If companies have not invested in APU's that is there problem.. They had 2 yrs of knowing that fuel prices would go up. anyone who can read would know this was in the future. But yet these comapnies will open new terminals, pay out monies to share holeders, buy new trucks, bonus for terminal managers or CEO's.

Also they all know who are the non performers for loading or unloading. They all knew if they send you into and area and there is not freight coming out its dead time or sit time, meaning charge customer for this.. Put some thought into planning.. Rather then hounding driver on idle %.. They just take the easy way out.. meaning lack of thought!

Do they go home and conserve energy? Not! Do they drive 5mph slower leaving work? Not!

Do imates have AC, Heat and running water.. Oh free eats and medical??
Yes, they do...

There will be a time when the driver gets the ball back... And that time will be soon!!! :twisted: :wink:

 

$10 million plus dollars to upgrade a 1000 truck fleet with APU's is not a drop in the bucket. In addition, there are enough issues with enough states regarding APUs that it's far from a sure thing. If a bunch of states outlaw APU's, what happens then? The smart companies have taken a wait and see aproach and the jury is still out.

That's all part of doing a successful business. Opening new terminals means more driving jobs for more drivers. I hardly see an issue with that, APU or not. New trucks means better wheels for the driver...again, what's the problem? Bonuses for terminal managers and CEO's? Well, if you're running a successful business, allowing for new terminals and new trucks, then I suppose you earned it, eh?

Most smart people are driving slower and are conserving energy at home. To say they aren't is the height of ignorance.

You can always commit a felony. I'm sure a lot of inmates would trade their free eats and medical to you for the freedom you have. :roll:

That's an eye-roller, for sure. What would you call that...a threat? :roll:

Dude, driving a truck is a job, just like any other job. You hire on to a company to do the job they hire you to do. If you don't like it, don't work there. If you don't like driving, then get off the road and do something else.

Trucking is a job, not a lifestyle. Deal with it.

 

More like 5-7 years. Fuel has been steadily rising for quite some time, just not at the current rate.

True, if a company were to try to purchase and install on existing trucks, however APU's have been offered by all truck manufacturers for quite some time now and with the trade in cycle of around 3 years or so most companies could have had the conversion done or nearly done by now without a massive outlay of cash.

Other than California what states are having issues with APU's?

And how long are they going to wait? IMHO the companies that are dragging their fleet on APU's or installing other means of heating and cooling the truck sleepers are not smart, but very dumb.

APU's or other means of keeping a comfortable temp level in the sleeper of a truck for up to 36 hours have numerous benefits.

A well rested driver is a safer driver.
Less stress for the driver
Less friction between the driver and the company
Less wear on the truck's main engine. Longer engine life.
Less maintenance on the truck's main engine.
Lower fuel bills.
Higher trade in values.
Less pollution.
etc.

In short it is an investment that holds gains in economic, human and environmental areas.

At $2.XX per gallon it has been estimated that an APU would pay for itself in around 6 months to a year. At $5 per gallon how quickly will it pay for itself?

 

How many companies do you know that have gone to APU's? I'm talking about the bigger ones. You can probably count the number of those on one hand. As far as I know, Martin just put them on some of their fleet, to run tests. Crete is putting them on a small percentage of their fleet, also test them out. A number of other companies are looking into them, but have not yet stepped into the water. Why?

Fact is, if APU's were the savior of the industry, they'd be on every single truck rolling right now, period, from the smallest fleet to the largest. They're not on those trucks for a very good reason...the jury is still out and it's still a very big gamble. And right now, as volitale as the industry is, no one is gambling.

 

Correct TF. After giving the matter further thought, I had to agree with Beetle's explanation regarding Crete's hesitation to make the "full-blown" APU investment. APUs are simply not the answer. Just a very expensive band-aid to this industry emergency.

The style of irregular-route coolie OTR trucking is the problem and is quickly coming to an end. The inherent inefficiencies in this flawed idea are causing the implosion of the irregular-route coolie OTR industry as we watch.

 

That's it, right there. It's just a band-aid and may turn out to be a completely ineffective one. So on this, I completely agree with you.

However..... :wink:

This, I'll have to respectfully disagree on. It's the long haul aspect of the industry that is coming to an end because it's simply not profitable. The irregular route, short haul freight is booming right now for one simple reason - J.I.T. trucking. Until you see a massive re-emergance of warehouses and companies backing down from the no-inventory J.I.T. mindset, short haul freight will remain booming. It is simply the only solution to J.I.T.

Interestingly enough, Belpre, as much as you resent the "coolie carriers", the LTL companies rely on and will survive because of the short to medium haul carriers. What little warehousing is done right now, it's those carriers you resent that are bringing it to them. That marriage isn't likely to dissolve any time soon, either.

 

Good post(s) TF...Couldnt agree with you more. (sounds like the OP needed to vent)

Just fyi...Werner had begun the installation process of APUs. Just got mine last week. Im figuring at around $5 a gallon, it wouldnt take long to pay them off, and I got to assume they are getting them at a very good rate.
Also would assume they are going to stay on the truck when the truck goes to fleet sales, thats just speculation though.

 

What about companies that don't buy new trucks?

My company has 63 company trucks on the road. The newest truck in our fleet is a 2005 and was purchased in January.

So, multiply $8,000 x 63 and see how much you come up with.

 

I think, since more and more shippers DONT offer the long haul anymore it might go all the way like p+d plus linehaul. Like yellow, pitt ohio old dominion and more. After I switch my trailers with another driver he drives home, I drive home. We get rid of the loads and the trucks are parked.No more idle trucks for a driver who needs his 10h break. One of the last discussions I had at Shaffer (after I complained about all those shorts runs) I was told shippers try to keep the length of haul now under 500 miles if possible. If that is true there wont be much need for OTR trucking anymore........?

 

Never was a need for OTR trucking to begin with. Trucking deregulation spawned what will be looked back upon as "the darkest days of trucking."

Good riddance coolie carriers.