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Best Electronic Gadgets for Your Semi Truck

For anyone who says the life of a truck driver is easy, they clearly haven’t done it. Truckers keep this country running every day, from coast to coast. While it’s true there’s no place like home, today’s truck drivers have a variety of electronic gadgets available to them to make day-to-day life out on the highway a little more comfortable.

In this blog, let’s take a look at 6 electronic devices that can help make a trucker’s quality of life a lot better.

Tablet or Lap Top

When you’re done after a long day of driving, having a tablet or laptop available is a good way to unwind, and catch up with the world. Whether you want to check email, watch some TV, or surf the web, there’s always plenty of entertainment to be found on an iPad or laptop.

Wireless Hotspot Device

If you’re going to spend some of your hard-earned downtime on a tablet or laptop, you’ll need to be connected to the internet. A wireless hotspot device can provide web access to your computer or iPad, no matter where you are parked for the night.

Many major cell phone companies offer affordable monthly packages, all priced on the amount of data you want to use. For a truck driver, having reliable internet service in your rig is worth its weight in gold!


Dash Cam

If your company doesn’t already provide one, investing in a good quality dash cam is a great idea. A lot of things can happen out on the road, and having a dash cam recording of what happens on the other side of your windshield can help protect you both legally and financially should an incident occur.


GPS Unit for Trucks

Several GPS manufacturers sell units that are specifically designed for truckers. Loaded with special software, truck GPS units provide a great amount of information not available on passenger car devices.

Load in specific details about your tractor/trailer, and receive specialized data such as route and sharp curve warnings, bridge heights, weight limits, service and food locations, as well as other great information. A semi GPS unit can go a long way in making your job as a trucker a whole lot easier.


Power Strip for Charging

When it comes to being comfortable on the road, convenience is the name of the game. Like most people today, many truckers have cell phones, tablets, lap tops and other devices on board their rigs that all need to stay charged.

A power strip with multiple USB ports is a great way to keep all of your electronic gadgetry charged up so everything will be ready to go when you get off the road. It is also an easy way to keep your charging wires organized and in one place.


Portable Wet/Dry Vacuum

It doesn’t take long for the inside of your rig to start looking a bit nasty as dirt and debris build up from driving each day.

Keep your truck looking sharp with a small wet/dry vacuum that you can store away when not in use. Not only will it help clean up dry dirt and dust, but also wet stuff like spills or mud. You’ll be surprised how much more pleasant your cab’s interior will be when it’s nice and tidy.


The Convenience, Reliability & Comfort of Green APU

We’re always super proud when customers tell us how much they love the Green APU in their rigs.

With over a decade of experience and thousands of trouble-free hours out on the road, the Green APU is the best Auxiliary Power Unit available in the marketplace.

Our 5th generation Star Edition is powered by a highly reliable 3-cylinder, Kubota diesel engine, which makes it the most powerful APU in the industry.

The Green APU only burns ¼ of a gallon of fuel per hour, which will save you thousands of dollars in fuel and regeneration costs each year. The Star Edition uses all off-the-shelf components, so replacement parts are available at auto parts stores across the country, or through our nationally recognized distribution centers.

We are so confident about our product that we offer a 2-year, 3,000-hour warranty.

So, get out there trucker, and grab some electronic gadgets to enjoy out on the road! We will keep them powered up, guaranteed!

Learn more about Green APU here.

Nitrocross (Rounds 6 & 7) – December 9th & 10th – San Bernardino, CA

Ask Patrick Series
Nitrocross Southern California
Glen Helen Raceway
December 9th & 10th 2023

 

Let’s check in with Green APU Rally USA Racing driver Patrick Gruszka about his experience in the Nitrocross Southern California at the Glen Helen Raceway.

 

Tell Us About the Race

“This was another new track for me, as it’s my first season in Nitrocross. It was really cool – 95% dirt, with only the starting grid being tarmac. It was shorter than previous tracks, but had a lot more jumps!”

