You’ve been on the road for hours, hauling your load in the sweltering heat. The sun is so hot it crawls on your skin. You have only a few miles to reach your destination to get some needed rest when your rig starts to overheat.

Your day just got longer…. and hotter.

Summer driving for long-haul truckers present certain challenges. But there are ways to stay ahead of the game by protecting truckers from the heat and performing seasonal safety checks and basic maintenance on trucks.

Here are seven tips to keep your fleet in tip top shape and safe this summer.

Check your oil.  You want a cool engine during long summer hauls. Make sure there is enough engine oil to keep your truck engine cool and well lubricated. Check the gauge often to make sure the levels are adequate.

Keep your tires inflated. Tires wear out faster in hot temperature, so check your tire pressure before you head out on the road in order to prevent flats or blowouts.

Check your battery. Believe it or not, the heat takes a toll on batteries. Check your battery to be sure the heat is not evaporating the fluid and overcharging it.

Keep an eye on coolants. Check your antifreeze level. Keeping it in normal range will prevent trucks from overheating and creating engine trouble. Always remember to never remove the radiator cap until the engine has cooled.

Check your brakes.  Make sure your brakes are working properly. Hot temperatures can compromise them.  The last thing you need is a brake issue as you are descending a mountain!

Keep yourself hydrated. Rigs need fluids to keep them running properly and so do truckers. Drink plenty of water. Keep bottled water with you while driving so you can hydrate yourself and avoid heat stroke and cramps.

Wear Sunscreen. UV sun rays are dangerous and can penetrate glass. Protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen, wear polarized sun glasses and wear long sleeves.

These are just a few tips for keeping your fleet safe on the road this summer- for more information on our Safety Training program for the Trucking Industry, drop me an email mshea@srfm.com