Three years ago in a Wyoming winter, I swore I'd never use a cheap block heater cord again.

Last week, a guy brought in a 6.7 Cummins that wouldn't turn over. The cord had melted right at the plug... just like mine did back then. I spent a whole night in minus 20 weather because of a $15 part failing. Now I only install the heavy-duty ones with the braided jacket, no matter what the customer says. Anyone have a brand they trust for those brutal cold snaps?

3 comments

3 Comments

marydavis28d ago

Actually, the braided jacket is more about abrasion resistance than the cold itself... the real killer is the plug contacts and the cord gauge. I've had good luck with the ones that have a molded rubber plug and a full 12-gauge wire.

ward.olivia27d ago

Remember my buddy's cheap plug melting?

john_fisher27d ago

My own cheap cord gave up at 5 AM in a Montana truck stop. Felt like a real genius that morning, let me tell you.