About to take the plunge! Questions!

Yes, that is what an APU is for. Heat/AC without having to idle the truck.

 

Jim Palmer has APU's, so when you park can shut the truck engine off and start the APU. This gives you cooling or heating, electrical power for computer, tv, refrigerator, etc.

 

It's my understanding that APUs are somewhat of a newer thing. A lot of trucks on the road still don't have them. You would think that an APU would be old news right? The technology isn't that sophisticated, and it burns a lot less fuel than idling.

 

It's the cost; some companies don't want to invest the money. Some APU's cost around $10,000.00 per truck.
Prime uses Rigmaster APU and Jim Palmer uses Tripac APU.

 

Jim Palmer hires from all 48 states. JP is owned by Wil-Trans in Springfield, MO. MOSTLY drivers from Missouri east run Midwest to East, while driver west of Missouri drive Midwest to West. Everything I can find seems good about JP. I believe they usually keep you out 3 weeks. 62 mph trucks & its 100% refrigerated trailers.

 

Prime's a Mega to be sure, but my impression is they have good training, reasonable working conditions. Just don't consider, no matter what, leasing, buying, or anything but being company driver until you have 1 year under your belt. Drive through a harsh winter and slow freight before you volunteer to assume the financial risk of a very expensive asset. If you don't know enough about trucking to know how a company can rip you off on a lease operator agreement don't go within a country mile of one. Company driving will be enough responsibility the first year. I'm not kidding about the "no matter what" part. Not even if angels deliver gold bricks to your mailbox. There are companies that make money off fleecing drivers in their first lease, most of which don't complete the contract.