Watkins & Shepard - The Adventure Begins October 8th

Are the APUs generally repairable or do they just need replacing?

 

I've got 18,000 hours on my TK and still chugging along so I'd vote for repairable.

 

TK is still in business, the others are not so finding parts is difficult. They usually have to pillage from a broken machine if its repairable. If any of the terminals can fix them it would be either Helena or Missoula. The most common problem I have heard is that drivers do not maintain them. Checking the oil on a regular basis.

Depending on what you plan on doing I would say you dont really "need" an APU. I have a 2500w power inverter, fridge, 900w microwave and a toaster oven I use pretty regularly (fridge stays plugged in all the time, the other 2 do not). Today I did a test while on my 30 minute mandatory break and my batteries went from 12.8v to 12.4 while using the microwave for 3 minutes. Once the 3 minute cycle was done the batteries went back up to 12.7 and stayed that way for the remainder of my break. If you have any doubt then idle for the time you use the items. Also look at what the idle laws are for each state http://www.atri-online.org/research/idling/ATRI_Idling_Cab_Card.pdf, now that we are in summer its much easier to get away with idling and while idling you can do just about anything.

I have been driving for WS and in general for 6 weeks now and have only idled twice while sleeping, once in Phoenix and once in Vegas. Both were in the mid to high 90's (I think Phoenix was 106 but dont remember exactly). As long as youre not doing it constantly I dont believe the company has a real issue with it. The different states might depending on the circumstances, adverse weather conditions usually give a free pass. Also I see many idling in the truck stops and many do not have the "Clean Air Idle" stickers and they dont seem to get harassed.

 

Thanks, Runaway! My biggest concern was when delayed or on a reset in a location when it's really hot or really cold. I'd hate to be trying to sleep in the back of a truck that is at 100 degrees....or -20!

If we can idle and keep the temperature good, I'm okay. And thank you for info on the APUs. I was checking prices and they're way beyond my means for some time....and I hate to be thinking about dropping $8K to $10K into a truck that I don't even own (not that I have any interest in owning or leasing). It seems strange that a driver would not want to check the oil on such a (to me) critical piece of equipment. Are the drivers responsible for parts and repairs on the APU at W/S? I know they will install them for free (I asked), but I wondered about on going repair.

I'll probably be picking up a fridge, I saw one yesterday at the Pilot in Billings for $100. Seems like that would be the first purchase for the truck. I'll add the other items you mentioned after a couple paychecks.

 

Here is an exact list of what I have.

Fridge - This pisses me off a little because when I bought it, it was $168. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Black-Decker-3.3-cu-ft-2-Door-Refrigerator-Black/19514772 I also purchased a piece of high density foam to go under the bottom to help reduce the shaking it will go through. You will run some very rough roads.

Microwave - I didnt read the reviews on this one, I purchased at the store without doing any research. So far it works well. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rival-0.9-cu-ft-Microwave-Oven-Black/16456592.

Toaster oven - Its not an item I use too often. My girlfriend likes to cook so she puts the food in aluminum loaf pans so I have to use it to heat them up. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rival-4-Slice-Toaster-Oven-White/14978076

Inverter - http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-CPI-257...qid=1372967081&sr=8-2&keywords=cobra+inverter I did a lot of research on these and without spending mid to high 3 figures for a pure sine wave I thought this was my best option. WS will allow you to go up to a 2500w. So far it has ran everything I have asked it to.

Laptop/GPS- I use my laptop as my GPS because I find it much easier to operate compared to the trucker GPS's. I use Microsoft Streets and Tips with the GPS dongle http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-ZV3...72967234&sr=8-3&keywords=ms+streets+and+trips and also purchased a trucker overlay from http://www.truckstopsplus.com. This gives you all of the truck stops, walmarts, scales and rest stops along with other things. Together I spent right around $100. Also dont forget to cover the dongle in caulking or else the first time it rains it will go out on you. I had this happen on my second trip. I use the 3m hook double sided tape with some super glue and have it mounted right above the visor on the passenger side. Thats the same place my Sirius antenna is but I will be upgrading that soon to one of these http://www.amazon.com/2320-SIRIUS-S...qid=1372968205&sr=8-8&keywords=sirius+antenna. I find that driving north in the northern part of the country the signal goes out or when Im right up against a mountain or wall of trees. I have heard nothing but good things about the after market antenna and they run around $60 at the truck stops.

Wifi - I purchased a plan from http://millenicom.com/. I have the Verizon mifi 20 gigs a month for $70. So far it has not let me down. For my phone I have sprint and if it wasnt for the unlimited data I would switch. Anytime Im in MT Im roaming (good thing I dont get charged for it) and it often goes straight to VM instead of ringing. I run my ipad, laptop and phone off it.

I also have a printer/scanner so I can scan all my receipts. Fuel, signed BOL's, weigh tickets and any repairs made by T-check. I also save my route from MS streets and tips to the same file so I have a record of everything. I do this for a couple reasons, 1. being told they dont have a receipt or something in my trip envelope 2. just in case my paycheck is wrong.

Hope this helps.

 

Awesome list! Thank you very much. That should make my research a lot easier.

 

I think you're confusing an APU with an Inverter....

 

No confusion. I stated earlier that most of the APU's are broken on the trucks. You would be lucky to get a truck that has one and then doubly lucky if the thing works. I also said that you dont need one, you can run anything you want without having to have an APU, you just need to be cautious of your voltage.

Its all up there a couple posts above.

 

That was actually directed to TAJW.....

 

No worries

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