Beat the Heat: Smart Tips For Service Trucks & Crews

Summer is here, and the heat is on across the country. With triple-digit temps and the rising heat index, it’s a challenge to keep you and your crew cool on the jobsite. It’s also hard on your service truck!

Tires, Brakes, and Batteries

Hot weather puts added stress on your truck, especially the tires, brakes, and battery.

If tire pressure is too low, the tire can sag because of how the sidewalls are flexing. This can weaken the rubber’s bond with the tire’s layers and lead to a blowout. Check your tires at least weekly using a quality digital gauge and inflate to the manufacturer’s recommended cold PSI, not what’s printed on the tire sidewall.

Brakes also struggle under high temps as friction between the pads and rotors decreases. To keep them performing safely, inspect pad thickness regularly, ensure brake fluid is clean and full, and consider switching to high-temperature ceramic pads if you’re routinely hauling heavy loads.

Batteries can be sneaky in the summer—heat evaporates internal fluid and speeds up corrosion at the terminals. To stay ahead of a dead start, test voltage monthly, and keep terminals clean and tight.

A few minutes of preventive maintenance each day can save you lost time from a mid-job breakdown.

Keep The Crew Cool

It’s been proven that interior cab temperatures can top 130°F in the sun. A reflective windshield shade and UV window film can cool things down significantly. On site, cooling towels, misting fans, and pop-up canopies offer needed relief and reduce the risk of heat-related illness.

One more pro tip: Don’t just hydrate more, hydrate smarter. Plain water doesn’t replace the essential minerals you lose when you sweat. Electrolytes like sodium and potassium are critical to staying sharp and avoiding heat exhaustion. Add a hydration packet (like Liquid I.V., LMNT, or Sqwincher) to your water bottle to absorb fluids faster and keep your system in balance.

As we celebrate independence this week, make sure your team and equipment are ready to power through the heat.

Stay safe and keep your cool this summer!