Should A New Driver Allow No APU/INVERTER to be a Deal Breaker?

Correction: Werner DOES NOT allow inverters of any kind.You may have to drive 1000000 safe miles to request an apu w/ inverter from them.

New Century out of Nj went bankrupt in 2014.

Marten wants 6mos exp.

 

I just recalled seeing a Werner driver with a real refrigerator/freezer mounted in his truck in july.I asked him about it and he said it was 12volts. He also said it cost him $500! He said it has a compressor so it must be the real deal. So while you can get by without an inverter, it will definitely cost you. My fridge cost $65 and will work anywhere anytime in any ambient temperature unlike the thermoelectric coolers(also a lot cheaper!!)

 

I have ny own truck and never worked driving for anyone else but I darn sure would not be trying to sleep in a truck in the frigid winter or hot summer where they either didn't allow me to idle or have a APU. You can't get good rest and be refreshed and safe to drive the next day if you are sweating all night or shivering in the cold.

An inverter is a luxury in my eyes but climate control is not.

 

To each his own, but I for one don't see the need for a inverter or APU. I can do everything I need in a truck without a APU or inverter and for the starter companies that don't know how to maintain a truck or trailer, installing a APU/inverter properly is too technical to ask of them; just another item they will screw up and fail to be maintained.

I have spent years on the road without APU or inverter. A bunk heater is quieter, more efficient, and almost maintenance free. Opti-idle and temp-a-start is likewise reliable, quite, and easy to live with.

I don't need another motor and its weight on the truck. I don't need a made in china, high amp appliance, wired by truck shop morons either. Just a bunch of crap I don't need. I got into trucking to drive and if a company can't keep me driving I am not interested in working for them.

 

Yeah. But I'm comfy while waiting to unload.

 

Look for companies with optiidle trucks. You put a temperature in a thermostat and it turns on and off built in the truck already no installing anything.

Those trucks will come standard with inverters normally. The optiidle will also automatically start the truck if batteries start getting low.

Pretty nifty.

I did the sweat to death thing during Louisiana summers. Not fun.

Idle air is also an alternative there are companies like carter express that will pay for that. Its a pretty great service.

Just assume get a hotel at the out of pocket price but in some areas it can save you twenty thirty bucks. Purchase away if the company pays I say!

 

The only problem with opt idle is if you're not in a truck stop in certain states, and there's a cop nearby, I've seen them be dicks about it. It's over 100 degrees outside, but because that truck ran more than 3 minutes, he's knocking on the door with a ticket.

 

Another problem with it is those engine start up alarms. I drove a PROSTAR with that system and I can't tell you how many times I have been jarred out of sleep. Even ear plugs did not help. Opt idle is a great idea it just has some major problems. Oh one more thing. I have seen other drivers parked next to an Opt idle and get so disturbed by those alarms they have got out and unlatched and raised the trucks hood to disable it.

 

You run the truck to keep your cat happy?

 

I plan to give up my apartment and live on the road my first 3 months. As soon as i go solo im givinv up my apartment so i can save some cash to pay down on a house. I really want to be comfy on the road. lol