Preparing your fleet for the summer season

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Preparing your fleet for the summer season may not be an easy feat, but it is necessary to keep your trucks or commercial vehicles on the road during the hottest days of the year. Summer is the busiest season for roadways, and if you are not adequately prepared, heat extremes may imperil your fleet's productivity and overall operation. Below are some tips on keeping your fleet ready for summer and for the new set of challenges the sweltering temperatures may bring:

Rid your trucks of winter remnants.

If you haven't taken down all the components and accessories you've installed to winterize your fleet, now's the time to do so. Start by removing your tires from snow chains and swapping them out for summer or all-season tires. It is also necessary to do a complete interior and exterior cleaning to get rid of salt and snow that may have been lodged in your truck's undercarriage.

Fleet operators that transition their vehicles early each season often succeed through proactive maintenance and parts planning that helps prevent downtime when temperatures rise.

Check your tires for proper pressure and tread depth.

Never be too tired for your tires. A shift in temperature always affects tire pressure. This makes tire care necessary throughout the year. Check your truck's tire pressure monthly. Inspect them for proper tread depth, as a shallow tread increases the possibility of a blowout. Also, check the tires for balding, tire cupping, and uneven wear. Your truck's spare tires must also be in good shape at all times.

Keep tabs on your fleet’s fluid levels.

Neglected fluid can spell downtime—or worse, doom—for your big rigs. An oil change, for instance, is performed to provide adequate lubrication to the vital moving parts and internal components of your truck. Driving it past the regular oil change schedule may cause mechanical wear on the engine. Check the manual of every truck or vehicle in your fleet to know how often you should check and top up your ride's necessary fluids. Make sure to use only the type of fluid specified in your manual.

Give your brakes a thorough check.

Conduct routine brake checks for your fleet before the busy summer months begin. Your truck's brakes may have undergone a certain amount of stress from frequent use in the cold winter days. Ask your mechanic to thoroughly inspect your truck or vehicle's brakes, especially the pads, lining, and rotors, to ensure none of them have worn down to dangerous levels.

Make your truck’s a/c system and weatherstripping up to snuff.

Your truck's air conditioning system must be in proper working order before the hot summer days arrive. It keeps the cabin cool, so the driver and passenger stay comfortable even on long-distance drives. A properly working a/c system should be matched with well-installed, high-grade weatherstripping. These strips, which run around windows and doors, help keep the cold cabin air inside.

Comfort plays a significant role in safety during heatwaves, and trucking safety practices in hot weather help drivers stay alert and comfortable during long hauls.

Clean and examine the battery.

A weak battery can fail in excessive heat, so it's essential to pay attention to it before the hot weather arrives. It pays to let a professional do the job, as the only accurate way to spot a weak battery is with professional equipment. Also, be sure to check this component for signs of corrosion, as the battery fluid evaporates more quickly in high temperatures. Scrape away any corrosive deposits and battery acid, if present, and re-tighten the connections. It also pays to make sure that the battery is securely mounted in place.

Inspect and flush the cooling system.

Overheating is the most common culprit for summer breakdowns. This can be prevented by inspecting the cooling system and flushing the coolant, if necessary. A professional should check the level, condition, and concentration of the coolant, as well as the condition and tightness of the drive belts, hoses, and clamps.

Pack a summer breakdown kit for each of your vehicles.

No matter the season, it's always a good idea to be prepared. If a breakdown happens in extreme heat, the driver's life could be in danger. It pays to be prepared for the worst with a roadside emergency kit that includes a first-aid kit, a fully charged cell phone, flashlights, snacks, drinking water, sunscreen, a blanket, jumper cables, and a fire extinguisher. Fill the kit with items a driver may need while waiting on the roadside in case the inevitable happens. Keep the kit in your fleet vehicle at all times.

Drivers who face intense sunlight or long hours on the highway can avoid fatigue by managing cabin heat effectively and maintaining hydration throughout the day.

Complete all other vital maintenance procedures before summer arrives.

Summer is now in full swing, but it's never too late to give your truck a once-over. Pay attention to the other parts and systems comprising your big rig, especially those that you would need the most this season. Among them is your truck's air filter, which may have been clogged with salt and debris during winter and spring. Ensure it is replaced before taking your truck out for a long-distance drive. If there are other maintenance regimens you haven't completed yet, it's high time to do so.

Consistent seasonal upkeep, including essential summer truck maintenance steps, keeps fleets running efficiently and reduces the risk of heat-related breakdowns.

Give your team proper summer workflow training.

The best all-season safety tool you can provide your fleet with is an attentive, alert, responsible, and law-abiding driver. Keep in mind that in the US, summer is the busiest time for roadways. It's also known as the 100 Deadliest Days on the Road. Hence, it is wise to have your drivers trained in defensive driving and in avoiding the use of mobile phones while on the road.

Let your driver know what you expect from them. Do you allow them to use their truck's air conditioning system and keep it on while you are on break? You may create a formal policy, have a signed agreement with your drivers, or discuss it in a meeting; it's your call as the fleet manager. What's important is that you clearly convey your point to your drivers.

Excellent fleet management starts with awareness of your truck or heavy equipment's condition. By staying ahead of the game, you can get your fleet ready, thus avoiding downtime and many other issues that weather extremes can cause. As the summer season winds down, preparing early with winter readiness strategies for your fleet ensures that your trucks perform well even when temperatures drop.