Extreme cold weather truck preparations.

everybody covered about everything important, when i park if there is snow on the ground i run the truck back and forth a few times to cool tires and make a path to get out. po po paper is also nice to have just in case. b careful out there PS i never set the rear brakes in the winter

 

I use chicken grit instead of kitty litter. It doesn't get clumpy if it gets damp and it gives you a little more grip.

Usual stuff everyone said.

I add a strap wrench for fuel filters, bottle of 911 for emergencies, and several bottles of Howes. Bought Howes for 9.99 a jug locally, seem to remember its 16.99 or so at most truck stops.

 

chicken grit for sure, go to army surplus and buy a proper entrenching tool, its way better than stealing the kids toys, an maybe good for fighting off wildlife unless she's got nice boobs
personally anyone stupid enough to slow idle anything all night deserves to freeze his truck and his ### solid til springtime.
yup just get rid of that south 48 fuel and don't worry at all. in 25 odd years I haven't seen one fuel issue on Canadian fuel, nope never changed 1 filter one the road either, unless you actually have a clean storage it will be so full of junk from your toolbox I'd never install that spare anyways.
one of my co-workers got stuck with a late tank of summer fuel, tried howes as I recall, don't know if it lubricates, but it sure doesn't do much once you have a gell coming on.
on unit has a thermoking on the tractor firesd right up even at -30 I generally just leave it go all night cab and engine stay toasty warm.

 

From a southerner that gets to ride up north, the fuel "here" in the winter is generally not the same as the fuel "there". I try to plan a fill up near the "there" line where you'll get a winter blended fuel. Also, Howes was $18.99 at the TA. I bought a case for around the $10 a bottle price mentioned above, took it out of the truck when I was cleaning up, and left it sit in my garage in Houston - stupid tax for me. I also don't set my trailer brakes unless I have to.

 

I put fresh coolant,howes in every other fill up,seafoam in air tanks and drain after every shift,never set trailer brakes lol. I idle a few hours then shut down for a few hours with my electric blanket plugged in. When my face starts getting cold ill start it and run it a while.

 

I can vouch for that. Although I've never had the shoes freeze to the drums, twice I had to get out the portable generator and ceramic heater to thaw out the parking brake air valve because the moisture in the system had frozen it in place. Only takes 2-3 minutes with the heater on it, but it sure is a hassle. I don't set the trailer brakes when it's below freezing now.

 

winter fuel eather blend or number 1 winter front, leave the truck running unless you have a place to plug it in. make sure your battery's are up to snuff. make sure you have plenty of warm clothes and dry socks, carry a shovel. tire chains sleeping bag i also carry some cans of Sterno cooking fuel for emergency heat. if you idle your truck bump her up to 1k

 

another thing is good gloves. i have tried tons of different gloves and finally found some that work good. they are a black rubberized outside insulated inside tight fitting glove. they say like artic something on them cant remember exactly but leather will eventually soak threw with snow. wet=cold no matter how much insulation. loose fitting gloves are no good as you cant grip any thing. we all know the colder it is the more stuff doesn't want to work right...lol

 

I carry a 5' wooden handle el-cheapo flat-blade shovel. It fits between bunk and cabinet, tho sometimes squeaks. It's out of the way unless I need it. Is good for shoveling snow in a Tstop after overnight blizzard. Lowes has them for $10. http://www.lowes.com/pd_109174-302-16097900_0__?productId=3605444&Ntt=shovel&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dshovel&facetInfo=
I also like to carry soup, ramen noodles, a roll of summer sausage, sardines, crackers, etc. 4 gals. of water, a fryin' pan in case I get that far into it,,,a soup pan. Can opener. A couple of Bic lighters. I prefer the long-stem type. And this thing: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-One-Burner-Propane-Stove/20369794#Specifications

These Coleman 1 burner stoves can save your life if your truck won't run. Think about it. DO of course, leave 1/8" gap in the window (downwind side) in order to get rid of the Carbon Monoxide fumes. Maybe even crack both sides to get crossflow. Any time you burn fossil fuels, you generate CO. It WILL KILL YOU in an enclosed truck. Maybe you didn't hear me. IT WILL KILL YOU IN AN ENCLOSED TRUCK WITH NO WINDOW 'CRACKED' OPEN A BIT. Got that???
I cook with this thing all the time. Make soup,,,etc. I can heat up the sausage slices in pan to boil off the excess grease out of 'em then use paper towel to blot it up. Cut it up and add it to the ramen noodles. Add a cup of water to the soup pan and it will boil in about 2 minutes. Makes for a great meal if you get in somewhere late at night and not wanting a big meal. Or, if you just want to save $$. I eat every day a soup for one of my meals. $ave$ money.
IF tho you get in a situation where your truck will NOT start and you are up on the mountain waitin' for some guy to come from 32 miles away,,,and it's cold outside,,,-10 and blowing snow sideways,,,this thing WILL keep inside your truck warm enough where you don't die. It is amazing the amount of heat it can produce. Just keep a window cracked open a bit, as I said.
The 1 lb. gas canisters last a long, long time and they are what $6 for 2? if I remember. I sure wish I had this thing that morning I woke up and the OptiIdle didn't kick back on. It was 31 deg inside, and a bit more than my blankets could take. The motor just barely turned over a couple times and did not fire up,,,and I was in trouble. No one around. It took over 2 hours for help to arrive. Dead cells in two batteries. Why oh why didn't the Company (crete) just change out the batteries every 120,000 miles or so and not have this trouble?? Well,,they don't. They 'drive it till it drops'. Even tho that leaves drivers vulnerable. So,,,I came up with this new plan, to say the least.
Hey, and don't give me any grief of that it is illegal to have LPG 1 lb cylinders in the cab. It is NOT ILLEGAL to have this in the truck.
I DO unscrew it from the burner part, after using it. OK??? Unscrew it so it will NOT accidentily leak gas. It IS illegal to have the 5-gal bottles, such as used in the bigger gas patio grills. But these small ones are legal in the truck.
Common Sense is in order if you are cooking with one of these; don't kick them over and start a fire is the biggest problem. So have a gal. of water ready in case you do! I've never had a fire. Just keep it on the floor and use it as you sit on the bunk and cook/eat, and it will work out.

I have had my bacon and eggs and pancakes made right in the truck. Not a big fan of doing that tho, w/grease in the air and what to do with bacon grease, etc. A mess, mainly. Much easier to just clean one small soup pan, than a big skillet. But whatever floats your boat. I sure like it for a quick lunch tho or late night warm snack. Mucho cheapo than $14 inside T/S, huh.