Is Your Rig Safe At A Truck Stop?

Hi, I'm curious as to how safe it would be to leave yer rig at a truckstop for an hour or two. If I don't workout, I go crazy! Hiking, running, cycling, skating are my things, which would make it hard to stay close. What experience to y'all have with this? ..... as an aside, I appreciate this blog and all of the info you share! I can't wait to get that 77 Firebird chasecar. What company provides those? LOL.

Not always safe at all. This happened when I was at Knight. My new 2020 IH on my final load, an idiot backed into me, then left the scene while I was inside the truck stop.

When I was briefly OTR I parked the truck at a truck stop by my house for 2 days at a time, once for 4 days with no problems.

Just remember if you are still responsible for it even if you are not present, but stuff can happen even when you are near by.

What's the procedure/what happens if say someone breaks into the back and takes the whatever you're hauling? I guess yer a gonner if it happens more than once. I figgure if someone hits it, then its a no-fault accident as long as you're parked correctly. Anyone out there lose your job/miles cause of a break-in? If you're fishing or something on your break, is that a huge problem... I guess what I'm getting at is are you married to the truck and she will only let you leave to take a shower? LOL. (I have a lot of lifestyle questions).

@ PackRat, What's most irritating about that? I would prob think the time wasted, but what is your take on it?

All I did was file a report with safety along with photos. Luckily, it was still driveable, only cosmetic damage. 13 separate panels had to be replaced by my count.

I was almost physically I'll because first, it was nearly brand new at about 65,000 miles, and second, that someone did that, knew it happened, then drove off anyway.

I've parked the trucks at truck stops for up to nearly two weeks at a time, and this is the only problem encountered.

As for cargo theft, the best one can do is lock the trailer doors with sturdy hardware, know where you're parking, keep an eye on things, and don't advertise what you're hauling.

Someone can back into your truck even if you are sitting in it. I wouldn't give it too much weight. If it happens while you are gone try to find witnesses and call your company.

Buy good heavy duty padlock for your trailer. If some breaks in and steals cargo that is a federal offense. Again call your company. They will likely have you call the local constubalary and they will notify the FBI.

If they break into your cab and steal your personal stuff you are just S0L.

Any other lifestyle questions fire away

Thanks fer that. Bit of a relief. Still fretting if the cargo were stolen, the company would look at me and why I wasn't watching the whole time! I still bet if it happens more than once, that may be it fer me. I guess I've been in Philly too long. PPL come to me with stuff that "fell off a truck" alot.

Watch where you do all this fitness stuff at. Try to avoid inner city truck stops and bad neighborhoods and just hang close. Country stops and suburban stops go for it..the chances if cargo theft is lower.

They can even bust in while you are eating. I don't think your company wants you to starve.

An aside: Trucks enroute to Hunts Point market in the Bronx get broken into while at red lights and unloaded before the light turns green. They will even come up to your cab and chat with you while their friends are lightening your load. But stay in the cab unless you want to die.

Dont discuss your load with anyone or your route. If you are hauling high value stuff like electronics, pharmaceuticals, cigarettes or liquor keep a watch on your trailer.

Otherwise get out and keep in shape and dont obsess over it.

What's the procedure/what happens if say someone breaks into the back and takes the whatever you're hauling? I guess yer a gonner if it happens more than once. I figgure if someone hits it, then its a no-fault accident as long as you're parked correctly. Anyone out there lose your job/miles cause of a break-in? If you're fishing or something on your break, is that a huge problem... I guess what I'm getting at is are you married to the truck and she will only let you leave to take a shower? LOL. (I have a lot of lifestyle questions).

Generally speaking unless your company dispatches you on a high value load and tells you not to stop, shower before picking up the load etc you are fairly safe at any major truckstop. You are not married to the truck, if you want to get an uber and go workout, see a movie, go to the beach or whatever it's pretty safe for your cargo and the truck. You might get your truck hit and ran but someone would surely notice a crew unloading your truck into theirs. There are a few big cities I wouldnt want to leave it unattended for too long but to answer your question, yes it's generally safe to leave the truck for a while. Of course chit happens sometimes but I would say those instances are rare.