Sleeping with windows open

Also another option is sleeping with less clothes, having a small fan in the truck, drinking more water (better hydration equals not being as hot and sleeping better) and the cold shower before going to bed. Just a few tidbits that have helped me out in these brutal summer months. Drive safe!

 

Personally I have never used the window guards that where suggested. I would leave my windows open no more then 2 inches. No way for a human to reach in. I would only do this if I was in the mountains by myself somewhere. Leave any vents in the sleeper open.

I would also go to walmart and get 2 of the large mylar sunshades (The ones that look like foil with bubble wrap in the middle). Take a whole one and put it in the front windshield. Take the other and cut it to fit the gap left in the windshield. You should have enough left over to cut 2 that will fit the side windows. When you cut those leave an extra 1" at the top and you can hold it in place by rolling up the window on the extra little bit. The closer you can keep these to the glass the better they work.

These are great for keeping cool and then you don't need to close the curtain leaving more room to move around in. This also stops the problem of a DOT man saying I saw you in the front seat and trying to pull anything shady.

I love parking in the middle of no where and shutting everything down. I keep a GPS just for logging my little hiding spots.

 

Gotta wonder where that fly was walking before he flew in your window and woke you up shortly after sunrise.

 

I sleep with my windows cracked a couple inches.. usually, but it depends where I am. I haven't been in any really questionable areas yet.. so I guess I'm lucky there. I think most areas aren't too bad. Mind you I also have a Rotterman in the truck and Beware of Dog stickers on each door..

I also utilize a 9v fan I got from some truck stop. Works well..

 

I've slept numerous times with the window screens, and never had an issue.

 

If it is hot, but will cool enough at night to not idle, or if it isn't scorching hot or in the south in the summer and I have to stop in the afternoon; about a half to an hour before I get to my stop I crank up the A/C in both the cab and the sleeper (I have a condo). As soon as I am parked I draw the cab curtains, this has the added effect of warding off most truck stop pests like lot lizards and DOT. I will crack the door windows about a half to an inch to vent off the hot air and condensation that will build up between the cab curtains and the windows and, generally, it isn't open enough to invite unwanted guests of any species. I open both the lower bunk vents and the upper bunk windows. I turn on the 12v fans (Walmart ~$8 ea.) in both the passenger-side lower bunk vent and upper bunk window so I get a nice cross breeze. This works well for outside temps up to about 90*, above that I have an APU.

 

I open the windows, open the sleeper door and put my 9MM under my pillow... I also have two fans that I use to keep cool.

 

Windows open isn't a bad thing, if it's cool enough at night. But, use common sense buddy. I watched an episode of "the first 48" where the cops in Memphis tracked down these crack addicts who killed a Bosnian immigrant who worked a dedicated route between Louisville KY and Memphis TN. The poor driver, from what I could gather, didn't do anything wrong. His window was busted out, which means he had it rolled up. He parked and slept in that same spot for months-years, as he was making daily deliveries to that particular warehouse in Memphis. So, he was sleeping in a spot that had become safe and routine in his mind. I learned a valuable lesson from that, which is to never park in the same spot night after night. I used to be on a similar gig between Cleveland and New York City. Because of the traffic factor, I'd always make my trip across the GWB late at night, and park in the Bronx, in the same area, every night. After watching that episode, I decided to seek out a spot in the Bronx, near my drop, that was as safe as possible. Police stations are located all throughout NYC, and it's a safe bet that cops come and go from their station all day and night. I found a spot on the street that was almost right in front of a Bronx police station. Although I'd have to wake up and drive 3 miles into Hunts Point produce market, it was worth it for the security it provided. Other safe parking places, include any Walmart that's truck friendly. Walmart has cameras all over the place, and most are open 24-7. Meyer Stores in the midwest are also loaded w/cameras. Basically, any store that's open 24 hours is a safe place to park and sleep. Rest areas and truck stops are ideal, but don't always have an open parking spot. If I was you, I'd look for some type of fan that can run on battery power. Another thought, is a cheap motel. If you're stuck waiting on a backhaul, and you're gonna be down for hours on end, get a motel room. It will cost you roughly the same as idling would.