Grit dog wrote:
Oh yeah, forgot. You need more than just a block heater to start the rig up after sitting for just one night in around the clock -30 or colder. Add an oil pan heater, trans pan heater and an onboard charger and sometimes electric battery blankets.
Even then if it sits for extended periods or through one good blow you'll need to just drag it indoors and thaw it out.
Modern diesels have little issue with starting at 30-40 below F. Fuel gelling isn't an issue because it is blended for these temperatures. DEF will freeze but there are heaters in the DEF lines to thaw it out. Our truck has started at 30 below after sitting for weeks without being used. Modern diesels (assuming they have one) are a lot less tempermental with respect to temperatures than in the "old days". As for all the other electronics - less said the better.
30 years in the military in all kinds of climates and you learn that anything is possible. Not always fun or pleasant, but possible.
