Rapid Heater?

[Mtn Trucker]

I just read the order sheet for my new truck and found it has an option on it called "41A Rapid Heat". When you get that you also get the extra HD alternator upgrade. Based on that and what I've read so far it's an electric heater that puts out heat in the cab so you get some warmth while the engine is still heating up.

Any of you cold weather climate guys have this feature and how well does it work?

[4x4ord]

When I remote start my truck in cold weather the electric seats come on as does an electric heating element (the rapid heat element). After several minutes the heater fan comes on low and starts blowing warm air. It works ok. It might be wiser to forget the HD alternator and rapid heat and have an aftermarket ProHeat system installed. These systems burn diesel to circulate and heat the engine coolant up to operating temperature prior to starting the engine. They work off a programable timer.
http://www.proheat.com/trucks/x45Truck/index.html

[Painted Horse]

It definitely produces warmer air in the cab than waiting for the engine to warm up and circulate warm engine coolant.

But it's still a 1500 or 1800 watt element Thats like using a hair dryer to heat the cab of your truck. If you have a truck that was cold soaked at 15* all night, it still takes a bit to really feel warm inside. If you live in colder climates, I would definitely get that option.

There is no off or on switch. It just automatically runs when you ask for heat and the truck is cold.

It will not produce like the after market units mentioned above. But with these big Crew Cabs, It helps

[BlueF350]

I have Rapid Heat in my 6.4 CC and I get heat within 60-90 seconds when its cold outside. Very neat idea that costs next to nothing.

[grmreaper]

It works well i think, but if the climate control is on auto, i find it very slow,
But if you just leave it maxed out fan and heat, it works alot faster in frigid cold like -40C that we had in the winter.