Additional features to look for

Beyond the basic specs, you’ll want to carefully evaluate several additional features that can really make a difference in your long-term satisfaction with the truck.

Sleepers
Sleeper cabs can range from the tiniest bunks to what seem like miniature apartments. Trucking experts recommend purchasing the best sleeper you can afford. Whether you’re an owner/operator buying for yourself or a fleet manager purchasing trucks for your employees, the comfort factor is essential to long-term satisfaction. Premium sleeping areas can really improve the resale value of your truck as well.

Look for sleepers that make it possible to forget you’re sleeping in a truck. Separate climate control panels make it easy to adjust air flow or heat without returning to the driver’s seat. TVs with DVD players can help kill those off hours you’re required to take, and refrigerators and microwaves can reduce your reliance on truck stop food.

High-end sleepers include more kitchen space and even toilets and showers. For drivers who live out of their trucks for weeks, this can be a huge benefit – but it carries a penalty in terms of fuel economy.

Seats
Your driver’s seat is a critical piece of equipment. Modern truck seats offer a level of comfort unheard of 20 years ago – and with that comfort comes a range of options you may not have expected.

Until recently, the typical truck seat was 21" wide and made of high-grade upholstery foam over wood or metal. But seats have been increasing in size: depending on cab space limitations, you can upgrade to seats as large as 24" wide in some cases.

Also, you’ll find some seats with coil springs for more balanced support, as well as many seats with adjustable air chambers to create the exact fit you’re looking for.

Of course, the most critical characteristic of a truck seat is how it feels to you. We’ll talk about test-drives later, but you should take careful note of how the seat feels in each truck you’re considering. Take the time to adjust the seat exactly to your liking, for the best visibility and ergonomic support. Pay attention to how many different types of adjustments you can make and how precisely you can control each change.

Other extras
There is a huge range of extra features to consider. Here are just a few:

• Sleeper compartment insulation can help cut down on the power needed to maintain a comfortable temperature, and can reduce noise as well.
• Additional mirrors provide extra visibility where you need it most. Convex mirrors mounted low on the fenders help when you’re maneuvering in tight spaces.
• Instruments and gauges should be easy to read and understand.
• Additional lights are a popular way to customize a truck, and can be a good investment in terms of resale value. Often, these include running lights and other add-ons that are more decorative than functional.
• Tool boxes mounted outside the cab can provide valuable extra storage capacity without taking up interior space.
• Additional fuel tanks let you reduce the amount of stops you need to make to gas up.