Author: Chelsey Trammel

Fact: All engines, regardless of what they are powered by, require maintenance. While the intervals may be different, the general concept and the basic key components are all the same – oil filter, air filter, fuel filter, alternator belt, and compressor belt. Whether you clean them, replace them, tighten them, or just check them, it’s a task that needs to be done in order to prolong the life of your engine. And the HP2000 APU is no different.

Powered by a 2-Cyl. Diesel Engine, the HP2000 APU is the lightest and quietest unit on the market; but it doesn’t stay that way on its own. Like all APUs, the HP2000 is installed outside of the comfort of your cab, exposed to all of the elements at all times. Whether it’s hot, cold, or somewhere in between, through mud, dust, rain, and snow your APU powers through it all, and then some. So, it makes sense that it may need a little of sprucing up from time to time.

But it’s not just the weather that can affect the life of your unit; it’s also its usage. While your vehicle can go thousands of hours without needing to be serviced, your HP2000 APU works harder and longer hours, with most users utilizing its capabilities for an average of 10 hours a day! And depending on the weather, it could be longer. That’s why we recommend having your filters and belts inspected, cleaned, and/or replaced at least every 600 hours after the initial 50-hour break-in period. This helps to ensure that your HP2000 APU does what you need it to, when you need to it, for as long as you need it to. Because as long as you take care of it, it will take care of you.

When it comes to fuel, there is only one true consistency: the inconsistency of its pricing. As the economy shifts, and the cost of oil and its demand rises, so does the price of fuel. According to AAA, the average cost of diesel fuel across the United States of America is estimated to be $2.89 PER GALLON as of today, February 25th, 2021. While it is not news for the cost of fuel to be this high, it is not good either – especially if you idle your truck.

But alas, Mother Nature has no pity for the truck drivers who travel day and night to earn an honest living, and neither do the places that they travel to, as more and more states conform to stricter anti-idling laws. Enter the creation and usefulness of the Auxiliary Power Unit. The Auxiliary Power Unit, or APU for short, by definition is a device on a vehicle that provides energy for functions other than propulsion. In most cases, APU’s are devices used to provide heating and/or cooling functionalities to vehicles such as Semi-Trucks, Construction Equipment, Military Vehicles, etc., with the most popular/common type of APU utilizing a 2-Cylinder or 3-Cylinder Diesel Engine. While diesel engines do use diesel fuel, of course, they tend to use a significant amount less than what your truck engine uses when idling. However, like most products, they all have some engineering differences, which results in different APU’s using different amounts of fuel per hour.

The average amount of fuel used by Green APU, for example, is 0.3 GPH, while the average amount used by brands such as ThermoKing and Carrier is 0.2 GPH. The HP2000 APU, on the other hand, has the lowest fuel consumption, sitting at just 0.1 GPH. At first glance it may not seem like that big of a difference, but as the cost of fuel continues to increase so does the savings!

Let us review the savings from a mathematical perspective. If the average driver idles their truck for 10 hours a day, working an average of 260 days per year, with the cost of diesel being $2.89 per gallon, you are looking at an estimated $7,514.00 for your annual idling fuel cost. With an HP2000 APU, using 0.1 GPH, your total drops down to $751.40. That is an average savings over $6,700 PER YEAR just from idling. That does not take into consideration the savings from maintenance on your vehicle or the added MPG that your vehicle will increase from the lack of idling.

When it comes to fuel, there is only one true consistency: the inconsistency of its pricing. But how much you spend on it, however, is really up to you. Choose to save and choose the HP2000 APU. Where half the fuel is twice the comfort, and quality is always without compromise.

Periodically we are asked what makes an Auxiliary Power Unit worth the added initial cost over using a portable generator to run the a/c or to provide power to accessories in your truck while you are parked. We stress “initial” because it doesn’t take long for a quality APU to pay for itself while keeping you comfortable.

As most of you know, many states have now passed anti-idling legislation that can result in fines up to $25,000 and even one year imprisonment in some states. This means that no matter if you’re….

