Jumper cables

Or if your truck bled down since it was parked.

 

Never minutes 40 but did it at minus 10 in buffalo a couple years back. Ended giving up and drug it into the cab and just tossed it on the sleeper floor.

 

Get the toughest and longest jumper cables from Walmart.

 

Lowest gauge number possible 20 footers

 

I get these. I have several pairs spread throughout my fleet.
$45
25 feet so you can get to your batteries wherever the other guy is.
Heavy duty 800AMP.
Size of these jumper cable wires are 1 gauge and they are copper clad aluminum jumper cables. They would be basically equal to 3 gauge pure copper jumper cables.

I use them for my tractors all the time.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01I40QM5E/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

If you work for a company that gives a #### about their equipment, you should rarely, if ever, need jumpers.

The only recommendation I have is to get long cables. I carry a set of cheapo 15 foot cables myself. I have used them twice in 4 years, once to help start a yard truck, and once to start a reefer unit that had been sitting for a couple months.

 

I always carry a set. Not easy getting a jump these days. Drivers worried about harming their electronics.Which is rediculous. Last time I needed a jump, away from home, was 10+ yrs ago.I was stuck in a dock. They come in handy. Usually I’m the one giving the jump, or loaning the cables. At home, I’ve had to use 2 personal vehicles, one with good HD cables, and a second with 2 sets of standard automotive cables. 2 sets of good condition automotive cables and 1 car, if you let it charge, for 20+ minutes, before you crank the Truck, will Usually do it.

 

Not necessarily. Even a brand new battery can break a plate inside and short out, draining the others down while you sleep.

Or you can throw an alternator belt at night and have to drive another 200 miles to get to a parts store that's open, draining the batteries enough that after you put the belt on they need help to crank the engine up.

Lots of things can happen out here.

 

I agree that bad things can happen, and do agree that carrying a set of cables is a good idea. I do not agree that carrying a premium set of awesome cables is a good idea. A set of cheap, long cables will do fine unless you will use them a lot.

 

What constitutes "a lot" ? A set of cheap cables might not be the best thing if you're using them to charge a nearly dead battery set.
A set of premium cables doesn't have to cost a fortune. Like some of the guys said, get some welding cables, crimp your own ends on them, and you'll have a relatively cheap set of cables that will last you a long time.
If you buy cheap junk it can let you down when you least expect it.