My plan and i need opinions

i havent been otr in a few years but things have changed and i can finally get back to what i love.....after i get some current experience under my belt i plan to get my own truck, it will probably be a international(9900) or kenworth(w900). the things i need advice or are apu's and most importantly i have only ever drove a 10 spd does a 18 speed really make that big a difference when you arent hauling oversize? as this is a 1st truck it will be used not shooting for a new one yet because we all the the shock of the bells and whistles wears off long before the shock of the truck note does. if anyones has any experiance with apus or 18 speeds i would love an appreciate the input. as far as bashing my choice of kw or international please don't as like everyone who has driven company and i've had good and bad experience with many brands and these seem roomier for me as far as living in it 3 weeks at a time. thanks in advance guys and gals

 

cool i was lookin around to give me ideas and so far i seem to hear good stuff about tripacs as long as they have a big enough alternator and the cut in voltage is set at 12.6v, and hows shifting on a 18 speed? lo-hi for every gear or only after i've gone to the high side of the gears?

 

and thats what im trying to do lol guess thats y i'm planning way ahead right now but i am gonna have to find a place to rent a 18 and practice dont wanna go buy a truck and destroy it first month out after saving to buy it flat out

 

yea but the point of a apu is not to keep warm as much as to still watch tv run your fridge etc without idling your truck which is why i was lookin at apu's but thx for the advice on the heater

 

dude it's nothing personaly but i have a hard time believeing a truck can sit for 3 days power u tv fridge etc etc etc and still start i could be wrong but when i was driving before with crapimized idle after a few hours of sitting watchin tv n playing xbox the battery voltage was too low and the truck would start. i'm not knocking your logic or view as a mechanic but honestly i think maybe because we live in different areas the power demands your drivers put on a trucks batteries may not be the same as mine but i do appreciate the advice, and as far as heaters i live in the south if i want heat i'll roll down a window lol