It's a Team's Life
Long Weekend?
As a straight truck or van expediter have you considered campgrounds? Google search the area where you will be located to see if there are any campgrounds nearby. We look for campgrounds that have laundry rooms as well as showers. Staying at a campground is a welcome break from truck stops.
If you do not have shore power and have to run a generator check to see if that is allowed. Many campgrounds have quiet hours at night and will not allow a generator to run. For those that have shore power carry the appropriate extension cord and plugins for your setup. The extension cord needs to be long enough to go to the back of your truck for some locations.
There is a great Facebook page that has locations all over the United States that will allow trucks and some that have places to drop a trailer. Campgrounds for Big Trucks It surprises me how often there is a campground right next to a truck stop that has all kinds of amenities.
A favorite for many truckers is the KOA in Tucson, Arizona This location has a few pools, laundry rooms, several shower rooms, a large dog park, and a small restaurant. In the summer the trees are full of lemons, oranges, and grapefruits. The place is large with nice parking areas that have tables on up to locations that have fire pits.
Call ahead to the campground to ask about vacancies and if they allow commercial vehicles. This is where it gets tricky as most immediately think of how long a tractor-trailer is and they do have that kind of parking space. Explain the length of your vehicle and if you have shore power. We have not had anyone turn us away after an explanation of what our vehicle looks like. If needed we would follow up with pictures.
We are mindful of when we will need to leave the campground or when we will arrive at the campground. The noise of setting the air brakes, starting the truck, or the backup alarm in the middle of the night is not a pleasant experience for those not used to sleeping in truck stops.
One of our favorite times to stay at a campground is during October or December as the decorations on some of the campers are spectacular! It is fun to walk around in the evening and look at the decorations.
Do your research, check out the Facebook page, Campgrounds for Big Trucks, look at the satellite view of the campground, call ahead to make a reservation and to ask about amenities, stock up on food, and plan to enjoy a relaxing weekend.
When away from home for months at a time utilizing a campground is a refreshing weekend.
Bob & Linda Caffee
TeamCaffee
Saint Louis MO
Expediters since January 2005
Expediting isn't just trucking, it's a lifestyle;
Expediting isn't just a lifestyle, it's an adventure;
Expediting isn't just an adventure, it's a job;
Expediting isn't just a job, it's a business.