Options For Staying Warm, Which Is Best?

I'm looking into a few different options for staying warm when it's cold out, but I can't decide which one would be the best option. My truck is equipped with an APU and all that good stuff, but let's face it, things break. That being said, I'm looking for something g that could potentially be a long term solution if my apu heater takes a crap and I don't want to spend the time getting it fixed, because as we all know, time=money. I've been looking into different portable heaters, as well as electric blankets and even heavy duty sleeping bags, but I can't decide which would be the most effective, they all have their own pros and cons. So, if anyone has any experience with this situation, or words of wisdom/advice, I'm all ears.

TIA

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

You'll find the answer in you own remarks. Warm clothing and warm bedding will never run out of fuel, lose power, or fail to work due to dead batteries.

Keep some chemical hand warmers on hand (no pun intended). They occupy no space, don't expire or lose potency, and can last for many hours. I'll put them under my toes in my boots, and between two pair of gloves (you don't want them directly against your skin) to keep my hands and feet warm. A good warm hat to keep your head warm and you should be set.

The simple answers are often the best. Electric heaters or blankets need power to work. Propane heaters in you truck are a potential for disaster - as in death by fire, explosion, or carbon-monoxide poisoning.

Of course another way to stay warm in the cab is to bring your wife or girlfriend (or both) along with you.

I would agree with the no propane heater, carbon monoxide poisoning will kill you. Those are made for well ventilated areas, not the small space of a truck cab.

As mentioned above, just bring warm bedding, a good wool blanket and anything that is self powering (hand warmers or break and shake type things).

Best advice is to make sure you Pre trip every day and make sure those critical components are serviced regularly. Make sure your batteries are in good shape and always make sure you have plenty of fuel before going into any area that might be a potential snow in. A truck can idle for a couple of days on a tank of fuel if need be.

Also keep plenty of food and water in store just in case you are stuck somewhere. And if you want to make many "friends" , keep a propane grill in your truck and plenty of meat type products so when you are stuck you can have a cook out and make all those other truckers hungry....though, you may also want to carry a bat...just in case those said hungry truckers decide to come and be social..lol

Lol I agree lo-tech is the way to go. That stuff never breaks. We keep subzero sleeping bags, hand warmers, etc and even have a portable propane grill.

I'm looking into a few different options for staying warm when it's cold out, but I can't decide which one would be the best option. My truck is equipped with an APU and all that good stuff, but let's face it, things break. That being said, I'm looking for something g that could potentially be a long term solution if my apu heater takes a crap and I don't want to spend the time getting it fixed, because as we all know, time=money. I've been looking into different portable heaters, as well as electric blankets and even heavy duty sleeping bags, but I can't decide which would be the most effective, they all have their own pros and cons. So, if anyone has any experience with this situation, or words of wisdom/advice, I'm all ears.

TIA

Sleeping bags don't need electricity or fuel.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

I agree. My bunk heater doesn't work and I'm headed way north. Layering clothes and using multiple blankets keeps me fairly warm.

I agree with the low tech ideas. I opted for multiple blankets instead of a sleeping bag. Blankets are easier to get into a washing machine than a sleeping bag. Regarding the possibility of a broken APU though, I wouldn't worry about it. If it's that cold, idle the truck until you have time to get it fixed.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

For those worried about propane heaters, you have to use common sense. Never have the windows closed tightly and you will be fine. I carry a mr Buddy heater in my truck with 4 bottles. Not going to get cold if broken-down in the middle of Wyoming.

Out of fuel, Apu and bunk heaters are no good. Batteries dead, same thing. I have a 0 degree sleeping bag also. This is worst case scenario. I also have full tanks before starting across Wyoming. They do shut down the interstate on occasion.

Interstate:

Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

Another thing that can help (at least for part of the night) is closing the sleeper curtain and cranking the heat back there for the last hour or so of driving before you shut down. That'll make it nice and toasty when you climb into your sleeping bag, and then your body heat + the insulation should keep you warm most of the night depending on just how cold it is that night.

...Not going to get cold if broken-down in the middle of Wyoming.

Out of fuel, Apu and bunk heaters are no good. Batteries dead, same thing. I have a 0 degree sleeping bag also. This is worst case scenario. I also have full tanks before starting across Wyoming. They do shut down the interstate on occasion.

-Pat

Dude! I cross Wyoming every day. Where you BEen?!

So Pat. Fess up.

Are you one of those flat-bedders I see every night, who plows down I-80, left lane, high-beams blaring, 80mph, Kenworth/Peterbuilt? (The speed limit is 75-80mph on most of WY I-80, for those of you who don't know) but most of us "low-lifes" are governed below 70)

-mountain girl

Interstate:

Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.