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,

[Skid_Row_Joe]

I seriously doubt he (the diesel coach) was idling for "90 minutes." Exaggerated I am thinking.

.Diesel engines must have warm Up time because they're ALL lead-sleds without adequate warm up time. Diesel engine Class As, are likely to have air brakes as well. ALL air brake systems need to be adequately charged with compression before they'll even operate.

.Unless you've owned and operated a diesel you're probably unaware of these facts.
All my coaches, and most of my cars over 30+ years have been diesels. None perform at all without a good 5 to 10 minute engine warm up period of start up time elapsed. Especially in the Wintertime.





.

[et2]

Or maybe they're getting even with the neighbors who's dogs barked all day and night, or the guys dog that cra##ed in there lot, or neighbors screaming kids running through their site over and over, or the the blaring music from various neighbors all day and night, or the drunks up until 3am hootin and hollering, or those using hammer drills to lower their jacks. The list goes on and on I'm sure.

It isn't really worth the getting upset over looking at the big picture. I'm sure we've all done something to cheese someone off.

[Supercharged]

harryjr wrote:
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,

They want every one to know they have a diesel. They must have talked back to there mother when they were teenagers also. When they worked at the post office they had to follow the rules, not they are hitting back at all the folks who didn't give them that xmas gift. Or maybe it is because they leak so much oil and they are mad, or because when they walked the cat they forgot to clean they shoes and now all the oil they dripped around the rig is inside on the carpet, or someone has a larger better model then them and the wind is just right.
But they can get to the top of the big hill ten sec. sooner.

[Grit_dog]

irishtom's RV runs on Unicorn farts, which are 137% cleaner burning than gas or diesel.

[rhagfo]

et2 wrote:

irishtom29 wrote:

et2 wrote:

You should really do some research on modern Diesel engines. Many burn cleaner than gasoline engines and are much more efficient.

Not as bad is still bad.

Not sure what your point is.

Those that complain of diesel noise and stink!
Newer diesels are quieter than older diesels, and have very little smell to their exhaust. I personally hate the stink of older gas engines, or working on a gas engine.

As to the warm up and cool down 5 minutes on both ends is plenty.
Personally I use an EGT gauge to determine cool down, not always low once in campsite.

[et2]

irishtom29 wrote:

et2 wrote:

You should really do some research on modern Diesel engines. Many burn cleaner than gasoline engines and are much more efficient.

Not as bad is still bad.

Not sure what your point is.

[irishtom29]

et2 wrote:

You should really do some research on modern Diesel engines. Many burn cleaner than gasoline engines and are much more efficient.

Not as bad is still bad.

[1968mooney]

:h

[et2]

Islandman wrote:
Idling for diesel powered trucks more than just a few minutes is being discouraged by authorities concerned with air pollution in urban environments; probably doesn't apply to campgrounds yet but air quality is just as important in a campground setting as other areas.

You should really do some research on modern Diesel engines. Many burn cleaner than gasoline engines and are much more efficient.

[Joatha]

It takes me about 10 minutes to get ready to go. I will typically air up via the on-board compressor while I am eating breakfast or packing up. No one can hear that so its not part of my 10 minutes.

Then, I will disconnect everything - water, sewer, and electric.

Only then do I start the engine (and the generator if needed).

From there it will take about 5-10 minutes for the air to get to an acceptable level and for me to retract my jacks. I do a quick walk-around to make sure everything is good outside - takes just a minute. At that point, I hit the road.

I can't say, though, that I recall ever leaving before 7am from a campground and probably not before 8am. So, I'm not one starting my engine when its dark out.

[Veebyes]

fj12ryder wrote:
Probably a bit of exaggeration, but even 15-20 minutes of listening, and smelling, an idling diesel can seem like hours.

This very true. The earlier in the day, the longer it seems.

In British Columbia they have a 'no idling' law. Never heard of it till we got stopped at roadworks for more than a couple minutes & were told to shut the engine down.

[fj12ryder]

Probably a bit of exaggeration, but even 15-20 minutes of listening, and smelling, an idling diesel can seem like hours.

[2gypsies1]

harryjr wrote:
Disclaimer: NOT trying to start a firestorm

Sure you are.

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?

Could these be some wee exaggerations?

[d3500ram]

I think it is all a conspiracy. :R

[Islandman]

Idling for diesel powered trucks more than just a few minutes is being discouraged by authorities concerned with air pollution in urban environments; probably doesn't apply to campgrounds yet but air quality is just as important in a campground setting as other areas.