Fuel prices and idling.

I just traded a KW with a Tri Pac on it. Got exactly ZERO extra for the APU being on it. They didn't care. Granted it had a ton of hours on it but it had no impact on the value of the truck from 3 different trade quotes. I did not put an APU on my new truck. I rarely idle for 9 months out of the year and in the summer when I do idle the cost of an APU does not balance out the savings. Somebody mentioned reliablity, I think Tri Pac is probably the best and since I bought it with already 3.5 years on it, it was nothing but trouble. I can guarantee that APU cost me alot more than it saved while I owned the truck.

 

I'm not going to do the math for you, you're loosing this battle rapidly.

I stay out an average of 2 nights per week. Even if I could get a hotel room in South Texas (FYI, there are no hotels withing a couple hours of the rigs and even if you can find one they have been booked up solid for months) it would take a long time for a $10,000 APU.

As stated before, when I'm on the road my truck is my home. I'm not going to spend $10,000 for a APU when I can idle my truck for 7-10 hours per night in the middle of now where and be comfortable while I sleep instead of sweating or freezing my juevos off and not sleeping well. Not only does not sleeping well endanger myself, but it endangers everyone else on the road. I don't care how much money these oil and gas exploration companies throw at us to get their directional equipment ASAP, none of that matters if I don't make it home safely to my wife and child.

 

I think an APU would pay for itself faster if there was a fridge in the truck. You know you get tired of eating at thoes places than can mess up a scrambled egg.

 

Don't really see the need for an APU. Only if you run a lot of appliances and need the electricity. A wabasto bunk heater on the other hand, is a lifesaver. Those save a ton of idling in cold weather.

 

Does Roehl have any idle rules and bonuses for not idling? Don't see how someone couldn't idle without an apu when it is zero out, at least in the long run.

 

I think that if you idled all the time, then perhaps an APU might make financial sense. But if you only idled when neccesary, then you probably wouldn't see the benefit. When I can, I shut down, I sleep better that way and my appliances (fridge, CPAP, laptop, TV) rarely bring the battery down to where the low voltage cutout trips during a 10 hr break. A longer stop and I might have to idle some to charge the batteries. FWIW I've been out since the 16th and I've only idled once all night and that was last night in San Antonio.

I told my boss I'd rather have a bunk heater than an APU when they trade this truck in next year.

 

On the contrary, depending on how cold the weather is you need to idle regardless of a APU or bunk heater. Idling for 10 hours is cheaper than a phone call to road service.

 

lol people on here just love to argue for the sake of arguing I think. Obviously if its TOO cold you should be idling the truck.

 

You know 2 truckers can't agree on the price of a free cup of coffee

 

I heard that on Lockridge the other day. I laughed.