Truck and Trailer I got

I would say my system is inherently safer, I have no need for coolant shutdowns because mine is not cobbled into the trucks cooling system. The Honda generator has a low oil shutdown and each power outlet is protected by a circuit breaker. Since the only thing running from my "auxiliary power unit" to each component is an electric line that is all the protection required. My heater has a built in thermostat and may have some shutdown features I'm not sure. Some space heaters are a hazard, I'll give you that. You want to buy one that is safe and locate it in an appropriate location. The AC unit is similar to those in operation on RV's and travel trailers all over the place, just beefed up with heavy duty components and suspension to withstand the rigors of the road. Being as how rooftop A/C's are safe for RV's, busses, mobile homes, and travel trailers I can't imagine there is any safety issue there.

 

I would contest that, the APU is a selling point like new tires. But how much more will you really get for it ? I will gaurantee you if you spend $8k on an APU you will not get an additional $8k for it when you go to sell, never gonna happen.

As mentioned before I can remove mine much easier and keep it if I want as well, or eBay the generator for $1500 anytime I want too. The only concern I have is the roofmount AC. I leave it on and it may be a selling point for some or an eyesore for others. i take it off and even if I trim it out nicely or put a sunroof in or whatever, it is going to be noticibly non-stock, which could be a turnoff for some people. But this was my choice, I wanted a bulletproof 13,500 btu badboy so that I can hang meat in here when it is 130 out. I could have gone with a portable AC and built a little fixture to stick in the window for the vent.

It doesn't matter to me anyways, I'm pretty much married to this truck at this point. "til death do us part" and all that...

The APU is one size fits most. A generator based system you have lots of options. One of which I have failed to mention is that if I happen to park the truck at a friends place, a truckstop with shorepower, or anywhere near an electric outlet I can simply run my A/C, heat, lighting, etc.. off of that. Another big advantage over a kit APU

 

What? You mean I can't unplug my power bar, hook up the extension cord, and do the same thing? But why would I want to? Shore power isn't free, and all I have to do is just fire up the APU...

 

yes, that's what I mean. You can't run your A/C or heater off of power and you still have the noise and wear and tear on your APU to contend with as well as $1.60 or so per hour in fuel.

 

For those that have used them...how much fuel per hour does the Tri-pac use? I have heard wildly varying claims. The one earlier in this thread claiming that the Tri-pac uses almost as much as a truck engine idling is a new one for me.

 

They should average out to about 1 gallon / 2.5 hours. Some claim as little as 1 gallon / 4 hours. by comparison my Honda EU3000is generator has been using 1 gallon / 6 hours, I expect that to fall to 1 gallon / 3-4 hours when I run the A/C full blast we'll see. again, that is gasoline, the APU is diesel, so I have a built in 30-50 cents per gallon savings albeit not as convenient.

 

Tell Buddy to stop looking so SERIOUS

Good luck and all the best in your new venture

 

Sorry buddyvuk but there is a 3° "thing".
Has anyone checked with their insurance if what they have ,be it a Tripak or a homebuild unit,is covered?

What if your APU catches fire with the end result being that truck,trailer and load go up in smoke?
(i hope nobody is so unlucky but it is not impossible)
That would be a very bad time to find out that you are not covered.
Which one could have avoided with a simple email.