Can You Use a King Mattress in a Tractor Trailer?

Can You Use a Full Size Mattress in a Tractor Trailer?

If you’re looking for an aftermarket truck mattress to level up your sleep in your tractor trailer, you may be wondering what the best size is. As a truck driver, you understand the importance of sleep and how getting a good night’s rest can help you drive more safely, as well as increase concentration and reduce stress.

In this blog, we’ll discuss whether or not you can use a king mattress in your tractor trailer, and we’ll answer the question of what mattress sizes are compatible with some of the most popular truck models on the market. Keep reading to learn how you can make your sleeper berth more comfortable and relaxing throughout your journey.

What is a King Mattress?

A king mattress is one of the largest mattress sizes on the market, offering plenty of space at 76” x 80”. Most often, the king mattress size is used for those who sleep with a partner or those who like some extra space to snuggle with their pets or children.

General Guidelines for Using a King Mattress in a Tractor-Trailer

While using a king mattress at home can come with many advantages, this mattress size is not the best fit for your tractor trailer because most sleeper berths cannot accommodate larger mattresses. It’s always a good idea to check with your truck manufacturer to see what mattress size they suggest or to take note of the size of the factory mattress that comes standard with most semi-trucks.

In addition, it’s crucial to measure the sleep space yourself to make sure your desired mattress will fit. Be sure to calculate the height, length, and width of your sleeper berth, as this will not only help you determine what size mattress will fit in the space, but will also help you choose the proper thickness. If you have a low-roof sleeper, for example, it’s a good idea to choose a mattress with a thinner profile.

At SleepDog®, we offer some of the most common mattress sizes found in tractor trailers, including:

The largest truck mattress size we offer is our Size E at 48” x 75”, which is smaller than a king mattress but still provides plenty of space and comfort while being tailored to fit in the limited space offered by sleeper berths.

Truck-Specific Guidelines

Freightliner Cascadia

A king mattress would not fit in the Freightliner Cascadia, as the most common mattress sizes that fit in each of the Cascadia’s configurations are 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™ mattresses.

Kenworth T680 Advantage

The most compatible mattress with the Kenworth T680 Advantage semi-truck is a 38” x 80”, meaning a twin XL mattress. Our most advanced truck mattress yet, 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 king mattress would be too large to fit 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 king 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

Beyond the Size: Other Important Considerations

When choosing your new mattress for your tractor trailer, it’s essential to consider other factors besides size, such as firmness, thickness, and materials.

Some sleepers prefer a firmer mattress, while others veer toward softer profiles, and this can be impacted by your preferred sleep position. For example, if you are a stomach sleeper, a softer mattress would not provide enough support to keep your body aligned throughout the night. If you are unsure what firmness is best for you, keep in mind that a medium firm mattress works well for most sleepers. Alternatively, you can choose a reversible mattress with two firmness options, such as our BigDawg Mattress™.

Similarly, choosing the appropriate thickness can affect how comfortable and supported you feel throughout the night. The limited head space in a sleeper berth may not be able to fit a thicker, and therefore taller, mattress, which is why it’s essential to take thickness into consideration when choosing an aftermarket truck mattress.

Finally, the material of your mattress can determine the quality of your sleep. All SleepDog® mattresses are built with CertiPUR-US® certified memory foam and a DOT approved construction, and all our mattress materials are 100% made in the USA. High-quality materials not only provide you with more support and comfort, but they also are built to last so that you can get the most out of your truck mattress.

At SleepDog®, we understand that when it comes to choosing a mattress for your tractor trailer, there are many factors to consider. That’s why we’ve built our SleepDog®, BigDawg™, and Dual Hybrid® truck mattresses with both support and comfort in mind, offering you advanced pressure relief and spinal support in multiple sizes and configurations.

While the king mattress size is not common among tractor trailers, there are many sleeper berths that accommodate larger truck mattress sizes, while others may only accommodate bunk sizes. We have all the options you need to find a mattress that’s right for your tractor trailer. For more information, you can check out each of our detailed blogs on specific truck models, or contact us today to find the perfect mattress for your tractor trailer.