Staying warm this winter?

skyraider · Sep 21, 2009

Cargo vans, gas or diesel, how do many of u stay warm without idling ur engines for heat...............like do u use aux.generators and ceramic heaters or what.............

highway star · Sep 21, 2009

The Espar heater is very popular. Webasto also makes one. There are quite a few threads discussing them. Do a search.

OntarioVanMan · Sep 21, 2009

For me it is a personal choice/preference..I don't like messing with batteries/inverters and cutoff switches and fuses and all that wiring I am such a putz with all that....I just throw out my Honda2000 and away I go...

chefdennis · Sep 21, 2009

Big Buddy 4000, 9000, 18,000 btu propane heater....

Mr. Heater - America's Most Popular Portable Heaters

OntarioVanMan · Sep 21, 2009

chefdennis said:
Big Buddy 4000, 9000, 18,000 btu propane heater....

Mr. Heater - America's Most Popular Portable Heaters

The Coleman Catalytic heater line is also good....

Heater | Outdoor Heater | Portable Heater | Coleman.com

Lawrence · Sep 21, 2009

Skyraider,

This company is very well known within the expedited trucking community.

Please visit this page:

http://www.esparofmichigan.com/index.php?content=products

ebsprintin · Sep 21, 2009

Last week I stopped by Espar of Michigan and had an Espar D4 installed. A quick and neat install by none other than Ray himself. Waiting for the weather to change to see how it works.

eb

layoutshooter · Sep 21, 2009

Can you give us a ballpark figure on the cost of that? I am trying to see if I can budget for it for a November or December install.

Jack_Berry · Sep 22, 2009

ray quoted me aro 1800 bucks for the install in my van. have not done it but that was the quote. how am i keeping warm this winter? i brought my wife with me.

OntarioVanMan · Sep 22, 2009

Jack_Berry said:
ray quoted me aro 1800 bucks for the install in my van. have not done it but that was the quote. how am i keeping warm this winter? i brought my wife with me.

*LOL* but you and the Mrs are still newlyweds so to speak....wait till it slows down and you-ve been on the road for 5 weeks and you are sitting over a weekend just how small that van will get..*lol* One reason they don't allow guns in vans...hahaha

guido4475 · Sep 22, 2009

Jack_Berry said:
ray quoted me aro 1800 bucks for the install in my van. have not done it but that was the quote. how am i keeping warm this winter? i brought my wife with me.

I'm jealous.lol.Of course, I could get a sheep in the van.

guido4475 · Sep 22, 2009

I have a generator, a 3,500 watt, but for some reason it is putting the exhaust out through the crb intake. Pulled the head off, everything is like new.I may get a smaller one, though.

OntarioVanMan · Sep 22, 2009

guido4475 said:
I have a generator, a 3,500 watt, but for some reason it is putting the exhaust out through the crb intake. Pulled the head off, everything is like new.I may get a smaller one, though.

If you are going to stay in the biz....don't cheap out...go for the Honda...very much worth it...expensive but worth it...

DannyD · Sep 24, 2009

What I'm wondering here is do you secure it to your vehicle somehow? I'm sure I'm missing something here, but I'd be leary of someone stealing it. I'm sure you've got that covered though, hence this Q.

OntarioVanMan said:
For me it is a personal choice/preference..I don't like messing with batteries/inverters and cutoff switches and fuses and all that wiring I am such a putz with all that....I just throw out my Honda2000 and away I go...

piper1 · Sep 24, 2009

I use a bike chain and lock to secure mine to a spoke in my rims. Nobody will steal it (unless they REALLY want it) and I can never leave it behind!

ACE · Sep 24, 2009

I have an Espar that was installed by Espar of Michigan 6 years ago in my gas van. It works great. Thermostat control, quiet, small, light, safe, low fuel consumption these are a few of the benefits. Ray and his people are top rate.

OntarioVanMan · Sep 24, 2009

DannyD said:
What I'm wondering here is do you secure it to your vehicle somehow? I'm sure I'm missing something here, but I'd be leary of someone stealing it. I'm sure you've got that covered though, hence this Q.

chain and a lock....almost 3 years and no attempts....

but then again I don't park in bad areas either, no use on tempting the devil...

TJ959 · Sep 24, 2009

I had a Wabasco heater. If I had to do it again I'd get the Espar. Nearly froze my buns off in Fargo. Probably wouldn't have hurt to loose a few layers but the overall sensation was quite unpleasant. I enjoy fooling around with batteries and inverters. It gave me something to do on layovers and I learned a lot. I think I could power a little cabin in the woods now and not give my money to the utility company. That's me an old chubby hermit in the woods.

Zoli · Sep 24, 2009

ebsprintin said:
Last week I stopped by Espar of Michigan and had an Espar D4 installed. A quick and neat install by none other than Ray himself. Waiting for the weather to change to see how it works.

eb

Can you please tell me the price? Thanks

Dakota · Sep 24, 2009

OntarioVanMan said:
For me it is a personal choice/preference..I don't like messing with batteries/inverters and cutoff switches and fuses and all that wiring I am such a putz with all that....I just throw out my Honda2000 and away I go...

I saw that generator when I stopped by for a cup of joe, It was very small and quiet. looks like and excellent choice for a van