Question about van driver's sleeping options

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might as well eat out all the time too.

 

No just when you have the time and need a shower or a break.

 

That's a nice little set up you have! You guys usually get the whole front parking lots to yourself, (at the trucks stops) where the good grass grows! Doesn't smell like pee-pee as much in the front parking lots! Was always jealous of you guys while we are back here fighting to fuel and park at 5pm.

 

Personally I would put a wall, sheet metal or plywood behind the bed/ sleeping area. I would have it so the sleeping area was accessed form the from only with a curtain between the bunk and the seats, just like a real truck. This makes it easier to secure cargo, and may offer a little more privacy. a;so I would 86 the passenger seat for the extra room, then you may want to use a front mount curtain around the windshield.

 

The van I'm in now had the wall between the bunk and cargo area, but I didn't like it as I couldn't access the storage area under my bunk from the front. I'm not a small fry, and trying to get on hands and knees between the seats was impossible. There isn't nearly as much room between the seats and cargo area as there is in a big truck. I liked having access from both sides without having to get out of the van, opening the back and coming in from there to get to stuff.

Also, being a woman on the road alone, I wouldn't get out of the van at night. Without the wall, if I wanted to stand and stretch my legs, I could climb over the bunk and move around in the back.

Some folks do take the passenger seat out, but I preferred to have it left in, as I liked sitting there when waiting for a day or more to get a load.

Everybody has their own preferences in how they set their "home" up. Lots of folks I know don't even have a bunk. They just throw everything in the floor, including a futon cushion that they use as a bed.

 

I apologize for overlooking that question previously.

I don't know how most deal with the heat and staying cool, but I can't take heat, so I am basically coming back home from my loads, or if I'm stuck somewhere over a weekend, I get a room. The air doesn't work very well when you are just sitting. I try to run during the day so I can use the A/C and it works. I also have a 12v fan that I blow into the bunk area to cool it as much as possible.

During the winter, I would set an alarm for every 2 hours. I would run the van for 2 hours, then shut if off until I woke up from being froze. Now, understand, I started in March, when it was supposed to be warming up. I didn't have the funds to buy a lot of items. Most tell me to get a sleeping bag that is rated to -40. All I had was a quilt and 3 afghans.

Hope this helps some.

 

Personally, I don't eat out very often when on the road. If I do, it's usually one meal/week. When I do that, it's usually Denny's, because it fits within my budget and I like being able to get breakfast anytime of the day. It also agrees with my digestive system.

1: I find it cheaper to buy groceries that will last several day/weeks, rather than spend it on one meal.

2: I don't like fast food.

You are correct that a lot of it will come with trial and error. Just watch what you do and keep receipts for everything.