webasto question

Sheep trucker. That pic with the steps on the Rigmaster. That scares me. The only thing holding that cover on is a couple of 7/16" bolts at the top and thin metal. I would think a good metal fabricator could make some really sturdy steps that connect on the frame rail and go over the Rigmaster cover.

If your Rigmaster is going on the passenger side I wouldn't think you needed any steps at all.

 

From an owner op perspective the APUs take a long time to pay for themselves because we learn to deal with fluctuating temps. Unless comfort has a high price in your head.

Like you said you didn't idle much any way. It would take a very long time to pay for itself if you simply compared it to fuel savings. The owner ops that do get an APU will run it all the time. They get used to that comfort, they paid all that money, and want their use out of it.

From a company stand point that owns a fleet. The APU is a no brainer. You want that truck idled all night at this high cost or ran all night at this lower cost with an APU?

I'm sure you can find a good used one if you just start looking, and keeping your options open. I had total sticker shock when I first looked into new APUs and disregarding them entirely. F that, I'll roll my windows down, pop in my bug screens, and turn on the fan.

When I got my webasto bunk heater was when I realized the price for comfort is worth it. Since then I have been wondering how I'm going to get AC in my truck without idling and for under $10k. I tried the gas generator route, but it's tedious and a real pain in the arse. Same goes for the portable AC. Waste of time and money if you ask me.

 

I agree. I looked closely and saw too little bars at the bottom, but I bet I could break that cover off with my fat arse.

Because it's going on the passenger side, I'm going to initially install it and worry about the steps later. Hopefully after staring at it long enough I fab some decent looking steps. If anything that cover does provide some good "looking" steps... LOL I'd have to install a Not a Step sign on my steps for show.

 

I agree. I looked closely and saw too little bars at the bottom, but I bet I could break that cover off with my fat arse.

Because it's going on the passenger side, I'm going to initially install it and worry about the steps later. Hopefully after staring at it long enough I fab some decent looking steps. If anything that cover does provide some good "looking" steps... LOL I'd have to install a Not a Step sign on my steps for show.

 

Maybe I'll build a wooden gangplank for any passengers. It would complete a nice pirate ship theme.

 

LMAO

 

I've ran those combos for years and I put in the switch as well to turn on the engine webasto in addition to the timer. Reason being is I am a believer it's easier to keep a engine warm by shutting engine off,flip switch on and walk away than let it get down to -20 sitting for 10 hours then attempt to warm up with webasto running just 2 hours. The nice thing is the switch lights up when it's running and I've ran it constantly for 12 hours and never had low batteries.
I run the timer function in the spring and fall and the odd summer day to keep it running.

 

I have an espar similar to webasto i got one for the bunk and one for the engine, the bunk run 8 hrs a night and the one for the engine start about 2 hours before departure.

I have never ever came close to ran out of juice "batteries"

About once a year i go for maintenance and both espar cost about 100-200$ of maintenance and i am good for the winter.

 

Fuel savings will pay for the APU if you stay out 3 nights a week. I bought my TK Tripac 5 years ago it cut my fuel usage by 900 gallons a year this is the best money I ever spent only wish I did sooner. Comfort priceless. If you stay out longer then 3 days the savings will be greater. Have the arctic package on mine it start the apu once temp gets to 20 and heats the engine up to 150 plus the all the features. After 5 years on one repair the alternator which I did myself. Go buy the apu you will never be sorry the fuel saving will pay for it.

 

CSTK is a thermoking dealer in St. Louis,MO and has really good prices on low hour APU units and refurbished units. APU center is another good one; also in Missouri.