Generator for the tractor

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Beethoven, Apr 26, 2013.

  1. Tug Toy

    Tug Toy Road Train Member

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    What about 34's? I also run mine while being loaded too. I also like being able to stop and start it right from bed. Had mine for a couple of months and use it about 160 hours a month. I'm home almost every weekend. The gen is way more quiet than the truck running.
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2016
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  3. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    I am out on the road between 40 - 46 weeks a year.

    I save on average $250 - $300 a week not idling my truck.

    So now multiply the low side,.. $250 by lets say 42 weeks. Tell me genius,.. what does YOUR math say?

    I know what my truck cost me before I bought the generator. I know what it costs now.

    This is why when someone asks how much an O/O makes,.. or what their profits are,.. ask 20 different guys and you will have 20 different answers.

    If I say I save $10k annually on fuel costs by not idling my truck,.. that is not a number I randomly pulled out of thin air. I run the spot market. I have a truck leased under another carriers authority. That means I give up a percentage of the rate to my carrier. Yet here I am, thriving,.. despite low rates, despite doing nothing but brokered loads. How do you think I survive and come out ahead when other seasoned people are having a much harder time? It sure isnt by pissing about what someone else claims they save on fuel when I dont understand how.

    So do yourself a favor. Put me on your ignore list. Obviously you can not handle what I have to say.

    Hurst
     
  4. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    Its been a scorcher for sure.

    When I stop,. I keep my truck running with the AC full blast until I get my generator set up and the window AC in the window, cranking out the cool sweet wonderful sleeping temps I enjoy. Then I shut my truck off.

    I have a condo sleeper,.. you can feel the heat collecting in the upper bunk and upper front bin. It can get pretty hot in here real quick. I like it warm,.. but I need it cool when I sleep. My wife says I'm weird like that.

    Hurst
     
  5. Captain Canuck

    Captain Canuck "Captain of the Ship"

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    I agree that paying $11K for a new Tripac is beyond the reach of many, but has anyone asked their local ThermoKing dealer about reman or off lease units? A shop near me has reman units with 2 yr warranty for $6500 installed, and that's in Canadian dollars. You can also find the odd used one for under $3K, but how good they are is a crapshoot.
     
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  6. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    His mistake was assuming I am an average driver.

    I do not have an average truck,.. nor do I operate like average Joe. I like to do my own thing. Live and learn,.. trial by error. I do what works for me.

    Hurst
     
  7. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    When I brag about my generator setup,.. I am certainly not trying to knock down a good APU set up. Were it not for the initial cost and a few horror stories that I read,.. I would probably have gone the APU route.

    For me it was easier and quicker to set up the generator and do the redneck window AC.

    $1900 for the generator,.. there are $300 - $400 generators that will work perfectly fine for other folks who wish to not spend so much. $180 for the window AC, $59 for the space heater. $700 to have a custom box made. Other can strap it down on their catwalk.

    So for the poor guy on the cheap,.. the generator is really an easy and affordable way to go. Its cheaper to buy a new generator than the repair costs for many APU's. The only real down side is filling the gas cans.

    Though I will admit,.. if I bought a truck with a nice APU,.. I would not remove it. I would use the heck out of it.

    Hurst
     
  8. KeithT1967

    KeithT1967 Road Train Member

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    Maybe Hurst can use some of that money his Gen is saving him and paint his hood. ;)
     
  9. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    Thats hitting below the belt. LOL

    Fat chance,.. :p

    Hurst
     
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  10. KeithT1967

    KeithT1967 Road Train Member

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    I couldnt resist after seeing your new Sig pic. It looks really good and I'm sure it'll drive at least one member bat#### crazy. lol
     
  11. bzinger

    bzinger Road Train Member

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    I'm like you Hurst in that I stay out too...
    I did the math on my truck and generater setup and I can run generater at this week's fuel prices for 64 bucks a week , idleing the truck will be 337 a week .
    I'm currently in Laredo where its a cool 100 and and getting ready to adjust the thermostat on the ac cause it's getting cold in here .
     
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