How often should I start my truck?

For a month? Might as well just disconnect the batteries and leave it cold. Seems like a waste of fuel to keep it warm.

 

I start mine every week or so when I'm off. I think it's just paranoia though. I agree with above, if I was taking a solid month off I wouldn't leave the APU on but I would still probably start it up for 30 minutes or so every week and let it run a heat cycle. Once again, probably not needed but just paranoia.

My inverter has a 3 stage charger with pass through for the AC plugs in the sleeper so I just plug mine in wen I'm home for more than a day and it keeps the batteries charged. I also run a little plug in heater inside in the winter when I'm home so my water system doesn't freeze, not to mention all the food and drinks stored in there.

 

Start it before you go back to work, we have trucks that will sit a couple months with out getting touched

 

I'd just park it, disconnect the batteries and leave it alone. Go out to it a day or 2 before you need it and start it then.

 

Started my truck and reefer yesterday for the first time in a week. Other than low air in the tanks, it didn't seem to mind the long wait.

 

Where do you live ? cold zone?
Doesn't make sense to keep the APU running , it's a fire hazard , if you can't keep on eye on the truck. I'm parked since dec 22nd , off until 14th of January. and started once only two days ago when the temp was 40F/6 Celsius here in southern Ontario, let it run for 30 min.
I use 0w40rottela T6 synthetic oil, treated the fuel with a bottle of Kleen-Flo diesel conditioner, just in case, but i don't think was needed, mild winter here so far. This is important if you start it, better in a warmer day or in the afternoon when temp rises above freezing . If i have to start in cold , (i don't have electricity in my parking place), i bring my Yamaha power generator and plug the block heater , even the batteries ,it has battery charger ports/cables. I keep it plugged for about one hour, turn the key on watch the coolant /oil temp before and after, or touch the side of engine block , feels warmer.

 

During the covid shutdown we parked all our trucks in the barn. Two months later when we were allowed to work again 1-2 of the 45 trucks needed a jump. Every other one fired right up like the break didn't happen.

 

That's not long enough to worry about if you disconnect the batteries.

 

If it is going to down for more than a week, disconnect the batteries if it has an electrical parasitic load situation. Some trucks are worse than others.
If you are going to start it, don't just let it sit and idle for a while, you really should drive it, 20 or more miles to let everything warm up completely. Otherwise, disconnect and leave it completely dormant.
After dealing with alternately storing and driving old cars for 50 years, I have found it is best to prep it for storage, most manufacturers have a procedure, and leave it alone.