Will I be able to sleep comfortably?

by JC
(chicago)

Would I be able to run ac/heat while I sleep?

Comments for Will I be able to sleep comfortably?

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Apr 29, 2013
Rating

Vicki NEW
by: Anonymous

What other ways to stay cool in 100% and over temps while sleeping in a cab?

Apr 29, 2013
Rating

Thank you NEW
by: JC

Thanks for the great answers. Hope to see you on the road.

Apr 29, 2013
Rating

Running heat and AC while you are sleeping NEW
by: Hervy

JC as a new driver there are some trucking companies with a no idling policy. Some states/cities have a no idling policy/ordinance also.

This won't be the case with most trucking companies yet, but they are out there and growing. You have to ask the company that you find interesting if they allow you to idle when sleeping to make sure you don't have to deal with that as a company policy.

At some truck stops there are options to hook up to a system set up in the parking lot which pumps air or heat into the cab by way of your window. Some trucking companies that don't allow you to idle will give drivers free subscription to this service, other companies will have the APU unit that provides the heat and air.

A few companies believe it or not just let you sweat according to driver complaints.

Out of 13 years and 3 companies, I never had that problem but times are slowly changing. Hopefully you won't have to deal with that issue either.

Great questions

Apr 29, 2013
Rating

How to run heat and air conditioning in truck NEW
by: Vicki Simons

Hello, JC,

With all of the improvements in technology that have been built into Class 8 tractors in recent years, you may have a number of options at your disposal for running heat and air conditioning in your truck. Much will depend on the kind of truck you get, which is in turn dependent on the trucking company for which you drive.

One option for truckers (which is becoming more and more limited) is to idle their trucks for comfort. One limitation is the "no idle" zones. Penalties for violating these can range from mild to severe.

Idling is hard on a truck engine and uses about a gallon of diesel per hour. At about $4 per gallon over a 10-hour sleeper berth break, that's a cost of about $40 a day (not including the wear and tear on the engine). There are better ways to stay cool.

Another option for heat is to have a bunk warmer or in-cab heating system that is independent of the truck engine. Some of these systems may depend on the charge in the truck's batteries.

Another option for air conditioning is a battery-powered climate control system. My husband Mike and I do not recommend these because they are dependent on the batteries.

As soon as the charge in a battery bank is drawn too low, any system (heat or AC) that depends on it will cease to work. This includes an APU that runs off battery power.

One of the most convenient and cost efficient methods of obtaining climate control is a diesel-powered APU. These can be expensive on the front end, but usually pay for themselves in about a year. Since they are machines, they do require regular maintenance.

I wish you well in your pursuit of a trucking job with a trucking company that takes your comfort as a driver seriously.

When you get out on the road, Mike and I wish you safe travels and lots of money saving opportunities.

Best regards,
Vicki Simons

http://www.truck-drivers-money-saving-tips.com/

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Ask A Trucker.