This Truck

How come truckers always leave their engines running at truck stops?

If you've ever driven cross-country and stopped overnight at a truck stop or rest area, you know what I mean. All the trucks have their engines running through the entire night. I've noticed this during the summer and winter, doesn't matter which.

First of all, isn't this a huge waste of fuel? And doesn't it mean more stress on those big truck engines? But more than that, isn't it just plain unsafe to be in a parked vehicle with the motor running?

There are all too many people out there with the same mentality as you when it comes to big trucks. At least you stop to ask why, most of them just assume that their assunptions are correct and go complaining to legislators and authorities about it.

A big truck is designed to run for hours on end while sitting still. A truck driver is required by law to take a 10 hour break after 14 hours of working. Have you ever tried to sleep when it's 100 degrees outside with no air conditioning? Or when it's 20 degrees outside with no heat? It gets pretty un comfortable. There are heater and air conditioning controls right next to the bed in a big truck, so if it wasn't designed to run while sleeping, why would they put those controls in it?

I would contend that you leaving the heat on at home when no one is there is a far bigger waste of fuel. There are some drivers that leave the truck running while they aren't in it. That is a waste of fuel.

It is far more stressful on a big diesel to start it after it's been sitting for a while than it is to let it run. While sitting all of the oil drains to the oil pan. When you start it, it takes a couple seconds for that oil to circulate, causing undue wear to the engine. The starter on a big truck gets maximum stress everytime you start it as well.

It is no more unsafe to be in a parked road tractor while it is running than it is to be in a home while the furnace is running. That is providing everything is in proper operating condition.

Almost every state is coming out with anti idling laws for big trucks. You have one law saying you must take a 10 hour break and another law saying you can't be comfortable and sleep while on your break. Why is it that while the cop is standing at the drivers door of the truck giving you hell about idling, his car is sitting there idling with no one in it?