For sure, get in the habit of plugging your truck in. I live in Indiana and it doesn't really get cold enough that my truck wouldn't start, but I make a habit of plugging it in every night when winter sets in. I also agree, go out 10 minutes before you leave, start her up, let it run, go back in and finish your coffee. If you don't drink coffee its a good reason to start.
UNPLUG IT!!!! I did it tooo, once. Luckily I just backed straight up and the plug came loose, but try to remind yourself somehow.

Cycling the heating grid is also the best advice I've heard, turn in on let the light go off, then turn the key off and back on again, when the light goes out start the truck immediately. Another thing to do is depress the gas pedal 1/4 of the way in while starting, then let off as soon as it fires. It will help it fire better for the first couple of seconds and ensure it doesn't die on really cold mornings.

I've never used a timer but sounds like a good idea, and good tip on leaving the defroster on, I'll try that this winter.

 

Throttle or Accelerator pedal Dude,.................

Just jerkin' yer chain.......

 

Get in the habit of plugging in. Get in the habit of unplugging it also. I always plug my truck in, every night once winter sets in.
The guy who works on my truck said the best way to start it is, as Shovelhead said, cycle the grid heater 2x's. Turn key on let light go out, then repeat and start immediately when the light goes off for the second time. Another thing I constistently do is depress the gas pedal 1/4 of the way and let off once the engine fires. This will keep it form running rough at the beginning, especially on those really cold mornings.

 

You guys say to cycle the grid heaters but on both of my trucks they never come on if it's been plugged in even at minus 30F. In fact I have temp sender in the air horn, when plugged in for four hours or more the reading is 70-90°.

Could it be only 24 valves will cycle the grids after being plugged in?

 

Bill, I only do the "double cycle" excersize when I can't plug it in.
If it's been sitting, sipping electrons, I just start as normal, but still let it idle with the trans in N to get all those mechanical juices flowing.