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The Interiors of Sleeper Cabs, Straight from the Major Manufacturers

Previously, we looked at luxury sleeper cabs for long-haul truckers. Those were all aftermarket modifications and custom jobs, like this one:

But what do sleeper cabs look like, straight from the manufacturer? To find out, we looked at the top truck brands by sales in the U.S.—Freightliner, PACCAR’s Kenworth and Peterbilt, Navistar’s International and Volvo Trucks—to see what their straight-from-the-factory sleepers look like.

Sadly the websites of Kenworth and International don’t show any interior photos of their sleeper cabs at all, which we imagine isn’t a good sign. But the other manufacturers happily plump theirs with brochures, which we raided.

Do you think you could live out of one of these, and if so, which one?

Freightliner Cascadia

The modern truck interior looks a lot more cockpit-like than I’d have imagined, with a massive instrument panel that’s swept towards the driver.

From what I understand this is relatively new in the truck world, but the steering wheels have finally become more car-like in terms of digital controls.

Behind the driver’s seat is a tiny closet, and above it, a cabinet for clothes storage.

Behind the passenger seat is a mini-fridge and icebox.

Above the ‘fridge, a microwave, a flatscreen TV on a swing arm, and the dining table flanked by two narrow benches.

There’s ample headspace for standing up.

This cab can be optioned with a dual-bunk set-up, where the table swings down and a lower bunk swings out of the wall to take its place.

Access to the top bunk is via a telescoping ladder.

Also comes in brown leather.

Peterbilt 579

I can’t figure out why Peterbilt’s dash is initially swept towards the driver, then goes the other way in the middle. That can’t make those controls easier to reach.

The steering wheel and gauge cluster look pretty tech-ie.

Overhead CB radio and storage space for small items.

Here the closet is behind the passenger seat.

Behind the driver’s seat is the 'fridge on the floor, with the microwave up above. Initially I thought that thing between them was a coffeemaker…

…but as you can see it’s the “Sleeper Control Panel.” I’m not sure what the recess is about.

This is only shown in the brochures as having two beds, both deployed, with no mention nor shots of a table. But I figure it’s got to be under the lower bunk, with the same arrangement as the Cascadia.

Volvo VNL 

I think Volvo’s design really stands out from the other two. The cockpit looks so much more modern.

They’re also the only ones to show images of their driver’s seat, which looks like an office chair. Behind the seat is what looks to be the 'fridge on the floor and the microwave up top.

And behind that, the lower bunk in the deployed position.

A little tray-table flips up and out over the bed.

The photo shoot stylist took great pains to make the space look homey, and I think they succeeded.

The central part of the mattress splits and slides apart (I think) to make way for a table that raises up.

Again, they’ve dressed it well to make it look inviting.

There is also an upper bunk, but they don’t show it, just the view down. Reminds you of how tight that cabin really is.

I don’t imagine driving a truck is easy work, and none of these can be cheap; but if I had to do it, I’d hands-down want to do it in the Volvo, as far as the interior’s concerned. You?