Parking for truckers: easy or hard?

Maybe this truck parking scenario is familiar. You’re tired of driving after a long trip and you just want to find a convenient place to park so you can have a good meal or maybe just a quick break to stretch your legs.

But when you pull up to the best rated parking garage on Google, hungry and fighting off leg cramps, you find out that the parking spaces are all too narrow and too short for your truck. You wonder how midsize SUVs would be able to fit in here, let alone your big F-150 or Ram.

Scenarios like these are all too familiar if you’ve ever been on the hunt for truck parking. Small car owners simply don’t understand this dilemma, and it can seem like more and more car park garages are catering to smaller cars.

Here at Spacer, we’re all about parking, and we see you, truck owners! In this guide, we’re going to talk about why truck parking is so hard, and what you can do to make it easier.

Why is truck parking such a hassle to begin with?

Many truck owners complain that the issue with truck parking is the size of the average parking spot. What are the dimensions of the typical parking space? And how do they compare to the size of the average truck?

Let’s take a look at the stats. Here in the US, our parking spaces tend to be somewhere between 7.5 to 9 feet wide and anywhere between 10 and 20 feet long. That’s a wide range, but the most common size that you’ll find is 8.5 feet wide and 19 feet long.

Now, how big is the average truck? Well, on the smaller side, you have your midsize trucks like the Toyota Tacoma or the Nissan Frontier that are typically within an inch or two of 6 feet wide. These smaller trucks tend to be about 17 to 19 feet long.

How about the bigger trucks like the Ford F-150 or the Dodge Ram? With these larger models, the range in size depends on whether a truck is standard or towing capacity, but they’re all pretty large. You’re looking at a width of somewhere between 8 and 9 feet, including the mirrors. Some of these trucks can be as long as 20 feet.

What this means for parking is that even the midsize truck is lacking in wiggle room. If another car encroaches on a neighboring parking spot even by a few inches, you can be putting your truck at risk for a few scratches and dents.

Why aren’t there more spaces for trucks?

At this point, you might be asking yourself, “Why don’t car park garages simply have more truck-only parking?” Unfortunately, there are a few factors at play here.

There’s no denying that trucks are convenient vehicles. From camping gear, to sports equipment to barbecue supplies, trucks can haul it all without a second thought.

Plus, many Americans rely on their trucks as an integral part of their business or because they live in an area where a sedan just isn’t going to cut it. If you’ve ever braved a winter storm in a compact car, you know what we’re talking about here.

But at the end of the day, trucks aren’t as popular as smaller vehicles. Let’s take a look at the numbers.

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), there were 268,799,083 registered vehicles in 2016, including sedans, pickups, and SUVs.

Of those, 54,870,473 are considered light duty vehicles with a long wheelbase. Another 192,774,508 are considered light duty vehicles with a short wheelbase.

If you’re not up-to-date on the latest BTS jargon, “light duty” simply means any highway vehicle less than 10,000 pounds. Light duty long wheelbase vehicles include pickup trucks, vans, or utility cars with a wheelbase of over 121 inches. Most modern pickup trucks fall into this category – the F-150, for instance, has a wheelbase of 145 inches.

What these stats tell us is that 20.4% of all cars in 2016 were trucks, vans or utility vehicles. A much higher percentage – 71% – belonged to those short wheelbase cars, such as sedans and smaller sports cars.

So, there are fewer trucks looking for parking than other cars. But that’s not the only reason why you’ll find fewer truck parking options.

The other issue has to do with land value. Parking is a hot commodity, and in the areas where land is sparse, parking spaces shrink. Just take a look at the cities with the most expensive parking in the country like New York and San Francisco. You’re much less likely to see huge trucks driving around in this land.

That’s why even though there are a reported 2 billion parking spaces in the country, unfortunately, truck parking is still not too common.

Where can drivers find good truck parking?

If you’re a truck owner and you’re still feeling frustrated about your truck parking options, not all hope is lost. Truck ownership is on the rise, and there are now more truck storage options with services like Spacer.

Spacer allows you to find overnight parking or long-term parking for trucks of all sizes. Because you’re renting from an individual – we call them Hosts – instead of a car park garage owner, you’ll be able to look for spaces that will comfortably fit your truck. No guessing about size dimension before you show up, and no worrying about someone sideswiping your car after you park.

Plus, you’ll find cheaper rates with these space-sharing options instead of traditional garages. Spacer Chicago, for instance, offers parking spaces that can easily be used for truck storage for only about $250 per month, and there are hundreds of parking spaces to rent in cities all across the country.

Here are a few other tips to keep in mind while trying to park a truck:

• Park farther out if you don’t mind walking. If you’re not opposed to getting a few extra steps in, you might simply choose to park in the area of the parking lot or garage with fewer cars. That way, you’ll have plenty of space to park without worrying about hitting any other cars.
• Give yourself plenty of space. Trucks don’t turn on a dime like smaller cars, so when you pull into a space, make sure to give yourself more space than you would expect.
• Try straightening in instead of turning in on the first shot. Experienced truck owners know all about the three-point turn. This is a way to start your turn, back up a smidge, and then straighten out and breeze into the parking space safely. It takes a bit of extra time, which isn’t ideal in a crowded parking lot, but it makes truck parking much easier.
• Mind your mirrors. One mistake that some truck owners make is that they don’t account for the width that their mirrors add. Before pulling all the way into your parking spot, you may decide to fold your mirrors in to fit into a tighter space.

Verdict? Truck parking is hard, but you get used to it

If you’re thinking of purchasing your first truck and are worried about how hard parking can be, let us remind you that there are many great benefits to having a pickup. Don’t let the parking anxiety sway your decision too much! After all, while truck parking can be tricky, many truck owners will tell you it gets easier over time. And truck owners are some of the most loyal consumers you’ll meet! The truck parking frustration must be worth it in the end.