Summer is peak season for fresh produce and for the carriers moving it. From early morning harvests to hot afternoon offloads, every moment counts when you’re hauling perishable goods. But the same sun that ripens crops also strains your trucks, eats into your fuel budget, and challenges your drivers with long hours and high temps.
Whether you’re hauling lettuce from Salinas, melons from the Imperial Valley, or mixed pallets to grocery DCs, here’s how to keep your produce (and your profits) from spoiling in the heat.
- Minimize Idling Without Risking Load Integrity
Reefer units and idle time go hand-in-hand, especially while waiting at packhouses, ports, or receivers. But excessive engine idling, especially when running both truck and reefer, can burn up to a gallon of diesel per hour. Multiply that across a hot summer month and it’s a major fuel expense.
Use reefer standby power whenever available to avoid engine idling during extended waits. Park in shaded areas or covered docks when possible. And if you’ve got newer trucks, program idle shutdowns or monitor idle time with telematics. Keeping the load cold doesn’t mean burning unnecessary fuel.
- Maintain A/C Systems to Keep Drivers Comfortable and Fuel Use Down
Driver comfort directly affects alertness and performance but if the cab’s A/C system is neglected, it works harder and uses more fuel. Especially during hot, humid hauls with limited highway airflow.
Check and replace cabin air filters frequently. Ensure refrigerant levels are up to spec. Encourage drivers to run the A/C while in motion rather than at idle, and to avoid cranking the system to max if the truck has just been started. Comfort doesn’t have to come at the cost of efficiency.
- Prepare for Summer Inspection Triggers
Summer’s heat puts extra pressure on the exact systems inspectors are watching, especially in heavy-duty haulers pulling refrigerated trailers. Expect to see attention on:
- Tire blowouts from high road temps
- Brake fade after long, hilly routes
- Coolant and belt failures
Make sure your pre-trip inspections are dialed in. Check tire pressure when cold (not mid-shift), inspect brakes for glazing or wear, and watch fluid levels closely. Reefer downtime due to a failed inspection hurts your schedule and your product.
- Don’t Underestimate Driver Fatigue
Early start times, late-day deliveries, and loading delays mean long shifts. Add extreme heat and you’ve got a real risk of fatigue behind the wheel. Dehydration and heat stress reduce focus, increase reaction time, and can lead to costly or dangerous mistakes.
Equip drivers with water, cooling towels, and encourage them to take breaks underneath shade. If your fleet operates team drivers or long-haul shifts, stagger schedules to reduce peak sun exposure.
- Monitor DPF Health in Diesel Units
Stop-and-go traffic, reefer idle time, and long loading dock delays can clog Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs), especially during hot months. If your trucks are showing more frequent regen cycles or power loss, it may be time to clean the filter, not just reset the dash light.
Schedule preventative DPF maintenance more frequently in the summer. It keeps trucks on the road and out of the shop during your busiest season.
- Cut Fuel Costs with the Energie Fuel Card
Fuel prices aren’t always predictable, but your cost control can be. The Energie Fuel Card gives produce haulers access to discounted fuel across cardlock and retail networks, plus detailed tracking tools and flexible spending controls. Whether you’re running a few reefers or a full fleet of long-haul trucks, this card helps you fuel smarter.
Keep your loads cool, your drivers safe, and your margins intact this summer.
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