First winter, do I idle in -13 degree weather?

At that cold level I would let it idle all night.

 

Kick up the idle.

 

If I release the tractor brakes my truck will keep on running , give it a try.

 

My Freightliner will idle that way, but the previous International LT would not. There was no way to get it to idle. Not by bumping the idle, not setting the cruise, releasing the brake, etc. In fact, even in gear with my foot on the service brake, if I was stopped for a long train or waiting at a security gate, the ###### thing would shut down after 5 minutes.

 

I usually shut mine off down to -20 but I also had the Webasto coolant heater for the engine.
An alternative for you would be to start the engine every two hours. The 10 minutes it will run would be enough to keep the engine block warm for the morning . Although you won’t be getting a great sleep with the interruptions.

 

It wouldn't be a mistake to keep a bottle of this close by........

 

1st winter, hey? This will make or break ya'. To be clear, these kind of temps that far south is a bit unusual. Whatever you do, DON'T shut the truck off. Save the Webasto for when its in the 20s, but this cold, return warm fuel is needed , I think Detroits return warm fuel, and if you shut it off, that's when the trouble begins. It doesn't hurt a motor to run, step it up to 1000, cruise, brick, whatever, and I think releasing the tractor brakes,( but keep trailer on) keeps the motor running, and if the boss gives you any guff, just say, "is your bedroom at home warm"? End of story. Be careful out there, eh?

 

I also might add when you’re running in the winter and driving through snow, slush, slop and rain, when you park for the night don’t pull your red knob. You’ll be under the trailer in the morning beating brakes with a hammer.