Truckstop TipsHere are a few general truckstop tips of what to do and not to do while visiting the truck stops. I will be adding more as time goes on.-Try to park beside a curb if possible. At least that side of the truck will be protected from getting snagged by someone pulling out. You'll usually find these spaces at the back of the parking lot or furthest away from the building because drivers don't want to walk. -Don't do your regular shopping at the truck stops, the prices include a convenience fee for those who don't plan ahead. There is probably a discount store near, if you need to buy a lot of stuff. -If you go to the buffet, get your food from the back of the pan. If the buffet is accessible from both sides get your food from the middle of the pan and cross your fingers. People are always going up there that don't wash their hands. Tips for Choosing A TruckstopSome truckstops are better to stop at for different things. You'll probably find yourself leaning towards a particular type depending on what's important to you. Or actually, it could just depend on what your mood is at the time. Here are some things that determined which truckstop I stopped at. First I will list the intended purpose of stopping then I will list the order of choices from 1st choice to last.Truckstop Tips for Doing LaundryThe first 3 truckstops on average all have game rooms and tv. Petro may have a little more of each. Still my first choice usually is determined by how much it costs. (update: they all cost the same now!) Make sure you have your laundry detergent with you from home. It's more expensive there and sometimes they may have some off brand that you don't use.Flying J - all have laundry machines Of course there are other truckstops that I wash at when I need to these are just the common ones. Best Truck Stops for Washing Your WindowsSomething so simple but it tells a lot about the mindset of the people in charge of the truckstop and the franchise I suppose. You notice easily that some truck stops pay more attention to the drivers needs in some areas. My top choice is Flying J because they have they usually have the long windshield washer handles on the brushes and actual washer fluid in the water.In the truckstops defense, they may do more about keeping us with good brushes and fluid if clowns stop trying to wash the whole truck with them. ( Message those drivers . . . Listen clowns, this is for washing your windows, stop washing your truck with the brushes. Go pay for a truck wash!) Anyway here you go. Flying J - Long handles and washer fluid in the water is most common Petro - Close behind the flying J with long handle sometime has fluid in the water. Pilot and Loves almost always have the brushes and wash buckets but not so much fluid in the water and very few have the long handles on the washer brushes. Other truckstops may have wash buckets and brushes and they may not. Truckstop Tips for A Hot MealTo me the food at the truckstops is real close among Flying J, T/A, and the Petro. I guess it kind depends on what you like to eat, so you will have to check them out and decide for your self.Its a lot of variations to compare. Different foods in different regions. Drivers complain at each one. To me the food is decent in all of them, then again, I am not all that picky. For Baked Fish I do the T/A Stopping At The Truck Stop For A Coffee BreakTo me and apparently many other truckers the Pilot is the best stop for Coffee. (Saw the result of vote yesterday the picked the pilot for the bet coffee.) One of the main reasons I like the Pilot is because they have those extra caffeine shots that you can add. These work well for me cause if I do stop to get some coffee most of the time I get the frozen coffee and add that shot of caffeine to it.This is not for all drivers cause it can be habit forming. Anyway after Pilot, my preference for coffee is Loves thenThe T/A Travel Centers thenPetro Best Truck Stop For Down TimeFor your down time it depends on what entertains you the most. If I want to play Area 51 a little bit (hey it's a good shoulder workout and hand eye co-ordination exercise) I do the Petro. Some Flying J's have them too but Petro is a safer bet if you want to play video games or watch movies on tv.Flying J is better if you rather just watch television or cable out in the open room. Better for people who are claustrophobic or can't be quiet during the show. They usually have a operational computer for internet access and dependable wi-fi access for laptops. (Most of the other truckstops has hi speed internet connection for laptops too. None of them are free.) I will have other truckstop tips when think of them. Have A Great Truckstop Tip?
Do you have Truck Stop Tips. If you see truck stops that are trying to make healthy food available to drivers or provide some other benefit to serve drivers let us know. Other TipsClick below to see truckstop tips
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