Shipper Question

Just a quick question about shipper. How does it work. If they say it going to take 6 hrs to load or unload do you have to stay in your truck or can you say I be back going for a walk etc.

My other question what is Apu and what can it run or do

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

An apu is basically a generator that runs off the truck fuel. It not only allows you to have air conditioning and heat while parked and truck is off, but it prevents appliances like TV and for idge etc from draining the truck batteries. No need to fret about forgetting to turn your lights off with an APU... Truck still starts.

As far as the shipper... It depends on the shipper. Some will let you walk aroind their property, some have lounges for drivers..Tyson even has showers. Others tell you to wait in the truck... Still others will not even call you when the load is done... They expect you to watch the green lights.

Some of the meat places will have you drop the trailer and you can go to walmart bobtail

Bobtail:

"Bobtailing" means you are driving a tractor without a trailer attached.

Shipper:

The customer who is shipping the freight. This is where the driver will pick up a load and then deliver it to the receiver or consignee.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

Every customer is different. Most will post signs telling us what they want.

Now my 3rd question the company that I'm going to in 2 weeks will trans has tv n direct TV in the trucks could I hook up a ps3 or use the same outlet for my laptop

Forgive me for this slightly off topic reply:

If you don't have an APU with a 120 VAC generator powering your AC outlets, it is advisable (and affordable) to get a 12 VDC adapter for your laptop.

Your laptop requires 20 VDC (yes, twenty volts) input and typically presents a load of 20 to 40 watts. If you have one of those high powered gaming laptops you'll probably draw more power. Even at the high end, 40 watts doesn't seem like a lot, but you have to consider the losses in the system.

To provide 40 watts to the laptop, you wall wart (the laptop's power cord set) will probable draw about 45 -50 watts from the power source. If your running and inverter to provide the 120 VAC to the wall wart, then the inverter is likely drawing 50 - 55 watts from your batteries. Not to mention that you'll have 50 - 55 watts less capacity available to power other devices.

If you use a 12 VDC adaptor you'll be putting a smaller load on you batteries and have more power available from your inverter.

Thanks for letting me temporarily hijack the conversation.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.