Trucks sleeper cab design: user solutions in Brazil for use as temporary dwellings

Abstract

The paper presents the results of a PhD qualitative research, with a phenomenological and observational approach, regarding the use of sleeper cabs of trucks in Brazil as temporary dwellings. Data collection was done by semi-structured interviews with 25 truck drivers and by direct observation and image record of their cabins in actual use, and also by interviews conducted with eight professionals from truck manufacturing and  cabin customization companies. The results suggest that trips with many overnight stays, typical of Brazilian use, generate needs not always met by the original designs of sleeper cabins, so there are many adaptations made by users in order to sleep more comfortably, store objects, cook and eat, travel with their families, just to mention some. It is concluded that there is a challenge for truck manufacturers on how to incorporate the specific demands of local users, as well as the contributions of the solutions created by them, into the process of developing a global application product.