Don’t Be This Guy VI

While traveling, I’m continually surprised by some of the decisions people make.

As RVers, we often use truck stops for fuel and, occasionally, as a place to get a few hours of rest before continuing down the road. Because of that, I think it’s important to remember who those facilities were designed to serve.

Professional truck drivers.

For them, this isn’t a vacation.

It’s their workplace.

They’re dealing with weather, traffic, construction, mechanical problems, delivery schedules, and strict federal limits on how many hours they can drive before taking a mandatory break. When they finally pull into a truck stop, they deserve to find a place to park.

Whenever we stop at a truck stop, I make it a point not to take the last available parking space, and after fueling I always pull forward as soon as I’m finished so the next driver can get to the pump. If we’re going inside for a meal or to stretch our legs, we move the truck before leaving it.

It’s simply common courtesy.

That’s why the photo accompanying this article caught my attention.

It shows an RV parked across multiple spaces so the owner could extend a slide out.

As the owner of a fifth wheel, I understand wanting a little extra room.

But I also know you don’t need to extend a slide just to spend the night.

Taking up two parking spaces may not seem like a big deal until a truck driver arrives late at night, out of driving hours, and can’t find a legal place to park.

Sometimes the smallest acts of courtesy make the biggest difference.

If you’re spending the night at a truck stop or rest area, stay within your parking space, keep your slides in whenever possible, and leave enough room for others to do the same.

We’re all sharing the road.

Let’s do our part to make it a little easier for everyone.

Don’t be that guy.

Safe travels.