If it's busy, and drivers are agressively looking for spots, I pick the first hole I come across. Normally it's a real pain to get into, and it may take a half dozen pull ups. But that may mean I get to park tonight, while the other driver who passed it up may have to go elsewhere.

If you are afraid to back a 75 foot vehicle into a hole 10 feet wide, this is the wrong industry to be working in!

Just a thought..... I was at the Petro of off I-75 down in Florida one night, and it was late when I got there. I drove around the lot and found only 2 "vacant" spots. I thought about the 2 and decided to go for the 1st one I had seen. I pulled up to do my set up, and kept looking at the hole between the two parked trucks. Man that hole was just as black and dark as any I had ever seen, and it just didn't feel right. I got out of my truck and walked back to the end of the trailer and took one last look into where I was going to back.
Damned if something didn't catch my eye, so I walked back into the spot a few feet....... There was a completely black, rusted, and dented Ford Ranger pulled into the Big Truck parking space all the way to the rear. It didn't have one bit of chrome or even a license plate on it. I'm not even sure if it had a back windshield, but I NEVER would have seen it if I hadn't gotten out and walked back for that extra look.
Well, after that revolation, I jumped in the truck and headed straight to my 2nd choice spot. It was a little better lit and I could definately tell it was empty.
I shut down and was doing my paperwork and planning for the next day, when about 15 minutes later I noticed a Florida State Patrol car with all of his lights going, sitting a few rows ahead of me.
It seems some other driver had decided THAT parking spot looked just fine to him, and he had backed his truck in and knocked the little Ford Ranger into the trailer next to him.
From that night on, I have always gotten out and checked every spot that I come to where there isn't enough light.
I have nightmares about backing into a spot I think is empty, and smashing into some lazy four-wheeler driver that has hijacked one of "our" parking spaces.

Speaking of setting up,when you set up to do a straightline back when you pass your spot (with a 53' trailer and sleeper)when do you actually start turning your rig when the truck tandems pass your parking spot?

Just trying to get a head start on all this.

after driving thru the lot a few times i try driving against the flow of traffic. i usually find several spaces that are overlooked because they are too hard to get into from the other direction. just because the arrow say one way don't mean you can't go the other way, lol. i usually try to hit a truck stop around either 9 am or 2 pm, showers are available and lots of open spaces. between 5 and 9 am the fuel islands are busy with day drivers, and after 5 pm everyone is looking for a place to park for the night.

I was on my third load after solo out at my company I had a load that was going to the walmart dc in cheyenne wy so I go out to the pilot in cheyenne wy and there is good ole swifty trying to get it in the hole.

I waited about 5 miniutes then he finally gave up so what do I do I then go for the same hole took me a couple of pull up's but I made it in.

Dont be affraid to back in. I stuggled with it until one night I was tired. Pulled in a Pilot at 12:00am and low and behold a pull in spot in the front row. I had a 379 long nose with a 53' and i went past the spot swung her around. Checked my blind side to make damn sure I cleared the van on my right and hit the tank on my left with the corner of my van. So now I dont get so excited. I still make a lap around the lot for a pull in or straight back, but I will take what is available.

Do work on your blindside right angle backing. It will get you some good spots at times.