By Andrew Jones
Howdy, folks. Andrew Jones here — Owner at OTR Truck Parking, VP at Truck Parking Club, and proud board member at Toy Storage Nation. I’ve spent my career helping operators squeeze every ounce of value from their land, and lately, I’ve been asking a simple question:
What if that RV and boat lot you’re running could double as a lifeline to America’s truckers?
Why Truck Parking? Why Now?
Over 90% of long-haul drivers report daily struggles finding safe parking. That’s not a small problem; it’s a crisis! Meanwhile, many storage facilities, especially in suburban and rural areas, have underutilized land, longer lease-up times or seasonal boat/RV slumps.
That’s where truck parking can flourish. Whether it’s overnight, long-term or fleet deals, truck parking can bring in consistent revenue and year-round demand. And the best part: You don’t have to give up your core business to do it.
The Conversion Playbook
Here’s what I tell operators every week:
- Access is everything. Can a 75’ rig make a clean swing in and out? Consider separate gates for trucks if needed.
- Surface counts. Gravel works fine, but make sure it’s compacted and level. Pavement or concrete is a plus, but not a dealbreaker. Remember, truckers don’t have a lot of places to park so they aren’t picky.
- Visibility matters. Good signage and Google Maps placement are key. Most drivers are booking from their cab at 8 PM, not walking into an office.
At Truck Parking Club, we handle the reservations, payments, driver support … the whole nine yards. Operators just need to unlock the gate, and we’ll do the rest.
Don’t Miss the On-Ramp
I know RV and boat storage is already a booming business, but the best operators I know are thinking one step ahead. They’re asking, “What else can this land do for me?’ If you’ve got unused space, or even a back lot that stays empty six months out of the year, truck parking might be your next big win.
Got questions? Thinking about converting part of your facility? Reach out anytime. If you’re already operating truck parking, I’d love to hear your story.
Andrew Jones is the Contributing Editor of Toy Storage Nation’s Truck Parking Blog. Andrew has been in the self-storage business for the last decade working for Yardi, Extra Space and JustStorage before co-founding OTR Truck Parking, where he remains co-owner. He currently serves on the Toy Storage Nation Advisory Board in addition to serving as Vice President of Property Member Optimization at Truck Parking Club, Andrew can be reached at andrew@otrtruckparking.com.
Interested in learning more about truck parking or listing your facility in a nationwide truck parking locator database? Visit Truck Parking Club.
To view all installments of the TSN Truck Parking Blog, sponsored by Truck Parking Club, visit here.
