How it’s Made: Fabricating a Composite Truck Cab

composite truck cabSince 1999, Daycab Company, in Rockwood, TN, has been using composites to retrofit class 8 commercial trucks with sleeper cabs to day cabs. Why would anyone be interested in having the sleeper cab removed, and a composite day cab installed you ask? Once a commercial truck gets to a certain age, many fleets will not run them and purchase new ones. The old trucks are then auctioned off, and are popular among local farmers, short haul companies and dealerships. The large abundance means they sell quite cheap.[divider_padding]

composite truck cab

Peterbilt semi truck with sleeper original sleeper installed

composite truck cab

Peterbilt with sleeper removed and void showing

composite truck cab

Precision Board rough shaped and glued together

When first speaking with Zach Martin, Product Design Specialist and Machine Programmer at Daycab Company, I was surprised to hear that commercial trucks were quite desirable with the sleeper cabs removed. The reasons for this vary: farmers like non-sleeper cabs because loading in grain or other products at a station might have a height restriction that a sleeper can’t meet. Removing a sleeper also saves on weight, which could instead be used for carrying more cargo.

composite truck cab

Machining for male mold #1

composite truck cab

Machining of male mold #2

composite truck cab

Machining of male mold #3

Short haul companies have the same issue as farmers with the weight of the sleeper and cargo, and because they work in more localized areas (farms, rock yards and landscaping companies), they require better visibility out the back.

composite truck cab

Daycab logo being machined into male mold

composite truck cab

Precision Board male mold machining process complete

composite truck cab

Sealer and Vinyl Ester applied and being sanded

Precision Board Plus HDU is used to manufacture the part used to fill the void created once the sleeper cab is removed. In this case, a Peterbilt semi truck is going to be converted. With the cab removed and the void exposed, Precision Board Plus HDU is machined using a 5-axis CNC router. This male mold is then coated with a sealer, vinyl ester, and is sanded. Red hard gelcoat and fiberglass is applied, to start the female mold. Plaster, fiberglass and resin complete the final stages.

composite truck cab

Red hard gelcoat and fiberglass/resin coat (start of female mold)

composite truck cab

Plaster, fiberglass, and resin coating to finalize making of female mold

composite truck cab

Production ready female mold completed and pulled from Precision Board male mold

Once the female mold is completed, gelcoat and fiberglass is shot to make the final production part. The part is completed by being trimmed on a CNC machine, and is then painted and installed on the Peterbilt truck, providing a great looking finished product.

composite truck cab

Gelcoat and fiberglass/resin shot into female mold

composite truck cab

Production part pulled from female mold

composite truck cab

Part completed by being trimmed on a CNC machine

Daycab Company is owned by Marc Wagers and converts over 1500 commercial trucks a year. They offer pre-built kits, can ship anywhere, and also have their own install shop. Check out additional details on their website at daycabs.com.

composite truck cab

Part painted and installed on truck

composite truck cab

Final product: Peterbilt Day Hauler