 

How Did It Go for the Green APU Rally USA Team?

“We finished 3rd place in the first round of the doubleheader and walked away with some hardware. The second round didn’t work out so well, as during the first lap of the final, I got pushed into a wall. I had to back up to get going again, and by that time, I could not catch up. We ended up in 6th place.“

 

What Was Different About This Race Compared to Others?

“This track came from the brilliant mind of Travis Pastrana. Every track he does is different. Some are all tarmac, others complete dirt, and one is on ice. He also has tracks with a combination of mixed dirt and tarmac. This particular one was all dirt, with 6 jumps – the most I have seen this year.”

 

What Challenges Came Up?

“We actually had 2 cars for this race with Alastair Scully running the other car. During the past few weeks, the crew had a lot of work to do getting both cars ready to go. We got on the podium the first night, and had a great chance the next evening too, but I went into that wall. That’s racing for you!”

 

Anything You Want to Improve on or Change?

“Improvement is a never-ending process. Between our last race in Phoenix and this one in SoCal, I can see that we got a lot better. We just have to keep at it, and cut our lap times down a few tenths, while staying consistent”.

 

What Lessons Did You Take Away from This Race?  

“I’m pleased with our progress, but when it comes to Nitrocross, I have a lot to learn. This is what this season has been all about – racking up seat time to get all the experience I can.”

Nitrocross Phoenix – November 10th & 11th 2023

Nitrocross Phoenix
Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park
November 10th & 11th 2023

 

Let’s check in with Green APU Rally USA Racing driver Patrick Gruszka about his experience in the Nitrocross Phoenix race in Arizona.

 

Tell Us About the Race

“It was really amazing. This race was only my second Nitrocross event. This track seemed a lot more technical than the one I ran in Utah.”

 

How Did It Go for the Green APU Rally USA Team?

“On day 1, I rolled my car for the first time ever, so that was exciting! I knew it would happen eventually. We couldn’t quite get the pace we needed in day 2, and wound up just shy of the podium in 4th place.”

 

What Was Different About This Race Compared to Others?

“Nitrocross is Rallycross on steroids!” The track had massive jumps, and huge banked turns. It was designed by Travis Pastrana himself. The whole experience had a festival like atmosphere to it, with live bands and other cool stuff. This was unlike any other experience I’ve had in motorsports!”

 

What Challenges Came Up?

“Prep time for the race went fine, but we had a really full rig on this trip. We went to SEMA with 2 Nitrocross NEXT cars, stuff for our booth, a huge motion racing simulator, and everything we needed for Nitrocross Phoenix. It’s challenging getting used to this car and the tracks we run them on. The crew had to get the car prepped for day 2 after the roll. I did injure my wrist, so I had quite a bit of pain when I got back in the car. I managed to push through, and finish the race.”

 

Anything You Want to Improve on or Change?

“One of the real challenges with this generation of NEXT cars is maintaining a consistent speed. Even the smallest slowdown will put you back a few spots. The only way to make it up is to wait for another driver to make a mistake. Consistently maintaining speed, and improving my lines and braking points are things I want to work on in the future.”

 

What Lessons Did You Take Away from This Race?     

“I learned both what to do, and what not to do when your car is flipping over! The more seat time I get in this car, and on these types of tracks, the better I’ll be. I also learn a ton from talking to veteran drivers like Travis Pastrana, Andreas Bakkerud, and Conner Martell. Their advice is invaluable!”

Easy Recipes to Cook in Your Truck

truck apu temperature control

Who says you can’t eat good out on the open road? When you have a Green APU on board your rig, the comforts of home are right at your fingertips.

For many truckers, eating healthfully can be a challenge, especially when time in between loads is limited. But with a little planning and the right equipment, you can enjoy delicious, nutritious meals anytime.

