Driver Comfort in Hot Weather in Sleeper During Downtime

Some companies have APUs. Some had idling policy.

This is something you need to discuss with a recruiter or interviewer at any company you apply for. If they have a no idle policy and no APU, I won't work for them. I'm not going to drive when I haven't gotten a good night's sleep.

APU is the way to go though. Much quieter! Keeps your batteries charged and circulates oil and coolant from the engine. Another benefit is the engine will already be partially warmed up, so you don't have to warm it up to drive.

 

Actually very rare if not unheard of anymore. Companies either have apu's or have you idle for AC. Most are running apu's.
The problem with idling the truck, is most companies want to pay bonus on your fuel economy and idling cuts into that alot.
If you have an apu, then the fuel bonus is set so high, it's quite hard to get. And so many apu's have problems once they are a year old.
But almost all companies know everyone needs Air condition for sleeping in tempertures above 80 degrees.

 

What temp do you consider too hot to sleep?Some companies will let you idle if the weather reaches a certain temp.Some have APUS.Then some companies won't let you idle no matter what.They rather drivers suffer to save money.They forget that the trk is the drivers home.

 

I'm dealing with another failure of my bunk AC, which is the "ParkSmart" system from Freightliner. These battery-operated systems are basically crap. Constant failures.....and for me, I like to be on the cool side when I sleep, and neither the ProStar or the Cascasdia I've driven with their respective battery-based systems did the job.

 

If it's 80 outside, it's far hotter inside the truck, humidity or no humidity.

 

My company give us no grief about idling during summer. Stay cool, stay comfortable, stay well rested and alert, stay safe.

We have really good bunk heaters for winter where they lose it with us is if we idle during winter since we've got the bunk heat that will run you out of the truck in 0 degrees lol

Do your homework for sure before making the leap on this and many many other issues and make sure it's a good fit, or appears to be before you go.

Nobody should have to cook like bacon in the summer or freeze like ice in the winter. There are a few companies out there that get it.....not just on this issue but hometime, training, pay a myriad of things.... but you have to do the legwork to find them. what works for one is bad news for another so you have to ask the questions and find the one that best suits your needs. Good luck to you.

 

Me on the other hand I can sleep in 85 degrees.Texas does get hot.Best thing to do is find a company with APUS,then you on't have to worry.More states then not have an Idle policy an Texas is one of those states