Sleep deprived, how do you sleep while OTR/parked next to APU?

always put in more comfortable mattress when you get your own truck. to help with the sleep schedule, try zzzquil without alcohol or kroger/walmart brand equivelant to save money

 

Get some ear plugs.

 

Those electronic shooting ear muffs block a lot less noise than a 50 cent pair of sleep/rest or extreme foam ear plugs. Ear plugs for sleep block 31-32 dB while the shooter ears block about 25-28 dB. Plus ear muffs aren't going to be comfortable for anyone that sleeps on their side.

 

Amazon & Walmart sell Hearos Extreme Sleep/Rest ear plugs. They are soft and very effective at blocking noise. They are cheap. If you want to make them softer, let them soak in warm water, air dry, then wear.

 

My father always was able to sleep just about anywhere he was. I can do that as well. Dad called it having diesel in his blood. The sounds of a truckstop actually did not bother me that much. Once my head hit that pillow I was out. I just could not stay in REM sleep long. I can't put it in words. It is just like if that reefer unit did not start up i somehow knew something was wrong and came awake. I got a feeling some of the old-timers in here know what I am talking about. So much about the OTR lifestyle was about adapting to it. Sounds harsh to say, but honestly if you can't adapt your better getting out. Even though I did use them I think using earplugs in a running vehicle is dangerous. Those old reefers had a bad habit of catching fire. I have seen them catch fire and have actually seen tractors burn while parked. I have a suspicion most of you have never seen a parked tractor fire. Take it from me, once you do you might wear earplugs but you will never wear them with ease. I'm sorry I know my comment is a downer, but with all the things a driver has to deal with you have to adapt. It is the only real way to run.

 

You might look through this list of sleep music youtubes. The Delta wave ones concentrate on tones to help sleep. Myself?....only the Dog Sleep Music one works for me...
sleep music - YouTube

You might consider a Memory Foam mattress topper? I have an expensive three incher. I sleep obscenely deep. Think I'm getting used to it. Don't like not having it.
Dummy me had suggested in one thread on a Purple mattress topper. They don't make one... Doh! .... But Purple does make two different mattresses. They're expensive. Probably worth it. Maybe someday for me? For now... Peterbilt provided a innerspring mattress. That with my topper is great.

Otherwise...Only noise that bothered me is those trucks that start up and shut off to charge the batteries. Had to close my windows all the way. APU, Reefer, constant idling truck, whatever, doesn't bother me at all.

 

Earplugs

 

I sleep great in the truck. I wear an eye mask to block light and I listen to delta waves audio track on my earbuds.

 

I have a white noise machine so I'm not constricted by buds or head phones. (I move around a lot in my sleep)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FFWGW2L/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Decent little thing that make life more distant. and it does get pretty loud if needed.