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Sleeper modification questions

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by tommymonza, Dec 15, 2014.

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  1. Dec 15, 2014 #1
    tommymonza

    tommymonza Road Train Member

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    Is it against any DOT laws or anything else out there that says you as an individual are not allowed to gut and refit the inside of a sleeper as you see fit?
     
    tommymonza, Dec 15, 2014
    tommymonza, Dec 15, 2014
    #1
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  3. Dec 15, 2014 #2
    315wheelbase

    315wheelbase Heavy Load Member

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    go read the regs ..law says there is a min size ,,you can modify any way you want
     
    315wheelbase, Dec 15, 2014
    315wheelbase, Dec 15, 2014
    #2
  4. Dec 15, 2014 #3
    tommymonza

    tommymonza Road Train Member

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    What about cutting one and sectioning in another foot or 2 if the current frame length permits it?
     
    tommymonza, Dec 15, 2014
    tommymonza, Dec 15, 2014
    #3
  5. Dec 15, 2014 #4
    Flybynight041

    Flybynight041 Medium Load Member

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    It's not just frame length you need to look at, but also weight limitations. Without knowing the specifications of your truck and the new sleeper, this is kinda like playing darts blindfolded.

    There should be a placard on the drivers side door that'll tell you the manufacturers specifications. As long as you keep your weights in adherence with the bridge formula and those specifications, you should be legally alright.
     
    Flybynight041, Dec 15, 2014
    Flybynight041, Dec 15, 2014
    #4
  7. Dec 15, 2014 #5
    kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I have seen a lot of modified sleepers over the years. Some of the homemade type didn't turn out so well but a lot of them looked ok. You can spend thousands of $$ on a custom sleeper from companies like Legacy Sleepers. Some of them do standard sleeper conversions too. Like Flybynight041 says, watch your specs.
     
    kemosabi49, Dec 15, 2014
    kemosabi49, Dec 15, 2014
    #5
  8. Dec 15, 2014 #6
    icsheeple

    icsheeple Trailing the Herd

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    I've seen two sleepers welded together back to back. Wish I got a pic of that thing.
     
    icsheeple, Dec 15, 2014
    icsheeple, Dec 15, 2014
    #6
  9. Dec 15, 2014 #7
    tommymonza

    tommymonza Road Train Member

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    I used to build lightweight custom sportfishing boat out of Juniper wood and Epoxey saturated fibergalss so I believe I could keeo the additional length very light by doing it with a foam or balsa structural core with fiberglass..

    Only need a additional 2 feet on a 84 inch sleeper so there would be room to add a combination head and shower room and a small galley with a sink and burner across from it ,maybe add 500 lbs at the very most.

    Would that be too much?

    Having lived with IBS for 30 years and not seeing it get any better a personal head in a truck is not a luxury but a necessity.
     
    tommymonza, Dec 15, 2014
    tommymonza, Dec 15, 2014
    #7
  10. Dec 15, 2014 #8
    fortycalglock

    fortycalglock Road Train Member

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    You can do anything you want as long as it meets DOT minimums which is basically size of bed and height above bed. You can build a 40,000 pound truck if you want. There is add on shower and toilet system that you put behind your sleeper that might be the easiest way for you. If you don't run Cali, there is a tremendous amount of big sleeper trucks for sale right now that are 07 and older as a majority of big sleepers are team trucks that need Cali.
    http://www.aatrucksleeper.com/shower/
     
    fortycalglock, Dec 15, 2014
    fortycalglock, Dec 15, 2014
    #8
  11. Dec 15, 2014 #9
    barroll

    barroll Road Train Member

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    Why add 2 feet when you can add 9? It's been done for decades, and fortunes have been spent and made on it.

    This one was built in the 1970's and was gutted when I bought it. Never a peep from the DOT about it.
    [​IMG]
     
    barroll, Dec 15, 2014
    barroll, Dec 15, 2014
    #9
    dieselfuelonly and icsheeple Thank this.
  12. Dec 15, 2014 #10
    dieselfuelonly

    dieselfuelonly Road Train Member

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    Very cool, how does the cab seal to the sleeper?
     
    dieselfuelonly, Dec 15, 2014
    dieselfuelonly, Dec 15, 2014
    #10
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