5 Essential Tips for Parking a Semi Truck Safely

One of the most common ways truckers get into accidents is by hitting fixed objects in parking lots or loading docks. 

Furthermore, oftentimes parking lot crashes don’t meet insurance deductibles and end up being more costly for fleets than larger accidents.

That’s why learning how to park a semi-truck properly is paramount to ensure the safety of yourself, others, and personal property. In this post, we share 5 essential parking tips to get you started if you’re new to truck driving.

Make a Plan

While planning your route, it’s a smart move to factor in when and where you’ll take rest breaks throughout your trip. 

Try to avoid over-congested areas, especially if you need to stay somewhere overnight. Also, try to avoid driving through areas where crime is prevalent, as the risk of cargo theft is high when a truck is left unattended in a parking lot.

The Early Bird Catches the Worm...err Parking Spot

While planning your route, shoot for days on the road that start early. Sure, mornings can be tough, especially if you like to sleep in, but come evening time parking spots at truck stops get filled up fast and you want to make sure you’ve got your spot locked in.

If you’re in a time crunch, some truck stops offer the option of reserving your spot in advance for a small fee. 

Choosing a Safe Parking Spot

A parking lot is a place of unexpected surprises. You need to be on your guard at all times, and one of the best ways to do this is by being vigilant when choosing your parking spot.

Parking at the back is a solid choice to avoid heavy traffic since the majority of traffic flow happens at the front of the lot as truckers try to park as close as possible to amenities.

Follow the parking pattern of the other trucks in your lane, facing your cab in the same direction as the others to prevent theft.

Get to Know Who’s Around You

Don’t feel shy- reach out to your trucking neighbors and jot down information such as who they drive for, the unit number, and the license plate number. 

That way, in case of fender bender or theft you have the contact information of those around you ready to go for when you need help.

Invest in a Dash Cam

A Dash Cam is a tiny camera that can be installed on your windshield. If you don’t already have one, this is an excellent device to record accidents that happen in front of your vehicle, anywhere on the road. 

It also deters thieves from breaking into your rig, as they obviously don’t want to be recorded. This way, you’re protected in case of an accident or suspicious activity, with an official record of what went down.