Do truckers need much bagged ice?

Discussion in 'Questions To Truckers From The General Public' started by JayT88, Mar 1, 2023.

  1. JayT88

    JayT88 Bobtail Member

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    My family is in the ice business. We own ice houses that are stand alone ice vending units that are in parking lots that you can walk up to and vend a bag of ice. The ice is generally considerably cheaper than what you would pay at a convenience store, pilot truck stop etc, because our ice is made on site.

    We have the opportunity to put an ice house close to a busy truck stop area in Texas but we are uncertain if there is enough of a demand for ice from truckers to make sense to put an ice house there.

    I am just generally trying to understand if truckers are always looking for ice on the road or if its a rare thing to need? Any feedback or thoughts would be appreciated.
     
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  3. Numb

    Numb Crusty Curmudgeon

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    those that use coolers, and there are a bunch, use lots of ice.

    but, the machine would need to be within a short walking distance.
     
  4. RubyEagle

    RubyEagle Medium Load Member

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    Chilled water bottles from the fridge are nice but nothing beats cold drink with ice in the summer. Would definitely use that before an ice machine in the truck stop. Would be great if you could just pull right up with the rig and hop out and get it.
     
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  5. gentleroger

    gentleroger Road Train Member

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    Your problem will be drivers knowing it's there.
     
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  6. JayT88

    JayT88 Bobtail Member

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    Thank you for your feedback. We certainly would need to make sure that it was in a location that was easily accessible and in a visible location. I wasn't sure if bagged ice was something truckers were commonly looking for or if it was no more so than any other customer in a convenient store parking lot.
     
    austinmike Thanks this.
  7. The Railsplitter

    The Railsplitter Medium Load Member

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    Hmm... not sure whether you'd have any great demand, many drivers use thermoelectric coolers or small fridges aboard their trucks. Sometimes, when trashing around a truck stop and drinking beer at night, I'd pony up for a bag of ice and set up a bucket o' beer to make for easy access. In winter, I'd often just leave my beer on the catwalk to get ice-cold, though that meant getting out every time for a fresh cold one. When camped in view areas on the San Rafael Swell or other mountainous/high desert locations, I'd use clean snow instead of ice to keep beer cold in the bucket, lol... :rolleyes:
     
  8. Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    Cheap ice with truck parking and the world will beat a path to your door.

    OR

    Locate your stand near any TA or Petro truck stop, especially in the communist states on the coasts.

    Pilot and Love's are still reasonable.

    TA and Petro thinks we're on handouts and not working men.
     
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  9. JC1971

    JC1971 Road Train Member

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    Seriously. Love's and PFJ are both $5-6 for two bags of ice but TA/Petro is $4+ for one bag. It's no surprise why TA/Petro often has a dimly-lit C-store with nobody in there because of what they charge for things.
     
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  10. Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    PFJ or Love's $3, sometimes up to $4 for one 10 pound bag.

    TA or Petro $4 to $5 for a 7 pound bag or $8.50 for a 20 pound.

    20 pound out of the machine in Arizona, your choice of cooler or bag = $2.

    I'm old school ice chest guy, and there's still plenty like me.
     
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  11. JayT88

    JayT88 Bobtail Member

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    Thank you all for your feedback. This is the information I am looking for. On our machines we are 10# bag for $1.50 or 20# for $2.50.
     
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