Class A Diesel Idling

[harryjr]

Disclaimer: NOT trying to start a firestorm

We were on the road for the last 3.5 weeks. It takes us approx 30min. to break camp in the morning. We then start the truck and position, hook up, do a final walk around and leave. Truck idles for maybe five minutes and is Tundra V-8 quiet.

So why in 3.5 weeks did we run into so many diesel class A's who feel the need to start the engine at 6AM and then do God only knows what for the next hour and a half before they leave? You bought a $400K, 400HP, 40 foot RV. Does it really require a 90 minute warm up before you can safely drive it down the road? We only spent one night together, but I promise to miss you when you're gone. Do you need to wake up the entire park to wave goodbye?

Before you tell me I'm just jealous that I don't have a diesel pusher, I'm not. (Well maybe just a little bit). Saw one today that was such a bargain my wallet started to twitch, but I digress.

If there is a reason for the 90 min. warm-up, please explain it to this dumb 5th wheeler.

Thanks,

[imgoin4it]

I’m not sure I’ve seen and or heard of people idle for 90 minutes but sure have seen and heard them for WAY longer than needed of any modern diesel book recommends. I just figure it is from people that don’t know how to read or if they do don’t believe manufacturers know what they write.

[harryjr]

2oldman wrote:
90 minutes? You sure you're not exaggerating.. just a bit?

I start my diesel truck only when I'm fully ready to hitch up. Yes, it will continue to idle for maybe another 10 minutes while I finish up, but 90 minutes? That's ridiculous.

To quote Albert Einstein,

“Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. That’s relativity!”

When I'm trying to sleep @ 6:30AM, it's the hot stove.

[time2roll]

Generally I start and roll within 10 seconds.
It is my personal challenge to start my truck and get to 60 mph on the interstate before it fully warms up 🙂
Just moderate driving seems to get the temp up very fast.

[2oldman]

90 minutes? You sure you're not exaggerating.. just a bit?

I start my diesel truck only when I'm fully ready to hitch up. Yes, it will continue to idle for maybe another 10 minutes while I finish up, but 90 minutes? That's ridiculous.

[wildtoad]

There are a lot of old folks who have always done it that way, and will continue to until they can’t. I have seen Class A’s do it as well that some pickup’s. These same people believe they need to idle it for a long time before turning it off too. By the time you get to a hiway or from one to a campground, the engine, tranny, turbo, oil will all be at a go/stop status. This is of course unless you camp/park by the side of the road...

On my gasser which too needs to warm a bit, by the time I crank it, let the levelers come up, slowly roll to the camp entrance all is good. I will let my toad idle for 5 minutes of so before starting the MH cause GM says to. But never at 6.

And although you inserted the disclaimer you know that’s exactly your intent... :B

[noteven]

Excessive idling is good for the emissions system service business.

[Mandalay_Parr]

No need for long warm up time.
Is a waste of fuel and slow idle is bad for the engine

[Trackrig]

If I had someone doing that at 6:00AM next to me, I'd being going over asking them why.

Bill

[Bird_Freak]

As a old trucker and mechanic I always let mine run for a few minutes to warm turbo, get everything lubed and build air pressure for brakes. No reason for a 90 minute warm up.

[ScottG]

Not only is it not necessary, it's down right bad for them to idle cold that long.
I truly believe it's a combination of macho and showing off.