In the trucking industry, some businesses use mostly semi-trucks with sleeper cabs while other businesses use mostly day cabs. Even if both truck configurations are semi-trucks.
That's because some truck drivers want to haul more local deliveries to spend more evenings with their families. While others, most adventurous drivers, want to do more OTR loads to make more money.
The reasons why someone may want to change from a day semi-truck to a sleeper semi-truck are endless. It all comes down to your personal or business preference.
If you also thinking of doing that switch but are not sure what are the differences between driving a day cab vs a sleeper cab then I've got you covered.
Find below the differences between a day cab and a sleeper cab.
The main difference
The main difference between a day cab and a sleeper is that a day cab truck is designed to provide short-haul deliveries while a sleeper truck is ideal for long-haul deliveries.
Nevertheless, they’re both used to deliver heavy loads.
- Day cab trucks don’t contain sleeper cabins attached to their back. They have only one compartment over the truck’s engine.
- A sleeper cab truck has a separate compartment attached to the truck's cabin where drivers spend their off-duty time sleeping or resting.
The difference between operating a day cab vs a sleeper cab
1. Day cab advantages
- Because the day cab truck does not have an extra compartment, it costs less than a sleeper truck.
- In terms of business operation, day cab trucks are more functional and more efficient doing service within city roads. They are relatively small and lighter. That allows the driver to maneuver them easily.
- Because a day cab operates on short distances between local cities, they haul loads that can be delivered on the same day. That allows the drivers to go home at night instead of sleeping in the truck.
- Because its chassis is lighter, the day cabs has better fuel efficiency than sleeper trucks.
- Because they don't have a sleeping compartment, the day cab truck models can pack a bit more cargo in every trip allowing them to handle heavier loads.
2. Sleeper cab advantages
- The main advantage of a sleeper truck is the presence of a dedicated sleeping compartment. This is especially appreciated by truck drivers who are doing longer loads because that provides them with a comfortable and free of hassle sleeping and resting place inside the truck.
- The sleeping compartment inside the semi-truck allows you to drive in teams and make more miles. This is especially efficient for family teams where both, the husband and wife, are drivers.
- The sleeping compartment in the truck provides team drivers with the ability to spend weeks or even months on the road making more miles together. That allows one driver to sleep while the other one is on duty.
- The sleeper cabs have become larger and can be customized to the point that they can provide you with a home-like experience. You can have in sleeper a bathroom, a shower, a stove, a mini-fridge, TV, storage spaces, etc.
- Sleeper trucks allow drivers to park whenever they want and have a nap, cook and eat, use a shower or a restroom. In the case of sleeper trucks, drivers don't have to map out ahead of time where they will rest after a long drive.
- With a sleeper truck, the driver doesn't have to pay for hotel or motel rooms.
- A sleeper truck, allows the driver to deliver loads that require long trips or requires to transit state borders.
Should you choose a day cab or sleeper cab?
The answer to this question depends on your circumstances.
If your trucking operations do not go beyond the city, then a day cab would be better suited.
In the end, it all comes down to the type of business the truck will be involved in.
