Can’t sit in drivers seat for extended periods without aching…anyone else had this issue?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Zonno, Aug 26, 2025 at 6:08 PM.

  1. Zonno

    Zonno Light Load Member

    279
    166
    Jun 11, 2018
    South Ga
    0
    This isn’t WebMD, but I’m posting this to ask if this has happened to anyone else, and more importantly, did they recover??

    I’ve gotten to where when I’ve been sitting for only about an hour, my buttocks and lower back start to ache. Getting out to stretch will provide temporary relief, but in around 20 minutes or so I start to ache again. I’m thinking what may have caused this is driving and sitting on an old, hardened seat in which the padding and cushioning was worn. They’ve since replaced the seat, and I also invested in a $170 purple cushion. Both those things have helped, but it seems like it’s only getting worse despite it. I’m not to the point of not being able to drive YET, but it’s going to come to that point if this continues. Even driving my personal vehicle or sitting on the sofa at home; about 20-30 minutes and I have to get up.

    Looking up the symptoms, I don’t think it’s Sciatica, as it’s not a burning sensation and there’s no tingling or numbness. Also when I get up my lower back is still a bit sore and stiff but otherwise I’m fine. Has anyone had this problem and if so, what was the diagnosis?
     
    tscottme and Ribeye Thank this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Kyle G.

    Kyle G. Road Train Member

    3,875
    20,362
    Jan 23, 2016
    Eastern Iowa
    0
    I've had the same problem for years. I always just assumed it's because I am so tall. When I was in a daycab at my last job, I talked the boss into buying me a slightly larger aftermarket seat, that helped a little.

    Now I am in a truck with a sleeper and more leg room, so it's much better. But still am only good for a couple hours max in the seat. Good thing I'm paid by the hour!
     
    77fib77, austinmike and Zonno Thank this.
  4. Zonno

    Zonno Light Load Member

    279
    166
    Jun 11, 2018
    South Ga
    0
    Thanks for this Chinatown! Looking it up, mine is more in the lumbar region on both sides.
     
    Chinatown Thanks this.
  5. Zonno

    Zonno Light Load Member

    279
    166
    Jun 11, 2018
    South Ga
    0
    I’m 6’3” and also drive a daycab.
     
    Kyle G. and austinmike Thank this.
  6. bad-luck

    bad-luck Road Train Member

    3,311
    6,079
    Nov 16, 2013
    Baltimore, Maryland
    0
    A worn out seat, or a seat that you can't seem to get comfortable in will do that.
     
    Ribeye and Zonno Thank this.
  7. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

    49,149
    229,018
    Sep 19, 2005
    Baltimore, MD
    0
    Have you tried adjusting it? You should be able to pull the bottom portion out a little, and adjust its incline. I did with mine.
     
    Numb and Zonno Thank this.
  8. cuzzin it

    cuzzin it Road Train Member

    3,561
    9,433
    Jan 19, 2008
    Berea, KY
    0
    Taking into consideration of this and some previous posts of yours. I would suggest you look into a differant line of work.....
    Perhaps RC Gorman would be a better employer with the trains instead of trucks
     
    Ribeye Thanks this.
  9. xsetra

    xsetra Road Train Member

    5,125
    7,014
    Aug 21, 2011
    0
    This type of discomfort I get every time the mechanic moves the seat to drive. I have to adjust the seat multiple times to get it "right".

    In my current truck I tried 3 different new seats, I ended up putting the original chair back in. Adjusting it to and away from dash also height.
    Until I find the exact spot. I adjust the seat when the pain starts. Once I find the spot, I drive all day with no pain.
     
  10. Arctic_fox

    Arctic_fox Experienced mx13 execrator

    4,136
    21,459
    Sep 16, 2016
    0
    Mine was always a mix of a crappy seat and being 6'2 with long ### legs. When i got a nice seat for my peterbilt a lot of the pain went away. What ive found is the seat pad usually is not long enough and these seats arent tall enough so my legs force me into a slouch. So getting one thats longer or adjustable as well as one that rides at a comfortable height helps a ton.

    Also your wallet? Ditch it.
     
    tscottme, Numb and Zonno Thank this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.