After the only time of year I get to take a bulk vacation away from the truck, it was time yesterday to head back to the truck and get back to making money. Although a new year had just begun, it went along pretty much like every other day for me. After pulling into my second load stop and backing in, a friend of mine pulled into the same customer to pick up a load as well. We began talking about our time off to pass the loading time and I learned through our conversation that his day did not go quite as normal as mine. His return to work came with an unpleasant surprise for him and an internal sigh of relief from me.
In his explanation of his return to the truck that morning was a fear that lives in every owner-operator’s mind…Fuel Theft! Thank goodness for him that he didn't park before the holiday with too much in there in the first place. Although I do not wish this on any truck driver, even those I might not be at good terms with, I was glad it didn’t happen to me. You see, the place where he and a few of my friends park just so happens to be $50 a month cheaper to park at. They had been trying to get me to come over there to park, knowing that I am always looking for a good deal. I had given a thought to the fact that saving $600 a year on parking was nothing to scoff at, but had heard through “The Grapevine” that there were a couple issues over at this parking place previously. It had been rumored that they have an open-gate policy with no cameras or padlocks, which isn’t a good idea for anywhere you park a truck anyway. Not only that, but it also had been rumored that since this place had an onsite mechanic shop, that drivers would occasionally find “mystery” mechanical issues that weren’t there when they parked and that it could be the mechanic’s effort to create his own form of “job security”. This is where I found myself making the judgment call to pay a premium for a well-kept, padlocked, dog-guarded, surveillance-monitored facility.
So, as much as I hate to see something happen to a friend of mine, I am glad it wasn’t me when it could just have well of been. Had I of made the choice of parking in this place, I may have had a much different start to my first working day of the New Year as well. Let this serve as a reminder to all who read it, that a sweet deal is not always be it appears to be on the surface. To me at least, the $50 a month more is worth the peace of mind that I will not have to worry about something being stolen off the truck when I get back in it every morning. Remember, fuel is not the only thing thieves come after on trucks. I have seen batteries and even aluminum fifth wheels stolen for their scrap or salvage value. Also remember that protective tube neck sleeves and locking caps are a deterrent at best, as I have seen crooks drill holes in the top of tanks to get what they want. Vandalism can come in many forms while you are not watching whether its theft, graffiti, keying, or broken glass. Protect your greatest business asset and make sure it is always safe, even when you are not around!