Finally, a low cost DOT Compliant Sleeper Berth exclusively for 1-ton pickup haulers. The Woodhouse Sleeper Berth eliminates driver's concerns over DOT sleeping requirements and keeps drivers on the road with a better nights sleep.
Since 2008, Woodhouse Sleeper Berth has been in the business of keeping one-ton pickup drivers safely on the road and in compliance with the Federal DOT guidelines in regards to logging sleeper berth time.
Woodhouse Sleeper Berth is part of the Woodhouse Auto Family, a family of dealerships located in the Omaha, Nebraska metro area which includes 16 franchise locations that sell over 25,000 vehicles a year across the United States. Woodhouse is known as a “truck” store and has been a leader in heavy duty truck sales in all of the domestic brands. Woodhouse Ford has been the leading F-Series dealer in the nation for the last 14 years. Woodhouse Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram and Woodhouse Chevy stores also rank nationally as leading heavy duty series sellers in the nation.
Due to this heavy truck influence in our family of dealerships, we have many contacts with haulers like you who make a living as a hot-shot driver/contractor. Throughout our numerous interactions with drivers like you, we were tasked to develop a DOT compliant Sleeper Berth for your industry.
After gaining a thorough understanding of DOT Regulation 49 CFR 393.76, our quest began. Tearing into door panels to make sure that we had 75 inches of length, stopping by a local Kenworth dealership to learn about restraint netting, communicating with mattress manufactures to learn about fire-retardant mattresses, we were very confident we had the perfect DOT compliant sleeper. We took our first prototype to have it inspected by the Nebraska State Patrol Carrier Enforcement Division. We vividly recall how three officers walked around our Ram truck murmuring to themselves that they've seen every attempt of a makeshift sleeper in a one-ton cab, and that it can’t be done!
After about an hour of the officers measuring in and around the sleeper, we had our first verdict. The officers stated that this sleeper looks pretty good and it would be hard to argue that this doesn’t comply with the regulations. From there, we finalized our restraint system developed by Indiana Mills and Manufacturing, Inc., and we were off to the testing grounds to make sure that our restraint systems could withstand the 6,000 pound restraint system pull test. It passed with flying colors! As a final check, we communicated with the DOT in Washington, DC to discuss our project. After these discussions and a visual inspection of every sleeper berth angle, we were set: we had a DOT compliant Sleeper Berth for one-ton pickups that was ready to hit the road.
Since 2008, we have sold hundreds of these units. You have many options for purchasing your own Sleeper Berth. You can have it installed with your newly purchased one-ton pickup from Woodhouse, our technicians can install the unit in your already purchased truck, you can self-install the unit, or you can have it installed at one of our installers in Indiana or Texas. Regardless of how you get yours, Woodhouse is interested in your safety on the road and allowing you to maximize your businesses profits by keeping you in compliance with the DOT hours of service rules and keep you out of the costly hotel rooms during your nights on the road.
Thanks for your interest in the Woodhouse Sleeper Berth!
This Compliance Summary is intended to help familiarize inspectors and officers in the field with a Sleeper Berth unit which is being installed and utilized by “Hotshot” carriers in one-ton pickups. Woodhouse Sleeper Berth, Inc. (WSB) has developed a Sleeper Berth conversion for one-ton and larger pickups. The Federal Department of Transportation has inspected the conversion unit for compliance.
As viewed below, the modification include concave door panels, which make it possible to satisfy the Berth length requirement, rear seat area frame and mattress, special cargo style restraint harness and front passenger seat removal. The exterior retains the factory stock appearance.
An occupant’s ready entrance to, and exit from, the Sleeper Berth into the driver’s seat or compartment must not be unduly hindered. Therefore, the front passenger’s seat of the vehicle must be removed from the vehicle. This will allow for the required opening of 18 inches high and 36 inches wide to and from the Berth.
Make sure that the Sleeper Berth has adequate bed clothing and blankets and that it is equipped with an acceptable mattress. The Woodhouse Sleeper Berth includes a hand crafted, innerspring mattress that complies with Motor Vehicle Standard 302.
The conversion must include an occupant restraint which must be designed, installed, and maintained to withstand a minimum total force of 6,000 pounds applied toward the front of the vehicle and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The restraint system used in the WSB was tested and has passed the 6,000 pound pull test requirement. (Note: Lap belts alone may meet the 6,000 pound requirement; however, lap belt usage is for sitting purposes only, they are not intended for prone position usage. As a result, lap belts alone do not satisfy the requirements under section 393.76)
This Compliance Summary should be used for field officer information and guidance. If an inspector has any questions regarding the Woodhouse Sleeper Berth, please contact Paul Cech or Jerry Miller at Woodhouse Sleeper Berth, Inc. at (800) 889-1893.
Owners LinkI recently had Woodhouse install a DOT compliant Sleeper Berth in my 1 ton pickup and I have had amazing rest every night since then. Being an average height person, I can stretch full out on the comfortable mattress without hitting my feet or head. The design and shape of the mattress, frame, and harness, allow for a good tuck on the sheets and blankets, giving me the ability to roll to different sleep positions without losing the covers like I used to.
The Sleeper Berth is the perfect height to double as a rear seat. I uninstalled the front passenger seat and installed a work desk in its place. I can now sit forward on the edge of the bed and work at the new desk comfortably.
I have the option now to team drive in the 1 ton and utilize the sleeper entry in the log book. Convincing my wife to go on runs periodically is much easier now.
Thank you so much Team Woodhouse, for my restful nights and comfortable living space.
- Merritt Millsap