As spring rain starts to melt winter away, drivers are met with a whole new set of driving challenges. Temperatures begin to rise, snow turns to rain, then comes fog and mud. All of these conditions affect visibility, traction, reliability, and not to mention, safety.
As a truck driver, preparing your truck for inclement weather during rainy season is just as important as preparing for snow and ice. “[Being] proactive with preventative maintenance keeps your truck road ready and helps you avoid unnecessary component breakdowns.” (Source)
In this guide, our expert parts and service team members are sharing the best truck parts for rainy season performance, along with practical maintenance tips to protect your components.
Best Truck Parts for Rainy Season
When we asked the manager of our Coopersburg Kenworth Parts Department about the truck parts he recommends most to our customers for the spring, he suggested:
Heavy-Duty Wiper Blades
Our Parts manager recommends Rain-X Latitude 2-in-1 Wiper Blades because of their water-repellent technology. According to Rain-X, “The water-repellent transfers from the squeegee to the glass – and the Magic of Rain-X is activated!” Plus, Rain-specific wiper blades will improve your visibility, no matter what the weather conditions are.
Vent Visors
At Coopersburg & Liberty Kenworth, our customers prefer Belmor Vent Visors. They protect your truck’s windows from rain and debris, while still allowing fresh air into your cab. These are best for vehicles with high-visibility doors and cab-mounted mirrors because they keep your view clear and your interior dry and comfortable.
WeatherTech FloorLiners
WeatherTech FloorLiners are very popular in our parts stores. “WeatherTech creates its FloorLiner using a patented High-Density Tri-Extruded (HDTE) material. The compound features a more rigid core, enhancing the product’s strength and providing superior floor protection.” (Source) They line the interior carpet along the front, back, and sides of your vehicle’s footwell and include built-in channels to trap fluids, helping keep your foot area dry and your interior clean.
See more WeatherTech products.
Heavy-Duty Cleaning Supplies
“Spring is a great time to wash away built-up salt, grime, and debris from winter.” (Source) We recommend WAB Chemicals product line of cleaning supplies. Their Power Wash and Engine & Chassis Degreaser are best for clearing away winter grime and protecting your truck’s paint and undercarriage, chassis, suspension, and joints.
Automatic Slack Adjusters
Drum Brake Automatic Slack Adjusters, like those from TRP Parts, play a key role in wet-weather safety. They deliver consistent stopping performance even when rain, cold temperatures, and moisture reduce braking friction and accelerate brake wear.
Looking for more brake solutions? Our Parts Manager recommends using this to help you choose the right linings and keep your braking system performing at its best.
Brake Drums
Brake Drums, like those from TRP Parts or Webb Wheels, shield your internal components from water, mud, and road debris. In heavy rain, their enclosed design and tight sealing prevents any contaminants from saturating, damaging, or ruining your components and braking efficiency. Plus, they don’t require frequent cleaning and maintenance.
Truck Maintenance Tips for Rainy Season
Protect Against Corrosion
Our service experts recommend starting with a thorough wash to prevent long-term rusting and other damage. “It’s especially important to pay close attention to components that are vulnerable to corrosion like the frame, suspension, brake lines, and exhaust systems.” (Source) Winter road chemicals can rapidly corrode your truck’s undercarriage, chassis, suspension, and joints. If left unchecked, this buildup leads to rust, damage, and other expensive repairs. For added protection, apply wax to shield your exterior paint from scratches, UV rays, pollen, and road grime.
To further limit water and debris from hitting your truck body, lights, mirrors, and nearby vehicles, consider installing mud flaps or splash guards, quarter fenders, and fender extensions. Heavy-duty, wide mud flaps help reduce road spray while protecting your undercarriage and key components from damage.
Visibility and Lighting
In our warm weather truck maintenance guide, we highlight the importance of checking all lights and signals during your seasonal service. “Inspect your truck’s headlights, brake lights, turn signals, tail lights, marker lights, and body lights. Replace any dim or yellowed bulbs, clean off hazy or dirty lenses, and make sure every light is functioning correctly.”
Another spring must-do to improve visibility is to replace your worn wiper blades. Your wiper blades take a beating during winter and might not perform the way they should. “Check for cracks, splits, streaking, squeaking, or worn rubber edges. If they’re not clearing your windshield properly, it’s time to replace them.” (Source)
Check Air & Brake Systems
Air dryers and brake components are important in wet driving conditions, as moisture buildup can affect your braking performance. Additionally, temperature fluctuations can reduce stopping power, especially under heavy loads. Make sure to regularly inspect your brake pads, rotors, and lines for signs of wear, heat damage, or fluid leaks.
Included in our Spring Truck Maintenance blog, “If you have a Paccar or Eaton automated transmission, we recommend replacing your Air Dryer Cartridge with a Bendix oil-coalescing cartridge. These cartridges remove moisture and oil contaminants that can deteriorate system performance over time. Even with an automatic Allison transmission, using a high-quality oil coalescing cartridge can extend the life of your transmission.”
Monitor Tires and their Traction
Our service experts urge you to pay close attention to your tires, since they’re essential in maintaining control and ride stability. One of the easiest maintenance tasks is checking tire pressure. Underinflated tires reduce fuel efficiency, negatively impact braking performance, and make steering more difficult. Habitually check your tire pressure with a reliable gauge and adjust to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI. Worn-down tread reduces grip and can increase your stopping distance. Uneven tread wear may also point to underlying issues like misalignment or worn suspension parts.
Discover 5 ways to spot when your truck tires need replacing.
Stay Ahead of Spring Storms
Don’t let the risks of spring weather scare you before hitting the road. With the right semi truck parts for rainy-season driving, you can better protect your truck, your cargo, and your safety.
By upgrading your truck parts and taking preventative maintenance cautions, you can keep your truck road ready as the seasons change. Investing in visibility upgrades, traction components, weather sealing, and protective accessories can help you stay ready for rain, fog, and muddy roads all spring long.
