As the asphalt shimmers and temperatures climb, every fleet manager knows the “dog days” of summer bring a unique set of challenges. Heat isn’t just a comfort issue; it’s a direct threat to your equipment, your drivers, and your bottom line. Ignoring the sun’s impact can lead to catastrophic failures and costly downtime. Here’s how to tackle summer’s triple threat head-on.

Respect the Rubber on the Road

Heat is the number one enemy of your tires. As road temperatures soar, the air pressure inside your tires increases significantly, placing immense stress on the rubber and steel construction. This is when you see a spike in roadside blowouts, which are not only expensive but incredibly dangerous, especially on a steer axle. Your drivers’ pre-trip and post-trip inspections need an extra layer of focus here. Mandate that they check for proper inflation levels before the truck starts rolling for the day, as pressures will read artificially high on a hot tire. Instill in them the importance of looking for the fine cracks of dry rot on the sidewalls, which can quickly turn into a major failure under heat and pressure.

Keep Your Cool Under the Hood

A truck’s cooling system is its lifeline, and summer pushes it to the absolute limit. A simple hose failure can sideline a truck for a day and lead to a massive tow bill, or worse, a cooked engine. Your preventative maintenance (PM) schedule should have a summer focus. Ensure technicians are meticulously checking coolant levels, the condition of all hoses and belts, and the proper function of the fan clutch. And don’t forget the batteries. While most people associate battery trouble with winter, high heat can actually degrade a battery’s internal components and shorten its life even more quickly than the cold. A proactive check now is far better than a no-start situation a few hundred miles from home.

Your Driver is Your Most Valuable Asset

The most critical component in any truck is the person behind the wheel. A hot, fatigued, or dehydrated driver is a risk to everyone on the road. It’s our responsibility as managers to protect them. You need a clear company policy on hydration and rest.  Mike, who runs a reefer fleet out of Arizona, learned this the hard way years ago. He says, “If you don’t respect the summer sun, it’ll cost you a set of tires, a tow bill, and a driver… all in the same day.” Now, he provides drivers with large water jugs and runs safety bonuses focused on heat preparedness.

Encourage your drivers to use resources like the OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool App on their phones. Train them to recognize the early signs of heat exhaustion and to know that it’s not just okay, but required, that they stop and cool down if they feel unwell. Monitoring telematics for excessive idling can also be a clue that a driver is struggling to stay cool and may not be getting quality rest. A well-rested driver is a safe driver, and that’s the ultimate goal.