Spring is beginning to turn into summer and temperatures are finally beginning to rise. Unless they’re driving in the Arctic or Alaska the last thing that most truckers are thinking about is heating their cabs, but etrucker.com’s new products section claims that three anti-idling heating systems available from Espar are worth checking out before winter. Espar, a pioneer in pioneer in idle-free heating technology, has developed these heating systems in order to save truckers money and allow them to comply with anti-idling regulations. According to Espar, the products allow truckers to have a comfortable, warm night’s sleep for less than a dollar per night.

According to etrucker.com, the new heating systems incorporate changes that have been suggested by truckers who use Espar’s current heating systems. The new systems allow truckers to heat their vehicles for a low price, saving up to $35 dollars per day and reduce the amount of wear and tear on their engines. So if the heaters do not use battery power to warm the cab, how do they work? The heaters use a Hydronic 5 heater approved by the California Air Resources Board to heat the cab, engine, and fuel system. They use a twelve or twenty-four volt battery system and a gasoline or diesel engine in order to produce heat. In addition to keeping the engine and cab warm, the heater keeps engines from experiencing engine problems due to cold by circulating engine coolant. The products also allow the engine to start quickly, even in the coldest weather.

 The Hybernator-On Frame and The Hybernator-In Frame are two of the three systems which require installation between the frame rails, though this can be done without drilling. The Baire Necessity, however, is a portable window system which can be transported throughout the truck for the most comfortable position. The heater can also be transferred between trucks easily. In addition to heating trucks without idling, the heater systems come with an interesting accessory—a seven-day timer. The timer allows drivers to set a timer to turn on the heater up to seven days in advance. The timer also comes with a device that allows truckers to troubleshoot any problems the timer may encounter. Also, Espar provides a top-of-the-line web site that can more than answer questions about the product. Among the site’s features are a calculator that allows truckers to determine exactly how much they will save by purchasing the system and a series of videos that explains how the heaters work.

Although summer is about to come on full force, it’s never too early to start checking out new heating systems during the winter. Especially because many states have mandated idling laws, the new heating systems will be beneficial to truckers this winter.

With fuel prices and the energy crisis making headlines on the evening news, most of those involved in the transportation industry have become at least curious about biodiesel. Though alternative fuels like biodiesel seem like an obvious solution to the fuel and energy crisis, most truckers are at a loss as to what it really is and whether or not it will have any effect on the high prices truckers are already paying when they fill up.

One of the most informative sites to research and purchase Biodiesel is www.biodieselinc.us. The site, which features pertinent information about both biodiesel’s effectiveness and its marketability, allows truckers to explore the alternative fuel, discovering what companies and venues already use the product and how the fuel is made.

Biodiesel.com answers important questions about the pioneer fuel, like whether nor not it needs to be blended with Petroleum to fuel a vehicle and the cost of the fuel. According to the site, biodiesel can be used as a fuel in its pure state in addition to being bended with Petroleum to create a blend. Blends of biodiesel and Petroleum are commonly used today, according to biodiesel.com. In addition to the uses of biodiesel, the web site also chronicles its benefits, like reducing carbons in the ozone layer and emitting fuels that are safer for humans to breathe than other pollutants.

Though information about the fuel and its benefits is important, what truckers really want to know about biodiesel is the bottom line. How much does it cost in comparison with today’s soaring fuel prices. According to biodiesel.com, the fuel is often seen as the “least-cost strategy to comply with state and federal regulations.” Biodiesel blend fuels can run in diesel engines with no or few modifications, though alternative fuel vehicles are becoming more mainstream.

Purchasing alternative fuel vehicles is ultimately up to the fleet, according to the site, and purchasing the vehicles can be costly. Because of this, the marketers of biodiesel are focusing mainly on niche markets, or certain specialized industries that can best accommodate the change. Some of these niche markets include vehicles that have low mileages and idle or stop often, like airplane baggage carts and taxi cabs. Alternative fuel vehicles are beginning to make their way into the heavy duty trucking industry, however, as some are already beginning to use the technology in their fleets.

For those who want to learn more about biodiesel, biodiesel.com is a wonderful resource. In addition to the correct and succinct information it gives about the alternative fuel, biodiesel.com features news updates about alternative fuels and biodiesel. And for those who have had their fill of information and are ready to buy, the website provides not only a list of distributors, but contact information for the company’s own biodiesel sales division. So whether you’re ready to learn or to buy, biodiesel.com is a great resource for truckers interested in how the industry is changing.

There is a lot of information out there today with regard to what can be done about high fuel prices.  I am sure that a lot of you are aware of this information, but for those of you who are not, here is an email that I received this morning.  The more people who know about this proposed bill the better; if you are like me, you think that our taxes are high enough.  It is my position that the government should practice what they expect from every business owner in America, establish a budget and stick to it.  Just because the government can’t keep a budget does not mean that the only answer is to raise taxes to bail them out.  Also included in this email is a link to www.AmericanSolutions.com read up on the DrillNow section.  Again, I think that you will find some really good information there.

The Boxer-Warner-Lieberman Gas Tax Hike bill is being debated in the Senate.

If adopted, this bill will lead to an increase in gas prices by as much as $3.00 per gallon in the next two decades.

Call the Senate switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and urge your Senators to vote against the Boxer-Warner-Lieberman Gas Tax Hike.  Tell them that gas prices are high enough and we need real solutions, not more taxes.

Thank you for your help to keep our drive to lower gas prices alive.

Visit www.AmericanSolutions.com/DrillNow for more ways you can help.

In his April 4 blog post, Trucker to Trucker's George Wilkins suggested a rolling state fuel boycott. George asked, "What would happen if truckers refused to purchase diesel fuel in Indiana for a week or two?" Well, we're about to find out! In an April 8 comment to George's post, Sonny came up with a fuel boycott schedule and asked us to pass the word.

