Thousands of men and women are responsible for transporting the goods we use via semi truck. Driving considerably long distances in these cabs, truck drivers will spend a significant amount of time in the same driver’s seat. How comfortable can these long hauls really be?
Are semi trucks comfortable? With the advancement of technology and the driver in mind, semi trucks have become incredibly comfortable for long haul journeys.
Increased attention has been placed on:
- Increased cabin size and design to improve spaciousness
- Advanced seat technology for lumbar support
- Mattress and bed quality
- Enhanced dashboard design for access to all steering controls
With the significant number of hours spent in a truck, providing comfort helps improve efficiency with fewer stops and increases driver satisfaction. Trucking companies benefit from lower employee turnover, and consumers are able to enjoy the goods that arrive solely due to the work of truck drivers.
Comfort of a Semi Truck
The type of semi truck matters when it comes to comfort! They can be differentiated by “over the road” (OTR) trucks which are meant for long distances and “day cabs” for shorter trips. OTR trucks include a sleeping area within the cabin, while day cabs do not. When discussing comfort, most of the attention is paid to the OTR trucks as the trips are much longer and more taxing on a driver.
Layout of A Semi Truck Cab
Newer models of semi trucks have become significantly more comfortable with an emphasis on advanced technology. Newer models have increased the width of a cabin and have made controls closer to a driver for ease. With the exception of custom trucks, the layout of a cabin is fairly consistent.
Both old and new OTR semi trucks are designed with two front seats looking out of a large windshield. Behind the seats is a twin bed that typically folds down from the wall. There is a small area for storage which can include a small closet, mini-fridge, microwave, and television mount for the inevitable rest stops. A majority of OTR semi trucks will include these features but vary based on luxury.
Most semi truck cabs will not include a bathroom or shower. Truck drivers have to go to rest stops for these activities.
Semi truck cabs are essentially small apartments on wheels, which is necessary considering a single trip could take weeks at a time.
Seating
Drivers typically spend around 11 hours behind the wheel in a workday. While older truck models placed less emphasis on comfort, newer trucks have included important technology aimed to increase driver satisfaction.
The most comfortable seats could compare to a high-quality office chair. This includes high backed chairs to support your back and adjustability in height and position. Chairs will have arm and headrests. More advanced models even have adjustability in firmness.
An air ride seat is highly desirable for drivers as they have airbags that can be adjusted for optimal lumbar support and comfort. These adjustable seats make driving for long periods of time much easier for both a driver’s body and sanity.
Sleeping
Most semi truck beds are twin beds situated behind the seats. Mattress quality can often dictate the comfort of one’s sleep. Drivers range in preference from using sleeping bags to bringing their own sheets and comforters.
The most comfortable truck sleeping arrangements:
- are fairly spacious
- prevent outside light
- block out noise
It can be difficult to block out all light without heavy-duty curtains or shades. It also may be more challenging to sleep with outside noise. Drivers are constantly coming and going at a rest stop, making engine noise inevitable. Based on the technology and luxury of the cab, there will be varying levels of noise blocking ability. Newer models have prevented both of these factors from largely impacting a driver’s sleep.
Driving Conditions
Beyond the comfort within the cab, there is a fair amount of discomfort associated with driving and outside road conditions. Wear and tear on the roads occurs at a much faster rate than the roads can be resurfaced or maintained.
Suspension in cars allows for this bumpiness to be mitigated. Unlike the spring system in standards vehicles, semi trucks operate on air ride suspension. Large bags of air fill in order to combat the road conditions, increasing control in driving, and the smoothness of a ride. This feature in all semi trucks makes driving significantly more pleasant.
The Most Comfortable Semi Trucks
Many brands and models offer trucking companies and drivers different benefits based on their needs. Trucking companies will buy trucks based on fuel efficiency, performance, comfort, and resale value. Trucking manufacturers are making their trucks more comfortable across the board, but some are deemed better than others. This comparison is based strictly on driver comfort.
The semi trucks deemed most comfortable are made by:
- Volvo: Volvo truck cabs have been designed for increased spaciousness within the cabin, sleek design, advanced air suspension, and an ability to block out ambient noise and light. Volvo is known not only for its advanced technology in operation but their emphasis on quality and luxury.
- Kenworth: Kenworth semi trucks make long haul trips more comfortable for drivers because they are equipped with large sleeping cabins. New models of Kenworth trucks have placed emphasis on providing a studio-style setup with larger work and dining spaces.
- Peterbilt: Another roomy option, Peterbilt cabs also place emphasis on keeping their cabins cool. This is especially important during the summer. Peterbilt is considered top of the line and has a strong reputation in the trucking industry for its comfort and efficiency features.
- Freightliner: Known as one of the most affordable and common semi trucks on the road, newer models compete with higher-end brands on spaciousness and comfort. The company has put much effort into increasing cabin size, making seats more comfortable with swiveling features and decreasing outside noise.
All of these truck lines place an emphasis on safety and have undergone significant testing. Safety could be argued the most important component of comfort, ensuring that drivers make it safely from point A to point B.
As a general rule, most newer models of semi trucks are going to be comfortable. As truck drivers reach retirement, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to find new drivers and retain them. Manufacturers understand this trend and are making necessary changes to make driving more attractive and accommodating.
How to Make Driving More Comfortable
If you do not drive a new and advanced model of semi truck, there are ways to make your current truck more comfortable.
While you can do little to increase the size or spaciousness of your cab, a driver can make changes or adjustments to their seat and body for increased comfort.
Seat cushions can be easy solutions to prevent back and rear pain.
Popular seat cushions include:
These cushions not only adhere to comfort, but many are designed to regulate temperature. Especially in the summer, sitting in the same seat can become uncomfortable. These solutions are less costly, especially if you are responsible for expenses or the company does not provide adjustments.
With required rest between shifts, walking around and stretching can be an easy and helpful solution. Spending a few minutes stretching is often overlooked but can be incredibly helpful for soreness and discomfort.
Other simple things to keep in mind are adjusting your body position over the hours, emptying your pockets (especially back pockets), and wearing loose-fitting clothing. Driving trucks is an ambitious task that can be incredibly straining on your body. But with the proper equipment and access to newer semi truck models, driving can be a comfortable and enjoyable experience!