Best Truck for Husband/Wife Trucking

Largest bunk you can get with a heavy insulated curtain between so that when your wife's right and you're wrong you don't have to drive while listening to her not speaking to you.

 

I'd look for one with the biggest bed also, however the importance of storage should not be overlooked. I started driving team with my wife this year and I added a toilet. One that could be tucked away under the bed. it has a small water tank and a clean out that is in the under side storage. We do not use this too much, but on the nights when the rest areas are filled up it just makes things a little easier... at least for us.

 

My ex and I teamed when we first started driving, but I've been solo for the last 9 years. At this point, I wouldn't ever drive another truck otr without a custom bunk. In my opinion, this is a must not only from a convenience/dignity standpoint, but from a security standpoint. There is too much #### happening out here to have a woman walking across a parking lot at 3 am just to use the facilities.

Note to the feminists who have an issue with the above statement: I understand that some women will handle themselves just fine when confronted, but the people who are dumb enough to try something with you in the first place are the ones who have the attitude that you can't protect yourselves.

I love my Custom Studio Sleeper. You can have a standard 86" Studio converted to have a restroom/shower if weight is an issue or go with something bigger.

 

Instead of the super sleepers, if you are looking for something in the standard "off the shelf" type trucks, I recommend getting one of the aerodynamic styles. The Pete 587 (used to be the 387) is an excellent choice. It has plenty of storage room and is quite comfortable. It works great for my fiance' and myself. Unfortunately, we are now in a Cascadia and lost a lot of storage. One of the biggest issues (IMHO) is room between the seats. The "cowboy" trucks have cabs so narrow that if the co driver moves from the passenger seat to the rear, there is too much probability of interfering with the driver. It is also easier to take stuff out and put stuff into the truck if you have some maneuvering room between the seats.

In the 387, we did not have a top bunk, so I built a shelf along each side going from the top of the cabinet to the rear of the sleeper. This allowed for me to install storage drawers for additional clothing or other things. (We pretty much live in the truck, so have a ton of crap. But, we are comfortable). In the Cascadia, we have a top bunk, so I took the mattress out and put a sheet of plywood over the bunk and use it as storage. It is all nice and organized with plastic drawer units. Being a team operation, we do most of our own cooking to save money. The increased storage of our system allows us to be pretty much set up well. We keep enough groceries to last at least 2 weeks (in case of emergency or we just feel like something different, we have a selection). Being comfortable is the absolutely most important thing being a couple in a truck. If you are uncomfortable, you will become miserable and your relationship will end.

Also, do not expect to have the same amount of "play around" time as if you are a solo driver. All this crap about touring the country together is exactly that. Bear in mind that when one person is driving, the other is typically sleeping with a short overlap of awake times. Yes, you can take advantage of resets or home time for sightseeing or visiting, but day to day will be pretty much non stop work. We work in set shifts of 6-6 log time. Some teams do what I call bump shifting with one driver running out of hours and the other taking over from there. That makes for an irregular schedule. Working a set schedule allows for more consistent rest breaks and keeps your circadian rhythms how they should be. it is part of the reason for the latest HOS changes. I work the night shift and she takes the day shift. This also makes it easier for her to get quick in and out parking spaces in rest areas and is safer than entering them at night (for her). Also, you will NOT double your mileage over running solo. All your dock time goes against both of you. (not HOS, but limiting your mileage). A recommendation for showers is to take them at shift change in the morning. This is the time that showers tend to be the least busy. Also, share a shower. We have a system that while I am showering, she is brushing her teeth, etc. I hop out of the shower and take care of everything else while she is showering. It takes no longer than separate showers and if the TS is a little busy, eliminates the wait time for a second shower to open up. Do not be afraid to ask for extra towels. They would much rather give you extra towels than to have to clean a second shower.

If you do decide to cook in the truck, STAY AWAY FROM THAT 12V CRAP AT THE TRUCK STOP!! Put an inverter in (1500 watts and up) and get some real stuff at wal-mart. We use an electric skillet, a george forman grill (when the weather is bad), microwave, vegetable steamer and have a suitcase style portable gas grill. Using these, we save a couple hundred dollars a month over buying fast food (not to mention it is a whole lot healthier) or going to restaurants. Every once in a while we will stop at certain restaurants that we like, such as the Big Texan. But cooking your own food is the best way to go.

 

I would go with a 379 with a 36 inch flat top. Or, you could splurge and go with a 48. Either way you'll be happy with your choice!

 

You are kidding? Right? A 36" flat top is a joke! That's just about like being in a freaking cab over! The same with the 48." Enough room for those who only team for the "bed time horizontal bebop!" NOT for serious work!

Are you thinking of buying a tuck?
Do you have the money for the sale?
If so do you have the needed operating expense account at the bank?
Do you need to go home often and is that home paid for? Children out on their own?

If you answered yes to them all then look at this company. They do the same as that other link given earlier.http://www.legacysleepers.com/ then look at what options you can do with the stock sleeper of whichever truck you decide to buy. Look closely at the factory conversions.

Do NOT forget about the resale of the truck at the end of it's service life. Also don't forget if you want the sleeper to go with you when you do sell. The addition does not always make the price better if it's a throwaway plastic truck with no resale value after 600,000 miles!

Think and look long and hard at all trucks. Start at the steering wheel to the back wall behind the seats then look at the living quarters/sleeper. Do you want the condo style of tractor or the separate sleeper? One that you can take with you when you move?

Whatever you do, have ALL of the funds you need to get started as thinking that you can do this paycheck to paycheck can cause you the loss of your "Home" if something drastic were to happen financially.

Whatever you decide to do, send a picture of how you set up!
OH! That hint about those 12volt cooking crapola POS is true! 12volts does NOT create enough heat to cook well or to even make coffee! Get an APU even if you are doing team as things do happen and having that extra power unit can be a life saver not to mention money saver! A 1500 or higher (really go higher) watt inverter is what you need to run most kitchen appliances.

 

You need to make a couple of decisions in a few critical areas. How much wheel base you can handle, or going into Canada, could limit you from the super big bunk sleepers. Then the next division would be between a seperate sleeper, like on a Pete or W900 that would give you a more divided cab/ sleeper, but the narrow cab. Or the big open cab and sleeper of the Cascadia, Volvo, 700 or 587 style.
I really like the storage space and liveability of a Volvo 780, it's just all the other things that drive me nutz!

 

Probably the best would be his & hers trucks.

 

The best truck would be a long wheelbase one where you could string a hammock behind the sleeper in case you get in the doghouse.