Thermo King TriPac Evolution Diesel APU | Auxiliary Power Units

The Thermo King TriPac Evolution is a 3rd-generation diesel auxiliary power unit (APU) that lets a truck's sleeper cab run heating, air conditioning, and onboard electronics without idling the main engine. It is built around a 2-cylinder, Tier IV Final-compliant diesel engine driving a 13,000 BTU air conditioning system (compressor, evaporator, and controller — charged with R-134a at installation) and a 7,500 BTU fuel-fired heater, along with a single HVAC controller and a 65-amp alternator. The unit is DPF-compatible and available in two compliance configurations: a standard model that is 49-state EPA Tier 4 compliant for aftermarket installs, and a version with a passive aftertreatment device (ATD) that adds 50-state compliance for California Air Resources Board (CARB) requirements, using metal mesh technology for fast regeneration in as little as eight minutes. By eliminating the need to idle the tractor engine for cab power, the TriPac Evolution cuts fuel use by roughly 75% compared to idling — on the order of 2,500 gallons a year in typical use — while reducing engine wear, maintenance costs, and emissions. It is designed for a 2,000-hour maintenance interval, extended further by an auto start/stop function that only runs the unit when needed. Controls use a three-knob, automotive-style layout with a color digital display, and the system includes a data logger with 22 alarm codes for diagnostics, flash-loadable firmware for both the controller and the HMI, and programmable temperature control. TracKing telematics comes standard with 24 months of complimentary service, covering APU run hours, cabin temperature, automated fuel tax reporting, real-time alarm notifications, maintenance reminders, and over-the-air software updates. Optional accessories include an Air Tower that improves cab air circulation and can cut APU run time by up to 22%, and a ThermoLite solar panel that can reduce engine run time by up to 30%. The TriPac Evolution line carries a manufacturer warranty of four years on major components and two years bumper-to-bumper.