Truck Topics

Spec'ing for sleeper comfort

The expedited straight truck or tractor owner-operator/driver needs a nice place to sleep, eat, relax and spend the hours waiting for that next load.

But, what level of comfort is truly needed? 

Some of the old hands of trucking would maintain that all a "real" driver needs is a place behind the driver's seat to stretch out and enough storage space for a change of clothes.

That driver might get an argument though, from the husband/wife team in their 96" (or longer) sleeper that provides the couple's lodging for the weeks and even months that they're away from home.

A symbiosis
Expediting and sleeper evolution have been on a parallel course over the last twenty-plus years of expediting's lifespan. 

As expediting matured, the average length-of-haul was extended and expediting became a true over-the-road concern. Sleeper space became very important, so the sleepers started to enlarge and acquire more aspects of home.  

The driving force behind the larger sleepers has been driven by the husband/wife teams of expediting who demand more in their sleepers, with more and improved appliances and storage area.

"When I first got into the business," says Jon Mosier of Freightliner of Knoxville, "a 72 inch sleeper on an expediting truck was a pretty good sized unit.  Now, most sleepers I deal with are the 84" and 96" models and many people are looking for standup height.  The only things that hold us back from going to a larger size unit are the size of the cargo box/overall truck length and money."

So, what does it take to put together a comfortable sleeper, one with enough basic amenities to allow a driver(s) to rest and recharge his/her batteries?  What are the important features a sleeper should contain?

For the veteran expediting couple, those questions have probably been answered.  Their experience has shown them what they need or desire when it's new truck ordering time.  But, what about the new truck buyers in this business?  They know that a sleeper needs a bunk or two and a place to hang their clothes, but what are the other necessary items to go into their living space?

Some expediting people in-the-know have some ideas on that.

First of all, how about the size of the sleeper?  There is of course, a trade-off between the size of the sleeper module and the size of the cargo box.

As one grows larger, the other must diminish in size - at least to comply with the individual states' lenght limits on straight trucks.  Not to be overlooked is the heavier price tag of the larger units and furnishings.

Jon Mosier says, "Over the last couple of years, the 96" sleeper has become the standard sleeper size for new expediting straight trucks. I think we're at a plateau right now with the 96" sleeper and we continue to make improvements in the interiors.  I think there's a market for the 120" unit, but you give up cargo space."

Now, what goes into that living space? The accessory options typically include one or two bunks, a table, cabinets and a closet(s), sink, refrigerator, microwave, TV/VCR/DVD, inverters and other goodies.  But, as one veteran expediting sleeper builder puts it, "I think that we've seen just about everything that we can fit into 8 feet of floor space."

What are some of the essentials?

According to our group of experts, some of the most important features for sleeper comfort and convenience include:

Generator
"A generator is worth it's weight in gold," says Scott Hancock, a long-time straight truck owner-operator and currently an Express-1 recruiter. "The expanding anti-idling laws of some many communities are really forcing expediters to shut down when parked and it's expensive besides."

"And, a good, large capacity inverter to power all of the accessories is essential.  It's a piece of the truck's infrastructure that too many people overlook."

John LeLonde of Fyda Freightliner of Columbus says,  "Eighty to Eighty-five percent of the expediting trucks we sell now are generator equipped."

Sheel Advani concurs and states that generators are a key component when spec'ing a truck for his customers at Alumi-Bunk in Woodhaven, MI.

Exediting drivers Roger and Wanda Sanders say that the generator "provides the power for all the peripherals that we carry in a sleeper, from appliances to laptops."  And, tractor owner-operators Ed and Michelle King say that a generator is essential equipment in their 120" sleeper

Stand up height
Expediting truck dealers tell us that among their customers' chief requirements in a sleeper is
living space and plenty of it.

John LeLonde says, "Our customers prefer the condo-type sleeper with standup height from the driver's seat on back.  They want that head room and ease of transition from the cab to the sleeper."

He says that another way that sleeper manufacturers have found to increase storage space is to eliminate the upper bunk and install cabinets.
 
Sheel Advani says that because of the over-the-road nature of this business, the expediting couples are living in the sleeper for longer periods of time.  Key to their comfort is extra room and the condo sleeper provides that space to stretch out.

Veteran expediter Rich Moore states that even when he and wife Mary were running a team operation in their FL70 with 60" sleeper, they didn't feel too cramped, but "I would definitely enjoy the luxury of stand up height instead of the small sleeper opening I have now."

Other areas of comfort that Rich mentions are, "More efficient heating and cooling along with better noise insulation. For some reason, straight trucks are a magnet for reefers.  You just get to sleep and a reefer (running, of course) will pull in the slot next to you!" 

Larger appliances
Truck dealers John LeLonde and Sheel Advani both report that the current customer-driven trend is larger appliances for the truck.  These include larger refrigerator/freezers, microwave/convection ovens and other items formerly considered luxuries.

"We customize to fit the customers' needs and we pay attention to the details of what the customer wants.  Better use of space is the key.

"That use of space would include arranging the appliances in a more ergonomic location, i.e. microwave at eye level, fridge at waist level, etc.
And, as the prices of electronic components comes down, we see more couples opting for things like plasma TV's and surround sound systems."

Other comfort items mentioned by the experts:
Scott Hancock - "Opening windows on each side of the sleeper. The breeze can help eliminate that greenhouse effect."

Wanda Sanders - "We have a wide lower bunk and use the upper bunk for storage with a large cabinet mounted there.  Also, some kind of toilet facilities are essential, especially for the female team members." 
 
The next step in sleeper comfort? 

A consensus of those interviewed say that we'll probably see 120" sleeper boxes with larger refrigerators, small bathrooms with shower and toilet and even more storage area.

Get your order in now.