I stopped at the Petro West of Birmingham AL last week and very few of the Idle-Aire spots were being used . The next morning more spots were taken but none of the trucks were hooked up . It looked like all the other parking spots were taken so trucks parked in empty Idle-Aire spots .
Idle-Aire a flop ?
- Thread starter Crazynuff
- Start date
In my opion yes, Idle Aire is a flop.
The price is too high. We don`t need all The services they provide.Most of us use cell phones,have satelite TV etc.
Personally I would be better satisfied with a simple 30 or 50 amp electric service.
The problems w/Idle Aire will continue. I.E.Spots being taken up with non hookup rigs. Smelly AC units,etc.
I think the price for the service was designed to come in just under what a "big rig" would idle away in fuel.You notice they rasied prices when fuel went up.Why?Because they think they can get it.
Will the price be reduced if fuel ever comes back down?I doubt it!
The price is too high. We don`t need all The services they provide.Most of us use cell phones,have satelite TV etc.
Personally I would be better satisfied with a simple 30 or 50 amp electric service.
The problems w/Idle Aire will continue. I.E.Spots being taken up with non hookup rigs. Smelly AC units,etc.
I think the price for the service was designed to come in just under what a "big rig" would idle away in fuel.You notice they rasied prices when fuel went up.Why?Because they think they can get it.
Will the price be reduced if fuel ever comes back down?I doubt it!
Thats why I never signed up.I want peace and quiet,I have seen too may big trucks in the Idle Air spaces that were not hooked up. If they could enforce a no idle rule I would go for it but why pay $1.25 per hour and have to listen to a reefer running 2 feet from your sleeper.
Gary and Linda
Expert Expediter
Hey guys
I know it doesn't look real pretty and it really limits what you can see when you're sitting up front, but I found that if you park so the nose of you truck is pointed toward the back of the reefer, its a
whole lot quieter. Also if you park this way between two dry vans, you'll probably still be OK if a produce hauler parks next to you since he will, in all probability, back in.
I know it doesn't look real pretty and it really limits what you can see when you're sitting up front, but I found that if you park so the nose of you truck is pointed toward the back of the reefer, its a
whole lot quieter. Also if you park this way between two dry vans, you'll probably still be OK if a produce hauler parks next to you since he will, in all probability, back in.
About 2 years ago I got in touch with them.They are out of Nashville and was curious to see if they were a public company or would issue stock as a closed corporation. They are not public and to invest in them was a minimum of one million. So the rich get richer and the poor stay that way. Lots of potential in Idle Air, even though I have heard of bad air cominhg out of the A/C. Some guy called into Dave Nemo once and said it made him sick.
Idle-Aire a flop? I believe that will be the case as time passes. Much of the Idle-Aire infrastructure has been built with government aid as an idle-reduction initiatiave. You can be sure the truck stops extracted a pretty penny in startup and ongoing fees for the lot space. As anti-idle legislation spreads, truck manufacturers will get into that revenue stream by making idle-reduction and sleeper-livability devices part of their OEM package. Idle-Aire boasts large numbers of fleet participants, using Idle-Aire as a driver benefit. Such packages were also likely sold at deep discounts to try to get the service going. The real (unsubsidized) revenue and future demand for Idle-Aire services will be insufficient to sustain the endeavor over the long term, I believe.
If someone can make a positive case for Idle-Aire's long-term future, I'd be interested in hearing it.
If someone can make a positive case for Idle-Aire's long-term future, I'd be interested in hearing it.
Broompilot
Veteran Expediter
The head mechanic at my Pro-Heat Dealer informed me that Generators will be standard in the near future (when I cannot answer) but near, that Tractors will come standard with a Generator.
Manufactures are loosing to much $ to these outside MFG and if they make it standard on all Sleepers than the costs will drop and quality should improve.
Only what I heard, probably waiting for uncle sam to help out with a tax credit for purchasers. Has to work that way I already bought mine, tax credit that is.
