Good for you? Good for me!

I have a bunk heater - it's a 2009 Cascadia, with 422,000 miles. I believe the trucks are all leased. When the mileage gets to 500,000 they are turned in for new models. New trucks being ordered (2013), have APU's. There are other trucks in the fleet with APU's, but don't know what years or models, or how many?

I can tell you, I like the bunk heater! I don't have to idle the truck at all, and it keeps me warm and toasty (it can get really hot in the truck too, if you set it too high). I haven't driven in the warm summer months. That's where an APU would be nice - for the air conditioner. I don't like to be hot and sweaty... so the warm days / nights are going to be a challenge. Since the company doesn't want / allow idleing unless temps are above 80 degrees, you can't use the truck for air conditioning below that temperature. I don't think a fan and the air vents will help much.

 

Oh yeah! I've been with the company for all of 8 weeks now I guess, and I've already been to Canada 4 times... and heading up there again on this trip. I hauled Hazmat up once before, and will be hauling it again in a couple of days. I like going to Canada - but you better have a pocket full of cash - because you have to pay for the bridge fees and border fees out of your pocket to cross (you get re-imbursed by the company).

Another thing you'll want to think about is phone charges. If you use your phone in Canada and don't have an International plan - you'll pay through the nose for every minute. I have AT&T and pay $30 for 80 minutes (monthly). I figure I can write it off on taxes next year. I tried to get away without adding International and just use the Qualcomm, but that became impossible in short order.

There are a handful of things you have to do to get across the border (paperwork and such) that HAVE to get done. Border Patrol gets really upset if you show up at the gate without the proper papers - and could fine the company thousands of dollars. Throw Hazmat in the mix, and you better have all your ducks in a row - before you even think about getting to the gate.

Honestly though - so far (other than not having the right paperwork coming back into the US... check out my latest blog) - crossing has been relatively painless, but kind of expensive. It cost $16.25 to cross a bridge into Canada, and it costs $10.75 to get out. You can always get that back through the Comdata card when you get fuel, if you don't want to wait for pay day to come around. I usually carry enough cash for about 3 weeks on the road - which in my case is about $300. But if I start to get short on cash, I'll use the cash advance from the Comdata card to get back the cost of going across the border.

 

Awesome! Keep me posted - I think you've made a great choice! (obviously)