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When it comes to building a product, the key component you will need is knowledge. Simple, right? You need to know what you are building, how you are going to build it, and what you want it to do once it’s complete. When it comes to the installation process, there’s really no difference.

But knowing how to do something, doing it, and doing it well, are completely different concepts. With a complex product like….

CLICK TO READ MORE

When it comes to fuel, there is only one true consistency: the inconsistency of its pricing. As the economy shifts, and the cost of oil and its demand rises, so does the price of fuel. According to AAA, the average cost of diesel fuel across the United States of America is estimated to be $2.89 PER GALLON as of today, February 25th, 2021. While it is not news for the cost of fuel to be this high, it is not good either – especially if you idle your truck.

But alas, Mother Nature has no pity for the truck drivers who travel day and night to earn an honest living, and neither do the places that they travel to, as more and more states conform to stricter anti-….

CLICK TO READ MORE

Fact: All engines, regardless of what they are powered by, require maintenance. While the intervals may be different, the general concept and the basic key components are all the same – oil filter, air filter, fuel filter, alternator belt, and compressor belt. Whether you clean them, replace them, tighten them, or just check them, it’s a task that needs to be done in order to prolong the life of your engine. And the HP2000 APU is no different.

Powered by a 2-Cyl. Diesel Engine, the HP2000 APU is the lightest and quietest unit on the market; but it doesn’t stay that way on its…

CLICK TO READ MORE

Vehicular performance and it’s mileage – what’s the relevance? Although it’s quite a popular concept for individuals to measure the wear of a vehicle by its mileage, is it really effective? Some experts beg to differ. In fact, many experts will protest that a true indicator of a vehicle’s performance is not at all referenced to its mileage – especially for fleet trucks.

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Being a truck driver or a heavy-machine operator makes you a very unique, dedicated person. From hours to days, no matter what you drive or how long you drive it for, your time operating your vehicle or equipment can be long and excruciating in these ever-changing weather conditions. That’s where the HP2000 APU comes in! The HP2000 APU is as versatile as you are, able to operate on many different types of vehicles and heavy-machinery such as semi-trucks, dump trucks, cranes, military transport vehicles, construction equipment and more! All of our units are built to withstand the harshest, most extreme weather conditions to keep your safe and comfortable while…

CLICK TO READ MORE

Periodically we are asked what makes an Auxiliary Power Unit worth the added initial cost over using a portable generator to run the a/c or to provide power to accessories in your truck while you are parked. We stress “initial” because it doesn’t take long for a quality APU to pay for itself while keeping you comfortable.

As most of you know, many states have now passed anti-idling legislation that can result in fines up to $25,000 and even one year imprisonment in some states. This means that no matter if you’re parked in 5-degree weather or 105-degree weather, you may not be able to legally idle your truck to keep warm or cool.

In order to keep your cab comfortable and ensure that you get a good night’s rest, you need an auxiliary power source for your truck. Auxiliary Power Units built specifically for trucks not only provide the power you need to stay warm or cool, but they also offer a host of benefits including keeping your batteries charged so that you aren’t left sitting when you should be driving.

HP2000 Auxiliary Power Units include:

• 20,000 BTU of Heat and A/C with the patented heat pump system
• Cab Mounted, touch screen, Programmable Controller
• Extremely Quiet Operation
• Rugged Stainless Steel Cabinet Built for the Road
• Engine Warming and Battery Charging Capabilities
• Does the Potential Savings Outweigh Lost Features

Generators may not last as long, but they are cheaper right?

While having a lower initial price tag, generators, on the other hand, are missing several features that will detract from your comfort and could end up costing your more money in the long run. Imagine how much money you would lose waking up to dead batteries and missing your delivery window!

The first issue that you will have with a generator is that the majority of them have gas engines. This means that you will have to carry enough fuel cans to run your generator, and if you forget to refill them, then you’ll be without heat or air until you reach the next gas station.