Manufactures are loosing to much $ to these outside MFG and if they make it standard on all Sleepers than the costs will drop and quality should improve.
Only what I heard, probably waiting for uncle sam to help out with a tax credit for purchasers. Has to work that way I already bought mine, tax credit that is.
rode2rouen
Expert Expediter
I just got back to the truck after raiding the buffet at the FJ here in Tulsa, and I picked up a copy of the July issue of "Trucker"s Connection".
The interesting article in this issue is entitled "What's Under Your Hood?" It indicates that the next generation of Class 8 trucks/engines (to meet 2007 EPA requirements) may have features like NO fan belts, electric HVAC units and alternator/generator units that are mounted in the bunk area. The article also talks of some of the HVAC and generator units being mounted in a slide in/out fashion to allow "plug and play" servicing.
Sounds as though the OEMs are paying attention, if a bit belatedly, to the APU doings and getting themselves in a position to offer some competition for the aftermarket. With all of the noise about fuel conservation and NO IDLE laws, I'm wondering why it's taken them so long??
Should be interesting to see what actually hits the market next year.
Myself, I'm idling with the A/C cranked as it's 95 degrees in Tulsa!!
Rex
The interesting article in this issue is entitled "What's Under Your Hood?" It indicates that the next generation of Class 8 trucks/engines (to meet 2007 EPA requirements) may have features like NO fan belts, electric HVAC units and alternator/generator units that are mounted in the bunk area. The article also talks of some of the HVAC and generator units being mounted in a slide in/out fashion to allow "plug and play" servicing.
Sounds as though the OEMs are paying attention, if a bit belatedly, to the APU doings and getting themselves in a position to offer some competition for the aftermarket. With all of the noise about fuel conservation and NO IDLE laws, I'm wondering why it's taken them so long??
Should be interesting to see what actually hits the market next year.
Myself, I'm idling with the A/C cranked as it's 95 degrees in Tulsa!!
Rex
Regarding Idle-Aire being a flop... I disagree... For the driver thats a co. driver and/or driver that is driving for an Owner Operator... I think it serves them well. Typically those types of drivers have less "comforts" than that of the independant owner that is driving.
The "Company" driver may not have satalite TV, or even a great Cell phone plan... therefore Idle-Aire works well for those types of drivers. Also the owners that drive a rig thats less much less extravagant than others are also using Idle-Aire... which I think is what it was designed for. They want to cut drivers costs down, and for the penny conscious driver - owner or co. driver - it serves well. Not everybody who drives a rig has XM radio or satalite TV, let alone a TV antenna. Why there are even drivers out there without cell phones. And having electricity in the cab to power up things like laptops and TV's and cooking appliances... look at the big picture. They're expanding... and they're doing it near larger cities - so somebody must be making money.
I don't recall Park N View doing that... they'd install it in any town with a truck stop - whether it was a one horse town or not. They're expanding into truck stops that are reputable... chain or independant, they're going to the big dogs that have earned it, the ones that are well known and frequented.
Regarding the reefer units parking in the Idle-Aire Spots... if you don't like where your parked... get out and see if there's any other spots available... if there are... simply ask to move - they will let you. I'd rather spend 20 min. moving to a more silent location than to spend 5 to 10 hours listening to a roaring reefer.
All Idle-Aire has to do is cord off 4 to 6 spots right by their offices that are soley for reefer units - they're working, not sleeping - what do they care if a reefer is roaring away- they shouldn't, they're still gonna get their money. Get them to work for it. I've never had a problem at Idle-Aire's facility's, I've stayed at a few locations throughout the country and the AC's been fine, the service and friendliness has been outstanding, and the security and peace of mind they offer is priceless to me. Family and friends can call me on a landline, I don't have to worry about any cell phone signals dropping out... that right there alone is worth it.
No fuel being used by me, priceless again.
