Looking for the Best Semi Truck Mattress? Discover Why Truckers Love our Preferred Partner SleepDog®

There's a few things OTR (over-the-road) truckers should never, ever compromise on. One of those items is a good truck mattress - no - a great mattress. Truckers face a tremendous amount of obstacles on the road, and it's one of the most dangerous jobs in the US. Long-haul drivers are away from their families for weeks at a time, and they're at a higher risk for back pain due to prolonged sitting. One of those problems is out of reach for a solution, however, the latter - that pesky back pain - can be helped. 

Taking advantage of your down-time with a proper truck bed foam mattress can do wonders for your spine. But with so many products on the market, how can you choose? Well, that's exactly why we've created our Preferred Partner segment - we analyze the products that are important to drivers and report back with the details that matter to you. 

SleepDog® is our choice as the top mattress for truck drivers - let's dive into all the reasons why:

Why a SleepDog® Trucker Mattress

Certain features are a must when searching for an 18 wheeler mattress, and from what we've found, SleepDog® covers them all. Let's dive into these features and how our Preferred Partner matches up to them:

Trial: There's only one surefire way to know you purchased the right mattress, and that's to see how your back responds to it after a few nights. The no-risk approach at SleepDog® includes a full 120-night trial - more than enough time to take your new truck mattress for an over-the-road test.

Warranty: Truckers work way too hard to end up with a defective product. Finding a semi truck bed mattress company that stands behind their product is more than just ideal. Our preferred sleeper cab mattress partner provides their customers with 10 years of impeccable service through their faulty workmanship and manufacturer's defect warranty.

US Made: Premium craftsmanship close to home means proper manufacturing oversight and strict quality control. All SleepDog® long haul mattress products are made in the USA's Tar Heel State - North Carolina.

Shipping: A definite nice to have - shipping adds more cost to your purchase when truckers are looking to increase their revenue. Don't pay for shipping with SleepDog®. Additionally, all deliveries from our Prefered Partner are carbon neutral for environmentally friendly shipping!

Certifications: Quality certifications are something you should always look for in a truck mattress provider. A CertiPUR-US® certified foam ensures it's tested by independent and accredited laboratories for your health and safety. SleepDog® products are CertiPUR-US® certified.

DOT Approved: Department of Transportation approval offers assurances that a product is fit for use on the road by carriers. This is critical for truckers, ensuring that items in use have been declared safe by their regulatory body.

Unbiased Reviews: Fellow truckers have tested your truck mattress from SleepDog® and the reviews are in. Trustpilot reviews are unanimous in calling their new truck mattress a 'lifesaver' and that they've experienced 'no aches and pains upon waking' after resting on their SleepDog® truck bed mattress.

Foam VS Air Semi Truck Mattress Comparison

Many truckers might find themselves comparing these two types of mattresses for their truck. At first glance, it might seem like a tough call, but if you truly consider the pros and cons of an air vs foam big rig mattress, you'll find the gap of comfort and durability between the two options is huge. Let's break these down so you can make an informed decision.

Memory Foam Truck Bed Mattress

Even in our beds at home, we prefer foam over air. Have you ever heard of a permanent air mattress in anyone's bed? Likely not. Air mattresses are typically used in travel due to their ability to be compact and folded for camping and other temporary adventures. Foam on the other hand provides the feel of your home mattress and the comfort truckers deserve during rest stops. Here's how foam takes on air with ease when it comes to sleep:

Pros

1. Consistent Support: Offers uniform body support and reduces pressure points.
2. Durability: Has a longer life span and is less prone to damage.
3. Low Maintenance: No need to inflate or deflate.
4. Temperature regulation: More advanced foams, like those used in a SleepDog® truck bed mattress, offer cooling technology.
5. Noise Reduction: Quiet compared to an air truck mattress that squeals when you shift your sleep position.

Cons:

1. Portability: The one thing you might lose out on when compared to an air truck mattress, is the ability to fold it away. For truckers, this isn't really an issue because your truck bed is typically a designated spot for rest and sleep.

Air Truck Mattress

We've already made the case for choosing a memory foam truck bed mattress over an air truck bed mattress pad - but, let's give credit where credit is due. Here are a few pros and cons of an air truck mattress:

Pros

1. Adjustability: By increasing or decreasing the amount of air in an air mattress, you can adjust the firmness to your liking.
2. Portability: Air is lighter than foam and you can easily move your air mattress or deflate it to make space (only to inflate it again before you doze off).

