Anyone using a portable propane heater?

Colman makes quite a few catalytic heaters for camping that work great on a 1# propane bottle.

 

Not only running the risk of carbon monoxide but you also run the risk or setting your truck on fire if your not careful.

 

What trucking company were you working for at the time?

 

There was a driver in Guelph, Ontario that died from carbon monoxide poisoning from running a propane heater in his cab during the wintertime. Guelph has a 10 minute idle policy in their city. In that instance I'm taking my chances of a ticket no matter what the law. Be safe out there.

 

An "Old Timer" told me they used to heat the cab with kerosene lamps -not suggesting that.
In another thread someone wrote that a couple of "Candles" or a big candle would put some heat in the cab (same theory as the kerosene lamps), but how would you explain it if the truck burned up. On second thought who cares, if they dont care if your warm -i wouldn't care about their truck.
I am just in awe these companies are so cheap, Please for those of you about to give me the price per gallon of fuel per unit per fleet run down keep it to yourselves -thats the cost of doing business.
I understand not idling at maybe 40- 70 degrees --but 10 degrees as someone else posted thats just BS.
I feel for you drivers out there, next company -make sure you they have all the things you need to be comfortable in your truck or dont apply there, APU's or a fairly tolerant idle time are necessary.
But what do i know.

 

It seems that climate control in the truck would be a safety issue. Always amazes me how drivers are treated like cattle. I wouldn't work for a company that controls the truck like that.

 

I dont even drive and it pisses me off, I also see the original poster has 4 years in --find another company -dont put up with that. Unless you are are making some unbelievable money out there you should at least be comfortable to offset what might be some standard wages or below -i dunno.
I think the other temperature extreme might be even worse -sitting in some black truck down in texas in the summer. I think if i went back to driving the first question i would have is "Do you equip your trucks with APU's" or let them idle ?.
If they dont do that for the driver, probably not much will be better for them either.
Geez, it makes me a little sick some of the drivers out there are getting used like toilet paper.

 

I know batteries running down are a problem, but would one of these work? The heating element is completely contained, so the exterior stays cool. If it tips, it shuts off so it won't catch fire and it doesn't require a lot of power. It likely uses less juice than your truck heater. You can also turn the heat off in the summer and use it as a conventional fan.

Best part - No carbon monoxide.

http://www.vornado.com/heaters/VH2-Heater

 

that question is part of the job interview for me.

one of the first things I ask.

also a smaller company will usually be more lenient, I've found.

right now I drive a Volvo with no APU and can idle as I please.

we run bulk tanks and vans, so idling is a part of the truck use.

but I don't abuse it.

 

I dunno, but its 120 volts - so i assume if they let you have a inverter it would -- but then again your running on the batteries-- so how long does it take to run down the batteries ? Not to mention if it does kill the batteries - you will now be punished by having to wait for road service and delaying you from rolling to make money. Its a vicious cycle !
Fan is good but only for a small temp range remember its your home and counting on sleeping in a ton of sweat with a fan at 100 degrees outside doesnt work well either.