Opening a new truck stop

WiFi would defiantly be a perk. You might also look into having some Red Box Video unites on property. I would cut a deal with the grill guy, come up with a menu. Sandwiches are ok for local drivers, but OTR drivers are looking for a full meal. (Fish or 1/2 Chicken, Steak fries, Corn on the Cob, All HOT Off The Grill w/Roll) Drivers are away from home sometimes up to a month crave comfort food. (this is why fast food turns us off)

How to find you? Local trucks and the Over the Road trucks (OTR) get loaded/unloaded on the same dock most of the time. I always ask the local drivers: "where do you eat around here?" This is why you play up to the local drivers! (do lunch & do it well) OTR driver and others who travel all the time use guild books like: Next-Exit [ame]http://www.amazon.com/Next-Exit-2011-Interstate-Directory/dp/0971407398[/ame] & Truckers-Friend [ame]http://www.amazon.com/Truckers-Friend-National-Truck-Directory/dp/1890141437[/ame] to hunt for places. The places you can go to search for truck stops online are endless. I would start with Google Places. If you get really big time see about getting your place added to GPS maps. Guides, Net & GPS aren't bad. Word of mouth is King & Cheap.
You might wish to read this book: [ame]http://www.amazon.com/Guerrilla-Marketing-4th-Inexpensive-Strategies/dp/0618785914[/ame]

Good Luck

 

Word of mouth is one way, also, the 'Pocket Truck Stop Guide' is one that a lot of drivers use, and there are online sites as well that list truck stops. Those to go along with the other stuff mentioned.

Also, you could find out how to go about getting listed on the signs at the exits that list food, etc.

As far as just parking, $15 or $20 would be more than most drivers are going to want to pay.

 

Another thing is you will likely have to overcome is noise laws. If you do simply cut the park in 1/2 then the remaining homes will be causing problems or simply be leaving as the noise will cause all sorts of complaints.

-Steven

 

I believe that TA charges $12/night, unless you spend a certain amount either on fuel or in the store.

If you're wanting to charge that kind of money, you'll need to have something besides just parking with a C-Store next door and a BBQ wagon out front. As far as fuel, there are plenty of places we can get fuel. Putting in a fuel island would not only cost you a LOT of money, but take up space that could be used to park trucks.

At the very least, you should have indoor bathrooms, showers and laundry available. To charge for parking is not unreasonable in Tampa. But drivers will want some sort of return for it, not just a dusty or muddy parking lot. For what you are offering, and for the area you are in, I don't think $10 for each 24-hour period would be out of the question.

You might want to check your local zoning rules. If your trailer court is in a residential zone, you may not be able to convert it to truck parking. In most cities, we are consigned to commercial and industrial areas.

 

I like the harder to get into not as well known joints. I will drive a mile off the highway for good food easy parking short skirts serving the food. I don't care the price if the above is covered. Keep us posted. Look at howmany peeps on hear. If we all got a load n stopped & blew a $20 witch I do every day you'd be loaaaaaded.

 

That area has a lot of Greek Americans in it. A small grill would be perfect. I would visit and stay.

I HATE paid parking- but a SMALL fee should weed out some drivers that are just parking equipment there and leaving, and would help with startup costs.

I hope it works !

 

Well I live in Tampa as well and if you are looking to have real food and not some microwave preserved trash I know a person that could do all the home style cooking that would not kill, just depends on what money you have upfront it would not be hard to put up a steel building with a store and kitchen. Good cooking around these parts are hard to find let alone a place for trucks.