The Iconic Big Sleeper Berth Trucks of the Glory Days of Trucking

The Iconic Big Sleeper Berth Trucks of the Glory Days of Trucking. In this video, Dave talks about the big bunk trucks of the '70's, '80's, the pros and cons and the gradual disappearance of these iconic trucks!
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[@SmartTrucking]

Hello Driver. So glad you were able to take some time to drop in to catch today's upload. How about you? What are your thoughts on those big sleeper berth trucks? If it worked out for you, would you run one of these trucks?

[@chris76-01]

Weight only matters at weigh stations😊

[@grapes6]

Never made any money in a huge sleeper. My favorite truck was a 389 with a 63" flat top sleeper. A comfortable bed, a refrigerator and a closet to put my clothes and I was happy. I'd rather spend extra money on a good drivers seat than a huge sleeper.

[@Pilotend370]

Im a firm believer of less is more. I also dont need distractions.

[@clemkaddilehopper4735]

I been a truck driver going on 45 years. I always looked at sleeping in a box as one step above a tent on skid row.

[@jayphillips4058]

I'm more of a local/regional driver, but seems like the most impressive sleepers I've seen over the years have been on moving company rigs.

[@davids5006]

Yes, hauling electronic exhibits

[@mikekahl4745]

Super trucker Dan said its like a corvette, not practical, but he always wanted one so he could shower in the truck.

[@davids5006]

W-900 KW.. Best truck ever made imo

[@adriandennis3283]

Should have like a hall of history and have a couple of the giant sleeper trucks there as a heritage.

[@thomasthompson2084]

I had a international cabover with the double bunks and the flat floor i loved that truck it had so much room and storage i wish they still made them

[@PD-yd3fr]

I remember when the flat floor international high rise cabovers came out, I got one of the first when they hit the road. The cab inside was huge, not just room to stand up, you could do jumping jacks inside of them if you wanted. if you had the double bunk you had insane storage. 6 foot tall and could barely touch the ceiling

[@aaronashenfelder1329]

I also follow super trucker Dan , He didn't purchase his until a couple years ago , he did some work on the truck over the holidays to take some weight off .

[@haroldenglish943]

That isn't remotely true. 1/2 clowns commenting can't comprehend or understand information. He replaced his APU! Period, end of the deal. As a result of that decision and removing an additional side box, his now empty weight is 600 some odd lbs lighter. The decision was about replacing a worn out APU and the coincidentally the new APU is lighter. A positive by product.

[@nickd.4512]

Where i used to work as a mechanic, we had the big factory made bunks. Pete had the 78 inch, freightliners had the 84 inch and kenworth and Volvo had the 86 inchers. Good god, the freightliners condo sleeper. All you were missing was a disco ball from the ceiling, and it was party room😂😂😂

[@jeffreycairns767]

If those were the actual size of the bunks then they weren't factory.

[@SoCal780]

Well, like I said in the chat the other day, we have LOTS of these big sleeper trucks here at Forward Air. Being that our loads our usually 25k to 35k in weight, that’s not an issue. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve hauled a load over 42k, and one was just a few weeks ago. I think that’s why so many husband/wife teams lease on here with them. They do dedicated routes to California and back and other high mile lanes as well. There’s probably 3 or 4 of them sitting here in our yard right now.

[@rodyoutsey8786]

I have a 32 inch Double Eagle that has never been painted or remodeled. Still has the original decals on it. It's not a show piece but it's nice. Just imagine how happy you have been to have that verses a board across the seats. Heck now most drivers won't even fit in one that size. Oh how times have changed.

[@690_5]

This is one of the biggest reasons I want a cabover. If moving companies can justify a drom box on their rig, I think I could do the same with a decent sleeper on a stretch frame Kw, Peterbilt or Freightliner cabover.

[@mrc1539]

In your opening I was happy to see that “ El Turbo “ has been restored. Gene Smith just lived down the road and when he built that I think it was one the first Large Cars that I ever saw . Some things about the old days were pretty cool .

[@81hawkxp]

Gene Smith was one of the nicest guys I've ever known I ran with him a lot.

[@edwardkeck2464]

Have a 98 t -800 with studio sleeper, n-14 power, not trucking any more but use it on my farm, its a great truck

[@misaelcruz1663]

You still can do that, ARI is one of the top companies who does it. But now is more than 250k brand new depending on what you get.

