Facts about diesel ideling
As the vast majority of 5th wheels are being towed by diesel trucks here is some interesting facts about idling and the myths surrounding it: http://www.in.gov/idem/prevention/2372.htm
Forum Discussion
GordonThree wrote:
If all these facts are so well known, why do so many leave their diesel pickup idle, for example, the entire time they're setting up or breaking camp, half an hour, maybe more?
Part of the myth that is hard to get people to let go of is:
The diesel engine uses so little fuel at idle that it takes more to restart it than to let it idle for XX minutes.
Of course that is absolutely false because with fuel injection and a warm/hot engine it takes almost NO additional fuel to restart.
It is a tough myth to break though. In Orlando, Fl on the SunRail commuter line, they let the diesel locomotives run at idle between scheduled runs. Mid-day that can be as much as TWO HOURS. And those are BIG engines. Stupid.
