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Surviving Cold Weather Without Idling or APU?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by PE_T, Feb 18, 2019.

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  1. Feb 18, 2019 #1
    PE_T

    PE_T Road Train Member

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    My APU is out (again), and I don’t want to idle. What are your secrets? I know about sleeping in the top bunk, using a sleeping bag, and wearing lots of clothing. I remember using candles years ago with aluminum foil, but only had minimal success. Maybe I needed bigger candles and more foil.
     
    PE_T, Feb 18, 2019
    PE_T, Feb 18, 2019
    #1
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  3. Feb 18, 2019 #2
    Opus

    Opus Road Train Member

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    South GA
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    Socks, pjs, shirt, good quilt and I'm good to 30. Anything else, I'm gonna crank it up
     
    Opus, Feb 18, 2019
    Opus, Feb 18, 2019
    #2
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  4. Feb 18, 2019 #3
    Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    The foil should go over your head as a hat.
    Clearly, all the EM in the atmo is affecting your judgement.

    Open flames in a truck? Are you nuts?
     
    Moosetek13, Feb 18, 2019
    Moosetek13, Feb 18, 2019
    #3
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  5. Feb 18, 2019 #4
    RicoNC

    RicoNC Light Load Member

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    Jan 31, 2015
    Raleigh/Clayton, NC
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    Any particular reasons why you dont want to idle??? It all.depends about the temperature but even idle I wouldn't mind burning 1 gallon per hour and not getting the chance of having problems trying to crank the truck up and/or getting sick...
     
    RicoNC, Feb 18, 2019
    RicoNC, Feb 18, 2019
    #4
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  7. Feb 18, 2019 #5
    PE_T

    PE_T Road Train Member

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    Texas (trucking since 02/2013)
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    I am aware of the flames. Placement is key, and I do have a fire detector.
     
    PE_T, Feb 18, 2019
    PE_T, Feb 18, 2019
    #5
  8. Feb 18, 2019 #6
    Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    Burnsville, MN
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    That only goes off once the fire has started.
    Duh!

    Very limited options for exiting a truck.
     
    Moosetek13, Feb 18, 2019
    Moosetek13, Feb 18, 2019
    #6
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  9. Feb 18, 2019 #7
    PE_T

    PE_T Road Train Member

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    Texas (trucking since 02/2013)
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    Mostly for the fuel, but also so I won’t wake up to a DEF check engine light. I hear that a lot from those who do idle.

    I always treat my fuel with antigel. I have never had any problems with my truck starting in the cold even -20 weather. It may need a couple seconds extra of cranking, but it will turn on.
     
    PE_T, Feb 18, 2019
    PE_T, Feb 18, 2019
    #7
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  10. Feb 18, 2019 #8
    Hulld

    Hulld Road Train Member

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    Oct 19, 2015
    Upstate NY
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    02F9D5EA-0430-4A6C-80EC-663842744CE1.jpeg C3820F8B-AD19-45A8-A6B1-2448FCB85F32.jpeg B1E398CE-ECD6-420E-B12B-332761E4CAFF.jpeg This is what I use and it works beautifully.
     
    Hulld, Feb 18, 2019
    Hulld, Feb 18, 2019
    #8
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  11. Feb 18, 2019 #9
    againstthewind

    againstthewind Road Train Member

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    buy a down comforter
     
    againstthewind, Feb 18, 2019
    againstthewind, Feb 18, 2019
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  12. Feb 18, 2019 #10
    Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    Get a good mummy bag to hold the heat in. Wear layers and wear a hat to cover the top of your head.
     
    Long FLD, Feb 18, 2019
    Long FLD, Feb 18, 2019
    #10
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  13. Feb 18, 2019 #10
    HillbillyDeluxeTruck

    HillbillyDeluxeTruck Road Train Member

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    San Antone
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    Webasto heater...although mine isnt working atm. So idling it is, cause you know what sucks more than burning fuel idling? Waking up with it being 30 deg in the truck at 4am and being cold and uncomfortable to the point you can't go back to sleep.
     
    HillbillyDeluxeTruck, Feb 18, 2019
    HillbillyDeluxeTruck, Feb 18, 2019
    #10
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