Since portable generators are not built to be mounted on vehicles, the engines and generator heads are exposed, leaving them open to the elements far exceeding their intended use. Generators have brushes inside every generator head and the rough conditions of the road will introduce grit and grime into these heads, rapidly wearing out the brushes. The HP2000 APU, however, was designed to provide power for your 110V appliances through an inverter, eliminating that common failure point.

Buying a Small Generator

So you’re still thinking that the generator is the best option? Here are a few more things to consider. In order to avoid having to get out every time you want to start the generator, you choose one with a remote start option. A unit like the Honda EU3000iS has an MSRP of around $2,400 and can only power a 13,500 BTU a/c unit, 6,500 BTU less than the HP2000 APU.

Upgrading to a Diesel Generator

Since you don’t want to mess with filling fuel gas cans at every stop, you decide to buy a diesel generator with remote start. The price tag for a good unit such as the Cummins Onan QD 3.2 Diesel RV Generator – 3.2HDZAA-6508 is just under $5,500 and you still don’t have a control unit that auto starts the generator when your batteries are low. It also does not pre-heat the engine on a certain day and time to make sure your rig is ready when you are. Not to mention you are still going to need a battery charger that can keep up with your engine heating pads, bringing the cost very close to that of our HP2000 APU.

Preventative Maintenance Costs

Aside from the initial cost of purchasing a unit, our APU is going to save you time and money over its’ lifetime. Our unit can be fully serviced in around 30 minutes whereas a generator must be completely removed to be serviced as the oil typically is drained from the bottom and most units must be strapped to the catwalk. The actual servicing of the unit doesn’t take long for a generator either but the smaller engine will most likely require more frequent maintenance, meaning down time for your truck and the more separate components you have, the greater the likelihood of failure. One night of sleeping in 5 degree weather and you will be wishing you chose an APU instead of trying to save a few bucks upfront on a generator!

As an over-the-road driver, you need professional-grade equipment that you can rely on. While a short haul trucker may be able to skimp on their equipment, your livelihood depends on being rested, charged, and ready to roll at a moment’s notice. The HP2000 will do its part to make sure you are ready when duty calls.

When it comes to building a product, the key component you will need is knowledge. Simple, right? You need to know what you are building, how you are going to build it, and what you want it to do once it’s complete. When it comes to the installation process, there’s really no difference.

But knowing how to do something, doing it, and doing it well, are completely different concepts. With a complex product like an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) it takes a lot of time, hard work, and dedication to get everything right. From the fuel lines, to the electrical components, and even to the placement on the truck: APU’s are a difficult task to master. With over 20 years of experience under their belt, however, Parks Industries, LLC has been able to pull it off beautifully, assuring customer satisfaction after every installation.

Still, some may ask: why Parks Industries, LLC? Why not a truck shop that can do the same installation? You see, Parks Industries, LLC is the sole creator and manufacturer of the HP2000 APU. All they do is build, repair, and install APU’s: Monday through Friday, 7:00AM to 4:00PM – day in and day out. Truck Shops, on the other hand, mostly do repairs on items such as brakes, alternators, or oil changes. Although they do an excellent job on those types of repairs, they’re not nearly as experienced when it comes to installing something as time-consuming and diverse as an APU.

From there the benefits just keep growing, for not only has Parks Industries, LLC been in business for over 20 years and created its own APU to put on the market, but the owner, Gary Parks, has also previously owned his own fleet. Having studied trucks for decades has helped him master his craft and figure out things such as how to get the best airflow from an APU. On top of that, the installation process itself only takes four to five hours on average, where others take an estimated two to three days of loss time and missed revenue. They even have a lounge with drinks and snacks available, where you can order delivery, watch Netflix, or just take a nap while you wait. It also helps that they are conveniently located in the heart of America, in Marion, IL, and are located close to not one, but two interstates: interstates 57 and 24.

