Beating the Summer Heat While on the Road
During summer, temperatures rise and the sun can turn the cab of your truck into an oven. Commercial truck insurance will help protect your truck if it overheats or otherwise gets damaged.
Driving in the heat is no joke, especially on long trips but these tips will help you keep yourself and your truck in top condition.
Here are some tried and true ways to stay comfortable as a trucker in hot temperatures.
1. Stay Hydrated
One of the best ways to deal with the heat is to stay hydrated, preferably with cold drinks. Try traveling with a case of water bottles, sports drinks, or even iced tea.
Take the time to pick these up whenever you stop at a gas station to refuel. Depending on how much water you drink, you may even want to get two at a time!
Any water is better than no water at all, but you’ll probably enjoy cold drinks more than room-temperature ones.
Pick up a portable cooler and fill it with ice to keep your drinks cool for hours. Some cooler options can plug right into your 12-volt cigarette lighter.
2. Use the Air Conditioning
Air conditioning is built into your truck for situations like this, so don’t hesitate to use it!
Studies into air conditioning (AC) show that it does reduce fuel efficiency, but most drivers found out that the small decrease in efficiency is worth the comfort and relief of a blast of cold air.
Check your AC unit or get it professionally serviced at the start of the season. That way, you probably won’t run low on refrigerant fluid or be surprised by a broken drive belt, and you can enjoy air conditioning all summer long.
4. Get an APU and a Fan
If you travel long routes and have to sleep in your cab, make sure you have an auxiliary power unit (APU), or an electrical power unit. The difference between the two is that the latter doesn’t use diesel fuel, which has environmental benefits but is less convenient on the road.
Either one of these will allow you to use power even when the truck is turned off. That way, you won’t have to waste gas and potentially violate the law by idling. Your sleeping compartment may not cool down enough at night, so it’s a good idea to keep a fan around.
Some fans even have a 12-volt plug and can be mounted on your dashboard for use during the daytime.
5. Maintain the Engine
The heat of summer can affect your truck just like it affects you. Overheating is a serious concern in the summer months, especially for your engine.
It can occur due to lack of maintenance, overuse of the air conditioning, thermostat malfunction, and plenty of other reasons. Hot weather exacerbates any of those existing issues.
To avoid overheating the engine, keep up with your scheduled maintenance. Make sure the coolant, motor oil, and other fluid levels are right, so the engine and the rest of the vehicle function as they should.
SoCal Truck Insurance has two decades of experience in providing coverage for trucks. We provide cheap truck insurance and have the right auto industry connections to make your repairs go smoothly.
To learn more about our plans or get a free quote, contact us at SoCal Truck Insurance today.
