So how are company drivers dealing with anti-idle rules?

Well it is funny you ask these questions because I came in here to find this out as well. I am wondering the same things so I won't repeat all the same things. I am trying to figure out how to sleep in the heat. If it is cold outside I am great I don't need the heat but I can't sleep if it is hot out. Is there a way to at least run a small fan with the engine off? I would think you could but I don't want to assume anything. I will be watching this thread to see what you pro's say!

 

drive In the east. No problem idling in FL, GA, SC, NC, VA, PA, MA, TN, CT, KY, have yet to find a spot to not idle.

 

Does anybody know which states do not allow you to idle?

 

New York, Cali, are the ones that I can remember. But here is a great link:

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckernews/specialreports/idling_laws_affecting_truckers.shtml

And I have HEARD if you have a pet you can idle. I love my hermit crab so much, so easy to hide if on company property too.

 

Banning idling,That is so stupid.

 

I have seen trucks idling in the 'no-idle' states without problems. I have never seen a police officer touring the truck stops giving out tickets for idling. I'm sure it happens, but I haven't seen it. We have an APU and have never had a problem. I would venture to guess that you have a much better chance at being harrassed about idling if you are in a rest area or on a ramp than if you are in a truck stop. I also see many places where trucks are parked in the idle aire and are not hooked up but are idling anyway. I have been told that idle aire is fine when the temp is not too hot or cold, but when it's over 80 or under 30, it doesn't do much -- but not ever using it -- I can't say from experience. On very cold nights (below 10) we have used the APU and idled to keep the fluids running through the engine and avoid any problems with freeze ups -- but I can only recall two times we did that in Wisconsin last winter. If your company doesn't have APU's or pay for idle aire, then there are portable heaters that you can use in cold weather that you can purchase yourself -- but of course you should check to make sure the company will ,allow it. Also, I have seen an increase in the use of those security screens for the window of the truck, but that would only work when it's not too hot out there. I believe that more companies will be investing in some type of idling alternative not just because of the increase in no-idling laws, but to attract drivers and prolong the life of their equipment. Idle aire doesn't help when you're sitting at a shipper/receiver or parked in a non-truck stop parking area.

 

All the new trucks for KLLM have APU's.