So many of us spend so much time on the road. How do you survive it? Do you run your truck idling? Cold or hot nights? What about healthy meals? You can’t eat at McDonalds or Chester Chicken all the time.
First let’s tackle the question do you leave your truck idling? I have seen so many posts over the years concerning this. Arguments that it is okay or not. I am here to tell you that it is not good. Engine hours are the same whether you’re in drive or park on your motor. It causes your DPF filter to clog. I had real problems with this until I finally figured out to run at high rpm for a long distance, to run a Fuel supplement such as Hotshot’s Secret which I highly recommend and to set my idle by setting my cruise control up. Even then I only run it long enough to cool or heat and then I turn off my engine. Here is a quote I found Googling this question:
Idling at normal idle speed, 750 rpms, for long periods is not considered a good idea because the cylinders don’t get real hot and some up the fuel can coat the cylinders and and slip pass rings into oil otherwise called cylinder washdown.
Is prolonged idling bad for diesel engines?
Unnecessary idling wastes fuel causes air pollution and increases engine wear. An idling diesel engine produces much higher emissions than it would while using the same amount of fuel under load. Extended idling causes a build-up of soot inside the engine and results in a puff of black smoke when the engine revs.
I personally had engine problems and had to replace the long block of my Cummins engine at 150,000 miles due to a number of things, but I know since I started watching how much I leave idling I have seen increased performance and less problems. Also, my Dodge Diesel tech that works on them day in and day out for years severely warned me not to and I trust him immensely.
So what do I do to stay cool or warm? I have a small twin 12 volt fan that works great plus the sound helps me to sleep. I can leave it plugged in all night and it doesn’t drain the batteries. I still have to run the AC every couple of hours to cool off but not for long. For winter I carry some slip on sweats and a 12 volt electric blanket that doesn’t get hot but warm (and available at our drivers store www.Hotshotdepot.com) ,use an extra heavy coat as a body blanket and yes run the heat when needed. I have seen elaborate generator systems with ac but I do good with the methods I have described. Now I don’t generally try to work in sub-zero or extreme cold situations. In that situation I am going to get me a room. I make too much money and enjoy the comforts that affords. Let us hear your system?
OK lets talk healthy meals- Truth or Myth? I mean what is really healthy lol? Everything has it’s downside, bread too many carbs. Soups too much sodium. Fruit too much sugar. Lunch meat too much fat, sodium and nitrites which are bad for you. So you have to pick your battles. I use the SWAG method in just about everything I do in life- SWAG – Scientific Wild Ass Guessing. (Remember you heard it here first) or the case of LESSER OF TWO EVILS. A bag of diced apples and oranges vs. a Bear Claw from Quick Trip OR a Tuna Fish sandwich vs fried chicken tenders from Popeye’s. You do the math.
So my ‘go to’ is a couple to four sandwiches in my lunch bag when I head out Monday. Two white albacore Tuna Sandwiches and a couple deli Ham and cheese sandwiches. A bag or two of fruit, apples, oranges, Pineapple, mini carrots, Big bag of mixed nuts, Bag of Fritos is the worst but I love to eat with sandwich, some heat able soups, water, Body armor w caffeine and a couple Starbucks Double Expresso for those times when you need that extra kick in the seat to get you a few extra hundred miles. Also, on the weekends we make extra sausage and biscuits, spaghetti, Pinto beans, Roast, or hamburgers. We sometimes freeze some small containers of home cooked goodness, and it gives me something to heat in my 12-volt food warmer (also available in my store). It serves as ice for a day as well in my cooler. I keep three to four bottles of water frozen and some of those blue ice packs to keep cold for a couple days. When I get a room, I try to get one with a refrigerator and freezer to recharge them or put my food in them. If the weather is cold or at night when I am sleeping in the truck, I leave in the bed of my truck.
Lets hear your tricks of the trade, your tips and advice, How you live your life on the road?