In another blog, we reviewed several appliances that are available to over the road truckers that can be used to prepare meals. Whether you choose a crock pot, an electric skillet, a microwave, an air popper, or all of the above, you can cook practically anything you want in no time.

Let’s take a look at 8 great recipes you can easily prepare in your truck with one of these great products.

 

Crock Pot

If you are into “set it and forget it” cooking a crock pot is the perfect solution. It’s almost impossible to name all the delicious dishes you can make with one.

 

Chili

Who doesn’t love a hot, delicious bowl of chili after a long day? Try this one next time you get a taste for some comfort food.

https://www.thecookierookie.com/crockpot-chili-recipe/

 

Mac & Cheese

There are few more perfect foods than mac and cheese! Creamy, cheesy and delicious, this classic dish is a winner every time. It’s super easy to make mac and cheese in your truck’s crock pot.

https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-mac-and-cheese-in-the-slow-cooker-226813

 

Electric Skillet

Having an electric skillet is like having a stove and oven in your truck. The meal possibilities are virtually endless.

Southwest Breakfast Wrap 

https://www.bhg.com/recipe/southwest-breakfast-wrap/

 

 

Lemon Thyme Roasted Chicken

https://www.bhg.com/recipe/lemon-thyme-roasted-chicken-with-fingerlings/

Microwave Oven

Since its introduction back in the 1970’s, microwave ovens have changed the game when it comes to cooking. Today’s compact microwaves are perfect for trucks, and whether you prepare food or buy it packaged, a microwave does a great job heating up your favorite dishes.

 

Corn on the Cob

Delicious corn on the cob is a treat all year long. Corn goes with just about any meat, including steak, chicken, and pork. Add a little butter and salt to the corn, and you will have yourself a wining meal every time.

https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/the_easiest_way_to_microwave_corn_on_the_cob/

 

Bacon  

Try and find someone who doesn’t love bacon! Bacon goes with everything. Whether you want it with your eggs in the morning, or a BLT sandwich at lunch, microwave bacon is fantastic.

https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/the_easiest_way_to_microwave_corn_on_the_cob/

 

Air Fryers

Air fryers make cooking a wide variety of foods easy, and more healthful than other traditional ways of preparing meals. Food made with an air fryer often contains fewer calories and fat, since oil and other additives are not used.

 

French Fries

https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/tools-products/appliances/air-fryer-french-fries

 

Smores

https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/recipe-collections-favorites/desserts/best-way-to-make-smores

 

Green APU Makes Your Truck a Home Away from Home

Every day, the team at Green APU has one goal in mind – to help our customers out on the road get the job done in comfort. If you want an APU that will make your life easier, and better, and save money, you can count on Green APU. Let’s get cooking!

Use The Green APU to Cook in Your Truck

When you have a Green APU on board your rig, it becomes a home away from home. When you are off the road getting some much-needed downtime, your APU powers your electricity, heat, A/C, and anything else you might need.

One thing we all love to do is eat! There’s nothing like a great meal to enjoy while you are resting between trips. There are a number of ways you can cook delicious, quick, and healthy meals in your truck.

Let’s look at 4 cooking appliances that will keep the great meals coming as you travel down the open road.

 

Slow Cooker  

A slow cooker, often referred to as a crock pot is one of the most versatile ways to cook healthy and delicious meals in your truck.

From stews to soups, and pretty much everything else in between, a slow cooker is easy to use, as it does all the work for you. Just put the ingredients for your favorite recipe in the pot, and put the cover on. In no time, you will have a wonderful meal ready to eat at your convenience. Best of all, the clean up is really easy with a slow cooker.

Get some great Crock Pot recipes here.

 

Electric Skillet

Whether it be a hearty breakfast of bacon and eggs, a steak with vegetables, or beautifully seasoned chicken, the eating possibilities are endless with an electric skillet. You can roast, fry, grill, stew, or bake a wide variety of meats and sides.

