How hard is it to sleep in a reefer truck for light sleepers?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Safe-Driver, Jul 11, 2024.

  1. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

    14,631
    18,316
    Nov 1, 2010
    Burnsville, MN
    0
    I've done a few, but not many.
    I refuse to do reefer now.
    The added vibration while driving is even worse than while trying to sleep, for me.
    That extra layer of vibration just set my nerves on edge because it always felt like something was wrong with the truck.
    Trying to sleep is nearly as bad, and worse than being parked next to a reefer. In addition to the noise there is the extra vibration. If the truck is running it is even worse because there are two sets of vibrations.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. bad-luck

    bad-luck Road Train Member

    3,281
    6,032
    Nov 16, 2013
    Baltimore, Maryland
    0
    You will get used to it. I am a heavy sleeper at home but I am a light sleeper in the truck, unless I am really tired.
     
    Magoo1968 and austinmike Thank this.
  4. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    It wore me down, I'm a light sleeper. But I also didn't expect to pull sleepers much. I also started wearing foam ear plugs since 1994 and found they helped quite a bit. The best were the good noise canceling headphones if you sleep on your back.

    If the reefer runs full-blast like for -10 or -20 F rather than 30 F where it starts & stops frequently.

    These are the best earplugs I found after trying all others. These are slim-fit, I'm small. If you are big ignore the slim-fit version.
    Mack’s Slim Fit Soft Foam Earplugs, 7 Pair with Travel Case – Small Ear Plugs for Sleeping, Snoring, Traveling, Concerts, Shooting Sports and Power Tools | Made in USA https://a.co/d/0j00Wri1
     
    Safe-Driver, Blagoje and austinmike Thank this.
  5. PR/GFS/MB Lifer

    PR/GFS/MB Lifer Bobtail Member

    40
    57
    Jan 2, 2021
    0
    Ha Ha You read my mind, I haven't drove otr for over 20 years, but I know exactly what your talking about.
     
  6. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

    13,322
    71,363
    Dec 9, 2011
    South west Missouri
    0
    We’re all different, but the body usually operates the same with all of us.

    Ever had trouble drifting off to sleep - in the final moments, if you’re struggling - you’ll notice that the brain shuts down the audio signals, so you’ll experience a feeling like someone is turning the ‘input dial’ down.

    Then, because you’re focused on sleep, the input goes from full attention, to no signal, and back again.

    Ear plugs help with that, so that those audio signals are heavily muted from the time you elect to sleep.

    Then the only issue is your brain activity. That’s where you start thinking about why you didn’t ask out Bethany in 12th grade, and what your children would have looked like now.

    And that’s above my pay grade.
     
  7. smokey12

    smokey12 Road Train Member

    1,605
    2,927
    May 30, 2012
    0
    Guess I am meant for reefer
    I worked night shift for over 2 decades and slept with the fan on during the day so doesn't bother me one bit. The white noise drowns out all the other irritating sounds.
     
    Safe-Driver Thanks this.
  8. Arctic_fox

    Arctic_fox Experienced mx13 execrator

    3,994
    20,710
    Sep 16, 2016
    0
    To be fair a running gangwar with fill autos and a karen being held accountable for stupid by police combined are quiter then a tripac. I do NOT miss my riced up lawnmower.

    As for refers most others covered it but as has been stated. Back in my reefer days the start stop is what woke me. The noise gets to be soothing.
     
    Bud A. and motocross25 Thank this.
  9. The one california kid

    The one california kid Medium Load Member

    545
    918
    Oct 31, 2023
    0
    Nah, here's what works everytime. Sexercise with s lizard for 30min to one hour, then use those soft foam earplugs you can get at Walmart for $5 a box. Takes a little bit to get used to though. Not the ear plugs, it's the lot lizard banging on the door and screaming let me outa here! Takes a little bit to get used to that.:p
     
  10. The one california kid

    The one california kid Medium Load Member

    545
    918
    Oct 31, 2023
    0
    But reefers never bothered me much, neither pulling one or one parking next to me. However (don't know if they use these anymore) porking next to a truck with straight stacks and those old iron rain caps, clang, clang, clang just drove me up the wall. Got to be where I wouldn't be next to them, but I could hear the dang things five trucks away!
    If a reefer parking next to you is bothersome you can always pull in the spot nose first, IF You're comfortable with your backing.
     
  11. Arctic_fox

    Arctic_fox Experienced mx13 execrator

    3,994
    20,710
    Sep 16, 2016
    0
    I always found those caps soothing tbh. Reminds me of my granddads truck. Was actully planning to put some stacks on my frog with them after i swap the new motor in.
     
    The one california kid Thanks this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.