No Idle Laws

I don't understand the no idle more than 5 minutes laws. I understand the 5 minutes, most manufacturers recommend idling 5 minutes before shut-off after running hard to cool the turbo and save the wear on the bearings. As for the law it makes no sense. We have certified Clean idle trucks if they are newer than 2008 and have the certified Clean idle sticker which features a hologram of California on it. As for company with anti idle rules, I agree with the drivers how do we stay comfortable when it's too hot. Open the windows is what one company said. I got choice words for them but I'll keep it clean. I'd tell them to stick the truck. As for Apu yeah they are great when they work. I have one. I also had to get my truck reprogrammed to idle above 80 and below 30. This is why I'm doing a lease. I pay for the fuel. If I have to idle it's my choice although they don't allow it, I can rig it to idle. I won't give away my secret but we have a box with triangles and tarp straps are dirt cheap. I'm buying my next truck and first thing I'm having them do is disable idle interrupt. Second thing enable manual mode on the transmission so I can lock gear on steep grades and not blow the engine because it chose wrong gear.

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.

Welcome to the Trucking Truth site, Robert B. Sounds like you think you have it all figured out.

Our latest genius wrote...

I don't understand the no idle more than 5 minutes laws. I understand the 5 minutes, most manufacturers recommend idling 5 minutes before shut-off after running hard to cool the turbo and save the wear on the bearings. As for the law it makes no sense. We have certified Clean idle trucks if they are newer than 2008 and have the certified Clean idle sticker which features a hologram of California on it. As for company with anti idle rules, I agree with the drivers how do we stay comfortable when it's too hot. Open the windows is what one company said. I got choice words for them but I'll keep it clean. I'd tell them to stick the truck. As for Apu yeah they are great when they work. I have one. I also had to get my truck reprogrammed to idle above 80 and below 30. This is why I'm doing a lease. I pay for the fuel. If I have to idle it's my choice although they don't allow it, I can rig it to idle. I won't give away my secret but we have a box with triangles and tarp straps are dirt cheap. I'm buying my next truck and first thing I'm having them do is disable idle interrupt. Second thing enable manual mode on the transmission so I can lock gear on steep grades and not blow the engine because it chose wrong gear.

Have you ever heard of Opti-idle? Thermostatically controlled AC that autostarts the engine so the AC can cool the truck. Since you claim to have an APU genset, probably not. No company is going to enforce no-idling policies when the temps rise above 80’f. Give me a break...

No time for anyone knowingly tampering with any system on a company truck. And seriously...you don’t seem smart enough to pull this off without getting caught.

Good luck with your lease and your plunge into financial ruin.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

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.

Our latest genius wrote...

I don't understand the no idle more than 5 minutes laws. I understand the 5 minutes, most manufacturers recommend idling 5 minutes before shut-off after running hard to cool the turbo and save the wear on the bearings. As for the law it makes no sense. We have certified Clean idle trucks if they are newer than 2008 and have the certified Clean idle sticker which features a hologram of California on it. As for company with anti idle rules, I agree with the drivers how do we stay comfortable when it's too hot. Open the windows is what one company said. I got choice words for them but I'll keep it clean. I'd tell them to stick the truck. As for Apu yeah they are great when they work. I have one. I also had to get my truck reprogrammed to idle above 80 and below 30. This is why I'm doing a lease. I pay for the fuel. If I have to idle it's my choice although they don't allow it, I can rig it to idle. I won't give away my secret but we have a box with triangles and tarp straps are dirt cheap. I'm buying my next truck and first thing I'm having them do is disable idle interrupt. Second thing enable manual mode on the transmission so I can lock gear on steep grades and not blow the engine because it chose wrong gear.

Have you ever heard of Opti-idle? Thermostatically controlled AC that autostarts the engine so the AC can cool the truck. Since you claim to have an APU genset, probably not. No company is going to enforce no-idling policies when the temps rise above 80’f. Give me a break...

No time for anyone knowingly tampering with any system on a company truck. And seriously...you don’t seem smart enough to pull this off without getting caught.

Good luck with your lease and your plunge into financial ruin.

Are clean idle certified engines allowed to idle over the time limits? If not, wouldn't Opti-idle idle the engine over the time limits if it's really hot?

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

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.

Here's a neat-o factoid I heard on XM Channel 146 from an interview with an automotive engineer. A Certified Clean Idle tractor actually cleans the air as it idles. This guy stated that doing an idle research test, it was discovered that a big rig was cleaner burning than a Smart Car!

NY and MA for sure allow no exceptions.

I idle anyway. If I get a ticket, I will fight it. I can’t keave my pets or kids in the car so how can I be expected to sit in a truck all night with no AC?

And got those saying leave the windows down, yesterday it was in the low 70s, went out for an hour or two and left my truck windows open. Came back it was 85 in the sleeper.

NY and MA for sure allow no exceptions.

I idle anyway. If I get a ticket, I will fight it. I can’t keave my pets or kids in the car so how can I be expected to sit in a truck all night with no AC?

And got those saying leave the windows down, yesterday it was in the low 70s, went out for an hour or two and left my truck windows open. Came back it was 85 in the sleeper.

Not to mention the security risk that comes with sleeping with the windows down...

We have this debate all the time, whether or not APU's are a necessity. In light of the fact that so many states are enforcing No Idle laws, I believe providing A/C & Heat for driver comfort during rest periods is an IMPORTANT ISSUE, not to be taken lightly.

The driver always seems to be the "law man on the totem pole" when it comes to issues like this. They make US responsible for any mishaps that occur (and in fact - we almost always ARE), but fail to take into account contributing factors (like the inability to get adequate rest in a 100 degree sweatbox).

As I mentioned earlier - it is ILLEGAL to treat pets and small children this way - but "F The Truckers" when it comes to our safety and comfort...

Rick

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.

APU's:

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.

I got an APU company driver, things SWEET but......headed to phoenix next day or 2....no APU alone can handle 110-degree heat....I'll be idling

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.

I've been through AZ in the summer time as well as Nevada and California in both a lightweight and full condo. It's quite easy to stay comfortable if you use your head. EVEN IF YOUR TRUCK WON'T IDLE

1) Before you'd shut down, kick your trucks AC on full blast to get a start on cooling.

2) put up your reflective windshield shades (even the cheap truck stop versions work)

3) turn on your APU / shut off the truck. And close your bunk curtains.

EASY PEASY

In California, if you have a clean idle truck, you can Idle. (Must have the sticker)

APUs are legal to run in all 50 states

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.

APUs:

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.