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.

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.

medicines
 

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

oh my haha

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.