What Size TV Fits In A Semi Truck Sleeper?
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Truck drivers who need to spend days or even weeks on the road need a place to relax and sleep. Fortunately, many semi trucks have a compact living space behind the front seats, and for those unfamiliar, here's what the inside of a semi truck sleeper cab looks like. These spaces can include things like fold-out beds, kitchenettes, and even televisions. Although if you're looking to add some entertainment to your semi-truck sleeper, the best TV sizes are going to be between 24 and 32inches.
One trucker managed to install a 48-inch flat screen in his cab, but the TV came within centimeters of either wall and required some additional foam to prevent movement. This is one of the reasons our list of the best 12V TVs for your RV or camper didn't feature anything over 32 inches, as space is a limiting factor when adding a TV to a vehicle.
While sleeper cab layouts can vary, you'll likely be viewing the TV from only a few feet away. According to THX, if you take the TV's screen size and divide it by .835, it will provide you with the furthest distance in inches that you should be seated away from a 4K TV when viewing. For instance, let's say you have a 24-inch flat screen, 24 divided by .835 equals 28.7 inches or 2.3 feet. So, you wouldn't want to be further than 2.3 feet from a 4K 24-inch TV for the best experience.
Is a truck TV the same as a regular model?
No. While a sleeper cab TV may look similar to the average living room set, it has some added features that help it adapt to the road. For example, TVs specifically made to be installed in a vehicle often include enhanced durability that allows for greater resistance against vibration. The average flat screen you see in the electronics department of a large retail store wasn't built to handle the rigors of travel, which include potholes, sudden stops, and grooved pavement.
The other significant difference in a truck TV is how it gets powered. Most trucks utilize 12V DC power, unlike the 110 AC power you have at home. This means that you'll either have to buy a power inverter or choose a compatible TV. The Green Fuel 500-Watt Power Inverter is just one example of the underrated tools you can find at O'Reilly Auto Parts.
Lastly, while you can use standard mounts when installing a TV in a semi-sleeper, you might want to consider products designed for the road. For example, the Mounting Dream UL Listed Lockable RV TV Mount for Most 17-43 inch TVs includes a locking mechanism, which prevents additional movement during travel.
Why you might opt for a lower resolution and a built in DVD player
If you've done any browsing for TVs designed to be installed in a vehicle, you may have noticed that many of them top out at 1080p or even 720p resolution. This can actually be an advantage on the road, as an internet connection isn't always possible, and even when connected, speeds may not be high. According to Consumer Reports, the minimum internet speed required for streaming 4K media is 18 Mbps (megabits per second), whereas 1080p needs a minimum of only 8 Mbps. A loss of some clarity may be a better option than frequent buffering interruptions to your entertainment.
Some TVs designed for a semi-sleeper include a built-in DVD player. In the moments when there is no internet connection, it's not a bad idea to have a collection of shows or movies on physical media. If streaming from platforms like Netflix or Amazon Prime is your only means to consume content, watching TV could become a hit-or-miss activity depending on your location. In addition, with the disc player incorporated into the TV, the setup offers space savings over using an external DVD player.