Is it safe to leave a loaded moving truck at a hotel overnight?

Loaded moving trucks do get stolen from hotel lots. It happens often enough to make the news. Choose the overnight stop in advance instead of taking whatever is at the exit.

Police advice for trailers fits a moving truck too. Park somewhere well lit, and back in so the cargo door is against a wall or fence and can't be opened. A padlock alone won't stop a thief, but it adds one more layer.

If you're towing a trailer or car, use a hitch or coupler lock, plus a wheel lock if you have one. Photograph the truck and note its plate and the trailer's VIN. Police will need them. A hidden GPS tracker is cheap insurance.

Take anything you can't replace into your room: documents, medicines, laptops, jewelry.

Source: Saint Paul Police Department, Trailer Theft Prevention (2026) · Checked October 2026