I have 30 acres across from where the main gate of a new BNSF 1300 acre "logistics center" is under construction. I want to do truck parking long term and overnight. My understanding is this BNSF facility will be bulk liquids chemical plastic petroleum heavy oilfield aggregates and agriculture products transloading. With a smaller portion being manufacturing and carload tenants on site with rail access.
So I'm the best location next to the bnsf but about 5 miles from I69. 1 Mile off Texas 105...Would you use this place say overnight going into Houston? It's about 40 miles north of downtown but much closer to 99 loop and beltway 8. Is there a demand for tanker long term parking while on down time? Etcetera.... please comment anything useful.
Is this a good idea?
Discussion in 'Tanker, Bulk and Dump Trucking Forum' started by Luther Morgan, Mar 12, 2023.
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I think I speak for the rest of the trucking community when I submit the following....
For said area to be truly inviting to the trucking world, it should offer the following, as a bare minimum:
- If you don't pave it, at least gravel it in....drivers of big rigs aren't attracted by mud bogs.
- Grade it properly, to allow for truly proper precip runoff.
- Install after-dark lighting for the area, on some level.
- Some sort of on-site restroom facilities -- and of course, maintain it.
- Perimeter fencing...and a working gate.
Having said all that...there's really no such thing as enough/too much big-rig parking (short, or long-term)--especially in/near metro areas of the United States.
--LualFlat Earth Trucker Thanks this. -
That's great feedback and pretty well describes my intent. Because I'm not on the freeway and won't offer fuel I kind of feel like I'd need to offer a premium service or experience to attract ppl. That and we'll I wouldn't even do it but to pay tribute to my favorite uncle who did so much for me. So its gotta be something he would be proud of.
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Houston, TX....as far as I'm concerned...is pretty much a hurricane "magnet"...and is of course no stranger to such.
Thus -- I can't emphasize enough -- that you slope/grade the parking area, to allow for proper water runoff/drainage -- especially during hurricane (or similar) conditions.
You will lose business (and also, develop a bad reputation) if you don't do this -- properly.
-- LualRockinChair Thanks this. -
Fortunately the property has a good natural drainage. And BNSF is the recipient of my runoff so all their drainage improvements benefit me also. But of course development would require added dirt in areas and water retention such as a pond in others. Haha... I've been here for a hurricane. And you're right.
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If the property were mine -- and I had a similar motivation to yours -- I would eliminate ALL possibility of standing water (retention ponds, or similar).
Standing water is nothing more than a wonderful breeding ground for mosquitoes -- and thus, a source of potential disease (and also....obviously a pest problem).
A sick driver is (of course) a miserable driver. In most cases, it also means a driver who is broke (or not earning money)...and thus, cannot afford your services.
Don't allow for stationary water. Be a trucking hero, instead -- drain it off somewhere.
-- LualMnmover99 Thanks this. -
You're in the Houston area (where it rains all the time), so definitely invest in your sitework. Pavement, or at least very well-compacted caliche topped with compacted asphalt millings.
Also, you should probably offer restrooms and potable water for the drivers to use, plenty of trash cans, and vending machines or have a taco lady come around to keep the hungry drivers happy.lual Thanks this. -
If you go with the asphalt millings make sure its laid out and compacted in thin layers, dont let your earthwork contractor lay it out anything thicker than 3-4 inches. Well blended with clean sand you can go a bit heavier. Anything poorly compacted will punch through on those hot days.
RockinChair and lual Thank this. -
A spot on a local industrial road just cleared, fenced, lights and paved with concrete strips for the landing gear.
It looks like a key card auto gate.
Nearby a few empty lots were cleared, large gravel compacted and similar gates.
People are starting to understand the need for secure rental parking in busy areas.lual Thanks this.
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