Paid parking at the truck stop

I prefer to stay up in the cool climate of Hesperia. I'd pay $15 for 12 hours on a well lit, paved lot that is fenced and secured and free of unwanted elements. All I want is good wifi and access to clean restrooms and would pay additional $10 for clean private shower room with towels.

 

The truck stops operate on a 24 hour model because they don't have the means to operate parking on an hourly scale, but for a place like you're contemplating I see no need to tie up a space for 24 hours when most only need 10-12 hours to complete a break then must be moving on. There's mostly night parkers but plenty of day parkers too.

Don't forget a dog run and pet bath area with small individual kennel areas while they dry.

 

Some will need to sit for multiple days. They'd like a shaded outdoor social area maybe with BBQ pit. They'd also like 120v power access at parking site.

 

I had once considered building a "Truck B&B" ... remote, inexpensive land but not far off the interstate in rural areas with milder climates. Pull through parking next to furnished "cabins" with kitchens. Maybe 8-10 units, booked much like a hotel room as far as check-in and check-out. Laundry facility, outdoor fire pits, social area, pet friendly, no idling, no APU's, no reefers. But it came to be yet another "wild idea" of mine, never to see the light of day.

Good luck with your idea. Site base and paving would be a huge expense, but without paving, the blowing dust would be miserable. Much of the Pilot is dirt lot, but only for overflow parking.

 

I like the Sav On model in Verona, NY. Go buy some junk in the store, get a token. Insert token upon exit.

I'm not a fan of dumping $25 / $30 at a truck stop... Also a company guy and it's hard pressing to get them to reimburse parking unless you're #### near literally right on top of you pick up or drop for the next day.

 

And the thing about Hesperia is ... the Pilot is huge and outside of late nights after maybe 22:00, parking is almost always available and free. Granted the lot sucks out on the far back side but any free parking with no hassles in SoCal is a blessing and always capitalized on.

I'm a company driver and the company has no problem reimbursing parking costs, no matter. They realize most paid parking options have less risk of getting hit versus the general parking area with tight quarters and narrow driveways. And they know drivers won't pay for parking unless it's prudent or likely to prevent damage or possible ticket. In our case, we fill up exclusively at PFJ so we try and use them when/where possible for free showers and general free parking, and pre-paid wifi access.

All this said, there needs to be something available that they can't get elsewhere for them to justify paying if there is a free option nearby. I've done some research in the past involving marketing to truckers and you're likely to discover what I discovered ... You'll find truck drivers are a stingy bunch as a whole, both company drivers, and lease/owner ops. Maybe 1/4 of them see value and worth in premium or unusual offerings.

 

I don't like to pay, but will if the stop is nice enough. Good food and easy in and out. Is a must. I like the food truck idea. I love me some taco trucks. Also clean restrooms