How to help cool the truck in summer

I don't care what APU you have, Help them do their job easier as anything over 95* is an almost hopeless cause! I've used 2 types of APU,2 of Tri Pak and 3 of Rig Master!

Go to a hardware or home supply store like Lowes or Home Depot. They sell a roll of insulation that looks just like those things you see in the truck stops or Wallyworld that unfold and fit in the windshield and it looks almost like silver bubble wrap. That roll costs the same or less than the number you would need to cover all your windows! The savings in fuel will help to pay for it and it can be tax deducted as you're using it on the truck! Just get the widest size they have. It comes in 16" and 24" wide. I don't remember but save it as you might use more of it at a later date. Store it at the house.

You'll also need duct tape and a retractable box knife (this tool you'll need on the docks for unloading if you have to! Don't use your Buck Knife or other favorite as shrink wrap will dull a knife really fast!) Now unroll enough to fit in the window and take your box knife and trim it so it fits tightly in the window. Duct tape around the edges. Drop the sun shade down to hold the screen in the window. Bet it's cooling off already! On bigger windshields you'll need to cut 2 the same length and tape them together to make the shield taller to fit the whole windshield. Duct tape it on both sides then trim it to fit the windshield.

Now the side windows, Cut them to cover the whole window even the vent. then if there IS a vent gently cut on TOP of the latch and then push it on to the latch and also after you have taped around the edges, at the top of the window take a 6" piece of duct tape and going straight up and then to the back of the screen making a flap, use this to go over the top of a slightly (1 or 2" open window) then roll the window back up to hold the screen in place.

Roll them up or just lay them on the bunk while driving.

Now if you have one of those useless sun roof windows (found mostly in Freightliners) cut one for it and tape in around the edges to hold it on untill the tape softens up from the heat then replace the tape but leave it up there. or buy the cover for that stupid thing at FL inflated prices! Yeppers they do have one but it also involves replacing the trim around it!

Do the same for the windows in the sleeper.

If you have a toy stuck to the windshield using one of those suction cup holders then after the shade/shield is cut and fitted then put the toy back on the window and using your box knife cut starting at the top of the holder all the way down to the bottom of the shade. That is if it's stuck towards the bottom of the window. Then all you have to do is pust the shade around the holder without havinf to remove it. I'd think that it would work if at the top of the windshield also.

I'll bet you any money you want that this will cool the truck down really fast! It did for my last 3 trucks! That APU wont work as hard and in 95* temps and above it will actually feel like the AC is working on the APU as they will work hard with all that sunshine coming in and the curtains will NOT keep the heat out! They are NOT insulated or designed for this kind of job.

Now if you are an O/O NOT L/P (it ain't your truck until it's paid for so why?) I would seriously think of pulling the paneling off the inside of the truck and using this under it especially in the roof but the sides is a good idea also. You'll find out most truck manufacturers think foam rubber is insulation! Well it's an ok SOUND insulation but for weather insulating it's as good as nothing!

If you have an APU this will unload some stress off the ac pump and the engine If you're just idling then the same thing happens and it'll save more fuel on both.

The floor is harder and yes during the winter that floor can get pretty cold! You'll also have to work under the truck so old clothes is necessary but the insulation and fibreglass sheeting attached to the floor joists or aluminum like some show trucks do will work to keep the insulation under the floor.

Have fun on your new project keeping cool!