Helpful Advice?

Also, it's less expensive to "deck out" a smaller fleet than a large one, and being as idling laws are stringent, and the sun isn't getting any cooler, an APU is more cost effective and driver friendly

Keep in mind, they are out there to make money. Not solely on your comfort. A good sized sleeper and a mattress is all that they will want to provide. Not APU, or fridges, inverters so on so forth. Maintenance wise on larger fleets for an APU can severely damaged a companies income. To include the small amount of fuel a night that makes it operate. Small amount is about 5 gallons, being heavy on my estimate. But figure 5 gallons/truck at 2.50/gallon, fleet has 100 trucks, that's over $1,000/day, not making them money/keeping the business running. Now you do the math for 180 days at 1,000. That's 180,000 dollars loss. That's only for about half of a year. Now figure in each truck needs to have them maintained regularly, and the times that unit goes down. APU is nice to have yes but this is an industry that is switching to automatics because of an average 2-5mpg increase in fuel economy. I worked from pizza delivery to Alaskan oil fields to construction to security to a Kenworth mechanic to helping manage my friends pool hall over with various odd jobs over the past two years I've been out.

APU was a big goal on my list. I've even considered buying one and having it installed but that's $1000 for a quality one. Then I started to do the math and understood the business aspect. No business=no job/that many people now out of work. I just got my CDL two months ago, started at Watkins and Shepard a week later, waited couple extra days in order to get my forklift certification. After my 10 day orientation, and they gave me my keys to my 13 Volvo 670 said here you go. No APU, but some of the newer trucks are coming with fridges, they don't have inverters, but if you buy one (up to 2000w) the shop will install it at no cost to you. They prefer you not to idle, but they know you need the AC/heat in order to sleep. Where you can be shut down for the day if you're driving fatigued.

Hopefully this can help you out a little bit

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

• Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
• Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

Errol my apologies. It's hard to grasp the tone of a reply on a phone screen. Joe , I understand the math you're using, but let's not forget how much diesel is wasted idling all night long, and that most companies as well as states have a no idling policy. That's why I'm looking at the companies I listed. Companies that have my wants (and extras, like pre-installed APU , fridges and even TV. Let's not forget the greatest gift, XM radio, because no drive is complete without some *****in tunes).

Like I said, I just wanted any insight on the companies I listed and some other positively reviewed companies to look into. Let me again state, I am NOT expecting a handout from these companies, and I know I will have to prove myself and earn my place. Like I've also said, I am looking at the companies I've listed because they have most of my wants, I just want to know if there's others that match my description and which one is the best from anyone's personal experiences or knowledge.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.