When it comes to securing your truck parking lot, your gate is more than just an entry point—it’s the first impression for drivers and the front line of your operations. It also is what may break or make your yard retaining drivers - the ultimate goal in running your truck parking operations. 

A big decision many yard owners face is whether to go with a manual gate (pad lock, etc.) or upgrade to an automatic system. 

At Rig Hut, we’ve seen the full spectrum of truck yard operations across the country:

• 5-acre gravel lots in tight markets cycling hundreds of drivers through every night, where owners are still relying on shared PIN codes and padlocks—and because demand is so high, they get away with it.
  

• And on the other extreme, we’ve worked with high-grade, Port of Hong Kong-level secure facilities outside heavy manufacturing cities, where automatic gates, cameras, and license plate recognition protect some of the country’s largest distributors as they store multi-million-dollar loads of goods—think the latest Nike sneakers.
  
  

The truth is: your choice between a manual or automatic gate system will shape how secure, scalable, and driver-friendly your yard really is.

At first glance, it might seem like a cost question. Manual gates are cheaper upfront; automatic gates require more investment. But the reality is more complex. The choice affects everything from driver satisfaction to how much time you (or your staff) spend managing the yard.

WATCH THE WHOLE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE:

Here’s what we’ve seen after working with yards across the country.

Manual Gates: The Basics

Manual gates are still the most common setup we see in truck yards across the country—especially in smaller, owner-operated lots or yards that evolved from overflow spaces. These gates typically include a swing or sliding gate, secured with a padlock and chain, or in some cases, a simple farm gate propped open during the day and locked at night.

At first glance, they seem practical. They’re inexpensive to install and don’t require fancy electronics. But as your operation grows—or as driver expectations shift—they can become more of a bottleneck than a benefit.

Quick Note to Remember: Manual gates are simple and straightforward. Typically, these are swing gates secured with a padlock and chain. Some owners use sliding gates that require someone on-site to open and close.

✅ Advantages of Manual Gates

• Low Upfront Cost: Easy to install without breaking the budget. Installing a manual gate is straightforward and budget-friendly. It requires no wiring, no gate motor, and can be put in place in a matter of days.
  

• Fewer Mechanical Failures: No electronics or motors to maintain. There’s little to break down. A padlock doesn’t get “glitchy” during a storm.
  

• Flexible for Small Yards: If you’re on-site daily, and only have a handful of trucks coming and going… opening and closing manually isn’t a huge issue.
  

❌ Drawbacks of Manual Gates

• Labor Intensive: Someone has to physically open and close the gate every time a truck arrives or departs. For yards with overnight traffic, this can mean late-night calls and long hours on-site.
  

• Driver Friction: Drivers arriving after hours are often stuck outside, waiting. Or worse—they’re handed a shared PIN code that quickly spreads among unauthorized users.
  

• Security Risks: Shared padlock codes or leaving the gate open “just for a few hours” invites unauthorized access. We’ve seen yards lose revenue to unpaying trucks slipping in behind paying ones.

• Limited Scalability: Managing a gate manually becomes nearly impossible as your yard fills up or if you operate multiple locations.

Automatic Gates: The Next Level

Automatic gates are becoming the gold standard for truck yards looking to scale and improve security. These gates use a motorized operator (either sliding or swinging) to open and close without requiring someone on-site.

When paired with smart access control systems—like keypads, license plate readers (LPR), or mobile app-based entry—automatic gates transform your yard into a self-service operation.

We’ve worked with yards that went from owners sleeping in their trucks to let drivers in at 2 AM… to fully automated facilities where operators manage everything from their phones.

✅ Advantages of Automatic Gates

• 24/7 Access Without Staff: Drivers can enter and exit securely at any hour without needing someone on-site.
  

• Improved Security: Unique access codes, mobile entry, and LPR ensure only authorized trucks get in. No more worries about a shared PIN code floating around town.
  

• Scalable Operations: As you grow into multiple yards, you can manage them all remotely—approving or denying access in real time.
  

• Better Driver Experience: Drivers appreciate not needing to exit their cabs in bad weather or wait for a gate guard. In tight labor markets, these little conveniences matter.

• Audit Trails and Data: Every entry and exit can be logged, providing useful data for billing, dispute resolution, and operations planning.
  

❌ Drawbacks of Automatic Gates

• Higher Upfront Cost: Between the gate operator, access system, and installation, costs are significantly higher than manual options.
  

• Potential Downtime: Power outages or technical issues can temporarily lock out trucks if you don’t have a backup system.
  

• Setup Complexity: Usually proper installation requires professional contractors and coordination with access control providers.
  

📊 Manual vs Automatic: A Quick Comparison

Which Should You Choose for Your Yard?

Manual gates could still work for:

• Small yards with light traffic and easy oversight (shops or warehouse/ofices on site for example) 

• Owner-operated yards where you’re on-site

• Site testing the market before bigger capital investment

But if you’re:
✅ Serving multiple tenants
✅ Wanting to offer 24/7 access
✅ Looking to grow beyond one location
✅ Tired of late-night calls to unlock the gate

… then an automatic gate system with smart access control is the way forward.

🚀 How Rig Hut Helps Yard Owners Upgrade

At Rig Hut, we’ve seen it all:

• Gravel lots with padlocks serving 10 trucks a month.
  

• Multi-acre yards using Smart Gates to fill hundreds of spaces with minimal staffing.
  

Our solutions pair automatic gates with software that lets you:
✅ Approve or deny entry from your phone.
✅ Set time-based access rules.
✅ Monitor traffic flow with camera integrations.

🟢 Curious how this could work for your yard?
 📞 Book a free strategy call here.

🎥 Watch: How Truck Parking Tech is Changing the Game

We sat down with Chris Harris from Safety Dawg to talk about how technology like automatic gates and Smart Access Control are transforming truck parking.

👉 Watch the full interview on YouTube.

✅ Final Word

Manual gates can still work—but for yard owners serious about growing and streamlining their operations, automatic systems with smart access control are quickly becoming the standard.

Your gate isn’t just a barrier. It’s the key to a better driver experience, stronger security, and a more profitable yard.

👉 Learn more about Rig Hut
👉 Get a free yard audit today.