APU/ Inverters

As I am researching companies for which I am going to apply to work. I put my personal comforts high on the list of importance. I have seen some of the major carriers list that they have APU's/ Inverters. But, I have watched a several videos of drivers (new to the business and from the carriers for which I am looking), and they state the trucks do not have them. How common is it for a new driver to get a truck with those items? Are there time frames or miles traveled, you have to reach before you get those trucks?

Thanks.

 

Usually a company either has them for all drivers or they don't have them at all. Most of the mega carriers have done away with them.

 

You say the mega carriers got ride of them? So, do drivers have to purchase them themselves? DO you pay the company to install?

 

We're talking about company trucks, not trucks owned by the drivers. If a company truck doesn't have an APU, why would you want to spend $15,000 to buy one yourself to put on their truck, and I doubt if the company would let you do it anyway. If you go to work for a company that doesn't have APU's on their trucks, then you idle your truck when stopped.

 

Thanks. I am still confused about how much of this works. That is why I read, and ask questions.

I"m trying to figure out about cooking/ eating while out on the road.

 

I'm curious as to why you said this. Care to give more insight?

 

You are putting the cart before the horse.

I, as an O/O, did not focus on the creature comforts. I looked at what I can learn trucking-wise, legal aspects, manouvering, BACKING etc.

3 months later I had my own truck/authority. Now I'm debating on inverter vs. generator. Inverters look like they are not an ideal setup (battery drain issues) .. and APU cost an arm & leg, so generator may be way to go and still accomplish what I need.

 

Just a personal observation from talking with drivers who work for them. Most of the mega carriers I've seen are getting new trucks bare bone with no frills. I realize it's not the case with all of them which is why I said "usually".

 

Thanks. I am looking at many different aspects, this is by all means not the only item of interest.

 

As long as your truck has an inverter (which most company OTR trucks do) then it's just a matter of letting the engine idle while you use a microwave to heat things up and eat in your truck. An APU saves fuel as opposed to idling a truck if you are frequently driving in weather extremes and need to idle at night for heating and cooling.