Adding sleeper to truck

[illusionaudio]

I have a 1998 GMC 6500 with a 24' box. I need to add a sleeper of any size to it. What would be my best route? What type of costs are involved? Is it legal to make 2 feet of the box into a sleeper? Any suggestions would be helpful.

 

[Glen Rice]

In the early years of expediting using a portion of the freight box was often incorporated as the sleeper compartment. With the advent of most carriers transporting hazardous materials has eliminated the sleeper in the freight box. They have to be separate compartments. So if you want to stretch your frame to the dimensions of a sleeper compartment that will work just fine. I would go to a reputable frame shop and see what there recommendations would be. What are your thoughts about new versus used? There are plenty of used good sleepers on the market. You might want to check with the sleeper conversion companys like Bentz, ICT, Double Eagle, or even your new truck dealer, or possibly a truck salvage yard. If it where me I would go with a sleeper company as they would be better equipped to install your sleeper, and make recommendations on frame modifications. I hope this info helps.

 

[silverdollar]

I had a truck that I added a sleeper to,it was a 94 mack conv.
added the sleeper in 95 or 96,had ICT in In do it. they put on a small 54 in. sleeper. the cost was justunder $8000.00,I do remember that streaching the frame was 2800.00 and was included in the price.

 

[illusionaudio]

Does any company make a "conversion" plate of some sort to take up the hole where the rear window is at? How does the sleeper seal to the cab? Any pics would help. I have looked at a couple sleepers including one off of a fl-70, would this one fit? Thanks, Chris

 

[BigBusBob]

Yes, there is a kit they make for KW's I know to convert them to daycabs. The sleeper manufacturer and/or installer will know how to install a boot that goes from the cab to the sleeper.

Contact different sleeper makers and tell them the rig you got and what you want to do with it and ask them your questions. ICT, Double Eagle, Alumi-Bunk, Bentz, AASleeper, Weldon... they all build sleepers on all kinds of trucks of all kinds of sizes for all kinds of different uses. A sleeper boot, picture a brass rivet/grommet on fabric, thats how they're installed - along the same principles. They're "pressed" onto the back wall of a truck cab.

AASleeper and Weldon Sleepers are good people for small projects. I would go for a 42" stand-up sleeper at the bear minimum. You'll probably want even a 60" sleeper. However, today the norm for a sleeper is 72" or more. Some manufacturers are starting to put out 78" and 84" sleepers. Do NOT be fooled, 2 to 4 inches will make a difference INSIDE the sleeper.

Here's my suggestion: go to some truck dealers and salvage yards and get into sleepers. Wear old (but good) clothes/shoes incase you have to go out into the weeds in a salvage yard someplace. Bring a tape measure with you and a writing pad. Measure the inside dimensions while you're in them, because generally they measure sleepers from the outside measurements of outside front wall to outside back wall.

***Get in and out of different sleepers of various sizes and shapes on various trucks and figure out what you like and don't like.

***There's many things to consider: windows, storage space placement, storage doors, exterior/escape door placement, stand-up versus flat-top, Walk-thru versus crawl-thru.

Remember that the sleeper is where you're going to be getting rest and possibly your living space for days or weeks at a time. Keep that in mind when you see spaces for microwaves and fridges. Underbunk storage is very helpful/useful too. Make sure it's laid out so that it's more practical, not necessarily pretty.

Here's another suggestion if you're not sure what size sleeper you want or what kind. Lie down on your back in your own bed at home with a tape measure... and imagine you're in a bunk in a truck... and start measureing - you will be surprised at how quickly you'll lose 36" and 48". Like I said, make sure you're sleeper is laid out practical for you and/or another person - if it's not, somebodies quality of rest is at stake.

Good Luck, hope we were able to help. Bob