AC not working, is there a DOT regulation about this?

Yeah you missed it

 

One of the things that many people are missing or not mentioning is when you own the truck, you realize how many things are luxuries, and when choosing between mechanical repairs and luxuries, you will choose to fix the mechanical.

Brakes or a/c? I'll fix the brakes and roll down the window! If the problem was big, would you want to spend thousands of dollars to fix the a/c because now it is considered a DOT safety device?

If we are talking about an owner who has a driver in the truck, it becomes a retention issue. Most company drivers have said they'll go home if the a/c isn't fixed. It is hard to find mediocre drivers, let alone good ones. Unless your boss feels that he or she will save money by parking the truck, fixing the a/c is something he or she will have to do in order to keep the truck rolling.

 

OK ok, I've read though many of these posts and have seen many pointing out that A/C is a luxury not really needed... as back in the day, it wasn't offered etc etc...

However, modern trucking designs with curved windshields(act like a magnifying glass) can produce temps exceeding 120 deg F. well over heatstroke range with prolonged exposure, even with windows down. Safety issue? I'd certainly say so... And without A/C working the defrosters will actually fog up windows with the fan on, again certainly a safety issue.

With this said, older designed trucks with flat windshields can cool down fine running with the windows down... however, it's usually the guy in a penny pincher boss's fleet truck(Pro Star)... Who refuses to fix the A/C in a truck that doesn't work well at all without it.

 

I have a personal regulation regarding A/C in the summer - If the A/C doesn't work, then neither do I.

 

I believe PA has a law that says it has to work.

 

I need to add this to those who don't read in detail, the hottest summer was back in the 30's (1935 and 1936), and it was as hot 110 years ago as it is today. The problem is this, noaa and the other weather related services have monitoring stations in place that indicate skewed temps and use that data as accurate. But then to add to that, when the weather channel or cnn or whomever takes the two reports from noaa and don't read the reports but look at the summary, which is about the world temps and not specific to the us.

 

Yes AC is a luxury item since we didn't always have it. Oh wait we didn't always have trucks either so strap the freight on your back and carry on.

 

I think we've always had freight. Farthest back i can remember though is the horse and wagon.

 

Thats where the Teamsters came from.