If you think cold weather is brutal on your body, it's just as brutal on your apparatus. From freezing temperatures to corrosive ice-melting agents, there’s a lot your rig has to withstand during the winter. And if you don’t take proper steps to maintain it, these problems can cause some serious headaches and lead to costly long-term damage.

To make sure your apparatus stays in tip-top shape this winter, here are a few tips to follow:

1. Reduce Window Fogging

Apparatus windows fog easier in cold weather, especially when personnel are wearing wet gear on the ride back to the station. Make sure you crank the heat, but also make sure you run the defrost with the A/C on as it will take the moisture out of the cab and make it easier to see when driving.

2. Put Heat at the Feet

While we usually drive short runs, more and more distance is being covered with mutual aid today than in the past. So, having heat at the feet can make those rides a bit more comfortable. You can usually add supplemental heat at the feet in your rig, but you have to be careful as the more coolant heat systems you have, the less effective they are overall. After all, you still only have so much coolant in the radiator.

3. Consider an Engine Heater

Keeping the engine warm and ready will help its performance in cold weather, not to mention getting the heat flowing in the cab almost from the time you pull out the station door.

So if you know your apparatus will be operating in cold weather, try to spec or add an engine block heater to your rig. And while it's great to tie the heater into the shoreline, having a disconnect is best for the warmer days ahead.

4. Install Pump Heat Pans

With today's higher-temperature exhaust, there seems to be plenty of heat available in the pump house. Heat pans capture the natural rejection of heat from the exhaust and moving components and help keep warmth in the pump area. However, you need to make sure heat pans are approved with the engine supplier and that they’re easily removed (i.e., no fasteners).

5. Use Supplemental Heaters

Many supplemental heaters have been used to help keep the pump warm, and they’re usually coolant driven. However, if the lines aren't insulated, much of the heat can be lost before it ever reaches the pump, so make sure you protect and wrap all supply lines.

6. Don’t Block the Radiator

While blocking the radiator was a favorite technique years ago to help the engine heat up more quickly, today's engines require controlled airflow. Reducing airflow can be catastrophic for your engine, so we recommend you convert your old chassis grille cover into a spare salvage cover!

7. Use a Vent System

Vent systems in rigs not only help to remove moisture, but also draw in dry, warm air. This can help keep tools warm or quickly bring them to room temperature after a run, which is especially helpful for fuel-operated equipment.

8. Fill Up with Anti-Gel Fuel

In addition to making sure that your tank is always full, using an anti-gel, winter-blend fuel or approved anti-moisture additive will ensure your rig is well prepared to head out on any winter calls.

9. Maintain Roll Doors

During winter, salt and dirt is hard on your doors. In addition to washing them off, use a dry silicone spray to help these doors operate at their best.

10. Perform Extra Cleaning

With all the corrosive ice melting agents on the roads, it’s important to wash every inch of your truck. Make sure you wash the underside and wipe down every door opening to ensure that you get all the corrosive salts off of the rig. You may even want to consider buying a rolling pressure washer specifically for this task.

You never know what to expect with winter weather, so it’s always wise to be prepared for the worst. Follow these tips to keep your apparatus in good shape this winter, and stay on top of your apparatus maintenance.