Why run the trucks when parked for the night?

[tumunga]

Hello. Newbie here. Quitting my day job to be a trucker boy. I start class on 2/11. I have a question that's been bugging me for years. Why do you guys keep the trucks running all night while you're sleeping? Is it to keep the cab cool/warm? Seems like a waste of fuel to me, but like I said, I'm a newbie and don't know better...yet.

Eric

[Luman]

Yes, keeping the inside comfortable is the general reason for keeping the truck running.

[JLKKLJ777]

Idling the truck not only heats and cools the cab but also keeps your fuel heaters warm to help prevent the fuel from gelling and in the bitter cold up north you dont want to have a truck freeze up so it wont start. It also helps keep the batteries charged and provides a steady electrical current for your appliances in the truck such as a microwave, refrigerator or cooler, computer, coffee pot etc. Try running these things without the truck running and you will drain your batteries real quick especially if its cold.

[pro1driver]

Originally Posted by tumunga

Hello. Newbie here. Quitting my day job to be a trucker boy. I start class on 2/11. I have a question that's been bugging me for years. Why do you guys keep the trucks running all night while you're sleeping? Is it to keep the cab cool/warm? Seems like a waste of fuel to me, but like I said, I'm a newbie and don't know better...yet.

Eric

yes, it is to keep it either cool or warm, depending on the time of year. yes, it does waste fuel, millions of gallons a year in fact. yes, it does add to "global warming".............

you're probably luckier than some of us were when we first started out in trucking. nowadays, many trucking companies are investing in APU's (auxilary power units) which can cool or warm far better and for less fuel than the "main" engine, plus save so much wear & tear on the main engine.

[Alzado77]

I wonder how much those APU's go for. Whatever the cost it's gotta be cheaper than a bunch of fuel each night. I wonder if anyone knows the figure of how much fuel is wasted in an average year of ideling at night. That would probably get up there mighty high.

[roadhazard]

Idling is necessary so you don't turn to ice while sleeping in Minnesota in the winter.