Cons

1. Maintenance: Aside from inflation, punctures and leaks are part of the regular maintenance of an air mattress.
2. Temperature Sensitivity: Depending on the temperature in the cab, your air truck bed mattress could become firmer or softer.
3. Comfort: A good night's (or day's) rest on an air truck mattress is difficult. They're unstable, depending on weight distribution, bumpy due to that same weight distribution, and lastly - squeaky and loud when you move around.

As is abundantly clear, an air mattress for your truck is not the ideal way to get the rest you need. Truckers endure a lot of pain in their necks and backs due to prolonged sitting, and this option simply doesn't provide the comfort your body craves after a long haul.

SleepDog® Truck Mattress Options

Traveling with SleepDog® is a win for truckers, and there are three different options to choose from based on features for affordability, size, and additional support. In our humble opinion, a good rest for truckers is priceless - and should be considered as more of an investment rather than an expense. Let's jump in and break down the options so you can choose a truck bed mattress that suits your needs.

SleepDog® Mattress

The original SleepDog® truck mattress that started it all. A mattress comfort combination of CoolRest® gel memory foam and SureAlign® high density support foam. Manufactured in the USA for the perfect construction suited for life on the road. This semi truck sleeper mattress comes in various sizes so be sure to measure your sleep cabin before the order!

Construction & Comfort: 7” dual-layer medium-firm memory foam, integrating CoolRest® technology for enhanced comfort and support.

Materials: Top layer composed of 2" CoolRest® Gel Memory Foam; base layer of 5" SureAlign® High Density Support Foam.

Certifications: CertiPUR-US® and OEKO-TEX® certified, ensuring the mattress is free from harmful substances and meets strict standards for content, emissions, and durability.

DOT Approval: Meets Department of Transportation requirements for over-the-road use.

Warranty: Comes with a 10-Year Limited Warranty, indicating the company's confidence in its product durability.

Additional Benefits: Offers a 120-night trial, free shipping, and is made in the USA.

Cost: $519 (Financing available)

Sizes & Weight: Available in various sizes including specific dimensions for trucks and RVs, with weights ranging from 35 to 66 lbs.

BigDawg® Mattress

We love the SleepDog® truck mattress, but the BigDawg® takes it to another level. This truck mattress option is double-sided so you can flip between soft or firm support. This is ideal for truckers who fluctuate their preference and appreciate more customizable comfort. 

Comfort & Support: 9" plush, double-sided with a quilted foam cover, offering the option between soft or firm support.

Materials: Includes a 2" quilted foam mattress cover, 2" CoolRest® Gel Memory Foam, and 5" SureAlign® High Density Support Foam.

Certifications: CertiPUR-US® and OEKO-TEX® certified, ensuring low emissions and absence of harmful substances.

DOT Approval: Meets DOT requirements for over-the-road use.

Warranty: A 10-Year Limited Warranty is provided.

Additional Benefits: Offers a 120-night trial, free shipping, and is made in the USA.

Cost: $689 (Financing available)

Sizes & Weight: Multiple sizes fitting standard trucks, with weights varying from 30 to 66 lbs.

Dual Hybrid® Truck Mattress

More than just any mattress for your truck sleeper, the Dual Hybrid® is larger in size and provides that home comfort truckers are looking for on the road. With added spring support and advanced pressure relief, this truck bed mattress makes OTR (over-the-road) sleep even better. Starting with a luxurious circular knit cover with UltraCool™ technology, the Dual Hybrid trucker mattress then moves into a 3" Pluralux Foam - the highest quality foam available. The third layer consists of a 1" micro coil layer for added support, then a 1" Sure Align™ transition support foam. The last two layers consist of a 7" pocket coil layer, and finally a 1" Sure Align™ support foam. These 6 layers are designed for ultimate comfort and are made of premium materials that truckers love.

Comfort & Cooling: Designed to accommodate all sleep positions with advanced cooling and support technologies.

Design & Materials: A 13" combination of foam and spring with a plush comfort layer, featuring a soft knit cover integrated with UltraCool® Technology.

Support Layers: Includes Pluralux® Foam, micro coil, SureAlign® High Density Support Foam, and pocket coils for enhanced support and pressure relief.

Certifications: Both CertiPUR-US® and OEKO-TEX® certified, ensuring safety and quality.

DOT Approval: Not yet approved by the Department of Transportation for over-the-road use.

