Obviously running the AC and idling the truck work the best but I was wondering are there any other tips anyone has to help keep cool (while you are parked for 10 hour break) as the temps rise.

My company frowns on heavy idling and they take your bonus if you idle too much :roll: but they can have it as far as I am concerned it can get a little warm in that cab.

 

If you are really desperate to cool off here is a little trick I used once in Arizona in the middle of summer when my alternator took a dump.

I got a bag of ice, double wrapped it in trash bags and then wrapped that in a sheet and layed up against it.

While not the most comfortable it got me through a 85 degree night.

Another thing you can do is buy yourself a battery powered fan. You can find them in most sporting goods sections of your favorite retail store.

They run on several "D" batteries and the batteries last awhile, but to save money get yourself rechargables and a charger and use a power inverter to charge the batteries while you are running down the road or idling the truck.

 

Do like I do and request run way up North.

 

I had a guy tell me he would get a aluminum turkey pan place a whole bag if ice in it and put a fan over it while he was parked :idea:

 

You might also try running your hrs. out around 10pm and then sleep when it's cooler. That way you're not idling during the hotter part of the day.

 

I have the mesh screens on the windows and a 12 volt fan that I use.
I live in Florida, so I've never considered 85 degrees as hot. I'd rather save fuel for driving, than idling.

 

I agree it can get hot in the cab....even hotter than outside. The color of your truck, unless white will absorb heat. If you have a Reefer, or are simply idling, either motor is dumping lots of additional heat as well.

If you can park near grass, shade, or atleast gravel...it's better than parking on asphalt or concrete. There will be less radiant heat. Park out alone too, if you can. Less heat off your neighbor.

Air flow is your best coolant outside of A/C. Pray for a breeze, and get as much of that angled into your cab as possible. A 12v fan or two at least will be better than nothing.

Last advice...get a thermo windshield deflector. They are those silver colored thick ones...and will stop a ton of heat from building up on your dash and console.

 

*shrug* Run team. No idling required.

 

"Idle-aire" http://www.idleaire.com/

Otherwise....park along-side a burbling brook, with the screens in the doors..and vents....and the sun to yur back and a breeze in the cab.


Oh yeah..you can do the Team thing to ...like Lady said!!

 

Ya know...I'd have to figure a Canadian would suffer
in a mere 80 degree/80% humidity heat. :roll: :?