Cool my cab from the reefer?

OH NO! @Dave_in_AZ doesn't buy trucks with A/C.

 

If I were in your shoes I would take the $22 fan that @Dave_in_AZ pointed out since it is a temporary solution.

 

Both my AC's went out 5 days after having the APU squared away. Long trip too.

I was beyond pissed.

Truck AC was done like 2 months before that.

Truck AC lost an o ring, so had bad seal, dudes fixed it NC.

APU blew the only original high pressure hose.

That situation sums up trucking. Even when you do it all right, very best effort, it can get f up lol.

 

If that’s been your experience, maybe you should find a better quality service shop.

 

I drive for a company that offers a fuel bonus incentive therefore you don't want to idle. I bought the GE window A/C unit @WalMart for $130ish and set it up in sleeper with curtains around it.
I use battery cables to jump reefer battery to truck battery to maintain charge. Takes a few minutes to set up & break down. Unit stays under bunk when not in use.

Works like a charm & I stay cool at night when needed. Sometimes upnorth I don't even need it. Usually just in OK & TX.

 

You can get really crafty using a reefer , saved my bacon a few times when truck alternator went out.

 

I’ve done a full AC repair I think 4 times. It isn’t really that expensive. Condenser, 2 expansion valves, lines if you need it, compressor, o rings and such, is around $700-850 depending on the truck (mine were all series 60 Detroit’s) plus a bit for labor. Takes less than a day. Hell I think even a new blower motor was only like $60. If you’re in the San Antonio area I know a man AC expert.

 

Also for what it’s worth, the $69 Milwaukee brand M18 battery powered fan is amazing. This baby pushes a ton of air and lasts 12 hours on medium for me.

 

Ive had my new 2020 truck at the shop 3 times now and my AC is still not working. Had to drive through Pheonix in 108 degrees. And yeah I couldnt sleep either.

But an APU wont fix your AC. The truck should turn on and cool the truck when it gets warm.

If I add Freon it will work for a few days then back to warm air. And the idler doesnt work reliably.

I will be turning my truck in to get it fixed for the 4th time. How hard is it to fix an AC, honestly?

Up in the north east right now so its not that huge of a deal.

But El Paso, Pheonix, and Indianapolis Freightliner shops all had my truck and its still not working.

 

If you are in an arid area, with little humidity, a simple fan doesn't do anything but stir hot air. You know that heat wave when you open an oven door. That's about it. However, evaporative coolers usually help in dry areas. But, they are worthless in humid places. Go figure. My company has an 'idle' policy and I've already been fussed at a couple of times for it. But, I don't sleep well when it is so hot in my bunk that I'm sweating and without decent sleep, I'm not very safe driving on the road. Let them complain. If they don't want me idling so much, get me an APU.
I was raised right on the Gulf Coast with humid heat and have now lived for 25 years in the Arizona desert. I can deal with heat better than most (not very good with cold weather!), but when it comes to being able to get needed restful sleep without some kind of AC in the summertime in the South. Nope.