[@deantait8326]

As you mentioned. Reliable and Horseless Carriage enclosed car haulers still have them as do some household carriers and especially in Team Straight truck Fed-Ex custom critical…

[@raymondbradley6788]

Dave I guess it all depends on your application of what you haul. You gotta think about that before you go buy a big bunk. Awesome video brother wishing you and your family a prosperous and blessed new year.👍👍👍

[@Retired88M]

When I was driving sleeper cabs I enjoyed the 9400 International with the 72” stand up sleeper. The 2 I drove both had the real twin size mattresses not just a rolled up piece of foam. Matter of fact after I came back to work after a household injury the company I was with replaced the factory mattress with a posture-pedic. Boy talk about getting a good nights sleep then. And I liked the part about being able to stand up to put my pants on behind the sleeper curtain and leaving the cab curtains open If I were to buy a sleeper cab today it would be the exact size and the wheelbase of the tractor seemed like the right size for a nice ride up and down the east coast and still get into the tight spots Except for the dry grocery docks at Market Basket in Tewksbury Mass. Theirs weren’t made for any trailers bigger than a 48 footer

[@jonthomassings5003]

Used to see El Turbo for many years up and 99 and 5 in California. I enjoy your channel. Best regards, Jon

[@aaronashenfelder1329]

You speak of the old days being back in the 80s and 90s , I must be real old then since I started driving truck back in the 70s

[@davids5006]

Lol... That's how it works

[@robc2821]

You know for the price of a new truck just geta loaded up daycab and grab a motel room lol

[@matthewscarberry8787]

The first truck shown came out of gridley ca. El Turbo seen that truck on the regular and it was always a kick in the pants when he would honk that big air horn for us kids

[@cassiuspuckett8789]

Well, you were right when you said the freight would push the owner out and make the megacarriers the way to go and this is just proof of that in spades.....

[@BigMoney23223]

If I had another 30/40 inches in my sleeper, I’d never need to go home.

[@adambennett2176]

Super trucker dan!!!!!

[@waynesworld2086]

Biggest sleeper I've ever experienced was when the 84in came out in the classic xl with the driver booth in the back which was awesome I believe it was an 01, 12.7 Detroit 13speed 3:36 rears, in 05 I got in a 05 w900 86in studio it had 14 liter Detroit 18 speed 3:25 rears with a tuner on it talk bout shit n get

[@jeffreynelson3294]

Another segment that are able to use these big sleepers are he guys who haul over size or overweight freight. They have to permit for the extra size and or weight and so they can get away with the extra weight because it gets rolled into the overall weight that they permit for.

[@donmunro144]

I never wanted the huge sleeper. As you touched on maneuverability . I've got a pete 389 with the 78 inch sleeper. Many places I go are extremely tight. Of course the spread axle trailer doesn't help.

[@wolftrainservicesltd6418]

I like my flat top coffin bunk in my 1989 Freightliner

[@SecretUser2000]

I guess that's why day cabs are so often used to haul oversized loads.

[@wcrofford]

And as you know Dan switched to a 48' trailer to accommodate the extra length

[@mikeross801]

I know it's extra expense but can't you put a dually drop axle to compensate for the extra bunk weight? I doubt it would compensate for it all but probably within 5000lbs... (I'm guessing)

[@vlads1776]

Sad but true, no more freedom😢

[@arthurbrumagem3844]

As long as I can see long nose KWs and Pete’s I’m good

[@dougmitchell5435]

Back in the day I drove a V8 Superliner with a 42" Double Eagle. Big power, decent ride, comfortable bed. I wish Double eagle was still around, but who do you recommend for a super sleeper project now?

[@arabtruckdriver]

it is good place sleep and invited friends and have fun

[@ericgilhart5951]

They are very beautiful though

[@rogerpenske2411]

The ‘80’s are old school!? Sheesh!

[@arthurbrumagem3844]

OTO driver’s should be comfortable when away for weeks at a time but these do seem excessive. A 48” sleeper I would think be sufficient.

[@fighter4christ7]

Making a comeback with LTL expedited teams.

[@Chris-ts8oh]

Yep freightliner should have kept on making the 84 inch bunks that's a little better than a 70 or 72

[@markmccue8472]

I still see a few Bed Buggers and trade show guys with new trucks and large sleepers.

[@lyght3043]

I drive for Crete and haven't noticed any freight shortage thankfully. They keep my wheels turning.

[@jasonlangpaap9607]

El turbo said it ain’t what it weighs it’s what it pays

[@largecarken8504]

Now we spend more time in the sleepers waiting on legal hours to drive.

[@thomassinclair1836]

Keep the rubber side down!

[@rev.randall2292]

Bedbuggers Delight

[@shortstack343]

Gimme a pete with a 63 inch flattop and ill be a happy camper

[@deere7227]

Problem is 80,000# limit. Also Dan fan

[@geraldpayne8378]

Yeah it is a shame I always wanted to buy one . I can go on the road for quite a long time with one of those no need to come home only once in awhile

[@semperfi978]

ArI legacy sleepers

[@rayhuggart5214]

All you need is one more axle.

[@andrewhatton1606]

I’ve drop a w900 and I hated it

[@georgewilson1184]

Customer needs & care & Customer service do NOT exist in my Vocabulary my favorite Two letter word is Me (“ME”)

[@brandoncherry1651]

Why air horn delete? Old school driver? If you follow letter to law delete ..i drove a mack with train horns boss deleted pull cord roof horns ..well i got dot and wrote me a warning not factory equipment well now thats on my license points...i had valve by seat...?

[@my1vice]

The robots won't need sleepers.

[@martinpoulsen6564]

The only real reason to get a long (saggy) frame stretch.

[@pointnIaugh]

Big sleeper = 🤏

[@a.h.s5152]

I wished i could have one just to travel and camp out in, in beautiful mountains.