How to Prepare Yourself for Trucking in the Summer
Truck drivers won't have to struggle with snowy roads or severe snow storms as the weather heats up. Summer, on the other hand, can also create complications for many drivers.
While it is generally known that truckers must be equipped for cooler temperatures and hazardous circumstances, trucks must also be prepped for the summer. Warm asphalt can increase the likelihood of blowouts and tire damage, and hot temperatures can put extra pressure on mechanical parts and the health of drivers. It is critical to adequately prepare both the trucks and drivers for summers in order to avoid mechanical breakdowns, expensive repairs, and health issues.
Avoiding a disaster can be an easy task by brushing up on a few summer driving precautions for truck drivers. Let’s take a look at some of them below:
1. Mechanical preparations
Summer truck driving requires a high level of dependability. As a result, your vehicle must be in great working order before you hit the road. You must ensure that everything is in working order, both mechanically and aesthetically.
- Keep a check on the tires
Heat raises air pressure and accelerates rubber degradation, especially if your tires are not properly filled. Inspect your tires for wear, check the tire pressure on a regular basis to ensure that it is acceptable for your loading, and stick to the posted speed limits—faster speeds result in greater heat and friction. You can even get various portable truck parts to check the pressure of your tires on the go.
- Keep a check on the brakes
The heat of summer can cause your vehicle's brakes to fail. As a result, it's critical that you inspect the brakes before setting off on your journey. If you're on a lengthy trip, it is ideal for you to check your brakes every time you stop for gas.
- Keep a check on the refrigerators
Hot temperatures inflict added burden on refrigerators within the trucks, therefore monitoring refrigerated compartments on a regular basis and performing maintenance as needed is critical. Trucking companies can be hit hard by refrigeration failures throughout the summer, both in terms of repairs and damaged shipments. When deliveries are not delivered on schedule or in acceptable condition, refrigeration problems can have a negative influence on customer relationships as well.
- Keep a check on the engine batteries
Since batteries struggle to perform at their optimum in cooler temperatures, maintaining a steady charge during the summer is usually not an issue. However, before traveling into the summer, drivers should double-check their batteries to verify it is in good working order. Excessive heat can deplete batteries, so keep an eye on it on a frequent basis. Drivers must also ensure that their engines remain cool. To avoid overheating, check the coolant levels and connectors on the truck, and repair any suspicious components before they fail.
- Keep a check on the air conditioners
It sounds like an absolute nightmare to spend the entire day in a truck with no air conditioning. As summer approaches, inspect internal air conditioners for leakage or faults in the tubes. Replace any worn parts to ensure a smooth journey no matter how hot it becomes outside.
2. Self-care of drivers
Just as much as mechanical care of your trucks is critical, it’s equally important to take care of yourself too. Neglecting self-care while driving can have a negative impact not just on your driving and safety but also on your health in the long run.
- Keep your eyes safe
During the summers, sun glare can be a chronic issue, especially if you spend a lot of time traveling west or east. To protect your eyes from damage and to reduce dazzle or glare, try investing in a nice pair of polarized sunglasses or trucker hats. If you drive in late evenings or early mornings, the sun reflecting off the road might be very harmful. Without proper protection, you may not be able to see well and may miss some important traffic rules.
- Frequently hydrate yourself
Even the air conditioner isn't enough to keep dehydration symptoms under control on a hot day. Always have a bottle of water in hand, and get into the habit of drinking water even if you aren't feeling thirsty. You should also brush up on the symptoms of heat stroke so you can tell if you're in difficulty and need to pull over to the side of the road for assistance. Muscle pain, headaches, and disorientation are all signs of heat stroke.
- Keep some of your favorite snacks
When your sole source of refreshment is water, a lengthy journey might become boring. Nobody said it had to be the only one, after all. Stack up on snacks like:
- Assorted sweets or fresh fruits - this helps boost energy levels real quick
- Salty treats like homemade sandwiches - helps keep your jaw busy without pulling your attention away from the road
- Fresh juices - another energy booster and a quick vitamin refreshment as well. You can make some the night before and store it in a portable fridge
- Be cautious of congested roads
During summer, roads get much more congested as families go for road trips since more people take time off from work. Due to the increased threats that heavy traffic poses to truck drivers, you'll want to be particularly vigilant and aware of other cars on the road.
- Use sunscreens
Sunscreen is a must for short-haul drivers who go in and out of their trucks frequently all through the day. Use sunscreen to protect your skin, since the sun's rays might be harsh, make sure to shield your entire body. On the other hand, long-haul drivers should also wear sunscreen to protect their arms from the sun. The sun has a lot of ultraviolet rays that can cause skin cancer in the long run – so better safe than sorry.
Closing
Driving a truck in the summer can be difficult because it presents the same challenges as driving in the winter and can be exhausting. To combat the heat, it is critical to keep both your truck and yourself secure and healthy.
Owner-operators and other truckers must be prepared for the summer months and ensure that their trucks and themselves are ready. Summer may be considered a welcome break from the cold and snowy weather for many truck drivers. However, with summer having its own set of obstacles, following these tips outlined above can help you become equipped to face the summer months ahead.
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