Last, but certainly not least, is their financing. Parks Industries, LLC provides numerous financing options supplied to you by the one and only Sunset Financing Group. With zero to low upfront costs, 24 to 36-month term financing, and the most competitive payments in the financing market, Sunset Financing Group strives to supply the best leasing/financing options tailored to meet your needs. However, if you are purchasing a new or used truck that you know requires an APU, you can add the cost of buying an APU from Parks Industries, LLC to the same financial purchase that you already have. This can save you a ton of hassle from having multiple financing accounts with different companies, policies, due dates, interest rates, etc. All you need to do is have the dealer contact Parks Industries, LLC and then  route yourself to Marion, IL. It really is that simple.

The bottom line is, when it comes to paying to have something done, you want it done the right way on the first try. And when it comes to installing APU’s, Parks Industries, LLC is the right way to go, because at Parks Industries, LLC quality is always over compromise.

Vehicular performance and it’s mileage – what’s the relevance? Although it’s quite a popular concept for individuals to measure the wear of a vehicle by its mileage, is it really effective? Some experts beg to differ. In fact, many experts will protest that a true indicator of a vehicle’s performance is not at all referenced to its mileage – especially for fleet trucks.

For many fleet managers, measuring a trucks performance plays a key role in managing its replacement strategies, preventative maintenance schedules, identifying utilization, and overall calculating the fleet’s total cost of ownership as an entirety. And with many fleet managers also operating under a specific year or mileage replacement policy, the importance of measuring a trucks performance grows even larger. So, what is the best indicator?

Many engineers have highlighted that the most effective way to measure a vehicles performance is by looking at one of two things: either the hours of engine operation, or the amount of fuel burned over a length of time. As an engine idles, the wear on a vehicle to consume one gallon of fuel is the same as driving up to 30 miles. So, by measuring certain factors by hour, rather than per mile, it uses an alternative method to analyze the fleet – allowing analysts to better understand which locations and trucks are costing more than the benchmark.

Vehicles with special applications that require the vehicle to be running (such as those equipped with power take-offs) require constant charging of the battery to operate, which in return requires more idling time that won’t show up as mileage or utilization. And since idling, which can consume up to a gallon of fuel per hour, creates wear-and-tear on the engine by the hour, it’s preventative maintenance should go by the same method of measurement to better ensure the function of the engine and fuel system.

Now, some fleet managers may find this a little worrisome, especially if their fleet trucks are actually required to do quite a bit of idling. More idling being calculated by the hour, means even more maintenance – and more maintenance means more cost to maintain the truck and sustain its overall performance. But, there’s an easy solution to that with the purchase of Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) to help reduce idling and a hefty portion of its costs. Take the HP2000 for example. The HP2000 has an Idle Reduction System that doesn’t just eliminate the need for the truck’s engine to idle, but it also reduces fuel consumption by up the 90% – using an average of 1/10 gallons of fuel per hour. On top of that it’s quiet, light-weight, and in a compact size built to handle the extreme temperatures and rough conditions that drivers battle with on a daily basis.

All-in-all, however, measuring vehicular performance can give a fleet manager a better understanding of its usage and determine whether changes may or may not need to be made. While miles may be best for measuring many fleet analytics, hours are an important component to ensure total visibility into all aspects of fleet maintenance and measurements. And if counting the hours scares you, count on something that doesn’t – the reliability of the HP2000.

Being a truck driver or a heavy-machine operator makes you a very unique, dedicated person. From hours to days, no matter what you drive or how long you drive it for, your time operating your vehicle or equipment can be long and excruciating in these ever-changing weather conditions. That’s where the HP2000 APU comes in! The HP2000 APU is as versatile as you are, able to operate on many different types of vehicles and heavy-machinery such as semi-trucks, dump trucks, cranes, military transport vehicles, construction equipment and more! All of our units are built to withstand the harshest, most extreme weather conditions to keep your safe and comfortable while on the job or between your travels. Do you have a vehicle or type of equipment that you want an APU for, but you don’t know if it’ll work? No problem! As long as you have the specifications for what you are needing, Parks Industries LLC will be more than happy to assist in seeing what we can build for you. We are always taking on new projects and building APU’s for a variety of equipment. If you’ve got the room, we’ve got the APU for you! Call our office at (618) 997-9608 for more information.