THERMO KING Tri-Pak APU

The thermoking APU is unreliable and costly to maintain. I have had to replace almost every component and I never know if it is going to work. I would not purchase another nor would I recommend it.

 

I run 48 states. My tractor has a bunk heater. My idling is less than 18%, Average. POINT being; It would take some 5 years to see a net gain from an APU that cost some $9,000.00. Furthermore, given the high probability that I would need to purchase a replacement unit (APU) before the five years had ended; I'll stick to conservative and sensible idling.... Financially they don't make sense or cents. Now, they are good for recruiting drivers and/or keeping idling times down. A good portion of their advertised fuel savings is in the cool and cold months. Diesel fired bunk heaters are far less expensive to buy, use, and the weigh about 300lbs less.

And that about all I've got to say about that...

 

Yes, bunk heaters are a wonderful way to stay warm and reduce idling, but if you sit for extended time periods drain the batteries, and don't help to warm the engine itself in extreme cold.
In 5 years with my TriPac I'm at 9500 hours, and other than numerous alternators, and some AC hoses, have no need to replace the entire unit.
But those 9500 hours replaced MORE than that many engine idle hours, as the unit cycles on and off as needed, and at .75 gallons per hour for me to idle (the 1 gallon per hour they use is ridiculous) times whatever you want to use for a price of fuel between $3 and $4 a gallon, has more than paid for itself by a factor of more than 3!

If they didn't make sense financially, do you think the WalMart fleet would use any of them?

 

did the WalMart fleet get any financial incentives or bulk order discounts? I've owned two APUs, the first my entire cost, and the second at less than half price through company and govt incentives. The first APU cost as much to operate as it saved, and would never have broken even let alone paid for itself; four years on the second, and it might pay for itself in another couple of years only because of the artificially low price. They are expensive convenience toys unless you do a lot of sitting and waiting. Just a thought.

 

I have one on my new truck. Truck is not new but its new to me. 07 FL Columbia. The unit does not even turn over or attemt to start. What shoild I look for first? Thx, and happy new year.

 

There is an on/off switch in the engine box (just pop the cover - its obvious) - must be on. Then there is a circuit-breaker type interrupt switch on the controller box (not the control panel) that will pop when the engine refuses to start - must be pushed in.

Turn on the power to the controller and the APU power - it should attempt to start if the FAN, HEAT or A/C modes are on.

 

Notta Tri-Pac owner but here's my 2 cents.....
With all these costly repair stories,
I have yet to hear anyone add the cost of down time.
EVERY Tri-Pac owner I've run across says what u guys say.
Seems ta me that a) initial cost + b) repairs + c) down time =
NOT COST EFFECTIVE
Even with a warranty you have down time cost.
What would it take to make your own APU?

 

Dude, I really love my TriPac. I've had a few issues with them over the years, but given the hours I put on them they are quite reliable. There are a few things that you have to do to keep them happy, but by far it is an effective solution for cooling, heating and power - that doesn't damage a big diesel engine like idling does.

 

I'm really glad you've had a good experience.......but you ARE the minority

 

My carrier puts APUs on all of the trucks... the majority are TriPacs. Yup, there's problems, but there are problems with all mechanical contrivances. By far, if you ask our guys, everyone is very happy having one.

I don't think that this is an exception. Its just that they have to be maintained.