With the cost of diesel gulping our profits, we're all looking for ways to save fuel and money. Unnecessary truck idling adversely impacts both our wallets and the environment. Idle reduction can add some black to your bottom line, reduce America's dependency on foreign oil, and significantly cut greenhouse gases. I know it's not always possible, but when you can reduce idling, this is a win-win scenario.

Truck Stops Offer Discounts on Biodiesel for Card Holders  

The National Biodiesel Foundation jus unveiled the first-ever biodiesel fuel card.  Officially called BioTrucker Fuel Card, it highlights the availability of biodiesel with a network of truck stops that carry biodiesel.

Truckers and fleets pay cash price on all fuel and no fuel transaction fee for biodiesel at in-network truck stops. In addition, SappBros. Travel Centers (Peru Ill.), Waddy Unocal 76 (Waddy, Ky.) and Drivers Truck Stop (Ft. Worth, TX) stepped up to the plate to be the first to offer a $.02 discount at the pump for BioTrucker Fuel Card holders.

The BioTrucker Fuel Card gives trucking companies and owner operators an easy way to pay for fuel, access cash advances, and pay for repairs and other expenses while on the road. Card holders pay the cash price for all fuel, instead of a credit price. ProMiles mapping software is a partner that provides incentives for using its software – the only mapping software for the trucking industry that shows biodiesel locations. Discounts on repairs and tires as well as road side assistance are also available through the card.

In addition to the in-network truck stops, the card is accepted at 4900 truck accessible retail stations across the U.S.  Truckers and fleets can sign up for the card at www.biotrucker.com and find all in-network locations for the BioTrucker Fuel Card and hundreds of truck stops that carry biodiesel.

"I used to be a speed demon, but no more," confessed trucker Lorraine Dawson (formerly known as "Lead Foot Lorraine"). The coast-to-coast driver has cut her speed by 5 to 10 mph to conserve fuel. Some independents are slowing down even more.

Truckers are caught between a rock and a hard place. In business we're being crushed by rising fuel prices and a sluggish economy and at home we're struggling to make our mortgage payments and put food on the table just like everyone else. The Feds are throwing money at Wall Street and Investment Banks but I don't see anyone throwing us a lifeline.

Diesel Fuel Economy and Lower Emmisions are the focus of this study from California Environmental Engineering...see below

Dear Truck Owner,
Help us improve in-use heavy-duty diesel trucks by improving fuel economy and lowering tailpipe stack emissions.

Our company, California Environmental Engineering through a Government contract, is conducting an important research study on practical cost-effective methods for lowering emissions and improving fuel economy.  Heavy-duty trucks will be borrowed and tested at a key-testing lab in Stockton, California on a chassis dynamometer by technicians and engineers.  The study will require that we have your vehicle for up to 4 weeks.  The truck should have a manual transmission and a single-up draft exhaust pipe located on the passenger side.

A substantial cash incentive will be provided for those chosen to participate in the survey.  CEE will not release any of your personnel or operational data collected in this survey to other companies, or use it for enforcement or advertisement purposes.  Should you be interested or want additional information, please call: George Patrick @ (714) 545-9822 or email georgepatrick@ceecalif.com. You may also call 1-800-730-7330.

1996 MY - 3306 Caterpillar Engine
2001 MY - DDC Series 50
Thanks for participating

Like a lot of you out there, I'm becoming more concerned about global warming. Now it's now all bad. In less than two decades, they predict we'll be having warm Georgia winters up here in chilly Ohio where I berth and I'm all for that. But with the polar ice sheets melting, we could also be getting an influx of hungry polar bears foraging for food. I'm not sure that's a good trade off. I recycle, switched to those corkscrew light bulbs (even if they are a little dim), put a low-flow nozzle on the shower and a brick in the toilet tank; but if scientists are to be believed, it's not going to be enough. Sure, things probably aren't going to reach critical mass in my lifetime, but I've got a new grandson and I'd like to leave him and his children a nice place to grow up.

GROAN! The price of diesel rose 2 cents to an average on-highway price of $2.849 per gallon last week, the highest it's been since late April. At least we're not paying the $3.35 I paid to fill my Ford last night; then again, it takes a lot more to fill my rig than my truck.

Since April's high of $2.851, diesel prices nationwide had been falling until recently. Now they seem to be rising slowly but steadily, reflecting increasing oil prices. The lower Atlantic states took the biggest hit with prices increasing 3.1 cents to $2.81 a gallon. The highest average prices are on the West Coast where a gallon of diesel costs $2.987. It's probably not going to get any better for the foreseeable future. The International Energy Agency predicts that worldwide demand for gas and oil will be higher than expected through 2012 with tightening supplies.

More bad news: The feds want another study before they fix the hot fuel problem. The National Conference on Weights and Measures this week decided to study the problem before requiring the installation of costly temperature compensation controls on retail pumps. Of course NATSO, the organization that represents the truck stops and travel plazas that would have to shell out the bucks, hailed the decision as good business sense. As we noted in our June 12, 2007 blog post, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) has been lobbying for temperature compensation controls at pumps for some time. Running on hot fuel can significantly decrease mileage per gallon, as we well know.

Let's hope the feds don't drag their feet studying the issue to death. Can't understand what's to study. Facts are facts. Hot fuel puts less usable fuel in your gas tank. All we need to do is look north to our Canadian brothers where temperature compensation kits on fuel pumps are standard. Fuel sellers seem to be making plenty of money. It's time the feds did something for the drivers!

Marc Hess on Diesel Fuel Economy.....a must see!