Ordered to leave a truck stop

[skychs]

July 1st at a TA truck stop in Laurel Montana.

2015 Newmar Ventana LE motorhome.

After fueling and eating at the restaurant in the truck stop I was approached by two males who ordered me to move. They said if you don’t have a DOT sticker on the vehicle you can’t park here.

Are motorhomes (RV’s) no longer allowed in truck stops? The parking area at the time was wide open.

[Fffrank]

Were they employees?

Truckers get very territorial over their truck-stops. They work long hours and are required to pull off to rest. There is a shortage of spots and so they don't appreciate leisure travelers taking those spots up.

Still -- you're as much of a customer of the truck stop (or.... as the places have now started rebranding.... the travel stop) as anyone is. I would say that Loves/Pilot/Flying J have become more welcoming to RVs over the years.

I have never had an issue but always try to park in front. It's just not worth the risk of a tired (and angry) trucker putting a spike into my tires.

[donr103]

You should have asked for ID.. and report them to truck stop management.. if they refused to show you ID.. report to truck stop management.. explain you to pay fuel taxes and are taxed on plates for Large rv.. in ohio I pay almost double on my class a... then cars.. if they got iffy... call 911.. they sort it out.. you have certain rights and pay a lot of extra taxes on rv.. you were not blocking anyone and using truck stops services.. so you bet you have a right to be there.. I would have called my brothers.. 911.. and got them to explain it to guys.. they love to run Id's and look for priors.. maybe they will get a ping.. and sort they guys out further.. good luck..

[CRV2]

Perhaps they were about to rob you and for one reason or another changed their mind and made up an excuse and lied as to the reason why they came over to you in the first place. ~CA

[Nwcid]

I typically ask if overnighting at a truck stop is allowed in an RV. I have never been turned down.

As others have said who actually told you? Anyone with authority? Did you check with the truck stop manager either before you got there or after these 2 approached you?

There is no law about who can and can not stay, it is private property. Only the property owner or manager can make those rules.

[F4Gary]

Yeah, those "men" were lying to you. Should have reported them to the manager.

[HarryStone]

Where did you try to park? In the designated trucks spots, or over to the side by the pet resort? That particular TA has very few spots to park at, at least for trucks.

[Mr Ted]

Originally Posted by donr103

You should have asked for ID.. and report them to truck stop management.. if they refused to show you ID.. report to truck stop management.. explain you to pay fuel taxes and are taxed on plates for Large rv.. in ohio I pay almost double on my class a... then cars.. if they got iffy... call 911.. they sort it out.. you have certain rights and pay a lot of extra taxes on rv.. you were not blocking anyone and using truck stops services.. so you bet you have a right to be there.. I would have called my brothers.. 911.. and got them to explain it to guys.. they love to run Id's and look for priors.. maybe they will get a ping.. and sort they guys out further.. good luck..

Well Said !

[MSHappyCampers]

They may not have had the authority to ask you to leave, but I wouldn't have wanted to stay after that! You never know what folks out there will do if they don't get their way!

[twinboat]

If the t guys werr legit, that truck stop had the right to ask you to leave.

Its private property.

[Kenny Loney]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

They may not have had the authority to ask you to leave, but I wouldn't have wanted to stay after that! You never know what folks out there will do if they don't get their way!

Agree 100%, If they were legit, they would have (or should have) identified themselves. At a minimum, tee shirt, jacket, hat with the company rest stop company logo.
Yes I would have moved on, wouldn’t have gotten a good sleep, listening for strange noises.

Ken

[standerson]

My best guess it they were not legit. Unless you are very tired, it's not worth getting caught up in something. I'd probably leave then call the truck stop on my way down the road.

[PS56]

Originally Posted by skychs

July 1st at a TA truck stop in Laurel Montana.

2015 Newmar Ventana LE motorhome.

After fueling and eating at the restaurant in the truck stop I was approached by two males who ordered me to move. They said if you don’t have a DOT sticker on the vehicle you can’t park here.

Are motorhomes (RV’s) no longer allowed in truck stops? The parking area at the time was wide open.

You were in a venerable position. If, they were not truck stop employees but jokers/bad guys, a knife to your tires would have been expensive.

Best to play dumb and polite, ask some questions and if you get a bad vibe move on.

They could have been truck drivers who didn't like RV taking their spaces at your truck stop or others.

[RonandDeb]

I would have left. It's just not worth the hassle. Find another place to pull over and rest.

These things happen.