If you are feeling ambitious, try your hand at a few casseroles too! The key to good eating in your truck is ease of use, convenience, and easy clean up. A non-stick electric skillet does all of this and more!

Check out these great electric skillet recipes.

 

 Microwave

No rig would be complete without a microwave oven. Since the 1970s, microwaves have changed the way we all cook. There’s no limit to the food options you can enjoy with a microwave.

Whether you have a taste for chili on a brisk fall day, a delicious plate of pasta, some spicy chicken wings, or want to heat up a piece of apple pie to go with some ice cream, a microwave is a trucker’s best friend.

If you don’t want to take the time to prepare ingredients to cook, there are many packaged meals that you can keep in your mini-fridge, or on the shelf that would be great in the microwave.

Get lots of great microwave recipes here.

 

Small Air Fryer

Want to cook up some tender steak, your favorite flavor of wings, or some french fries? A small air fryer is your go-to product!

Free of any oil and messy clean-ups, air fryers use a heating element to produce intense heat, while a fan circulates it around. The rapid movement of heated air cooks food evenly, without burning or undercooking.

Air frying can produce many healthy meals because it does not require fatty oils to cook your food. In addition, many meals cooked in an air fryer are lower in fat and calories.

Want to get air frying? Check out these great recipes!

 

Keep Cooking Down the Road with Green APU

The team at Green APU has the greatest respect for our truck driver customers. You keep our nation going with all the loads you deliver each day.

We are proud of the reputation our APU has earned over the years for its rugged dependability and unmatched quality. Our team wants you to enjoy your off time to the fullest extent possible. Put a Green APU on your rig, and you’ll feel like you never left home!

Learn more about Green APU here. See you down the road!

Lake Superior Performance Rally Marquette, MI & L’Anse, MI

Ask Patrick Series

Lake Superior Performance Rally

Marquette, MI & L’Anse, MI

October 13-14 2023

 

Let’s catch up with Green APU Rally USA Racing driver Patrick Gruszka about the recent Lake Superior Performance Race in Michigan.

 

Tell Us About the Race

“This was my 3rd time running this race. This one was my first ever doing Rally in a L2WD car, and it went really well. I call this my redemption year, as last year I broke my hand at the event.”

 

How Did It Go for the Green APU Rally USA Team?

“Great! We finished 2nd overall, and 1st in RC2. We are beyond stoked to have achieved the results we have for this event and the season overall.”

 

What Was Different About This Race Compared to Others?

This rally is unique because of all the changing fall colors in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The roads can be fast and smooth, but also have technical sections that require more attention to detail. It’s also the last rally in the championship season, so there’s always a special feeling that other events don’t have. It was a great way to end the 2023 rally season.”

 

What Challenges Came Up?

We had a short turnaround after The Boone Forest Rally, so we had to fix the power steering quickly, after damaging it at the Boone. No real challenges during this race, as we didn’t need to push hard once we had a comfortable gap with the car behind us.”

 

Anything You Want to Improve on or Change?

There’s always room for improvement for me as a driver. We will work on a bunch of things while we are off and next season.”

 

What Lessons Did You Take Away from This Race?     

Hopestly, this entire season was a learning experience. Coming off last year with the Mitsubishi Mirage and jumping into a Hyundai i20, we needed as much seat time as we could get. We had to get a feel for the new car in different conditions, which we were able to do.”

The Boone Forest Rally Race

The Daniel Boone National Forest
McKee, KY
September 22-23 2023

 

 

We recently talked with Green APU Rally USA Racing driver Patrick Gruszka about the recent Boone Forest Rally Race in Kentucky.

 

Tell Us About the Race

“This race was really exciting, as it was the inaugural run for this event.  We have been working with our close friend, Erik Hubbard with Backroads of Appalachia, and the ARA (American Rally Association) to put this race together. We knew it was going to be challenging, and we were not wrong!”

