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Is this what an APU looks like?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Moe Rhonic, Jun 13, 2012.

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  1. Jun 13, 2012 #1
    Moe Rhonic

    Moe Rhonic Light Load Member

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    May 3, 2012
    Des Plaines, Il
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    I've learned from all my reading (here and elsewhere) the importance of having an APU, but I'm somewhat confused. I live on a main thoroughfare, with a major highway right behind that, and have spent a lot of time "truck spotting" as it were...

    If an APU is, what I think it is, then I don't very often see a truck with one--in fact I think I've only seen one or two in the 5 months I've been doing this.

    My question is, am I wrong, or is this an APU?

    APU.jpg

    If not, can you tell, just by looking from the outside, whether or not a truck has an APU?
     
    Moe Rhonic, Jun 13, 2012
    Moe Rhonic, Jun 13, 2012
    #1
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  3. Jun 13, 2012 #2
    STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    Nope, that's a "headache rack" used by flatbedders to secure chains and straps and other load securement devices. An APU is typically located on the passenger side of a truck behind the fuel tank, but sometimes on the driver side. (Don't have a picture handy, and not to be confused with a tire chain rack) Not sure how many trucks today are equipped with APU's as a percentage, but I'd guess it's in the 40-50% range today, and increasing every year.

    I suspect many trucks based or operating strictly in the northern tier of states do not have full-blown APU's with a/c. They sometimes utilize a "bunk heater" option for heat and are fairly small and located out of site under the sleeper. Even truck with APU's do not use the APU for heat, they use the "bunk heater" mentioned and the APU is only required to keep batteries charged as they power TV's and such ... or for cooling in the summer.
     
    STexan, Jun 13, 2012
    STexan, Jun 13, 2012
    #2
  4. Jun 13, 2012 #3
    Moe Rhonic

    Moe Rhonic Light Load Member

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    Des Plaines, Il
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    Thanks STexan...Man, I was way off base...Explains why I haven't seen too many!

    What a maroon! Just did some Googling and now I understand better!
     
    Moe Rhonic, Jun 13, 2012
    Moe Rhonic, Jun 13, 2012
    #3
  5. Jun 13, 2012 #4
    Cranky Yankee

    Cranky Yankee Cranky old ######

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    Green Bay Wi
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    i cant imagine that half the otr trucks have apu's
    everytime i get mad at transam i look at plenty of other trucks go by without apu's
    that are not allowed to idle and like where i am
    easier to say which companies have or have not apu's
     
    Cranky Yankee, Jun 13, 2012
    Cranky Yankee, Jun 13, 2012
    #4
  7. Jun 13, 2012 #5
    Moe Rhonic

    Moe Rhonic Light Load Member

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    May 3, 2012
    Des Plaines, Il
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    From the Googling I'm doing, it doesn't appear as if all trucks have them exposed (visible) so I guess that it would just be another question I'd need to ask of prospective companies...
     
    Moe Rhonic, Jun 13, 2012
    Moe Rhonic, Jun 13, 2012
    #5
  8. Jun 13, 2012 #6
    STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    You may be right trans am, I could be (probably am) estimating high. But it seems I see more and more every day, especially on any trucks that operate heavily in the South and Southwest.

    If you're asking for consideration of prospective trucking companies, many who do have them are not "100%" inclusive. Perhaps their 3 year old trucks don't have them, and their 1 and 2 year old trucks do have them and it's an "iffy' situation at best what you'll begin with. If you plan on running in a 48 state operation, I'd give this REAL consideration, especially if they have a strict idle policy to boot. I've spent 24 hours in PHX in August with no APU and one day in that scenario can trash your idle bonus for the month OR trash your ability to be comfortable.
     
    STexan, Jun 13, 2012
    STexan, Jun 13, 2012
    #6
  9. Jun 13, 2012 #7
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    There are trucks with APUs that don't work, for whatever reason, too. The one I drive is in that category.

    Some of the better companies give incentives to not idle if they don't have APUs. I have been told to idle as necessary.

    Other companies have APUs on everything as a recruitment tool. As for whether they all work, I seriously don't think so.
     
    25(2)+2, Jun 13, 2012
    25(2)+2, Jun 13, 2012
    #7
  10. Jun 13, 2012 #8
    Cranky Yankee

    Cranky Yankee Cranky old ######

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    Green Bay Wi
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    every trans am apu works or you go to the shop or you didnt tell the company.Our apu mechanic one day spent an hour showing me all the lil tricks to keep it running right Sean isnt just a wrench turner
     
    Cranky Yankee, Jun 13, 2012
    Cranky Yankee, Jun 13, 2012
    #8
  11. Jun 13, 2012 #9
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    What brand(s) of APUs does TransAM use?
     
    25(2)+2, Jun 13, 2012
    25(2)+2, Jun 13, 2012
    #9
  12. Jun 13, 2012 #10
    Balakov100

    Balakov100 Road Train Member

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    Look for the Condenser and Fan (think that's what it's called) on the back of the cab.
     
    Balakov100, Jun 13, 2012
    Balakov100, Jun 13, 2012
    #10
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