Ac and sleeping

I think the law makers had the right idea. It burns tons of fuel letting a big rig idol half gallon an hour or so. I think they assumed that when they implemented the law that the trucking companies would find alternative means to heat our trucks so we dont freeze to death in the sleeper, and A/C so we don't die of heatstroke in our sleep. The result wasn't what they expected. Trucking companies are not seeking out alternatives like APU's, or anything of the sort. They all decided to save a few bucks and just make the trucker suffer or risk a ticket. Fatigue is the number one cause of all truck related accidents. So they implement this rule, then a few years later under the most retarded president this country ever had, they decide to tweek the HOS to try forcefully eliminate even more fatigue from us.

Bottom line for me. I try to run mostly at night. I love nighttime. If it is 100 degrees out during the day its probley 120+ in the cab with the sun on my truck. I will find a spot to idol my truck so i can get a good days sleep. If I didnt idol my truck I would likely die in such circumstances. If I stayed awake all day drove at night a few days in a row, i would likely die in a wreck possibly taking an innocent motorist or two or three with me. The laws in effect basically are asking me to die and or possibly kill other people. I will not do aether. We all have to make choices, a lot of times the rules or laws are just wrong. Its up to each person to make the wright decision. Just because something it illegal doesnt always make it wrong. Just because its what the law says does not always make it wright.

 

You and I are in the same boat here. I prefer running at night and will do what needs to be done for my comfort. Which, in turn, relates to a safer more cognizant me. I choose to take my chances with potentially garnering a fine, rather than driving fatigued as I would if I didn't obtain proper rest.

As for my reason for running at night.... Less traffic, more courtesy from other drivers, and cooler temps. This makes for better running and far less stress for me.

 

you can google sites that have the anti-idling laws listed state by state but other than trucker stories, I haven't heard of any real tough enforcement of them.
The laws are supposed to be set up so that we can idle in extreme temps to run the truck's a/c or heat and are supposed to be targeting drivers who idle when they shouldn't. Again, we run into the LAW, in a lot of places (Walmart distribution centers have signs saying "no idling" but I've never seen them enforced either). Nowadays, newer trucks, and trucks in larger fleets are being equipped with APUs (accessory power units) which are small diesel fired generators that use less fuel. These are typically tied into a system within the truck that will start the APU to run in order to charge batteries, heat fuel cells in the winter, and run inverters, bunk heaters and bunk a/c units.
Commercially there is a company that struggled, but I think is slowly recovering, that provides heat and a/c systems in certain truckstop parking lots for a fee. Never liked them (Idle-aire) too expensive and take up a heck of a lot of real estate in the truck stop parking lots with their overhead rigging and parking stalls.

 

The solar powered trucks and big fleets are almost all gone and you can usually find a parking spot at 4 or 5 am.

 

Its just a lot less ruckess. Most all the truckers who are driving at night do so like professionals not street punks which are everywhere in the day. Its just a really nice peaceful ride, turn up the sterio roll down the window and just relax and enjoy it without very much stress coming at you from the asphalt. I can just chill out and relax, even let my mid wonder without worrying. Less recks, a lot less congestion, less scales that are open, less cops period. Its what driving should be like all the time, with less traffic, more respectful drivers and without all the wrecks, and traffic jambs.

Get to a truckstop at say 08:00 2/3 of the spots are empty. Never have to wait on a shower. Almost never a jam at the fuel pumps. Night driving works really well for me on all levels.

 

The growing trend is APU's (auxilary power unit). They are seperate small diesel engines that have their own AC system and alternator. Some brands have generators. Some have bunk heaters. But like my truck has a seperate bunk heater. I can stay comfortable from -30 to 105 degrees or so. Not only do they keep your batteries charged, they are tied in with the trucks cooling system and keeps it warm also. The alternator gives you endless juice to a 110V power inverter.

This link will give you a better idea.

http://www.thermoking.com/tripac/

 

Why not make this simple. If you are hauling freight with a truck that has a sleeper, make an APU mandatory and add another surcharge to the rate to cover the expense. I look for APU's to be standard equipment before too much longer...

 

While I would say this sounds fantastic in a perfect world scenario, I don't feel it's currently realistic on all levels. The company I work for has tried various means for driver comfort and of those they've tried none performed very well. Electric A/C units didn't keep up with temps above 85 degrees ambient (which is far hotter while sitting on asphalt as we all know) the APU's tended to have either mechanical issues, generator issues, or failed altogether. Espar heating is epic though! I feel I must add that my company has an excellent service program and our trucks are exceptionally maintained, so maintenance is not the issue.

Now, as to adding a surcharge to cover the costs, I seriously doubt that would happen, nor would anyone make it palatable enough for the consumer to swallow. Our consumers don't care about driver comfort, operating costs, nor often regulations. They care about having their product moved from point A to point B in the most cost efficient means possible, though there are always exceptions of course.

As to it becoming "standard equipment before too much longer", you are probably right.

 

I prefer night driving also. However, it's a pain in the arse when pulling flatbed, as no one wants to load or unload during those hours, ######!

 

anti-idling laws always make me snicker. I'm allowed to run my refer and have my freight be comfortable but, I can't idle my tractor so I can be comfortable? Who thought this up?