Can You Use a Queen Mattress in a Tractor Trailer?

Sleep and safety go hand in hand, especially when on the road. As a truck driver, safety is a vital part of your responsibility, and you can help keep yourself and others safe by ensuring you get a good night’s rest. Healthy sleep routines have 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 queen mattress in your tractor trailer, as well as point out specific truck models and their compatible mattress sizes. Keep reading to learn how you can make your tractor trailer’s sleep space supportive, comfortable, and rejuvenating.

What Is a Queen Mattress?

A queen mattress is the most popular residential mattress size on the market, measuring 60” x 80”. Larger than a full mattress and smaller than a king, the queen mattress has long been used in households due to its many benefits. Queen mattresses provide plenty of space for solo sleepers, people who sleep with their pets, or those who sleep with a partner without being too large or cumbersome to fit in the average bedroom.

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

While using a queen 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 mattress sizes. It’s always a good idea to check with your truck manufacturer to see what mattress size they suggest or to verify the size of the factory mattress that comes standard with your tractor trailer. In addition, it’s crucial to measure the sleep space yourself to make sure your desired mattress will fit. You can do this by measuring 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 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 various truck mattresses in multiple sizes, including:

The largest truck mattress size we offer is our Size E at 48” x 75”, which is smaller than a queen 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 queen 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 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 queen 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 queen 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. A smaller mattress can provide just as much comfort and support as a larger one—it all depends on other important factors like firmness, thickness, and materials.

Your comfort is not only determined by mattress size, but also by your personal preferences and 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. As such, firmness is an important consideration when choosing an aftermarket truck mattress for your tractor trailer. A medium firm mattress works well for most sleepers, but if you are unsure of your firmness preference, a reversible mattress with two firmness options, such as our BigDawg Mattress™, maybe a good fit for you.

Similarly, choosing the appropriate thickness can affect how comfortable and supported you feel. The limited space in a tractor trailer requires you to think twice before you purchase a thicker, and therefore taller, mattress. While some semi-trucks can fit mattresses with a thicker profile, many cannot—unless you want to wake up and bump your head on the low roof of your sleeper berth.

Finally, choosing a supportive material that is built to last is essential to getting a good night’s rest. All SleepDog® mattresses are made with CertiPUR-US® certified memory foam and a DOT approved construction, as well as springs for extra pressure relief in the Dual Hybrid®. With factors such as firmness, thickness, and materials in mind, our truck mattresses are designed to offer you advanced spinal support and comfort.

At SleepDog®, we understand that when it comes to choosing a mattress for your tractor trailer, there are many aspects to consider. That’s why we’ve built our SleepDog®, BigDawg™, and Dual Hybrid® truck mattresses with both support and comfort in mind, available in a variety of sizes while maintaining the comfort and quality you expect. While the queen mattress size is not common among tractor trailers, there are many sleeper configurations that accommodate larger 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 truck mattress for your tractor trailer.