Idiling...a Criminal Offence

This thread gets more interesting by the day with the exchange of views.

I suppose I ought to ask those of you vehemently opposed to the no idle law one simple question.

If there was some sort of "APU" fitted on your truck today as a standard equipment installed would you use it?

Take into account that this APU system would by using whatever method of energy available could keep you cool in the cab at night, warm in winter, keep the engine warm and defrost your windshield(s) before you are ready to drive.

I think every driver has the right to be comfortable in the cab whether at rest or driving down the road. Indeed without those conditions safety is compromised.

Having stated that I don't think we have a right to pollute when there is an alternative. Not so long ago in real terms it was acceptable to have raw sewage running down the street. Legislation was enacted a
while ago to prevent that in the developed world so that the population as a whole didn't suffer the health consequences of raw sewage in the streets & public water system. Today we have the spectre of global warming and whether you agree on that doctrine or not the idea of saving fuel, (thousands of dollars worth per year) certainly does! Of course air pollution by the way does affect the human respitory system causing severe illnesses in some.

Given a few years from now I believe every truck coming off the production line will have an APU fitted as standard. I also believe that if you don't shut down the big engine after a five minute idle period the ECM will do it for you.
Actros
The APU HQ
Golden CO

 

Sounds really safe for peak hour city traffic... cant wait until they install one in my truck!:smt011

 

I cannot imagine anyone NOT using an APU which is installed in their truck. But most trucks don't have them, and they are very expensive items to install. Company drivers have no say in the matter -- the company determines what equipment is in the truck.

Anti-idle laws are written with no concern at all for the life, health and safety of the driver. The great bugaboo "pollution" is the only thing that matters. But whether we like to admit it or not, it is impossible for a human being to exist without "polluting" the earth.

 

The cost of fitting an APU on a truck varies from about $7000 to $15500 depending upon which one you choose. Just like truck specs APU's are not created equal. Some will fit easily and then some won't; like car haulers.

I find dealing with o/o's are the easiest to talk to about "cutting the carbon" and saving money. Occasionally I run across a medium fleet owner (twelve Freightliners) like an a guy in Tn on the phone after fixing one of his APU's who has "seen de light" so to speak. He had made an in depth study on what was the "Good, the Bad and the Ugly". I admired his approach. In short he wanted no interfaced units, no single or twin engine powerpacks to limit output and he wanted his drivers to be comfortable on the road. So he chose an IdleAir Solutions unit with 3 cylinder Perkins at about 10g's a pop. His numbers showed he was saving money on fuel and had spread sheets on reduced engine and ancilliery wear/tear. Can't argue with that!

Trying to sell to the big crowd on the other hand is quite frankly different (read difficult). The person that makes the decision is often "protected" by a retinue of folk that have their own interests in mind. I once got a business card from the owner of a big fleet to talk Unimogs and their repair. (he has one of the latest and greatest) When I tried calling him on his private number all I got was the private secretary who basically said 'don't call us we'll call you" Nuff said! Any of you folk had that treatment???
The only exception has been the bigger Mexican operators I got through to two big movers and shakers South of the Border who are poised to "invade" it would seem; these guys were serious! So are the Chileans, with Santiago nestling under the Andes they have a similar air pollution problem as Denver

Going back to o/o's for a moment. I first started talking APU 16 months ago and got almost a universal "nah"! Nowadays I field on average three enquiry calls a day on APU stuff. I guess its only a matter of time before the big guys will be forced come around and install this equipment. Why? Easy!
State Law, Easy driver revolt/defection to those that have it (APU), Mechanical downtime truck frozen up, and yes 'cos it's the USA---yes Law Suits!
I can see the headlines now "Truck driver slams into Interstate Traffic Jam scores injured with fatalities".
Sub heading "Driver blames mental/physical fatigue citing "State No idle laws" and "forced to ignore OHSA". etc etc
Slick lawyer (like the ones you see on TV) sees Fat Cat opportunities with class action law suits against the likes of the big crowd by digging up obscure legalease. Trucking Industry vilified for bad treatment of truck drivers resulting in death--Well something like that.

As a closer how's about this.
In popular truck press you see "Se busca, camioneros Nort Americanos, con experiencia, flota nueva. Amplia numeracion., Por favor de llamar xxxx por entrevistas locales.

Then several weeks later the same press advert "We look for OTR American driver USA/Canada only. Minimum five year experience, all new fleet latest modelos all con APU. Amplio salario min start $55000 to $75000 for right drivers with benefits, pension, and two weeks vacation annualmente. Spanish speakers welcom but no obligatory.

Then the employment agencies anglecise it.
Experienced drivers required for OTR operations in North America by prestigious Nafta operator. (Camiones Y Transportes Vargas Cuidad Mexico) . All new Freightliner/Mercedes fleet with latest comforts including APU. Generous salary with benefits and two weeks min vacation rising to 4 weeks after five years service. Call xxxxx for interviews in your area.
Interested??
Stranger things have happened.
Actros
The APU HQ Golden Co

 

I'd be interested in seeing the numbers from the small fleet guy & how he justified the purchase.

 

not for nuttin

if he was idling his truck in that weather, who would check on him?

but i must say, if this anti idling doesnt get truck drivers to wake up and stand up for their rights as citizens and the right to work and provide for yourself and family, i cant imagine anything else

i was driving thru tennesee route 111 from i40 towards atlanda today, some of the nicest, wide open road, and the speed limit is 55mph

i suppose some of your "dont break the law" types say, the law is the law

i look at it as one big speed trap, and to further add injustice to the problem, when you drive slower, you make less money (per hour) for those who get paid by the mile

so these laws are also affecting our income

now i am not advocating speed, i am saying lets do things that make sense, and a 55mph in wide open road makes no sense

 

ok i am fond of the apu just for fuel and noise. i have been told 1gal/10hrs versus 1gal/1hr of the truck idleing. i mean that would pay for its self in a year. now as for the idleing. how can they expect us not to stay cool in summer and warm in winter when they do it at home. the truck IS OUR HOUSE!!!!! i mean c'mon we run heat in winter and air in winter at houses