Fuel prices and idling.

Why are you not getting paid decent? Did you wreck a truck like I did haha.

I try to save fuel when i can so i can get my fuel bonus. I also like all the bonuses I get. I have an old beat up truck. I'm waiting patiently for a newer truck. Its only a matter of time before i get into a new one since mine keeps nickel and dimeing the company.

But, I believe I'm payed a decent wage.

sent from DrtyDiesel

 

My brick is in my sig... I get 4.9 mpg and run 65 or less and i have a bunk heater, best thing I've bought i idle less than 30 hours a year. i haul maxim flat beds. so an apu for just doesn't make sense. On the other hand I see people idleing while loading and tarping and while inside the truck stop watching tv. Whatever just don't tell me your broke while truck is outside idleing away

 

I am one of them guys.....If I don't need to idle I won't. I am local now (gravel) and even shut the truck down if I am going to be sitting in line waiting for more than a few minutes.

 

Initial cost! My truck burns .5 gallons of fuel per hour to idle. A APU burns .3 gallons per hour to run. It just doesn't justify the cost for me to purchase one. Plus the wife and I run team, so the only time we really sit is usually on weekends.

 

Like others have said, your comfort level mite not be the same as others. and the power issue could be different. I tried the electric blanket one time, woke up with dead batteries and the company was pissed. so, I idle when i feel necessary for comfort. anybody that doesnt like it, dont park next to me

 

I bought the smallest space heater I could find. Had a thermostat and all. Didnt matter, batteries dead in the am. It never even turned on but I guess just the thermostat being on drained it.

 

APU's are indeed not cost effective. If they were, you'd see millions of trucks outfitted with them. The APU companies try to sell you that you're burning a gallon an hour, wear and tear, emission etc. These are classic scare tactics. The truth is an APU will burn almost as much as your idling engine for the privilege of $10k investment. Last summer I bought a $1000 suitcase 2000 watt generator and a $300 air conditioner and have not realized a significant savings over just idling the engine during hot days.

 

Really .1 gallons per hour for generators? Everything I have heard is .25 gallons per hour on generators.

Also the 1 gallon an hour on trucks is at a high idle. Most cronic idliers dont idle at 1200 rpms, instead they do it at 600-800, Which is .5 gallons per hour. And I know this as a fact becouse this is what I get. And I idle allot.

However during the peak summer month, when its over 100, its mid day and the sun is just beating down on my truck, I will kick it up to a high idle in the 1200-1400 range with the AC maxed out and will only be geting 1.2 gallons per hour during this period.