Block heater while traveling and hotels

[AHill100]

What do you guys do when you are traveling in very cold weather, like right now in the mid-west, and are staying at hotels with the block heater?



Do hotels out there offer a way to plug the block heater in?



I'm traveling through the mid-west this weekend...



Thanks,

 

[Bob4x4]

Bring your own extension cord



Bob

 

[JNasty]

How cold before you really need to plug in? My truck has never had trouble starting up, and I know it's been low single digits, if not below 0 at times this winter.

 

[Bob4x4]

But it is so nice to have heat quickly... ... ... ... ... ... .



Bob

 

[basilry]

Just bring a cord and most hotels have plugs on the light poles or on the outside of the buildings. Some will tell you where they are and others you will have to hunt for them.

 

[AHill100]

Thanks you guys for the tips. I'll bring an ext. cord and find the outlets at the hotels.



I'm buying an 06 MegaCab 5. 9, G56, 4x4, Laramie tomorrow in North Carolina and driving it back to Denver over the weekend. I'm flying out on the red-eye tonight to get it. My 76 year old father decided he wanted a road trip, so he's coming too. I have not done something like this with him in 35 years. Should be good road trip through the cold.



Anthony

 

[icman95]

While it's nice to have heat right away-I plug mine in while at home-it's not mechanically necessary to plug it in such as when traveling to get it to start. Sure, it helps, but I've never had it not start, even below 0F, when away from home. I wouldn't go out of my way to plug it in when traveling. So long as it's in good running condition, all you have to do is cycle the intake heater and you're set to go!



Good luck on your purchase. Enjoy your trip.

 

[SWCook]

What do you guys do when you are traveling in very cold weather, like right now in the mid-west, and are staying at hotels with the block heater?



Do hotels out there offer a way to plug the block heater in?



I'm traveling through the mid-west this weekend...



Thanks,

My choices in their respective order:



1. The best way to ensure your truck starts every time is to always have quality batteries, quality and sound cables and connections, ensuring that the grid heater is working properly, synthetic fluids lubricating the motor with their ability to reduce fluid weight and friction on a rotating mass and the most important aspect is constant maintenance to ensure everything is working as it should.



2. Longer cord of appropriate cable thickness for cord length.



3. The boonie method is to have a small but powerful generator that can be cranked and run for an hour or two prior to firing up the Cummins beast.

 

[BigEasy]

... or you could idle it all night

 

[CRoutley]

sorry to hijack your thread but where would you expect to see the temp gauge after an hour or two of plug in?

 

[icman95]

My experience has been that upon first start up you don't actually see the temp gauge move just because of the plug in. However, it will move much sooner after the engine has started. The coolant is warmed by the block heater, but not to the point where it will move the gauge. My gauge usually starts to move within a few minutes of start up after being plugged in.

 

[ENafziger]

It depends on alot of factors, but my truck was plugged in all night last night (low of 3°), and oil temp when I started it was right at 102°.

--Eric

 

[Bob4x4]

I normally see the 100 degree range as well. While not necessary I am sure all the systems are happier at 100 degrees over o... ..... ie starter ,batt's,bearings etc,but easpecially my comfort :-laf



Bob

 

[jeepit]

Mine is at 110 plugged in while inside garage after 3 hours..... I need heat asap. . :-laf

 

[steved]

While you might see 100*F before startup, as soon as its started the coolant temp drops dramatically as it gets pumped around to colder portions of the block and cold coolant gets pushed into warm locations...



I saw 100*F this AM (it was 7*F)... it dropped to 50*F within a minute of starting.

 

[Motorhead]

Thanks you guys for the tips. I'll bring an ext. cord and find the outlets at the hotels.

I'm buying an 06 MegaCab 5. 9, G56, 4x4, Laramie tomorrow in North Carolina and driving it back to Denver over the weekend. I'm flying out on the red-eye tonight to get it. My 76 year old father decided he wanted a road trip, so he's coming too. I have not done something like this with him in 35 years. Should be good road trip through the cold.

Anthony

Anthony... . Enjoy the trip with your DAD!

 

[AlaskanCummins]

One word... . Espar.



Love mine and use it regularly during the real cold times. Better than an auto start and awesome when you are in the boonies.



Have an awesome road trip!



Wayne

 

[Grizzly]

Consider a more southern route to avoid the colder states, like through Dallas. It will add mileage and time to your trip. but it will give you more time to enjoy your dad.



Have a good and safe trip.

 

[MN Cummins Lvr]

Anthony,



If you aren't able to plug in, don't sweat it. This past week we experienced some days here in central MN where the high for the day was 15 below zero (windchill excluded) and I was unable to plug in at work. Both of my CTD fired up with no prob. You may want to pick up a jug of Power Service or Stanadyne so you don't have to worry about any gelling issues.



Most of all, enjoy your trip and the time with your Dad



Paul



PS Right now I am in FL on vaca... . what is cold and snow???:-laf

 

[GSchlegel]

Even though it's not necessary to plug in, its easier on the engine. Gets oil flowing quicker, clearances are more normal, etc.



I used to travel in sales and always plugged in, if available. Did find out she'll start at minus 18* one morning when the outlet I plugged into was dead. Also learned to carry a test light!



Gene