Idle Restrictions

We have seen it all: from companies that turn your truck off after 5 minutes idle, to regulations in some states where you are not allowed to idle.

My questions are why, and most important are we robots?

We all agree that idling for nothing is stupid. A truck takes about a gallon of diesel per hour when idling, or maybe half a gallon in the case of engines that do not have high idling RPM.

So just an economy issue (I mean how much it costs).... with the fuel prices right now about 1.5 to 3$ an hour. I remember the time last year when it was about 4$ an hour! + we kill the planet when we idle!

BUT! (but like in however not like in butt) In every truck that idles there is a truck driver trying to sleep. I know that all people thinking and putting in place those regulations usually sleep at home close to their wives, and they also have sometimes troubles sleeping as we truck drivers do.

BUT (like however).... it is not the same thing sleeping at home or in a truck. If it is 70 outside, in a truck parked in the sun you will have at least 82 if not 90. When it is cold it is better because you can think you are camping and dress yourself accordingly. I can sleep in my truck at 30 without any problems.... BUT! If your truck sits a long time enough in cold weather it might not start!

I will make a short paragraph about cold weather

2 years ago Montana. to be more specific Shelby! I came from canada and stopped at the motel for 2 nights. I leave my truck running because it is -30 windshield. I wake up the first morning and in the parking lot (the motel is cose to a pilot) I see all these drivers doing their best to start their trucks. The one I spoke to told me that he just took 2 hours to go eat but when he came back there was no way to start the truck!

Now heat! Say PA, mid July you stop in a rest area and you see the big sign: Vehicles over 5T no idling. It is 90 F in shade and you park your truck in the sun, and you go for your 10 hour break! HOW LONG WILL YOU SLEEP BEFORE YOU DIE with no AC?

Of course they invented those APU-s (small diesel engines on the side of the truck). They are not DOT regulated and they BREAK! they are another maintenance, and I wonder how much fuel they take? From what I read on a termo king.... full load (ac and ca) about a gallon or a little less an hour. AND THEY ARE EXPENSIVE!

So WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK ABOUT IDELING? Personal opinion! they should build stuff where they sell it if they do not want truck drivers to idle! I have the right to some comfort even though I chose a dog life!

First of all, a truck is not meant to idle. It is meant to pull stuff from one place to the other! I guess most truck drivers are in their truck in order to make money not to sleep or wait for a load! So if a semi-truck idles ask your self why!

If you are a hiring company it is either because you do not keep the driver moving or because he needs his rest!
If you are the government or someone thinking about the planet think: how long is it human to leave a dog in a vehicle without AC or heat!

 

I will do the same. The post is meant to wake up drivers that have to deal with idling policies or laws. You do not care and either do I .... just give me the ticket or take it off my bonus! It is not human to ask a truck driver not to idle!

When I was working for schneider they started to count your idle after 5 minutes. I learned to stop the engine and start it back when I had to wait in the truck for a load or to get loaded or unloaded!

All those people who think about those regulations sit at a desk in plain comfort and the way they make money is by cutting expenses! #### I GET ANGRY WHEN I THINK ABOUT IT!

 

That is news for me. Worked for Schneider 3 months when I emigrated to the US. They fired me the same day they gave me a bonus!

I guess they are proactive! A device that measures the temperature IN THE TRUCK is a good idea! However not perfect! we are not all young, some sweat more some less! some are borderline sleep apnea and so on! We need our comfort, and we should not be treated like kids!

When I worked with Schneider you had to call in your necessary idle time!

 

I have my truck .... PA, or other state law still applies! Thank you for your helping answer though!