bouncin' in the sleeper?!

[new2road]

Hi all....


I am on my 3rd week out on the road.

While I really enjoy the sights, sounds, and drivin', the sleeping while my partner drives (I drive team) is a big challenge.

Is there any tricks that you teamers us?? can you throw some padding in there to keep you from bouncing around like a rag doll??

We were coming home on 20...and I thought i was gonna go thru the roof!!


Is there a way to put a hammick in there??

ANY ideas would help.....please.....gooottaaaa get some sleeppppp


thanks!

[bullitt]

tell co-driver to try to miss a bump or two. the way someone drives has alot to do with it

[classicxl]

dont you have a webing net on that bottom bunk to hold you in place if you co driver slams on the brakes?

[Sealord]

I sleep better when the trucks moving than standing still. Don't understand the problem.
classicxl, I think new2road's problem is up and down movement, not fore and aft. BOL

[classicxl]

well when i was training as a newbie and my trainer was driving which was not very often I used that strap and it kept you in place but you had to get use to it holding you down not much room to move around

[DBE022576]

We were coming home on 20...and I thought i was gonna go thru the roof!!

I20 in Alabama? Its rough in a couple of spots regardless of what you do.

[Douglas]

Do you get to decide when you want your partner to take over driving, or is there a certain time in which you switch? Chances are, after my shift was over I'd be so sleepy I'd fall asleep instantly in the back of the bed. If I was driving and I didn't feel tired, I'd keep on driving.

[Uturn2001]

If the truck is really bouncing there could be a mechanical reason for it such as bad shocks, a busted air bag on the sleeper, air ride on the truck is set wrong for the type of loads you haul most, etc.

[brian]

up and down bouncing in the cab can be very dangerous, I think thats where my twins came from :?

[heritage92rs]

up and down bouncing in the cab can be very dangerous, I think thats where my twins came from :?

HAHAHAHAHA.

[golfhobo]

A few "serious" tips for ya.

1. Putting a REAL mattress, or a mattress size piece of foam over the bunk works much better than the thin "futon" type thing that comes in the truck.

2. Don't try sleeping on your back. Unless you've got "six pack" ABS, you're going to bounce like a bowl of jelly. Try sleeping on your stomach if you can, or better yet... on your side. (This helps also to keep your spine aligned.)

3. You MIGHT try a mild sedative, like Tylenol PM.

4. I KNOW those sections on I-20. They're rough, but don't last forever. You might ASK your trainer to reduce his speed by 5 or 10 mph until the road smooths out. This makes a big difference, as does using the OTHER lane sometimes.

5. I've THOUGHT about the hammock idea. Don't know if it would work. Hope someone lets us know.

6. It gets easier with time. It's also easier when you max out your hours and get real tired (within safety limits) before turning in.

Good luck.

[Flatspot]

I'll give you a hint. DON'T try the hammock! When the cab starts bouncing, the hammock starts swinging. You will be slammed into the back of the sleeper!

If the mattress you are trying to sleep on doesn't absorb shocks, or if your co-driver is rough on the brakes/bumps, first talk to your co-driver. Also add padding to the mattress (such as one of those expensive down-filled or foam-filled sleeping bags). Sleep on top of the padding.

Also helps to have the safety net up to catch you.

[larryh31]

A few "serious" tips for ya.

3. You MIGHT try a mild sedative, like Tylenol PM.

I would check with your companies medical department prior to taking any drug to help you fall asleep. There are a lot of drugs that are on the "no-no" list for CDL drivers including common over the counter medicines.

BOL

up and down bouncing in the cab can be very dangerous, I think thats where my twins came from :?

oh my haha

[lucylu]

I know exactly what your talking about and we had the same problem while we were teaming so we bought an air mattress (a good one) and only aired it up half way (if you air it up all the way you will catapult to the moon) then we put the sleeper mattress on top of it and bought 5" thick memory foam and put on top of the sleeper mattress. OMG it was a HUGE difference! You know what they say "If momma ain't happy, then ain't nobody happy" LOL. Also we slid the 5th wheel and put it between the axal's and it seemed to help too, but that's okay if you want to put up with the noise. Believe me when I say I tried everything. But that stretch of road is very unforgiving, so good luck.