Need help staying awake/falling asleep:

Yeah, milk or turkey have tryptophan in them that makes you sluggish - heavy carbs tend to slow you down too, as will just overeating.
Melatonin didn't work for my mild insomnia, works on some and not others.
The music suggested would keep me awake for sure. Hard to sleep when you're puking!
...each to their own I guess...I can take Hank Williams in one mood, Ludicrous or Killswitch Engage the next. Good to be eclectic.

 

You can find melatonin in the vitamin secton in about any store. Melatonin is a natural human hormone that influences the body's daily circadian rythm, the 24-hour biological clock that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. As the sun sets, our bodies begin producing melatonin, which in turn triggers drowsiness and a desire to sleep. Taking extra melatonin before bed amplifies this hormonal signal, producing a faster and deeper sleep. Because melatonin works with the body's natural sleep-wake system, it may provide a healthier, more refreshing sleep than sedative drugs.

have found its use is superb for changing your clock in basically one night. I'll revert to the daylight thing in one day- when it comes to switching back. A good dose of melatonin and I can sleep during the day. Give it a try.

 

Assuming that YOU are not driving the truck while sleeping....

The first thing you have to be able to do, is to relax and actually let someone else do the driving. You have to be able to feel comfortable with the driver, or you are just plain screwed.

OK, assuming that you have been able to relinquish control of the truck to the driver, and put yourself completely in their hands...

You have to take a "what will be, will be" attitude. Know that if it is your time to die, then so be it. You can't do anything about it, so you might as well relax and enjoy it.

Get into the rhythm of the ride of the truck. Just let it "rock you to sleep." It actually will help you to sleep, if you have the right mind set. Make sure the sleeper temperature is where it will be comfortable for you, and that the radio speakers are turned off in the sleeper.

Some folks like to have the vents open for fresh air, some don't like the noise. Experiment with them.

I have had it both ways with a co-driver. I've not done it very much, because I really don't like to put my life in someone else's hands. But I had one co-driver that I was absolutely comfortable with. While working with this guy, I actually had the "I've got the best job in the world," feeling. And it actually was some of the best sleep I've ever had.

OTOH, there was one ding-dong that I couldn't even BEGIN to relax while he was driving. I put up with him for two months, then "opted out" of team driving.

 

Not a professional recommendation, but personally I don't know how anyone can stay awake after a shot of nyquil. Works very well for me.

 

I was exactly like Big Don. Best teaming I ever did was with the boss's son who didn't need babysitting. We worked 6 and 6 (like no work at all!) and running skateboard, we'd go to sleep on one load and wake up on another. We wouldn't even get the partner out of bed to help tarp. No worries about mountains, cities, or anything; that rockin' bunk for 6 hours was the best sleep I ever had.
Now put a noob behind the wheel...