We might be a tad crazy, but we keep getting to enjoy the nice places!

[DaveMatthewsBand]

When camping in weather that cold, do you use a block heater for your truck?

[Lizardqing]

When camping in weather that cold, do you use a block heater for your truck?

Have the past few nights after I finally remembered where I put the extension cord.
It's plugged up right now, mainly because I have to head out first thing this morning to try and finally get some laundry done. That's been the real challenge coming across South Dakota, finding someplace to do that!

[sande005]

When camping in weather that cold, do you use a block heater for your truck?

15 deg is nothing - no need for the block heater, unless you already have a battery that is on its way out, or you are using straight 30w oil. In my gas truck, I have one, and in 6 years it has never been plugged in, despite many -25 degree (or colder) days here in Minn. Now, a diesel might be different, but 15 still seems pretty warm for needing one. Heck, that is where we decide whether we need to put on a jacket or not weather here!

[D2Reid]

When camping in weather that cold, do you use a block heater for your truck?

When we set up for the winter I run a line for the block heater. When we are just moving around in cold I don't.

I believe it just reduces the stress of moving cold metal around. Kind of like changing the oil, if you don't do it you won't notice any trouble for a long time.

I did have the truck get too cold to start. I finally got it started by running the glow plugs 3 times, turn key on and observe the glow plug light, turn key off, repeat. The process warms the cylinders/fuel up enough it will crank.

[DaveMatthewsBand]

15 deg is nothing...but 15 still seems pretty warm for needing one. Heck, that is where we decide whether we need to put on a jacket or not weather here!

That's hilarious! Here in Texas, if it drops below 60, we're in jackets!

[SteveTN]

That's hilarious! Here in Texas, if it drops below 60, we're in jackets!

So true but I also remember what my northern relatives looked like (not good) when they visited in late summer when I was living in the Mojave Desert. Guess it's all what you get used to.

[Lizardqing]

15 deg is nothing - no need for the block heater, unless you already have a battery that is on its way out, or you are using straight 30w oil. In my gas truck, I have one, and in 6 years it has never been plugged in, despite many -25 degree (or colder) days here in Minn. Now, a diesel might be different, but 15 still seems pretty warm for needing one. Heck, that is where we decide whether we need to put on a jacket or not weather here!

It is a diesel. The biggest thing I plug it up for is so the heat inside the truck works faster at that temp! Plus I had the extension cord, power was paid for with the site fee, so I enjoyed the truck being warm quicker in the morning when it was cold and snowing to finally go and get some laundry done.

[WhittleBurner]

Diesel fuel will start to crystallize at 32 and start to gel and clog tank and fuel filters at 10 to 15 degrees. A good idea to plug a diesel in when the temps drop.

[Canyonlight]

Diesel fuel will start to crystallize at 32 and start to gel and clog tank and fuel filters at 10 to 15 degrees. A good idea to plug a diesel in when the temps drop.

Gary - when the block heater is plugged in, how does that then warm up the fuel tank/filters to address the crystallizing and gelling issues ?.......I thought just the engine block was heated when plugged in.

Dan

[orbiker]

Diesel fuel will start to crystallize at 32 and start to gel and clog tank and fuel filters at 10 to 15 degrees. A good idea to plug a diesel in when the temps drop.

Diesel fuel is winterized before delivery to the gas stations in the winter months.

Wikipedia :
Winter diesel fuel (also known as winter diesel or winterized diesel (AE)) refers to diesel fuel enhanced to prevent it from gelling in cold weather conditions. In general it is achieved by treatment with additives that change the low temperature characteristics of the fuel.

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