Staying Comfortable

That's the best advice right there; there are several companies to choose from.

Here are 4 of many:

System Transport
TransAm
Melton Truck Lines
Dynamic Transit

 

No. A typical class 8 CMV consumes 1.5 gallons of fuel to idle per hour. That's about what an APU consumes in a 10 hour break. At $4 a gallon, it gets expensive very quickly.

 

if i read correctly, youre talking about city/state idling laws rather than company policies. ive been bothered exactly twice by someone in regards to idling. once in a rest area (warning) and once leo was called when i took too long to shut down in back of a strip mall that backed up to residential area. as far as idling LAWS go, #### that. when its cold (under 35-40), then something is keeping me warm. if its hot (over 70 during the day, 80 at night) then something is keeping me cool. if the company doesnt have apu/bunk heater, then its the darn truck engine. as for idling POLICIES, #### them twice. if any company was concerned about fuel economy, theyd make it worth the drivers' while to watch the idling. 1 gallon per hour of idling= at least $3.25 after fsc. so EACH tenth of a mile over the "minimum" should be rewarded financially. 6.3 is the min, and you did 6.8? FAT bonus for you. otherwise, lay out the darn money and install the apus...they pay for themselves AND are a tax write off...seems to me any large company that doesnt buy em is just plain stupid. and doesnt really care about its drivers.

 

i heard 1 gallon per hour versus 1 tenth per hour apu. still...apu cost is ($8000?). fuel at 3.25 after surcharge (wait surcharge doesnt matter you get that either way)...ok fuel at $4 per gallon means it takes about 2200 hours to pay for one. averaging 3 hours per day idling its paid for itself in almost 2 years exactly. not having them just makes no sense.

 

Can't forget maintenance costs with APU, not just fuel. That adds into that equation. I'm not saying it drastically changes it, just another cost you can't forget.

I haven't been bothered anywhere as far as laws go. The clean idle sticker gets you by many places, but not everywhere. CARB was working the street that trucks park out in front of some grocery warehouses one day and they didn't even bother anyone without the sticker. They were just looking for ARB registration numbers on the reefer units.

 

an installed apu is 10000 just look at companies that have them

 

Not a problem! Call the power company in your dispatchers home town and shut the power off. Knock Knock, Human in this truck. I deserve basic life support. A/C Heat, Hello?

 

Make them pay for a motel every nite. You don't flip burgers, act like it.

 

My temporary home is where it's parked. I demand at least some comfort. If they can't provide that, find another truck company to work for, or be a weeine and cower down. Truckers don't like being mis treated, we fight, we work we keep America moving. Always remember that.