Personally, I think they're doing just fine, and will continue to do so... as long as those slots stay filled up - which they seem to be full most of the time by 12 am in most locations. Lets say they have 25 spots, if there's only 4 trucks parked there not using them... they're making their money. I've seen how drivers park there and don't use the service - and that I will agree on - that they should and do need to crack down on that... Because I'm sure that at some point in the nite a driver will roll in and want to use that slot for the service.
Big Bus Bob
The "Company" driver may not have satalite TV, or even a great Cell phone plan... therefore Idle-Aire works well for those types of drivers. Also the owners that drive a rig thats less much less extravagant than others are also using Idle-Aire... which I think is what it was designed for. They want to cut drivers costs down, and for the penny conscious driver - owner or co. driver - it serves well. Not everybody who drives a rig has XM radio or satalite TV, let alone a TV antenna. Why there are even drivers out there without cell phones. And having electricity in the cab to power up things like laptops and TV's and cooking appliances... look at the big picture. They're expanding... and they're doing it near larger cities - so somebody must be making money.
I don't recall Park N View doing that... they'd install it in any town with a truck stop - whether it was a one horse town or not. They're expanding into truck stops that are reputable... chain or independant, they're going to the big dogs that have earned it, the ones that are well known and frequented.
Regarding the reefer units parking in the Idle-Aire Spots... if you don't like where your parked... get out and see if there's any other spots available... if there are... simply ask to move - they will let you. I'd rather spend 20 min. moving to a more silent location than to spend 5 to 10 hours listening to a roaring reefer.
All Idle-Aire has to do is cord off 4 to 6 spots right by their offices that are soley for reefer units - they're working, not sleeping - what do they care if a reefer is roaring away- they shouldn't, they're still gonna get their money. Get them to work for it. I've never had a problem at Idle-Aire's facility's, I've stayed at a few locations throughout the country and the AC's been fine, the service and friendliness has been outstanding, and the security and peace of mind they offer is priceless to me. Family and friends can call me on a landline, I don't have to worry about any cell phone signals dropping out... that right there alone is worth it.
No fuel being used by me, priceless again.
Personally, I think they're doing just fine, and will continue to do so... as long as those slots stay filled up - which they seem to be full most of the time by 12 am in most locations. Lets say they have 25 spots, if there's only 4 trucks parked there not using them... they're making their money. I've seen how drivers park there and don't use the service - and that I will agree on - that they should and do need to crack down on that... Because I'm sure that at some point in the nite a driver will roll in and want to use that slot for the service.
Big Bus Bob
Good point as many here look at it from a owner operators view point, rather than a company driver. Myself included.
It does have potential and as mentioned, government funding will keep it going. My concern would be when some of these other idling solutions stand the test of time and make them affordable to fleets.
Some of those projects as well are recieving government money. If one pans out, it will be interesting to see what happens. If they can continue to keep them full, they will do ok. If not, there options might be more limited.
All of the big engine makers are currently working on a bolt on system that uses the trucks existing components. I think CAT is the most advanced on this. They are selling them now although not heavily advertised. Look for a big push in 2007.
Davekc
It does have potential and as mentioned, government funding will keep it going. My concern would be when some of these other idling solutions stand the test of time and make them affordable to fleets.
Some of those projects as well are recieving government money. If one pans out, it will be interesting to see what happens. If they can continue to keep them full, they will do ok. If not, there options might be more limited.
All of the big engine makers are currently working on a bolt on system that uses the trucks existing components. I think CAT is the most advanced on this. They are selling them now although not heavily advertised. Look for a big push in 2007.
Davekc
Idle-Aire seems like a real good idea and way to save money without idling ones engine. I went to Idle-Aire's website but was surprised to see nothing advertised about their price. Does anyone know how much this thing costs??? Also I thought, if not a lot of truckstops have this system on their property, then wouldn't a driver be loosing money for a product he'll only use a few times a month?