I've read a number of APU threads for research. My dad wants one, but doesn't want to spend big bucks for a new one even if it could be financed. I emailed him info on the thermoking and comfortmaster ones I read about here.

I've talked to him about the propane heaters, and roof top a/c units, and going with a nice 3 cyl kubota generator to power the A/C that doghouse recommended. That is a good $5-6K just to buy the stuff w/o install and all the extras maybe needed to put it in.

I found a used rigmaster apu with 5K hrs for $1500. I read that notsteve liked that brand, but since a roof top a/c unit is probably in the future not sure if this is a good choice.

I definatley don't want him to burn down his truck or keep the neighbors up so I told him stay away from badly designed systems previously used on a landstar rig...

Opinions?

 

I'd buy the rigmaster and just use the engine and generator from it. For $1500, that is a steal.

Steve just added a roof mount unit to his system.

 

Thats a nice price for a rigmaster. Make sure it's in decent shape, because it could nickle and dime you to death if it has too many hours on it. Like Rev said, Steve just added his roof unit. Is the truck a condo?

 

What does the Rigmaster have that the generator and rooftop setup unit does not?

Besides heat. Or does the rooftop heat as well?

 

Heat is an option on rooftop units. It adds a few hundred dollars to the price tag.

 

Does he realize he'll put more money in his pocket each month even after making an APU payment. Of course it depends on how much he Idles.

Idling 20 days a month=200 hours=200 gallons of fuel=$944

Most APU payments are in the $200-$300 dollar range. http://www.mohawktruck.com/Tripac.html

Rev and Doghouse did their own setup so they'll be even farther ahead. Even if you splurge for a normal APU you'll still come out ahead in the long run. 8) 8)

 

The problem runs in that you aren't normally idling 12 months a year. The warm season is only from about June - September. The cold season is from November - February. That's 4 months out of the year that you aren't idling at all, but you still have a payment.

The fuel cost savings calculators are generally skewed towards constantly idling every night, which isn't the case. Plus, those who have APU's will tell you that they tend to use it on days they wouldn't have even idled. This is one of the reasons I couldn't justify spending upwards of $10,000 on an APU.

Charged: If your dad doesn't want that Rigmaster, give me the info on it, and I'll buy the thing.

 

TK I went and bought a complete unit that turned out to be complete junk. Use my lesson as an example, get a good unit that has a good reputation. Unless you have the ability to repair one as much as I have,...it's just not worth going the cheaper route like I did. I've probably paid more than a $8,000 unit if you add all the hours and parts it has taken to get this junk to work.
Today one of the cast aluminum mounts broke off the genhead. I wrapped a cable up around the housing just in case another one lets go,..the genhead won't turn into a Tasmanian Devil,...damn this thing is junk!!!

 

Problem is who makes a good reliable APU, one that will cool your truck and be reliable. I don't know of a all in one APU that I would buy.

Anybody own a APU that is reliable and that you would by another one like it? From experience I know the Proheat/ Carrier comfort pro is a money eating POS.

 

The only one that I've ever heard anyone swear up and down was fantastic was the ComfortMaster. Problem is, it carries an $11,000 price tag.