Warranty: Backed by a substantial 20-Year Limited Warranty.

Additional Benefits: 120-night trial and accommodates all sleep positions.

Cost: $1,299 (Financing available)

Sizes & Weight: Comes in only one size as a Twin XL 38"X80"X12" and sits at 87 lbs in weight.

This truck bed mattress is approved by DOT, it fits most sleeper cabins, and offers comfort that's not easy to pass up! Speak with a Sleep Specialist at SleepDog® to ensure this is the right semi truck mattress for you!

Other SleepDog® Essentials to Consider

Sleep Tite® Pr1me® Terry Protector

Once you've picked up a luxury truck bed mattress, keeping it clean should be top of mind! This lab-certified H2Pro® liquid proof truck mattress protector gives you a soft feel while keeping dust mites and allergens at bay. Comes in a Twin XL, Queen, and King size fits while providing breathable, quiet, and cool comfort.

Glaciertex Cooling Pillows

A high end truck sleeper mattress needs a pillow to suit and the Glaciertex is designed to keep you cool. It's the pillow that's consistently giving you 'cool-side' of the pillow temperatures. Available in Queen and California King sizes, but is not eligible for trial use for hygienic purposes.

The Plush

If you don't need the cooling technology from the Glaciertex Cooling pillow, opt in for this high loft luxury plush pillow. Filled with a soft and squishy down alternative, with a 300 thread count of 100% cotton, and machine washable for simplicity.

Additional SleepDog® Features

DOT Compliance

We've mentioned that SleepDog® mattresses for a semi trucks are DOT compliant, but what does that mean exactly?

The Department of Transportation sets regulations that ensure the safety and operational aspects of CMVs (Commercial Motor Vehicles). When it comes to a mattress for truck sleeper, there are general expectations and industry standards to promote driver well-being. Such standards include:

1. Size and Fit: The sleeping area safety could be at risk if your semi truck mattress dimensions aren't a perfect fit. Team drivers may find this especially concerning when one driver is snoozing on the truck bed mattress during a drive and the mattress starts to shift during turns.
2. Durability: A sleeper mattress for semi truck drivers needs to be able to withstand the rigors of trucking life. That includes temperature fluctuations, vibration, movement due to driving.
3. Comfort: Not a strict regulation, but it's understood that a sleeper mattress for semi truck drivers needs to offer the comfort required for a good night's rest. Truck driving is a tough gig, so lots of good rest and downtime is crucial.
4. Proper Fittings: A bed and truck driver foam mattress must be at least 4 inches thick and prevent 'bottoming-out'. Bottoming-out means the truck mattress succumbs to pressure from the weight and the trucker can then feel the floor bed underneath.
5. Shape: Generally, a truck mattress should be rectangular in shape - slightly rounded corners are acceptable.

The Dual Hybrid®, BigDawg® mattress and the SleepDog® are DOT approved for your comfort and safety. For a more detailed list on DOT requirements for a truck mattress and berth, check out SleepDog®'s breakdown of DOT Compliance requirements for truck mattress here.

Financing Options

Appreciated by truckers is the financing options offered by SleepDog®. Through Affirm, here's how you can sleep now, pay over time:

Easy: Eligibility checks and pre-qualifications happen at checkout and in minutes. The application doesn't affect your credit score or your semi truck mattress delivery.

Flexible: Transparency is provided with the amounts you'll pay for your truck mattress up front with rates as low as 0% APR and no hidden fees. Choose to pay over 3-month, 6-month, or even 12-month periods. Forms of accepted payment include check, credit card, and bank transfers.

Cota Systems and SleepDog®

At Cota Systems, our aim is to provide resources and tools for truckers, brokers, and shippers to make more money and ease operations, like our freight load board and guaranteed freight quotes. We also offer additional resources in our blog with deep dives into topics that matter. Check out our latest blogs like What is Consolidated Freight? Remarkably Profitable Trucking & Shipping Secrets and How To Pallet Shipping: Standard Pallet Sizes & Different Types Of Pallets.  

During our mission, we've come across products and services that hold the same values as our team. Our search led us to our first Preferred Partner, SleepDog®. We appreciate the level of quality SleepDog® offers their customers and the level of care they apply in their process. If you're looking for a truck bed foam mattress that provides you with exceptional sleep conditions on the road, we recommend SleepDog® - take a look at their customer reviews for more recommendations from fellow drivers and sleep easy!