Can You Use a Full Mattress in a Tractor Trailer?
As a truck driver, safety is a vital part of your responsibility. One of the best ways to help keep you and others safe on the road is by getting a good night’s rest. Getting high-quality sleep each night has been proven to increase concentration, reduce stress, and make you feel physically and mentally healthier. In this blog, we’ll discuss whether or not you can use a full mattress in your tractor trailer and the best ways to set up your sleep space. We’ll also cover some popular truck models and their compatible mattress sizes, as well as other factors such as thickness, durability, and material to help you choose the best mattress for your tractor trailer.
What is a Full Mattress?
A full mattress is larger than a twin but smaller than a queen, measuring 54” x 75”. Full mattresses are perfect for solo sleepers or those who sleep with a pet, offering plenty of room to spread out.
Can Your Tractor-Trailer Accommodate a Full Size Mattress?
Using a full mattress in your tractor trailer can come with many benefits, but most sleeper berths cannot accommodate a full size mattress. Thus, it is crucial to measure the sleep space yourself to make sure your desired mattress size will fit.
To properly measure your sleep space, be sure to calculate the height, length, and width of your sleeper berth. This will not only help you determine what size mattress will fit in the space, but it will also assist you in choosing the appropriate thickness. If you have a low-roof sleeper, for example, it is a good idea to choose a mattress with a thinner profile.
The most common truck mattress sizes offered by SleepDog® include:
- Twin XL (38” x 80”)
- Size A (36” x 80”)
- Size B (39” x 80”)
- Size C (42” x 80”)
- Size D: Bunk (32” x 80”)
- Size E (48” x 75”)
The truck mattress size closest to a full size is our 48 inch wide by 75 inch long Size E mattress. This mattress measures just a few inches shorter in width than a full size, offering you plenty of space and comfort while being tailored to fit in the limited space inside sleeper berths. If you prefer to have a full size mattress, keep in mind that most sleeper cabs do not have enough space to accommodate larger sizes. While Full mattresses come with many comfort advantages, they may not be the best fit for your tractor-trailer.
Truck-Specific Mattress Guidelines
Freightliner Cascadia
A full mattress would not fit in the Freightliner Cascadia, as the most common mattress sizes that fit in each of the Cascadia’s configurations include 36” x 80”, 39” x 80”, and 42” x 80”. These sizes match our Size A, Size B, and Size C respectively, all of which are available in the SleepDog® or BigDawg™ mattress models.
Kenworth T680 Advantage
The most compatible mattress with the Kenworth T680 Advantage semi-truck is a 38” x 80”, meaning a twin XL size mattress. Our most advanced truck mattress to date, the Dual Hybrid®, comes in size twin XL. Alternatively, our Size B (39” x 80”) mattress in either the SleepDog® or BigDawg™ mattress would also fit well in the sleep space.
International® Lonestar
Because the International® Lonestar comes in five different configurations, you may need to pay extra attention to your measurements to ensure your desired mattress will fit in the sleep space. However, each configuration does come with a pull-down bunk that generally fits a 42” x 80” mattress, the equivalent to our Size C. In this case, a full mattress would be too large to fit comfortably in the space.
Peterbilt 389
The Peterbilt 389 offers multiple sleeper sizes with various configurations, so you can choose your favorite without sacrificing other features like storage and shelving. The most popular mattress sizes for each of these configurations are 36” x 80” and 42” x 80”, which match our Size A and Size C truck mattresses respectively.
International® ProStar
Like the Lonestar, the International® ProStar comes with multiple configurations (four instead of five) to offer you plenty of freedom when it comes to customizing your tractor-trailer. The bunk in the ProStar, especially in the 56” sleeper configuration, generally fits a 36” x 79” mattress, which is closest to our Size A (36” x 80”). On the other hand, most International® 73” sleeper cab configurations are equipped with a Size C mattress measuring 42” x 80” or a 33.5” x 80” mattress, which is closest to our Size D mattress.
