The Hidden Goldmine: How Truck Parking is Becoming a High-Value Asset

February 28th, 2025

Welcome to Rig Hut - Striving to be the pinnacle of industrial commercial parking solutions.

With a growing shortage and demand far outpacing supply, premium truck parking facilities are becoming some of the most profitable investments available today depending on location (and basis, of course). High-demand locations combined with top-tier amenities are raking in impressive monthly revenues. Enter Rig Hut’s recent chat with Xplor, where we talk about transformation taking place in the truck parking industry by leveraging technology to simplify finding and managing parking spaces. Here's a look at why this booming industry is turning empty lots into money-making machines.

A Game-Changer for Yard Owners and the Industry:

• Maximizing Yard Efficiency – Yard owners can optimize space and maximize capacity by using aerial images and dimensions, combining technology and expertise.

• The Truck Parking Crisis – A tragic incident sparked federal attention to the truck parking shortage, an issue long overlooked due to its niche nature and investment risks.

• Shifting from Buying Lots to Building Software – Originally planning to acquire truck parking lots, high land costs and financing hurdles led Rig Hut to shift its focus towards developing a tech platform that tackles the truck parking shortage while offering a valuable service to the market.

📺 Tune in to The Xplor Show and discover the future of truck parking! Jake Guso explains how Rig Hut helps truck drivers easily find parking while streamlining lot management for owners. Learn how Rig Hut is revolutionizing the truck parking industry!

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^Transcript

^{Three acres—how many stalls and potential rent?
With ideal dimensions, you can fit about 90 truck and trailer slips—roughly 30 per acre. In Miami, the average rate is $550 per stall, generating around $18,000 per month.}

^{Welcome to The Xplore Show!
We dive into entrepreneurship, real estate, and motivation. Today, hosts Scott and Ryan welcome guest Jake Guso, a real estate expert turned entrepreneur in truck parking and outdoor storage solutions.}

^{Jake discovered the industry through a high-end Miami facility with 420 stalls charging $750 each—fully occupied with a waitlist. Seeing massive demand, he co-founded Rig Hut Truck Parking, a marketplace and property management platform optimizing truck parking operations.}

^{With a nationwide shortage—11 drivers per legal parking spot—Rig Hut streamlines access for drivers while helping landowners maximize revenue. Their revamped platform, launching soon, aims to modernize this high-demand sector with automation and transparency.}

^{Why is truck parking such a big issue now?
Truck parking became a major topic about a decade ago when a driver named Jason was robbed and killed while parked overnight at an abandoned gas station. His widow started an initiative that brought national attention to the problem, leading to federal funding for truck parking.}

^{What is Rig Hut?
Rig Hut is like apartments.com but for truck parking. If you own a lot, you can list it, manage payments, and handle reservations through the platform. Rig Hut also markets spaces to drivers through SEO and ads.}

^{Future Plans?}

 ^{Eventually, allowing truckers to find secure parking anywhere in the nation.}

^{Key Features?}

 ^{Rig Hut is making truck parking more accessible, secure, and efficient for both drivers and property owners.}

• ^{Listings show amenities like gates, asphalt, and security.}

• ^{Facilities can be rated based on quality and driver reviews.}

• ^{Future updates may allow lot owners to rate drivers, similar to Uber.}

^{Jake, you designed an efficient lot layout—is that a focus for you?}

^{Yes, we offer it as a free service to yard owners, optimizing space.}

^{Do you use software for that?}

^{We found the best approach is a mix of smart tech and an expert team member.}

^{How many stalls fit on a three-acre lot?}

^{About 90 slips—30 per acre. In Miami, the average rate per spot is $550/month.}

^{That’s around $18,000 per acre! What about development costs?}

^{They vary by location—factors like land conditions, drainage, and surface prep can be expensive.}

^{Is there demand for lots outside prime locations?}

^{Yes, but zoning restrictions and local opposition are challenges.}

^{Where is Rig Hut currently operating?}

^{South Florida, Kansas City, Dallas, and New Jersey, with nationwide expansion underway.}

^{What kind of lots are you looking for?}

^{Well-located industrial land already used for truck parking but underperforming.}

^{What does it cost to be on your platform?}

^{$15/month per slip + 5% per transaction, but we cover processing fees—cheaper than competitors' 18-30%.}

^{Do you collect payments for owners?}

^{Yes, our system splits payments automatically—95% to the owner, 5% to us.}

^{Is there a fee for truck drivers?}

^No.

^{How does the smart gate system work?}

^{It automates entry and tracking. Drivers get a unique code, and the system updates availability in real time, reducing manual work.}

^{Truck drivers get a safe spot at no extra cost—sounds like a win, right?
Exactly! No waiting around for someone to unlock the gate.}

^{This whole concept is genius. Trucking demand is only growing. With an 11:1 truck-to-parking ratio, you’ve got a huge runway. What’s the end goal?
We want a nationwide network where drivers can always find parking. No set exit plan—we’re focused on scaling.}

^{Why build a software platform instead of buying lots?
Originally, we wanted to buy lots, but financing was tough—$12M–$24M per acquisition in South Florida alone. Instead, we asked: how can we capitalize on this opportunity? Tech made the most sense.}

^{That’s a big shift from real estate. Was it a steep learning curve?
Huge. My partner Jose and I had no tech background. It didn’t feel like drinking from a fire hose, but we’ve learned a ton.}

^{What does your team look like?
Jose and I handle most of it, with part-time employees and overseas talent. We’re also finalizing a partnership to ease the workload.}

^{Besides Rig Hut, anything else you’re working on? Still getting out fishing?
Not much fishing—only went once this year! Just got married in December, so I spend my free time with my wife.}

^{Where can people find you?
Twitter is best—search "Rig Hut Truck Parking." We also have a newsletter,  Instagram, and Facebook.}

^{Are you raising capital?
We’re in the closing process of a raise, so no more checks for now. But that could change!}

^{We’ll have to get you back on the podcast once that’s finalized.
Would love to!}

^{Scott and I know some Texas contacts—we’ll link you up.
Much appreciated!}

^{Do you pay commissions for referrals?
We love paying people!}

^{Any final thoughts?
Just thanks for having me on!}

^{Thanks, Jake! We’ll link your info below. Like, follow, and subscribe, and we’ll catch you on the next episode of The Xplore Show.}

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