APU's - Luxury or Necessity?

Most owner operators these days have some sort of APU or Auxillary Power Unit on their truck.  The reasons for APU's are varied, and range from fuel savings to driver comfort.  Driver comfort includes heat and air conditioning, as well as electricity for powering everything from a driver's laptop and television, to an Xbox or PS3 and refrigerator.  APU's can be considered a necessity in some states where idling the truck is illegal for any amount of time, despite temperatures below freezing or above 100 degrees.  California is one such state.  Many drivers are in need of electricity in AC format (as opposed to DC) to run devices that they can not live without, such as a CPAP machine for help breathing while sleeping.  With the rollout of CSA 2010 (or is it now CSA 2011?), many truck drivers are required to have some sort of breathing apparatus to help with sleep apnea.

Many new companies are sprouting up in the APU market.  Some are powering their systems with diesel, while others are going "green" by using only electricity.  Idle Free Systems, Inc in Warrenton Wisconsin is one such company using an all electric apu to help truck drivers stay comfortable while off duty.  Their system differs from other electric apu's in several ways.  ONe way is that the engine stays heated.

Florida Trucking Jobs

Gators are referred to by truck drivers when they see a piece of a retreaded tire laying on the road because with it's tread facing up it often looks like an aligator sunning itself on the warm road.  But dodging gators in Florida does not only consist of strips of blown out retreads these days.  Many drivers are reporting actual aligators coming on to the highways in Florida and other southern states, and it's becoming a problem.  Truck drivers are told to "keep it straight and upright" when a deer is seen in their truck's path.  The truck will win that contest every time, despite sometimes causing major damage to the truck.  So when a deer is unfortunate enough to get in the headlights of a trucker, that deer is a goner.  But a recent trend has emerged in Florida that has become alarming to some insurance companies.  Despite the training and years of experience telling a driver to keep it straight when an animal gets in their way, aligators seem to have a unique effect of making the truck driver swerve no matter what.  Maybe it's a fear that an aligator will hurt them personally, after all, we've all heard horror stories about aligators, and not much about deer.  It's become such a problem that many Florida Trucking Companies are retraining their drivers to run over the aligators just like they would a deer or other animal.

Texas Trucking Companies Have Difficulties

A recent survey done by truckdrivingcdljobs.com has found that trucking companies located in Texas are having a harder time finding employees that companies in the rest of the country.  While there may be a plentiful supply of workers for non-skilled jobs, the market for qualified truck drivers has dried up.  Some say it is because of the influx of Mexican immigrants who are willing to work for lower wages causing the pay for drivers to be lowered too.  Others point to the tightening standards for truck drivers brought on by CSA 2010.  But what makes Texas different for truck drivers?  The Texas Trucking Association has not been able to point to a single issue, but acknowledges that there is a problem.  A list of Texas Trucking Jobs found several companies listed that are no longer in business.  The companies that are in business reported a rough time finding drivers for their trucks.  No matter what side of the steering wheel you sit on, the jobs for truck drivers in Texas are plentiful, but not being filled very quickly.