I’m sitting in an IdleAire site in Oklahoma City.
I’m “surfing” the Internet as I usually do when stopped and find this. It turns out that IdleAire has gone Bankrupt. Doesn’t surprise me. I’ve been hearing rumors for some time. In fact there was a post on Life on the Road some time ago relating to IdleAire’s probable demise.
IdleAire hasn’t been all that popular. Some folks don’t like it , at all, at all.
I used to number in that group. I thought that it was a waste of space. That was before summer set in with ninety degree temps and high humidity (Oklahoma City right now, worse to come, this is only May), my air conditioner is on the blink right now and I’m a little shy of the thousand bux it’s goning to cost to fix it. Also fuel just broke the five dollar a gallon mark in some places. Since my kitty Cat gulps fuel at a gallon and a half an hour that equates to seven fifty an hour to idle.
IdleAire at a buck eighty an hour sounds pretty good.
So, like I said, I’m sitting in an IdleAire space in Okie City. Nice an cool in the truck by the way. It’s a sauna outside. And IdleAire is bankrupt. What gives?
They got a loan.
IdleAire will be open for a while yet. I’m glad because I’m cool, for now.
IdleAire’s operations are a scam. The private investors are raking in goverment dollars for a poorly designed solution. You can bet they will still make money from the bankruptcy.
Maybe someday I’ll get to haul a load of Idleaire racks going to the scrapyard!
My biggest problem is that there are better solutions that did not scam the American people, so they lost out on any chance to prove themselves. My second biggest problem with IdleAire is that they are taking part in legislating other solutions, like generators, out of existence. Sorry, not enough time to elaborate now, but most of us know what they are. Look at that contraption IdleAire and Eaton conjured up! How anyone can see that as better than a simple generator or battery source is beyond me.
So, a government scam is OK, so long as it benefits a small group of people? That’s beyond me too. I’m not going to support a business based on flawed Socialist principles, even if it is “the norm”. Judging from their Chapter 11 status, I’m not alone.
If you had an onboard system, you could be cool wherever you went. If government dollars were not tied up with scams like Idleaire, there may be resources to help you install a system on your truck. Maybe you could get help through taxes to pay for it. Yes, there are already incentives to install alternate power systems, but not enough. There are solutions that cost less than $1.80/hr that you do not have to be dependent on truck stops for.
I understand your situation, but it could be better. You could stay cool without a makeshift erector set style of setup, the bother of trying to jam a hose through your window, and IdleAire folks knocking at your door. You may like it, but obviously it’s not a good solution for the majority.
I rarely have time to make getting situated at IdleAire worth it. 10-hour break, yeah right. How much are you saving if it takes time out of delivering a load?
You seem to be ticked off at me. Why is that?
Possibly you could READ what I said? Nowhere did I say a government scam was Ok. I said they were the norm.
And no I don’t think you DO understand my situation. I gather you’ve been driving for only a short while….give it ten years then talk to me.
You need to take a break…you’re too angry.
Not angry at all. You asked what gives, I told you. I read what you said. I understand your situation and I understand their are solutions that do not involve scam companies like IdleAire.
You comment leaned towards the idea that government scams were normal, but you were nice and cool.
Been out here since 1990. Not liking IdleAire makes you a newbie?
I can see this is going nowhere, enjoy your IdleAire while you can I guess?
Ok….first let me apologize for the “newbie” remark. That was uncalled for on my part.
Second. All the other systems you mention are great. They do however require upfront capital….not everyone has that. Not everyone has the room either or can afford the extra weight. IdleAire requires a ten dollar window adapter.
The other problems mentioned regarding IdleAire I don’t understand. What’s the problem with “nose in” parking? I see several advantages…very few disadvantages.
Finally… yeah….most government programs are scams. That’s normal. It’s so common that there’s even a special term for it…..PORK.
the major problem with nosing in is if you have Hazmat on…it’s not safe to back out or worse if you need to exit the premises quickly you cannot do so… for example if there’s a problem with someone else’s unit or load.
I’ve no idea what you’re talking about in regards to a “contraption”.
All I know right now is that I’m glad to have IdleAire. Government Scams are the norm, not the exception. So what’s new? Right now I’m comfortable and saving money.
Well let me say this as a 11 year veteran of the road that is at home now, IdleAire is not the answer to the problem. The APU’s are a lot better idea but for the life of me I can’t understand why they are not factory installed equipment yet. Is it because of warranty issues over an item made by an outside source? They should be installed on every truck before it leaves the factory. It gives out a whole lot less emissions than the big fuel hog under the hood. If the cost of the APU system was built into the load for the truck you would not be feeling the pain nowhere near as much. I had a Thermo King Tri-Pac on my last truck before I left the over the road and it worked great everywhere except in the extreme desert heat. It came with a 1750 watt inverter so I bought a 110 volt occilating fan and that help distribute the cool air better in those extreme conditions. They do work and they work well. Not to mention the battery maintenance and engine oil warming during the winter. Get them on all trucks coming out of the factory and your problem is solved for the most part.
Your correct. I don’t have a clue as to why the truck manufactures don’t do better. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that. A small APU uses much less fuel than the main power plant. All I can do is question the intellect of the truck manufactures.
I’m biting the bullet and going into (more) debt and having a roof top AC installed. Estimated cost will be $1600 installed for the Coleman RoughNeck. This will include electrical wiring such that I can use Shore Power or electricity from a generator. Diesel Generators are nice but VERY expensive. I bought a gasoline generator from Lowes for $800 (4 kilowatt) which will do the same thing as small diesel which cost ten times as much. Less convenient, but not ten times less convenient.
So. For an estimated $2400 I’ll have the functionality of an $8,000 system.
Stop gap solution but all i can afford.
It’s either that or risk big fines for idling, or risk heat stroke for NOT idling.
It amazes me how many complaints drivers have about Idleaire. Nose in parking because you are hazmat? Be real! Like you can ever exit a truck stop parking lot in a hurry?!?! At least if there was an emergency in an IA space you might be able to find a rep to help you. When you are parked and there is a problem in any old space and you ask for help most of these steering wheel holders would be cutting you off to get the heck away from you rather than help.
IA is a great solution either for a short time or a long time. If you want to buy an APU why not use Idleaire until you save enough money to be able to afford it?
Why idle your truck and put more money into the oil companies pockets?
Sit and idle your truck at 1100 RPMs for 10 hours so you can keep cool. Thank you for supporting the oil companies and helping raise the cost of fuel for everyone.
Government scam? At least they are an American found and run company. You must be an American to work for them. I would rather see my money go to them than once again the freaking oil companies.
I am not worried about Idleaire going bankrupt. I am sure more and more o/o’s will come to their senses along with big companies. They did not shut the doors all they did was bite off a little more than they could chew.
Fuel last year at this time was what about $2.45? A 100% increase! Get real! Stop feeding the oil companies money!