Have you ever thought of getting a semi-truck that has a sleeper cab, or even adding one to your current truck? If you have, then this is the right article for you! We’re going to help you get the information you need. This article covers the key things that you need to know when deciding whether or not to buy a sleeper tractor, including what size and layout you should choose, what features you should expect, what major manufacturers and models to be offered, and the average price that you can expect to pay. So, let’s get into it!
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What are Sleeper Tractors?
Sleeper cabs are a section of a semi-truck that is located behind the driver’s seat that offers a sleeping area for the driver as well as other amenities, such as a bathroom, a fridge, a work station, a microwave and a TV. Sleeper cabs allow long haul truckers to have the luxury of sleeping in their trucks, rather than in a hotel or motel. It is a great way to get a snooze in your truck in-between shifts.
A sleeper cab will always have a bed, but you may also find other features like a small desk, a fridge, a microwave, and a TV. You can get an electrical outlet and an inverter so that you have multiple outlets for power. Many trucks have limited space for storage, so many models have built-in and efficient storage solutions.
Some models have special lighting that can be used as floor lighting or as supplemental lighting. Drivers can have dim lights on during the night without causing visibility issues or causing damage to the interior of the cab. You have the option of sleeping in a simple bed or you can opt for a larger bed that accommodates two people or even a set of bunk beds. Manufacturers always try to improve the sleeper cabins so that they are at their most comfortable.
How Much Do Sleeper Tractors Cost?
New semi trucks that have sleeper cabs from reputable manufacturers will cost you between $230,000 and $280,000, though it varies depending on many factors. This includes what the model and brand the vehicle is, as well as whether it had specialized equipment included.
If all you want is a basic sleeper cab, expect to pay an average of $55,000 for a new one, but that will vary widely depending on the level of finishing and customization that you want to add. Sleeper cabs are very affordable, and the cost can be considerably lower if you use a used sleeper truck. You don’t have to buy brand new sleepers. Used sleepers can be found for sale on some of the reputable sites that are accessible online.
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Ask a Mechanic Live NowWhat’s Better: Sleeper Cab Trucks or Day Cab Trucks?
Heavy-duty trucks were developed to deliver loads over long distances. They are comfortable, but not incredibly comfortable. But all the trucks that were built at that time were primarily day trucks.
It is very uncomfortable driving in a day cab truck because there is no sleeping area in the cab. It has one interior space that is positioned behind the engine in order to maximize the available space. Truck drivers often had to find a place to sleep in their trucks, which was in motels or in their vehicles that had conventional seats. Drivers who do not want to sleep in motels or shell out more money for them must be satisfied with sleeping in their vehicles, despite the fact that they’ll likely have sore backs and necks in the morning after.
Trucks that come with a day cab cost less than those that come with sleeper cabs because they don’t have the extra compartments inside them. They serve one purpose: to deliver goods and services to customers. Sleeper cab trucks are an improvement on day cab trucks that were developed out of necessity. Sleeper cab trucks have become extremely popular among drivers. But that doesn’t mean that they are less useful.
Day cab trucks are great for cities and are convenient for drivers who live in the city where they work. Drivers are able to sleep in their trucks and still work for decent pay, so they can relax and enjoy a good night’s sleep at home.
When a driver must deliver goods or services to cities or states that are very far apart, it becomes very important to purchase a sleeper truck. Drivers who use their trucks a lot while they are driving for long periods of time can use the extra compartments as their own homes.
Drivers do not have to worry about being trapped in a cramped cab while they drive. They can park their vehicles whenever they want to do so and use the dedicated sleeping areas to have long naps, cook and eat food, and even use the bathroom. It is very important for truck drivers to have a safe and comfortable vehicle. They won’t need to plan out which rest area to use after a long drive. Drivers who sleep in sleeper cab trucks will feel more comfortable and safe while they drive; it is not a comfort factor that day cab trucks offer.
Even though day cab trucks are small, they can maneuver through city blocks quite easily. It is easy to drive day cab trucks around big cities and towns because they do not have to worry about having many compartments in the cabs to store valuable cargo.
Trucks that sleep inside sleeping cabs can function within large cities; but, day cabs are able to cover short distances, and are more suited to city centers.
What’s the General Size of Sleeper Tractors?
There are many different dimensions that you can find for a semi-truck sleeper cab. How wide the cabin would be is what you would expect to fit inside a standard semi-truck, and heights and lengths are varied, with some models that are less than 6 feet tall and some that are over 8 feet long. Some drivers choose a longer bed because that will allow them to sleep longer. Some long sleeper cabs will be more than 200 inches long.
Sizes of the beds in cabs that carry people who are tall vary greatly, as well. Even if you are very tall, you should be able to sleep comfortably in a sleeper cab.
Max Anthony
Max is a gizmo-savvy guy, who has a tendency to get pulled into the nitty gritty details of technology and cars. He attended UT Austin, where he studied Information Science. He’s married and has three kids, one dog and a GMC truck and a Porsche 911. With a large family, he still finds time to share tips and tricks on cars, trucks and more.
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