 

What Was Different About This One Compared to Others?

 “Because it’s a regional event, the race was much shorter both in length and time. Even so, it was a tough event. The roads used as stages were not like any other we have competed on before. Fast and smooth in some sections, then rough and extremely technical in others.”

 

How Did It Go for the Green APU Rally USA Team?

 “Well, not as well as he had hoped. We had a mechanical issue with the steering system, which took us out of the competition.”

 

What Challenges Did You Find During the Race?

 “The prep for the race went great, but during, we encountered a lot of bedrock coming through the road, and large gravel. We got a work out for sure, and it was hard on the car, and us as drivers.”

 

Sorry About Not Finishing

 “Well, it’s all part of the sport. Things happen, both good and bad. We just have to move on and look forward to the next race. We are really excited about the future of this particular event too. We hope to see it grow into a national event.”

 

What Did You Learn from the Event?

 “Every time I strap into a racecar, I’m always learning and looking to improve my skills as a driver. This event specifically gave me solid experience on rough stages that will greatly help us in the future.”

 

Anything You Would Like Change or Try to Improve On?

 I don’t think I would necessarily change anything, as every failure and challenge makes us come back even stronger for the next run.”

Nitrocross Rally Race

Ask Patrick Series

Nitrocross Rally Race

Salt Lake City, UT

August 18-19th 2023

 

We caught up with Green APU Rally USA Racing driver Patrick Gruszka after he completed the recent Nitrocross Rally race in Salt Lake City.

 

Tell Us About Nitrocross!

Patrick: “Nitrocross is an extreme version of RallyCross and was designed by Travis Pastrana. It’s door to door racing, with lots of jumps, big banked corners, and is a mix of dirt and tarmac. This weekend was my first ever time doing this type of race.”

 

How Did the Race Go?  

Patrick: “It was a double header, and we ended up securing 3rd place for both rounds!”

 

What Challenges Did You Face?  

Patrick: “We had zero time to prepare, as we only got the car a few days before we left for the race. I had to learn quickly and adapt to the car, as it’s much more different than our i20 rally car.”

“We had a few mishaps during the race, with a few busted body panels, but that’s to be expected with door to door racing. Besides that, things went pretty smoothly.”

 

Sounds Like You are Pretty Pumped with the Outcome!

Patrick: “Absolutely! We came in with the mindset to just get seat time and learn. The Team had no expectations to be on the podium. We were up against a field of drivers who have been doing this much longer, so to podium on both rounds is awesome!”

 

What was Different About This Race?

Patrick: “It’s all in one location, unlike a stage rally, so for spectators, it’s an ideal situation. It’s also door to door, as we are racing directly against one another. Usually at a stage rally, we run one at a time against the clock.”

 

What Do You Want to Change for the Next Race? 

Patrick: “We need to work on the car’s setup and get more seat time for sure.”

 

What Did You Learn from the Race?

 

Patrick: “I learned that I definitely want to do more Nitrocross! I had so much fun out there, and we’re hoping to be able to do the rest of the season.”

What Goes On After a Race?

Ask Patrick Series

“What Goes On After a Race?” 

 

One thing we know for sure, Rally racing is not for the faint of heart. To be successful, it takes an entire team to work together toward a single goal – winning.  In this edition, we caught up with Green APU Rally USA Racing driver Patrick Gruszka to discuss what goes on at the end of a typical Rally race.

 

How long is a typical race?

Patrick: “For us, the actual race really starts about a week before, with all of our preparation. We start by doing a lot of testing, and then move onto “Recce” (scouting the roads of competition before the event). Then after all that, it is time to run the actual race.  We will do about 300 miles, with half of those being the race itself”.

 

How do you feel after a race? Exhausted? Full of energy?

 Patrick: ”As a team, we go through a lot of training in order to minimize the recovery time after an event. Regardless of those efforts, everyone is pretty tired after a race.”

