some jurisdictions. But morally reprehensible in my opinion.

I totally agree that drivers should observe posted No Parking signs. I got my dander up, however, with the predatory, extortionist practice of booters slyly and quietly slapping one of these Barnacles onto the truck rather than just waking the driver up and asking him to leave.

As I said in the article, most states' trespass laws include "and remain" in their legal code. IOW, if a trespasser leaves when he is asked to leave and hasn't done any damage to the property, then no trespass has occurred. I know this for a personal fact because I was arrested for trespass, and the officer wrote me up after I had voluntary left the property without even being asked to. When I had my day in court the judge dismissed my case, expunged the arrest from my record, and gave the officer a talking to about understanding trespass law.

Legally, these Walmart booters are violating law, and I wish one of these truckers would sue and get it settled once and for all.

DaveW: Excellent information for us all. I've never seen a "boot". Does anyone have a photo of one? I'd like to see what one looks like. How do they disable a truck?

BTW, on a side note to PJ, your new profile photo is great. I like it!

DaveW: Excellent information for us all. I've never seen a "boot". Does anyone have a photo of one? I'd like to see what one looks like. How do they disable a truck?

BTW, on a side note to PJ, your new profile photo is great. I like it!

Hi Bruce, some of the photos aren't real clear, but they are those yellow things that look like a big book draped over the windshield. Technically, they aren't the same as the actual boots that are placed over a vehicle's wheels to keep them from being driven away without paying the fine. These Barnacles just sort of inherited the name.

The reason why this type of "booting" has taken off in use is because they are so much lighter than the big, heavy wheel boots, and because they have all the electronics to track the offender.

Dave, thanks for the info. I always read the news about trucking you post. I also read your profile. Is your son back from Afghanistan?

Anyway, thanks for keeping us informed.