Volvo VNL 860
The Volvo VNL 860 comes stocked with a 42” x 80” mattress, which you may want to consider upgrading to a SleepDog® or BigDawg™ mattress in Size C. This size is smaller than a full mattress, but it is still a relatively large size for a sleeper cab, meaning some extra space to spread out and feel at home while on the road.
International® LT Series
Similar to the ProStar, the International® LT Series comes with multiple different mattress sizes, depending on the sleeper configuration. For the 56” sleeper configuration, Size A (36” x 80”) is the most compatible, while the 73” sleeper configuration can accommodate a larger mattress (Size C – 42” x 80”) on the lower bunk and a smaller mattress (Size D – 32” x 80”) on the upper bunk.
Peterbilt 579
The Peterbilt 579 can commonly be found with the same mattress sizes as its counterpart, the 389. However, Peterbilt offers customization options for the 579, so the compatibility of each mattress may change based on your personal configuration. In general, you can use a Size A (36” x 80”) or Size C (42” x 80”) mattress if you have a Peterbilt 579.
Mack Anthem
Commonly, you can find mattresses measuring 32” x 80” or 36” x 80” in the various configurations of the Mack Anthem. These sizes are equivalent to our Size D and Size A, both of which are available in the BigDawg mattress™. Size A is also available in our original SleepDog® mattress.
VNL 760
The VNL 760 offers plenty of sleeping and storage space in its sleeper berth, providing a mattress that is 39” x 81”. Our two most compatible mattress sizes would be the Size B (39” x 80”) and twin XL (38” x 80”). However, keep in mind that the twin XL size for truck mattresses is currently only available in the Dual Hybrid®.
Mack Pinnacle
The best size mattress to fit in a Mack Pinnacle would be 38” x 80, which is equal to a twin XL but could be replaced with a Size A (36” x 80”) mattress. While the Pinnacle generally comes with an innerspring mattress, it may not be the most comfortable on the market, which is why we recommend upgrading to a SleepDog® truck mattress.
Peterbilt 567
The most common mattress size found in the Peterbilt 567 is the Size C, 42” x 80”. However, there are four different sleeper cab configurations, and the 80” sleeper has the biggest bunk in Size C that can be lifted if you require extra living space. On the other hand, the smallest sleeper at 44” comes with a 31” mattress, which would best fit our Size D (32” x 80”) mattress.
Beyond the Size: Other Important Considerations
Size is just one aspect to consider when choosing an aftermarket truck mattress for your tractor trailer. Other important considerations include factors like comfort, thickness, and materials.
A thicker mattress may seem more comfortable to many, but will it be too tall to fit comfortably in your sleep space? The last thing you want is to wake up only to hit your head on the low roof of your sleeper berth. That’s why all three of our SleepDog® truck mattresses are built with both height and comfort in mind, never going above 13” in height while still maintaining the comfort and quality you strive for. Our mattresses are an optimal choice for truckers who are looking to upgrade their factory mattresses, which are not known for being the most supportive or comfortable on the market. With CertiPUR-US® certified memory foam and a DOT approved construction, our truck mattresses are designed to offer you advanced pressure relief, spinal support, and comfort. Our most modernized truck mattress yet, the Dual Hybrid®, also comes with spring materials for enhanced support that accommodates all sleep positions.
We can’t understate the importance of getting a good night’s rest on the road, which is why we emphasize choosing a supportive and comfortable mattress for your tractor trailer. Not only does getting enough deep sleep help us stay awake, it also helps us stay alert and safe on the road. If you have a tractor trailer, consider upgrading to an aftermarket SleepDog® truck mattress that provides enhanced support and is certified safe to sleep on. Many popular truck manufacturers offer mattresses in sizes that we have for our SleepDog®, BigDawg™, and Dual Hybrid® truck mattresses. While the full mattress size is not common among tractor trailers, there are many sleeper configurations that accommodate larger sizes, while others may only accommodate bunk sizes. Tractor trailers often have very specific sleeper configurations, which is why it’s important to do your research and take measurements before choosing a truck mattress. For more information, you can check out each of our detailed blogs on specific truck models, or contact us today to find the perfect truck mattress for your tractor trailer.
