How important is driver comfort (questions about APUs)?

everyone is different and there are as many different applications of jobs as there are trucks
some guys OTR dont use an apu even if provided
the further north you go the more guys care about ab apu that warms the main engine
i cook in the truck and idle the main when i have big loads on the inverter so a bigger alternator would be good
i like the white noise my tv is on 24 hours a day at home
batter apu is only good for 8-10 hours i consider it junk but that is what i have in a company truck

 

I hate the loud APU's. I do like the white noise of a quite APU. My Tri Pac is nice, could be a little quieter. I don't like the APU to vibrate much, as it can cause squeaks and rattles in the cab

My APU is 0% for emissions and 100% for driver comfort.

My fuel usage went up after the APU. As soon as the truck shuts off the APU comes on. I never sit in my truck hot or cold. 100% driver comfort.

Bought my first Tri Pac in 2009, sold that truck. Bought my 2nd one in 2012, running it now.
I do have a couple custom switches on this one so I have more control when it will or will not turn off or on.

 

The only folks that appreciate a loud APU are the ones parked next to a loud reefer unit.

Or a bull rack.

 

Well said

 

I'd rate importance at 4 on a scale of 5. Some have a more annoying "loud putter" then others. I see no reason why most can't have better muffler systems, even if it adds a $100 to the cost

Want no part of a battery system. Ever get stuck in a blizzard situation where closures go on for 30+ hours, I don't want to have to concern myself with power consumption and I want to keep the truck batteries charged and warm, as well as the engine block, long term in desperate situations.

Pretty important if you run in far northern climates during the winter. Otherwise, it's rarely utilized.

I imagine any buyer will coordinate with the shop manager and other sources to buy the most cost-effective solution available to balance up-fron costs, with on-going maintenance costs, and reliability. Most will pay a premium for a product known to be more reliable and less problematic.

This is more dependent upon the inverter that is implemented along with the APU. The wants of fleet buyers and the wants of owner-ops are two different things. I think most fleet trucks have adequate power to run "reasonable" appliances. There's always somebody (company driver) who wants to run a dorm fridge, and an Xbox console, and charge a gaming PC, all simultaneously. This is never possible, nor should it be.

I place zero consideration on "emissions compliance".

As a company driver, #1, quiet, #2 low vibration, #3 an effective start/stop routine that can be controlled by the user as needs change. A buyer will have other factors. Of course any APU needs to provide the basic functionality that is expected from APU. (Keep batteries charged and warm, keeping inverter at peak capacity, effective cab/sleeper heat and cooling, block heat in very cold conditions)

 

Also, I prefer the webasto heating system Vs many of the "electric element" systems found on some units. Many APU "electric" heating systems are simply ineffective when the temps dip below about 15 degrees. Then, the Webasto heaters are hard to beat. Some complain the Webasto's are a maintenance problem, but I never had any issues with either of those I had.

Although I don't like the idea of having a "furnace" going beneath my mattress, they do work and seem to be safe and reliable, regardless of the perceived danger potential.

 

My company uses an electric apu and I love it. It is totally silent and lasts about 30 hours (varies on amount of amps being used) though. I just run the engine so the alternator powers the high wattage items such as my microwave for a few minutes. You will read 1000 false reviews from truckers saying their electric apu broke down everyday or that it only lasts eight hours but I have used them for five years without a problem. Even those TK apus that people say are so quiet sound like lawnmowers to me. Some sound as loud as the truck engine.

I find it interesting how a lot of truckers rattle their small rusty 1970 truck that is pumping blue smoke all over the lot and the air governor kicking on and off every minute and that doesn't bother them. So to each his own. Oh and yes allowing the apu to keep the engine warm is a huge plus during the freezing winters. I just read Stexan reply about batteries. Hes a good guy but he is mistaken on that point. I was stuck in Dallas during that ice storm a few years back when they shut down the main roads. I was stuck on the side of the road for three days with my battery apu in the ice.

I just ran my engine for 30 minutes once a day to recharge my apu batteries and I was nice and toasty warm watching TV and posting online with my electric APU. Almost all electric APUs use fuel for the heat and it is still very quiet. I have experienced extreme weather conditions and never had a problem.

I also disagree with his comment about the inverter. If you want to figure out how many amps is enough, just look up the average amps for each appliance you want to run and add it up. Plus factor that they won't always be using that amount of amps 24/7. I installed my own 3000 watt inverter and I can run everything.

My thought process is different from a lot of people. The way I see it I try to make myself as happy and comfortable as possible which makes my job way easier and I work longer and make more money. Whereas a lot of guys just sit and stare at the wall for hours and say how much they hate trucking. I am in my truck now streaming Hulu and Netflix movies while getting loaded.

 

I would be interested in hearing some of your results. PM me when you get a chance. I may have some good info for you as well.