how well do the AC/heaters work?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by CDLROOKIE, Oct 22, 2014.

  1. CDLROOKIE

    CDLROOKIE Bobtail Member

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    probably shouldn't be a high concern item at this point in my career...haven't gotten a job yet...although i think i have one lined up but wondering how well the air conditioners and heaters work in most trucks? im pretty much a shorts and t-shirt guy and wondered if the heaters work well enough to be able to dress that way when driving?..obviously when its time to get out of the truck and work will be another story but just wondering if i have any hope that my trucks heating and air will be anywhere comparable to a passenger car?
    thanks guys/gals
     
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  3. Balakov100

    Balakov100 Road Train Member

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    Really?


    When it works...it will work great.
    When it quits working well then..good luck.
     
  4. nshore harleyguy

    nshore harleyguy Medium Load Member

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    Mine works just like a cars. If the truck is really hot it may take a little longer to cool down (because of the size of air space to be cooled) in the few trucks i have had they have worked well.

    Shorts and t-shirts work well but your not a real trucker unless you are wearing flip flips/sandals LOL
     
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  5. Skate-Board

    Skate-Board Road Train Member

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    They work great. I drive all year in a t-shirt. If it's really hot turn the back bunk A/C on also while driving.
     
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  6. jsprocket

    jsprocket Heavy Load Member

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    Let's see my a/c socks unless moving and always has a humid feel to it, bunk will blow hot air always. Now with the bunk heater/ac that thing works great.
     
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  7. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    as a general rule trucks ac/heat works as well as any car's ac/heat. If consider shutting off the engine, then you get into auxiliary heating/ac. Some have both, some have heat only, some have neither. Heaters (fuel burners) are generally more then adequate to keep the sleeper portion toasty as you sleep. A/C (provided by an APU that some trucks have and some don't) are also typically adequate, but some are more efficient then others. Unless you're trying to sleep in Phoenix in the worst part of summer, an APU's a/c will generally keep you comfortable enough. Some mfg.'s APU's and implementations are better at cooling/heating then others.

    Also, keep in mind, not every carrier provides APU's (winter/summer climate control with main engine off), and these same carriers may also impose idle restrictions, so ask these questions during the pre-hire process. Personally, I would not work anywhere they did not provide APU's and keep them working and maintained well. (especially if running the southern and southwest regions of the US during the summer is common)
     
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  8. jsprocket

    jsprocket Heavy Load Member

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    Columbus, GA
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    We have apu and during extreme heat and cold we were told to call and inform them that the weather is inadequate and we need to idle. Learned last year in -20 that bunk heater did not want to perform. Then again could have been faulty. But haven't tested heat of this truck after my old one got hit.
     
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  9. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    every truck i've been in since coming back otr, has had a bunk heater. none of them worked below 20 degrees unless you have anti gel in the tanks. i'm guessing the fuel line is pretty small. so it don't take much to gel. specially if you fuel up in texas and head north to the dakotas. and even if the heater did work. a lot of times the truck won't after sitting in frigid temps over night.

    my last venture had the heater working for 8 hours with anti gel. and then quit. but it was time to deliver the load. AFTER a road call and a fuel pump relay to get the truck running again. spent 4 hours inside the truckstop for heat. as the truck was a no go.

    i've found it best to just idle the truck below 20. that way everybody and everything stay warm and functioning.

    if it's really cold or hot outside. i'll run the bunk also. while i'm driving. the dash alone just isn't enough.
     
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  10. Balakov100

    Balakov100 Road Train Member

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    If it's really cold outside, APU might not even be enough.

    Our trucks are supposed to be able to idle below 0.
    Mine wasn't turned on to allow it.
    Went to sleep with the APU blowing nice warm air (was -20 outside).
    Woke up 8h later with APU blowing cold air and truck barely started.
     
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  11. Mr Ed

    Mr Ed Road Train Member

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    My A/C works perfect in the winter and visa versa.
     
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