Things to
consider at every Truck stop visit:
Sanitation levels: It can really be worth it in the long run to
drive a few extra miles to choose a
truck stop that is newer and more stringent
in their maintenance of enough toilet paper, regularly scrubbed wash rooms, and
even a better room fume.
Why is this worth it? You may want to inquire. Well, firstly,
everyone knows that germs leads to you getting run down with the latest flu,
and that is never cool when you’d rather rake in the bucks and not miss work on
the road. Plus, people’s grimy hands touch some of the food and they haven’t
washed their hands, so take from the back of the pans at a buffet. You can do
your part too and keep your hands washed after every go. Carrying around a tiny
hand sanitizer will always delight you whenever the bathroom has run out of
soap.
Food Menu: Let’s
face it, we all have different tastes.
It’s always good to experience a place and brave their food once, so
that you can judge for yourself whether you’ll be back there in the future when
your stomach needs a refill.
Your best bet though, is to pack your own food and munch it
on the road. That way, choosing healthier options can always be bought in bulk
and money, (and weight!) is saved. For example, chocking up on a whole wheat
loaf and small tub of peanut butter will last you for at least a week (the PB
for a year!) as opposed to spending $5 on a tiny sandwich that will last you
for less than one meal for one day. The only one losing weight then is your
poor wallet.
Side point: Convenience stores at truck stops will charge more
because they simply fit their description: they are convenient. If you really
want to save yourself on spending, go to a discount store nearby and lose the
guilt.
Laundry Available:
Not all stops have laundry machines, although most of them do. If you won’t need your
laundry done at a particular time, you may want to opt for a stop that although
missing the laundry aspect, will be offering other extra amenities that you may
need at that time, like a barber, better entertainment, or better window
washing…
Window washing
quality: This window washing thing might sound quite specific or silly. But
here’s the deal: You don’t want to waste your precious time on a cleaning, and
get less done in more time. That’s why it’s good to take note of which places
pour more washing fluid into their buckets of water, and which ones
additionally have longer brushes.
You
may need to get your windows washed, but the last time you spend on it, the
better.
Recreational: This
is your TV Room, Game Room, and Wifi options.
The wifi will always cost you money, but some stops have on
sight computers for public usage.
If you’re a gamer,
see all your options and get familiar with the stops that provide your favorites.
But be sure not to choose a great gaming stop with no laundry option when you’ve
been wearing the same socks for three days in a row.
Choosing between TV rooms depends on whether you like a
small, cozier atmosphere, or get easily claustrophobic and would rather an airy
space or are more social and want to converse with a bigger crowd.
Safety: Even if your
truck is locked
securely, be sure your items are too. The more they are
safe-locked, the better the chance that it will the stall you for time to discover the culprit red-handed, or better yet, that he will give up at the start from how difficult you have made it to steal from you.
Keep your smallest valuables on you like your cell phone, wallet and keys of course. Keep other small items that you don't need on you, like the gold necklace you just bought your wife, your $200 running shoes, and your
quality tools, inside a
lock box with fingerprint or coding technology.
When carrying boxes of expensive
equipment like iPods or jewelry in your
interior van, double check if you have to: ensure that all your
straps, bars, rings, hooks, or whatever is keeping it together is in a true
tight-hold. Trust us, you don't want responsibility or blame for someone else stealing someone else's possessions!
Last but not least, park yourself next to a curb, whenever
possible. That way you have at least one side of you protected against another
driver snagging you on his way out.
(Write down your list of favorites and perks for later reference! Everyone's list will be different, so write it based on your own experiences.)
Happy stopping!
