Freightliner Trucks announced that an environmentally-conscious aftermarket HVAC system and auxiliary generator designed to eliminate prolonged idling is available as a factory option on select Class 8 truck models. The HVAC system, called Tundra, is provided by Dometic Corporation and has been implemented into the Freightliner Trucks product line for customers who want to reduce their amount of idling.
The “Idle Solutions” system is available for Freightliner Century Class S/T, Coronado, Columbia, Classic XL and Classic truck models.
The “Idle Solutions” package is intended to eliminate prolonged idling, which saves significant wear on the truck's main engine, related systems, and components by reducing main engine run time.
The Tundra air conditioning system uses an environmentally-friendly refrigerant that meets the 2010 environmental regulations. The HVAC package is seamless and fully integrated into current systems, allowing for a clean installation.
The Dometic heating and air conditioning system is designed to maintain comfortable interior temperatures without main-engine idling in accordance with the proposed TMC Performance Standard RP-432. Additionally, “Idle Solutions” offers enough output to run clean AC power while using standardized appliances such as microwaves, televisions, and engine block heaters.
The HVAC units featured on the heavy-duty Freightliner Trucks vehicles are 120-volt, 14,000 British Thermal Unit (BTU) systems that adequately cool and heat a full-sized SleeperCab. This standardized system delivers approximately 500 CFM of air flow.
The auxiliary generator component of “Idle Solutions” is provided by Temco. This system is powered by an industrial-quality Perkins 3-cylinder diesel engine that produces 7.8 kilowatts of 120-volt power at 1800 RPM. The Perkins engine has an approximate 10,000-hour life, features a 500-hour engine service interval, and meets 2007 EPA Tier 2 emissions requirements.
The auxiliary generator is produced in two basic configurations. The first configuration is a drop-in component that fits in the tool box location on the Coronado and the Classic XL. The second configuration is referred to as a “Space Saver,” requiring only 26 inches of rail space. This allows the system to fit aft of the fuel tanks on most Century Class S/T and the Columbia trucks. “Idle Solutions” ties into the truck's fuel system, eliminating the need for installation of an extra fuel tank.
New interior package
Freightliner Trucks unveiled its new, soft-trim interior package for the Coronado heavy-duty truck line at the Great American Trucking Show. The upgraded Chaparral premium interior package features a distinctive diamond stitch pattern and button accents, with padded cloth or vinyl upholstery on the seats, walls, headliners and door panels.
The Chaparral interior package features five new upgraded colors. Available in cloth or vinyl, the colors nicely complement the Oregon Burl wood grain accents on the dashboard, doors, overhead consoles, and modular cabinetry in the Coronado SleeperCab.
The Oasis Tan Chaparral cloth interior comes standard on the Coronado. Opal Gray, Autumn Red, Horizon Blue, and Graphite Black cloth or vinyl soft-trim packages are available as options.
Freightliner Trucks also unveiled a new soft-trim interior upgrade for the 120-inch BBC Classic and 132-inch BBC Classic XL heavy-duty vehicles, as well as the 120-inch BBC FLD 120SD truck model.
The Classic and Classic XL truck models feature five upgraded interior colors, available in cloth or vinyl, for the new Chaparral interior package. Oasis Tan vinyl interior comes as standard.
In addition to a basic interior level, four new premium Chaparral vinyl interior color options and two new Chaparral cloth interior color options are available for the FLD 120SD. Graphite Black, Opal Gray, Horizon Blue, and Oasis Tan colors are available for the vinyl option, while Graphite Black and Horizon Blue are offered in cloth.
Interiors of the Century Class S/T and Columbia heavy-duty vehicles received a face lift that included increased insulation and comfort with an added noise abatement benefit.
The optional Heritage interior package and new version of the premium Signature interior package, which was first introduced in late 2003, offers options that enhance the appearance and comfort of Day Cabs or SleeperCabs for the Century Class S/T and Columbia Class 8 truck models.
The Heritage interior features the Freightliner logo embroidered on the seats and back wall of the SleeperCab. A distinctive diamond-stitch pattern is featured on the side and back wall of the sleeper panels, and on the driver and passenger seat inserts.
A premium Noise Abatement Package, which is standard on the Century Class S/T, is offered in the Heritage package for the Columbia. Under-bunk baggage compartment liners, noise abatement partitions, and HVAC covers, along with plush black floor mats, provide increased insulation with the Heritage option.