Making the cab of your truck and the sleeper a home away from home takes a bit of planning and budgeting, but it is a very worthwhile investment. After all you want to be able to pull off the road and relax in your truck, not feel like you are deprived of the comforts of home.
Once you get the basics; a table, mattress, storage space, a refrigerator and microwave, you can start to add those cool little extras. These items are not always all that expensive and they real add to the features and functionality of your truck cab and sleeper.
1. Power Inverter/Charger
This is a cool little device that hooks up directly to your truck battery or a bank of batteries to convert it to usable AC power in the cab and sleeper. The benefit of having an inverter/charger options is that if you have the ability to connect to an outside power source when you are parked it will automatically keep the batteries in the bank fully charged and ready, without any concern about power drain.
The AC power can be used in the sleeper to run any type of electrical appliance. This means you can watch TV, charge your phone and laptop, run your refrigerator and even have a cooktop just like the one at home. This is also a great way to run heaters and air conditioners or sleeper fans in the truck to keep the temperature just the way you want it. Having this capacity to draw from a battery bank also means you don’t have to keep the truck idling when you want to use power, a great way to save on the cost of fuel.
2. Cupboards And Cabinets
Customizing your sleeper with cupboards and cabinets that are similar to those used in campers and RVs is a real time and energy saver. Everything can be put in storage containers in the cabinet area and secured in place. In addition the doors or drawers in the units are locked when the truck is in motion, preventing spills and endless picking up of containers that slide across the floor.
While many truck sleepers offer standard storage under the bed or under the seats, this is rarely enough room for everything you need to have on the road. With the option to fully customize the cabinets you can create specialized spaces for everything from clothes to built-in sound systems, televisions and computer stations.
3. Microwave/Convection Oven
A convection microwave, also known as a microwave convection oven, offers you a different way to prepare food from a standard microwave. A microwave heats the food from the inside, but it does not brown or crisp up foods. A convection microwave, on the other hand, cooks with the speed of a microwave but gives that great crispy, brown appearance and real roasted taste.
Since the appearance and the texture of food are as important as the taste, opting for the convection microwave is one upgrade to consider. Some also have the ability to actually bake in the oven as well as roast.
4. Flat Screen TV and Mount
The ability to relax and unwind in the sleeper is a great option and one that is particularly important for those long road trips. A 22 inch flat screen TV is a good choice for virtually any size of truck. The major problem with any type of TV in a truck is the constant vibration. The constant jarring of simply going down the road can cause major problems with the unit in just a few weeks of use.
Having a mount for the television that is designed to reduce vibration is critical. You can mount the TV directly onto a wood and then securely attach the wood to the interior surface of the truck. In addition you may also be able to use a telescoping mount and have a locking bracket that the TV rests in when not in use.
5. The Best Bed And Pillows Your Budget Can Afford
Getting enough rest on the road is a major safety issue. It is also going to help you stay in the professional a lot longer, reduce your stress, and boost your ability to get up in the morning all ready for another day behind the wheel.
The standard mattress provided with your sleeper will do, but it is not typically going to be a perfect match for your comfort and for any special requirements you may have. If you look around you will find that many mattress companies offer custom mattresses that are designed for a truck based on the size of the bed frame. Memory foam, cool gel, gel foam, spring and non-spring styles of mattresses are all available.
Comfortable pillows are another luxury item you really can’t do without. There are all different types of ergonomically designed pillows and even pillows for people that sleep in different positions.
Making your sleeper a home away from home doesn’t have to be expensive. You can shop online, look for sales and buy items as your budget allows. The most important thing to keep in mind is the more you enjoy being in your truck the less money you will spend on entertainment, lodging and eating out when you are on the road.
