The way I always looked at it was like this:

If I need to idle the truck to keep the sleeper at a comfortable temp to allow me to get quality sleep and be as rested as possible then I am going to idle the truck.

I could care less about saving the company money where it comes to my safety, especially when the company is too cheap to install any of the many products available that will heat and/or cool the sleeper without idle.

 

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colem...ategoryid=3000

 

that is right safety first fuel savings later

 

I would suggest that everyone install a CO detector in their truck. If you or the truck next to you is running an APU, you run the risk of CO fumes entering the cab of your truck, and you may never wake up. A CO detector could save your life.

 

I use a Webasto heater that the company installed in the truck.It fits in your storage compartment and uses diesel from your fuel tanks. It also has a fan and thermostat. It will not drain your batteries and it works quite well. You will never be cold again

 

Got a Webasto bunk heater in my truck as well and it works great. Hasn't really been cold enough for me to have to run the truck all night to keep it warm and the fluids warm. Theres been a couple of nights where I woke up to let the truck idle(but only to get teh fluids moving again.)

 

Hmmm .. If it does not use any batteries .. then how does it turn the fan and fire the ignitor? :wink:

The Webasto unit installed in the company Volvo uses 10 amps to turn the fan and get it fired up. So very often when I fire it up the battery save circuit alerts me so that I have to idle to restore the batteries. Then it uses 2.2 amps to keep a fan turning. I believe the burn chamber works like a jet engine and once fired up uses a turbine situation to keep air moving. However, at least the Webasto installed in my company truck, it uses a secondary fan to circulate hot air.

 

I had one installed in my truck, it was well worth the money, it does use power from the batteries but very little, as long as your batteries are good you can run it all night and not have a problem, and it is very quiet, I personally could never sleep with the truck idling,

I wonder why more companies wouldn't invest in these things for the comfort of their drivers, or if they are worried about idling?

 

We also use Webasto. Most Truck Companies up here are using them. (Northern Michigan)
I have to use the lowest setting...or it roasts me out of the cab. You can barely hear it run. Now if I can only hook up to a quieter Reefer unit. :?

 

Get a job that you're home every night you don't have to worry about camping in a truck lol. j/k. if I ever buy another truck and go back on the road I'll make sure it has an on board gen set on it. As far as the companies go they are too cheap to provide such luxury it'll cut into their profits,besides you can freeze your azz off or sweat it off in the summer. Then they can take it out of your fuel bonus for idling too much. What about idleaire?