 

What happens immediately after a race? Does the car have to be inspected? 

Patrick: “After a race, the car goes back to our shop, so our team can do a comprehensive inspection, and repair or replace anything that is needed.”  

 

What do you learn after looking at the car when a race is finished?

Patrick: “I think about a lot of things. The first thing I do is reflect on how well I drove, and whether there was anything I could have done better. As far as the car goes, we look at its overall condition, and determine what parts will need fixing or replacing for the next run.”

 

What parts need replacing on the car after a race?

Patrick: “We will fix or replace anything that needs attention. Usually, the parts that need repair or replacement the most are the ones that get worn during a race, such as the suspension etc.”

 

What other activities go on after a race? 

Patrick: “The minute a race is over, we start prepping for the next one. During this time, we also start working on the post event videos that we put out for fans.”

 

Tell us about packing up after a race.

 Patrick: “As you can imagine, we have a lot of equipment and gear with us for a race. After we pack up our tools, tires, and other pieces of equipment, the last thing to go in the trailer is the car itself.”

 

How long does it take to get home?

 Patrick: “Races take place in many locations, so it ranges from just a few hours in some cases, to over a week.”

 

What is done to the car to prepare for the next race?

 Patrick: “Anything and everything that is needed. We inspect the car very carefully to make sure we are 100% ready to compete again.”

Talking Tires

Ask Patrick Series

“Talking Tires”  

 

Every component of a Rally Race car is critical to a team’s success. This is especially true with regard to tires. In this edition, we caught up with Green APU Rally USA Racing driver Patrick Gruszka to discuss the specialized tires the team uses for each race.

 

What types of tires do you use? 

 Patrick: “We run special edition Pirelli’s that are specifically made for gravel sport racing.”

 

What is special about these tires?

 Patrick: “Pretty much everything. These tires are made from a special compound that gives us extra grip for gravel. Also, in comparison to a street tire, they have stronger sidewalls to minimize flats.”

 

Are there any racing rules for tires? 

 Patrick: “Oh, for sure. The main rule is that our tires have to be DOT legal for the street racing that we do. Another rule is that there must be 4 tires on the car at all times.”

 

How many tires do you go through each race?

 Patrick: “It depends on the amount of testing we do before the race, and of course what happens during the event. Generally speaking, we go through about 20-26 tires during the race week.”

 

How many tires will you go through in an entire season?

 Patrick: “Every season is different of course, but I would say we burn through about 96-120 tires each year.”

 

Can racing tires be reused?

 Patrick: “It depends on how much wear there is on a specific tire. For example, in Ohio on the street stage, we have reused worn down gravel tires, to mimic the performance of regular street tires.”

 

Do you use different tires for summer and winter racing?

 Patrick: “The compounds are different. In the Pirelli series, a numbering system measures the hardness of the tires, with K4 being the hardest, and K8 the softest. For snow tires, a different form of rubber mixture is used in order to combat the slippery roads.

The downside to Rally races in the U.S. is that they do not allow us to use studs, which are really effective at griping the road in the snow. Without studs, it is kind of like ice-skating with gym shoes on. For summer racing in extreme heat, the harder the tire compound, the longer it will last.”

 

Do you need to change tires during a race?

Patrick: “Some competitors opt to rotate the tires, front to rear, since the back tires wear less. We want the best tires we have on the front, since steering is so critical.”

 

What happens if you get a flat tire during a race?

 Patrick: “There’s a couple of things that can be done. First, you can decide to drive the stage on the flat tire, and try to minimize the time loss as best as possible. Another option is to stop and change the tire as quickly as you can. Depending on how efficiently you work with your co-driver, a tire change can take anywhere between 1-3 minutes.”

 

Have you ever had a blow out during a race?

 Patrick: “Thankfully, no. Hopefully that trend will continue this season!”

 

What do you do with the tires once they cannot be used anymore? 

 Patrick: “We recycle them.”