With Summer Approaching...

What do you guys use to block the sun? I'll be upgrading soon and all I know is, this freightshaker heats up like crazy. So any tips or advice on trying to keep it cool while I'm not driving would be great.

What do you guys use to block the sun? I'll be upgrading soon and all I know is, this freightshaker heats up like crazy. So any tips or advice on trying to keep it cool while I'm not driving would be great.

Opti Idle, APU or EPU. I'm spoiled now in my Peterbilt but before that I would always park trailer to the sun when possible or nose in between two trailers if possible... Get creative cause sleeping hot sucks. If you have temperature controls figure out where the thermostat is. I had a truck that the thermostat was up front so I would shut the curtains with the opposite of what I wanted the back climate going full bore... want the heat on turn on the A.C. up front or vice versa.

Those little fans in the truck stops will work in a pinch but I would imagine JPT has some kind of climate controls... Even if they need to be worked around. So... get creative.

I still haven't used sunscreen but I've thought about it a few times while out west... the more I think about it... maybe I'll grab some spray on next trip to Wally World.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

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.

EPU:

Electric Auxiliary Power Units

Electric APUs have started gaining acceptance. These electric APUs use battery packs instead of the diesel engine on traditional APUs as a source of power. The APU's battery pack is charged when the truck is in motion. When the truck is idle, the stored energy in the battery pack is then used to power an air conditioner, heater, and other devices

Whenever possible, I try to park with the sun setting behind me. Keeping the late day sun from beating straight into your windows makes a TREMENDOUS difference.

When it comes to maximizing the efficiency of the A/C while parked, use the front curtains, not the middle curtain. That way you're getting the benefit of all of your vents, rather than just the ones in the sleeper. It also reduces the amount of sunlight coming in and heating things up (also useful when not idling in daylight hours). After you've pulled the curtains, tuck the bottom edge up on top of the dash so it's not blocking the vents. That alone will make a good 10 degree difference.

These tips brought to you by a guy who spends an inordinate amount of time in SoCal, Nevada, Arizona, etc. during the summer.

If it works for ya'll driving during the night and sleeping during the day, I have rarely had a bad rest downtime, that's my 5 cents

Whenever possible, I try to park with the sun setting behind me. Keeping the late day sun from beating straight into your windows makes a TREMENDOUS difference.

When it comes to maximizing the efficiency of the A/C while parked, use the front curtains, not the middle curtain. That way you're getting the benefit of all of your vents, rather than just the ones in the sleeper. It also reduces the amount of sunlight coming in and heating things up (also useful when not idling in daylight hours). After you've pulled the curtains, tuck the bottom edge up on top of the dash so it's not blocking the vents. That alone will make a good 10 degree difference.

These tips brought to you by a guy who spends an inordinate amount of time in SoCal, Nevada, Arizona, etc. during the summer.

To be honest, I just idle if it's hot out. Between my dog and me, it's necessary to keep the air going. I would like to get an apu on this thing so I don't have to idle to keep cool

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.

Yeah I was just curious. JPT has apu but depending how hot it is, doesn't do much!! At least we can idle if it's hotter than 80 or below 30 so. But I'm sure shielding off all the windows will help keep some heat out. Maybe not much but some is better than none!

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.