Best Semi Truck Accessories to Control Summer Heat in the Cab

Keeping your Class 8 semi truck cab space cool and comfortable involves more than just blasting the A/C 24/7.

In this post, we'll cover the best semi truck accessories help keep your cab cool and comfortable.

The right accessories and upgrades can help deter UV rays and hot temperatures, thereby protecting your upholstery, dashboard, steering wheel, electronics, and sleeper space.

The Best Sun Blocking Accessories for Semi Truck Cabs

"Slammed" Long Drop Visors

Semi truck drop visors are a must-have custom truck upgrade that also dramatically block sun glare from entering the cab, keeping it cooler throughout the day. The "Slammed" visor design sits very close to the windshield, making it a bit harder to keep clean. Due to how tight the setup is, it blocks out way more light from entering the cab - making it a popular choice for owner-operators dealing with hot summer temps. 

Chop Top Panels

Chop top panels pair well with your custom visor and serve the same role: blocking sun glare and heat. These are commonly sold in polished stainless steel, but can also come in paintable aluminum. Aluminum is often the better material choice if you're looking to block sun glare. 

Reflective Windshield Shades or Window Tint

Window tint can reduce heat entry. So long as the tint shade is within FMCSA regulation limits, you're good. 

You could also add a window shade.

A removable reflective windshield shade is one of the easiest parked-truck heat solutions. It blocks direct sun from heating the dash, steering wheel, seats, and sleeper area.

The Best Semi Truck Interior Accessories for Mangaging Summertime Heat 

Aside from the obvious summer season truck driver accessories, like dash-mounted 12V fans, the right UV-resistant long-sleeve clothes, or the classic trucker hat for sun protection, you should seek to add a few critical interior sleeper-cab upgrades.

Insulated Sleeper Curtain or Shade Covers

Sleeper curtains and window pads are some of the most practical heat-control accessories inside a semi truck. Closing off the sleeper from the cab reduces the amount of space your A/C or APU has to cool.

This is especially useful during rest breaks because you can focus cooling where you actually need it.

12-Volt Fans

Whether you have a dashboard-mounted fan, bunk fan, or sleeper-mounted fan, it can help move inteiror cool air into "dead zones" within your cab. Aside from that, fans are affordable and easy to replace.

Position the fans where they improve airflow without blocking controls, vents, mirrors, or sleeper movement.

Fans work best when paired with major system upgrades like a well-functioning A/C and APU, and interior accessories like a sleeper curtain, or window shades.

Best Hot-Touch Surface Accessories

UV-Resistant Seat Covers

UV rays and heat can dry out, fade, and crack seat upholstery over time. Seat covers help protect the original material from sun damage, sweat, dirt, and daily wear.

Opt for breathable materials (mesh, fabric, or perforated leather-style covers) instead of heavier, thicker cover materials that trap the heat. 

Ventilated Seat Cushions

Ventilated truck seat cushions help to manage excessive back and leg sweat, and are truly useful in older rigs that do not have built-in ventilation. 

Steering Wheel Covers and Half Wraps

A steering wheel can become painfully hot after sitting in the sun. Steering wheel covers and half wraps help protect leather, vinyl, or wood-style steering wheels from UV damage, cracking, fading, and sweat buildup.

Interior Dashboard Covers

A dashboard cover helps reduce glare, protect the dash from UV cracking, and lower the surface temperature of one of the hottest areas in the cab. The dash heats up mostly because it sits directly under the windshield, not because it is close to the engine.

Best Cooling Accessories for Long-Haul Driver Comfort

Mini Fridges & Portable Coolers

Naturally, the cab isn't the only thing that needs to cool off. An ergonomic fridge/cooler helps drivers stay hydrated even under frequently hot conditions. 

Extras: Cooling Towels, Coolies, Long-Sleeve Shirts, and More

The right UV-protectant sun sleeves, insulated water bottles, and cooling towels can make a huge difference when increasing driver comfort. 

Interior Cab Insulation Lining & Radiant Heat Barriers

Hushmat or Kilmat materials also act as thermal barriers, not just sound deadeners.

Tip: It's better to use a radiant heat barrier when there is an air gap and an actual radiant heat source you need to plug. 

If heat rises through the floorboards, add a mass-loaded vinyl or thermal floor underlayer (eg. insulation lining). 

Related: How to Quiet the Cab Noise

Adding this insulation not only blocks out noise pollution, but it stops a good portion of the engine and transmission heat from reaching you inside of the cab. 

This is really useful on older, classic truck models that don't have all of the Next-Gen technologically-integrated features that we take for granted on newer models. 

Shop for Summertime Sleeper-Cab Accessories at 4 State Trucks

Shop for truck parts in Joplin, MO, by stopping by our store, ordering on the mobile app, or buying your next accessory online.