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sleeping in a moving truck

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by MustangMark83, Apr 3, 2011.

Page 1 of 4
  1. Apr 3, 2011 #1
    MustangMark83

    MustangMark83 Light Load Member

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    Mar 19, 2011
    Winter Haven, FL
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    Me and my wife are a new driving team doing all 48. We have been on the road one month now and I am exhausted. We had a day off today while waiting at the terminal for a load an I slept for 12 hrs. I don't really sleep when the truck is moving, I just lay in bed tossing and turning. I am perfectly comfortable but I just never can drift off to sleep. My wife will drive for ten hours and I swear I can feel every mile of the drive.

    I wish I could just lay down, fall asleep, and wake up 8 hrs later, but something is stopping me, I might be subconsciously worried about my wife by herself driving as she is brand new and only 22 yrs old. If I do sleep its a light sleep and only a few mins. I think I have to be sleeping a little bit or I would be dead during my shift, so I'm not all too sure what's going on with me, I am getting some rest, just not nearly enough.

    On the other hand my wife sleeps like a baby all night. I'm so jealous. Sometimes the roads will be terrible and I can't fathom sleeping during that, but even on a beautiful long straight flat road I just can't manage to sleep. I've heard of other people using earplugs but its not noise that keeps me awake. I could try sleeping pills but those mess up your liver, and they put you out for 7 to 8 hrs. My wife needs to wake me up sometimes after four hours to ask questions, so that wouldn't be a good idea.

    If anyone could recommend something id definitly appreciate it. I love running teams with my wife and the money is excellent but I can't continue to live like this since the only rest I get is when the truck is parked.
     
    MustangMark83, Apr 3, 2011
    MustangMark83, Apr 3, 2011
    #1
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  3. Apr 3, 2011 #2
    walstib

    walstib Darkstar

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    Sep 25, 2010
    Since you aren't there, your house!
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    >>>>I might be subconsciously worried about my wife by herself driving as she is brand new and only 22 yrs old.

    I was thinking the same thing even though you may trust and love her with all your heart...
     
    walstib, Apr 3, 2011
    walstib, Apr 3, 2011
    #2
    halfburn Thanks this.
  4. Apr 3, 2011 #3
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    10,662
    12,172
    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
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    Ah, the old bouncing around in the sleeper routine. Funny, my girlfriend says she didn't get any sleep sometimes, yet she snores to high heaven all night long, and I'm the one lacking. That is something you might never get use to. Only time will tell.
     
    Allow Me., Apr 3, 2011
    Allow Me., Apr 3, 2011
    #3
  5. Apr 3, 2011 #4
    celticwolf

    celticwolf Road Train Member

    1,527
    642
    Oct 10, 2010
    Kittrell, NC
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    Ok let me remind you babies are up every two how's and need to be fed and have their diaper changed..

    Want to sleep... stop stressing over the fact your bed is moving at 65mph...
     
    celticwolf, Apr 3, 2011
    celticwolf, Apr 3, 2011
    #4
  7. Apr 3, 2011 #5
    MustangMark83

    MustangMark83 Light Load Member

    298
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    Mar 19, 2011
    Winter Haven, FL
    0
    Yes. Now the key is figuring out how to do that.
     
    MustangMark83, Apr 3, 2011
    MustangMark83, Apr 3, 2011
    #5
  8. Apr 3, 2011 #6
    Powell-Peralta

    Powell-Peralta Road Train Member

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    Jul 17, 2007
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    How old are you and what is your schedule like?
     
    Powell-Peralta, Apr 3, 2011
    Powell-Peralta, Apr 3, 2011
    #6
  9. Apr 3, 2011 #7
    American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

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    Nov 8, 2009
    Charlotte, North Carolina
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    You probably just need to get more comfortable with her driveing. I know if i can trust the driver I can sleep just fine in the truck like when my dads driving. But with someone I dont know or trust that well i do the same thing i can lay there forever and not sleep for a secound.....



    American Trucker
     
    American-Trucker, Apr 3, 2011
    American-Trucker, Apr 3, 2011
    #7
  10. Apr 3, 2011 #8
    American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

    10,371
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    Nov 8, 2009
    Charlotte, North Carolina
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    oh and Props on the 22yr old GF! :biggrin_25514:



    American Trucker
     
    American-Trucker, Apr 3, 2011
    American-Trucker, Apr 3, 2011
    #8
  11. Apr 3, 2011 #9
    Pmracing

    Pmracing Road Train Member

    6,354
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    Jan 28, 2011
    Arlington Heights, IL
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    it can also be trying to sleep in the daytime. that also takes time getting used to, even if the sleeper area is completely dark.

    Mikeeee
     
    Pmracing, Apr 3, 2011
    Pmracing, Apr 3, 2011
    #9
  12. Apr 3, 2011 #10
    Rocky64

    Rocky64 Medium Load Member

    358
    137
    Oct 3, 2010
    Greater Chattanooga
    0
    OK. Im here to help. My wife and I team and have dealt with this stuff. I can sleep in the truck moving better than her, but I still have bad shifts occasionally. This is what we have learned about our situation.

    we needed 4" of memory/eggcrate foam on our bed. the more the better. it helps with the bumps. bigtime. we got it at walmart.

    we were scared of an "accident" while sleeping, like going over the edge of a mountain or something. so, we had to be prepared to die. not want too, but if its our time than its our time, but we cant let worry keep us from sleeping. if my wife loses it while i sleep, and we bite the big one, then i died with the one i love. end of story, move on.

    we allowed each bump to anger or pre-occupy our mind till the next bump. she is bad about this one. if its a bumpy road, she just cant get over it. she is getting better, tho. we talk about how she is going to deal with it each time she goes back there to sleep. she now envisions each bump as a page in a book, and as one wakes her, she turns the page and that is her trigger to fall back asleep.

    stay away from caffiene. if you are using it after your thrid hour of drive time, it might keep u up, it does me. its my weakness. it can be a wicked catch 22.

    eat well. i cant tell you how to do this, but i find the more natural foods i eat the better i will sleep.

    have sex. we are active in this department and it certainly helps.

    i have some other tips to share, but i wont post them here. if you would like to know more, send me a PM.
     
    Rocky64, Apr 3, 2011
    Rocky64, Apr 3, 2011
    #10
    jlawson865 and panhandlepat Thank this.
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