sleeper

[Mikestruck]

Does anyone know how to make the back seat of my crew cab into a legal sleeper? There has to be a way.
Michael Avant

 

[Bob4x4]

There was a company that added width to it ,but it was hit or miss weather it would make dot happy.

 

[Bob4x4]

try https://www.woodhouse.com/sleeper_berth

 

[Bob4x4]

http://www.crewcabsleeper.com/

 

[Bob4x4]

http://ltlhotshot.myfreeforum.org/archive/crew-cab-sleeper__o_t__t_1302.html

 

[Bob4x4]

http://www.aatrucksleeper.com/

 

[Mikestruck]

try https://www.woodhouse.com/sleeper_berth

Which sleeper system would you recommend?
Michael Avant

 

[Bob4x4]

I would call and see what is still available and legal

 

[MarkEkberg]

Well...... I made my own last summer to travel. Took the rear seats out, put down wood to make it flat, and used a air mattress with a sleeping bag.

I would sleep two nights in the truck and one in a motel when traveling. Worked very well.

 

[BIGNASTY]

I think that you would be ok with whatever you want to do to a PERSONAL TRUCK but when you start dealing with the Commercial aspect of it all being legal it changes to a different set of rules.



(a) Dimensions—

(1) Size. A sleeper berth must be at least the following size:




Date of installation on motor vehicle

Length measured on centerline of longitudinal axis (inches)

Width measured on centerline of transverse axis (inches)

Height measured from highest point of top of mattress (inches) 1


1 In the case of a sleeper berth which utilizes an adjustable mechanical suspension system, the required clearance can be measured when the suspension system is adjusted to the height to which it would settle when occupied by a driver.

Before January 1, 1953 72 18 18
After December 31, 1952, and before October 1, 1975 75 21 21
After September 30, 1975 75 24 24

(2) Shape. A sleeper berth installed on a motor vehicle on or after January 1, 1953 must be of generally rectangular shape, except that the horizontal corners and the roof corners may be rounded to radii not exceeding 101/2 inches.

(3) Access. A sleeper berth must be constructed so that an occupant's ready entrance to, and exit from, the sleeper berth is not unduly hindered.

(b) Location.

(1) A sleeper berth must not be installed in or on a semitrailer or a full trailer other than a house trailer.

(2) A sleeper berth located within the cargo space of a motor vehicle must be securely compartmentalized from the remainder of the cargo space. A sleeper berth installed on or after January 1, 1953 must be located in the cab or immediately adjacent to the cab and must be securely fixed with relation to the cab.

(c) Exit from the berth.

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, there must be a direct and ready means of exit from a sleeper berth into the driver's seat or compartment. If the sleeper berth was installed on or after January 1, 1963, the exit must be a doorway or opening at least 18 inches high and 36 inches wide. If the sleeper berth was installed before January 1, 1963, the exit must have sufficient area to contain an ellipse having a major axis of 24 inches and a minor axis of 16 inches.

(2) A sleeper berth installed before January 1, 1953 must either:

(i) Conform to the requirements of paragraph (c)(1) of this section; or

(ii) Have at least two exits, each of which is at least 18 inches high and 21 inches wide, located at opposite ends of the vehicle and useable by the occupant without the assistance of any other person.

(d) Communication with the driver. A sleeper berth which is not located within the driver's compartment and has no direct entrance into the driver's compartment must be equipped with a means of communication between the occupant and the driver. The means of communication may consist of a telephone, speaker tube, buzzer, pull cord, or other mechanical or electrical device.

(e) Equipment. A sleeper berth must be properly equipped for sleeping. Its equipment must include:

(1) Adequate bedclothing and blankets; and

(2) Either:

(i) Springs and a mattress; or

(ii) An innerspring mattress; or

(iii) A cellular rubber or flexible foam mattress at least four inches thick; or

(iv) A mattress filled with a fluid and of sufficient thickness when filled to prevent “bottoming-out” when occupied while the vehicle is in motion.

(f) Ventilation. A sleeper berth must have louvers or other means of providing adequate ventilation. A sleeper berth must be reasonably tight against dust and rain.

(g) Protection against exhaust and fuel leaks and exhaust heat. A sleeper berth must be located so that leaks in the vehicle's exhaust system or fuel system do not permit fuel, fuel system gases, or exhaust gases to enter the sleeper berth. A sleeper berth must be located so that it will not be overheated or damaged by reason of its proximity to the vehicle's exhaust system.

(h) Occupant restraint. A motor vehicle manufactured on or after July 1, 1971, and equipped with a sleeper berth must be equipped with a means of preventing ejection of the occupant of the sleeper berth during deceleration of the vehicle. The restraint system must be designed, installed, and maintained to withstand a minimum total force of 6,000 pounds applied toward the front of the vehicle and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.


I have talked to some livestock haulers that use (for a lack of better words ) pick up trucks for hauling bulls or horses Commercially or for Hire, they have used Take off truck sleepers to be legal. Have also seen some of the ones that BOB 4x4 linked to AA truck sleepers? even thou they had dual cabs the width of the truck was not enough to make it DOT legal.
http://www.aatrucksleeper.com/gallery/nggallery/page/4/

 

[Brocky]

Micheal
I do not know the brand name they are using, But Cooper Motors in Clinton SC, 864-833-1741 coopermotorcompany.com Has several 45 and 5500 C&C's, with various sized cabs, on the lot with a large sleeper unit mounted behind the cab and only a gooseneck ball over the axle for "Hot Shot" use. There are 2 pictured on their website under 4500 trucks.

Here is a link, scroll down toward the bottom for the sleeper.. Saw on on the lot last fall with this sleeper behind an extended cab

http://www.coopermotorcompany.com/new-inventory/index.htm?model=4500+HD+Chassis&&&&make=Ram&