Diesel bunk heaters

ThermoKing is outrageous! The shop up the street from me in Redford, across the street from Detroit Diesel, is at $165 an hour! And the parts are through the roof! A $6 heater hose, $95. A $79 Denso fan, $300! It is outrageous. But, if you are stumped, or need a new unit installed, they are the place to go. I have always had outstanding service there when I could not figure something out and or needed a new Tri-Pac installed. I believe this Evolution unit is the 6th unit I have bought and had installed there. They do fantastic work. One of the few shops that I have not had to go back to repair their repair.

 

I have used both and find espar is a better unit as far as bunk heaters go. It is very easy to maintain. Theres a youtube video walk you through it.
As for coolant heaters, I don't use them... idle if below -20,-25. Above that fire it up and wait 15 min before you drive. Spend the extra money for good batteries. If it's colder than that at home it will just have to be grumpy for a cold start.

 

One thing to keep in mind when installing the bunk heater. It does use the batteries, so if yours on on the weak side factor in a set of batteries in the price.

Kinda sucks waking up, but can't start the truck....
Don

 

If you are in MT, add the battery. And just don't add one, install four new ones.

And inspect the cabling, you will be surprised at what is going on under the truck. Make sure no copper is showing.

 

Cheap insurance for 1 more....
I would be uncomfortable with only 3.

 

TK is good for emergencies but if you want an Espar installed and you are in Michigan, go to Espar of Michigan, ask for Ray and he will do you right.

 

I’ve used both brands for over ten years. The Webasto seems to stand up better to rough roads/back country trucking. The Espar are easier to service. I’d just go with what ever one gives you the better deal.
The bunk heaters do not use a lot of electricity, I know a few guys that just leave them running all weekend when parked at home.
Be sure to get the digital thermostat controller. They sense the cab temperature at the controller.
The rotary dial on/off on only senses at the return air intake of the heater, when it is really cold outside your floor is the coldest. So the heater will always think it’s cold and will cook you out of the cab. I’ve been in -30 outside, and the heater had it plus 90 inside, and it would not go any lower.
The engine heaters use a lot more electricity as they also have to pump the coolant through the engine. Hence, the timers on them are designed to just run for two hours before you want to start the truck.
These work great. I’ve started my truck as low as -34 after the engine heater warmed it up first without any other aid. The truck sat cold for the whole weekend and fired right up like it was just another day.

 

While they don't use much, yes do do use some.

The reason I mentioned it is it happened to me. Company truck that had no indication of weak batteries. Started great, would even run the (plug in) inverter to keep my laptop charged for a couple hours. First time I ran the bunk heater for my 10, while in NY, it would not start for lack of battery.