Is No APU NO Idle?
Topic 16610 | Page 1
I know my company does not have apus , but they do have an idle policy. If it's above 70 or below 30, you can idle. Between those Temps they figure you can use a fan or your bunk heater to stay comfortable.
Having said that, if you are having trouble sleeping because it's too uncomfortable.in the truck, I believe they have some leeway, just don't abuse it or you'll be getting phone calls.
One thing that some companies forget is, even if it is 70 degrees outside, if it's a sunny day, the sun beating down on the truck will raise the temperature inside the truck to a higher temp.
Sometimes what I'll do is, if it is cool outside, but the inside of the truck is hot, I'll open both side vents so there is a cross breeze, then take my turbo fan and clip it to the handle of the vent so that it is pulling the cooler air from outside the truck into the truck.
For cold nights, the bunk heater works quite well. Just remember to carry a 12v DC electric blanket with you (or a normal one if you have an inverter, either will work fine), just in case you need extra warmth.
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.
APUs:
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.
I remember when I first started and was worried about that warning the computer gives you. After trying to sleep through it with all the windows open and getting horrible sleep, plus waking up with bites all over me, I worried less and less about that warning lol
I see some people take filters to their open windows :D
I know my company does not have apus , but they do have an idle policy. If it's above 70 or below 30, you can idle. Between those Temps they figure you can use a fan or your bunk heater to stay comfortable.
Having said that, if you are having trouble sleeping because it's too uncomfortable.in the truck, I believe they have some leeway, just don't abuse it or you'll be getting phone calls.
One thing that some companies forget is, even if it is 70 degrees outside, if it's a sunny day, the sun beating down on the truck will raise the temperature inside the truck to a higher temp.
Sometimes what I'll do is, if it is cool outside, but the inside of the truck is hot, I'll open both side vents so there is a cross breeze, then take my turbo fan and clip it to the handle of the vent so that it is pulling the cooler air from outside the truck into the truck.
For cold nights, the bunk heater works quite well. Just remember to carry a 12v DC electric blanket with you (or a normal one if you have an inverter, either will work fine), just in case you need extra warmth.
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.
APUs:
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.
They will allow you to idle. You just have to keep it reasonable. 99% of the trucks on the highway today do not have APU's. These companies understand you have to live in that thing and you have to be reasonably comfortable. No big deal.
Which company offered free training without any contract if you don't mind me asking?
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.
APU's:
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.
Thanks for the replies folks. Brett the company is Raider Express that claim to have free training with no contract.
Thanks again
Thanks for the replies folks. Brett the company is Raider Express that claim to have free training with no contract.
Thanks again
The KEY word in that sentence is CLAIM! Read that contract carefully! Good Luck!
Our comoany trucks WILL NOT IDLE.. at all. In 3 to 5 minutes our trucks will shut down.
That said, we do have APUs/bunk heat and ac. If our ac or bunk heat doesnt work, my company WILL pay for a motel room.
Companys that have trucks without an APU/bunk heat & ac will generally allow a reasonable amount of idling. They arent going to have you operating their equipment exhausted because it was too hot or cold to sleep. Its simply not in their best interest.
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.
APUs:
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.
I have not seen anyone mention it yet, but in some parts of the country, it is fairly common to see truck stops with air conditioning systems that hang down from a overhead truss, and you pay to turn on the system after you put it in your window. I have never used one because Stevens has APUs and inverters, but the ones I've looked at had AC as well as 120v household outlet power.
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.
APUs:
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.
I have not seen anyone mention it yet, but in some parts of the country, it is fairly common to see truck stops with air conditioning systems that hang down from a overhead truss, and you pay to turn on the system after you put it in your window. I have never used one because Stevens has APUs and inverters, but the ones I've looked at had AC as well as 120v household outlet power.
From what I can gather, that system was pretty much a flop. I know "Idle Air" was one such system. I believe many Truck Stops took them out. No one wanted to pay for something that was already available in their Truck. I don't think many Companies would pay for it. Ill guarantee you Company Drivers wouldn't come out of pocket 30 or 40 dollars for it.
Btw, Just Googled idleair.com. 40 locations Nationwide! That is statistically practically zero!)
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.
APUs:
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.
IdleAir is great. Saves your batteries, and provides cable and internet.
Incidentally, our company has plans to have that at the new terminal theyre building in Cedar Rapids because there is never enough bobtail outlet parking spots available at our current main terminal.
Bobtail:
"Bobtailing" means you are driving a tractor without a trailer attached.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
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Hello everyone,
Any input is appreciated, especially if it's constructive. I am working on getting my CDL. I've passed the written exams and got the DOT physical on my own. Now I'm searching for a school to assist with the driver training. I found a company that gives free CDL training with no contract they say. I know they do not have APU units and have heard that they don't allow idling.
1. Is it common practice in the trucking industry to not allow APUs and not allow idling?
2. I live in Texas and summers can get very hot and would think it's illegal to live in these conditions, what do you think?
3. Should I just find another company that does have APU units or allow idling?
Thanks,
Paul
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
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.
APUs:
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.