I am getting ready to order a truck. Do you recommend getting the block heater option. The lowest temps the truck would see should be around zero F. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. ;D

 

The block heater is such an inexpensive option, I'd get it for those occasional cold spells, wherever you are. Plugging in when temps hit the teens certainly doesn't hurt.

 

It's an inexpensive way to make your truck last longer.
I typically plug in when the temps dip into the 20s.
I use a heavy duty timer (available at any large hardware store) to turn on the block heater 3 hours before I leave in the AM.

 

Get the heater!, You won't be sorry you did.

 

Thanks guys!!!! Man that was a quick reply!

I love the idea about using the timer. Does coolant temp increase more rapidly after start up by using the block heater???

Thanks again for the help!

 

Yes the engine is pretty well warmed up when you start it, using the heater. I don't use a timer as I don't have a set time that I may be needing the truck.

I note that it helps keep the ice and snow melted off the windshield as well, just from the ambient heat warming the cowling area, and the warm water in the system. I leave it in the defrost mode, so the little bit of heat from the water hits the windshield.

Usually I can just start the truck, walk around with a broom knocking off the heavy snow on the side windows and camper shell. by this time there is a 6 to 8inch circle of melted ice on the windshield over each defroster vent and I seldom have to actually scrape the ice from the windshield.

107,000 miles and 6 winters later I replaced the Heater once at a cost of $40.00 and the Cord once at a cost of $12.00. I use a lot more electricity than the guys on the timers, but my truck is warm and ready to go when ever I am

 

[quote author=Lary Ellis (Top) link=board=17;threadid=23159;start=0#msg217003 date=1070386990]


107,000 miles and 6 winters later I replaced the Heater once at a cost of $40.00 and the Cord once at a cost of $12.00. I use a lot more electricity than the guys on the timers, but my truck is warm and ready to go when ever I am
[/quote]

And we all know a warm Lary is a happy Lary and thats good for all of us here.

 

Wanna bet that Lary had to replace the cord because he kept on forgetting to unplug it before driving off.

 

[quote author=Mexstan link=board=17;threadid=23159;start=0#msg217051 date=1070391347]
Wanna bet that Lary had to replace the cord because he kept on forgetting to unplug it before driving off.
[/quote]

Funny that you should mention that, I of course always remember to unplug the cord. But strangely, I have come home a few times and wondered who went to all the trouble of stretching my cord down my driveway. ;D

 

The actual block heater is installed whether you get the $10 option or not. The $10 gets you the cord is all. I've "heard" the cord is like $30 at the Ram parts counter. I've also read the 3rd gen CTD are much better about cold starts than previous trucks. No personal experience. Whether to plug it in will depend on how tender your is, how far you drive, etc. Short, cold trips are very hard on 'em. Don't warm up. I used a HD timer and plugged in my '98 when I lived in Michigan and the truck sat outside. When I finally cleared enough garage space to put it inside, I continued for a while, but soon stopped. Side entrance basement garage. Stayed 40+ degrees, even in the coldest winters. Good, insulated garage doors. I didn't even spring for the $10 cord when I ordered my '04. Heck, it's 74 and sunny right now where I live. Record cold temp for Big Pine is 45.

 

Cant beat a block heater...in all my trucks I install an interior heater and wire it all in with a trickle charger/block heater...that way when its minus 40 the windows are clear and the batteries are topped up..start up and drive away in the worst weather..also the interior heater lets you know right away if the plug in you are in actually has juice..very handy if you travel alot like I do

 

I'm a woosie, I plug mine it all the time because it gets way down into the 50's here, and I like getting into a truck where the heater works right away.

 

Sure glad my 03 came with the heater. I added a short extention cord out through the grill, and then ran a heavy duty cord into the garage where I keep the truck parked.

As I write this, it's 20 degrees and dropping. Guess I better go plug it in.

I went to college years ago in a little Colorado mountain town, and my engine heater kept my little car going in sub-zero conditions, while others couldn't get theirs to turn over. Guess that's where I learned my lesson.

 

[quote author=moterhead link=board=17;threadid=23159;start=0#msg217103 date=1070396434]
...........I've also read the 3rd gen CTD are much better about cold starts than previous trucks. ............
[/quote]

Don't know where you read that, but the "older" series engine starts easily in cold weather. 12[sup]o[/sup] here this morning and it eagerly fired up without the use of the block heater........smoked and sounded like heck... :