Can drivers use day cabs to do regional or dedicated runs?

You can sleep in a day cab and log it as off-duty, not sleeper berth... if you really want to (way too many nights doing that in the past, the novelty is loooong gone ). But you're right, in that scenario the motel room is a much better option.

 

What makes you say that? I run a daycab with a tanker, so I'm at 80k gross. I can pass most everything out here, and these trucks hold up really well frame and suspension-wise

 

Not sure what daycab you're running. Our sleepers seemed to have more power ,longer wheel base and just overall a better ride on long trips.

 

I'm running a Western Star 4900. Has a 550 Cat, 18 speed. 220 inch wheelbase. It rides really nice, and after a 550 mile day I'm not usually too tired. Being that I run local, our longest run is 270ish miles one way, and the return trip back. I have no trouble keeping up with most other trucks.

Would I want the truck to have a longer wheelbase? No. It's sized about right for what I do. We had a few 379 Pete's with a longer wheelbase, they were sleeper trucks that had the bunk removed. They rode like garbage. 250 miles in one and I was begging for my truck back.

Would I wanna run regional with my truck? No. But no reason it couldn't be done. A sleeper would make it better though.

I ran a few trips from Harrisburg, PA to Memphis in a daycab. Just gotta know where you're planning on spending the night. Makes trip planning a little more involved

 

Sounds like your daycab is 38 more inches of wheel base than our Cascadias,plus you have an 18 speed, but I understand what you're saying.

 

A guys I used to know used a board across the seats with a cot on top to sleep on. He kept it behind the seats while driving. It was fine for him but your mileage may vary.

 

I like 40” sleepers, they have the full size mattress and no extra junk. I don’t need microwave or fridge, doesn’t fit my eating style, and I save a lot of weight (haul bulk). No problems being out for two weeks at a time.

 

You can use a horse if it gets you the loads, but a proper sleeper cab might be better.