RV Mattress

RVs often do need special mattresses that differ in size from standard mattresses. This is because RVs usually contain small, compact areas for bed placement compared to a regular bedroom in a house. These special mattresses are tailored to fit within the limited dimensions of RVs while being light, portable, and versatile for travelers. Regular mattresses, however, tend to be heavy, large, and hard to store, making them a better home mattress than an RV mattress.

You can buy regular mattresses for an RV, but there is no guarantee that they will suit your RV. We would recommend choosing from the many RV mattresses available today, such as RV bunk, RV twin, RV full, RV queen, RV king, and RV California king mattresses, that are designed to fit various RV sizes.

The difference between an RV mattress and a regular mattress lies in the mattress size aspect. Most RV mattresses are smaller than regular mattresses, as they are designed to fit the confined sleeping areas within recreational vehicles. In contrast, regular mattresses are designed for standard mattress sizes and room dimensions, which are typically larger than the constrained layout of an RV sleeping area.

The most common RV mattress sizes include RV bunk, RV queen, RV short queen, RV king, RV short king, and RV California king mattresses. Certain other sizes, such as full XL and twin XL, can also be used in many RVs. RV mattress sizes are usually smaller than traditional mattresses and are designed to fit various RV types.

To determine which RV mattress size will fit your RV, you should measure the current mattress and bedding compartment within it. Follow these steps:

Step 1 - Begin by checking with your RV manufacturer for the RV specifications, as these may indicate the mattress size you’ll need. Proceed to step 2 if you do not have RV specs.

Step 2 - Obtain a measuring tape. Measure the length, width, and thickness (height) of your current RV mattress and jot them down somewhere. Then remove the mattress from the bedding compartment.

Step 3 - Now measure the length, width, and depth of the bedding compartment where your new mattress will be placed.

Step 4 - If step 1 was a success, compare and verify your measurements with the information on the specs sheet provided by the manufacturer.

Step 5 - If step 1 wasn’t a success, go online and compare your measurements to standard RV mattress sizes, such as RV bunk, RV queen, RV king, etc. Determine the closest match for your RV's sleep space.

Step 6 - Find a store near you that sells RV beds. Try out the RV mattress sizes that best suit your RV. Then go shopping online and see if you can get a better deal for a similar mattress size/model (which you most likely will).

Note: Make sure to properly measure the thickness (height) of your old RV mattress and the depth of the area where it sits. RVs tend to have limited vertical space, so a mattress that is too thick may not fit or may cause clearance issues.

RV mattress types can be classified into two categories - an “all-foam mattress” and a “spring mattress”. All-foam mattresses are made of multiple foam layers, where the comfort layers, transition layer, and support core are all composed of foam. Spring-type RV mattresses also have comfort layers made of foam. However, they focus more on the support core, which is made of spring coils.

• Memory Foam Mattress

  A memory foam mattress is a synthetically enhanced version of polyurethane foam, making it more viscoelastic. Memory foam has the ability to mold to the shape of a person's body by absorbing body heat and body weight, thereby sucking sleepers into its embrace. You'll find a memory foam mattress adapts to your body contours very well, making for a comfortable, albeit hot, night's sleep.

  To offset this issue, variants like gel memory foam mattresses were introduced, where a cooling gel memory foam comfort layer would be placed atop the mattress. By being more responsive, a gel memory foam mattress can also offset the "sinking" feeling you get on a traditional memory foam mattress. However, a gel-infused memory foam mattress, for all its benefits, is still made of synthetic substances, leading to issues like VOC off-gassing.

• Latex Mattress

  Besides their eco-friendly, healthier composition, they also harbor benefits like responsiveness, pressure relief, spine support, breathable cooling, motion isolation, edge support, and durability. Unlike a traditional memory foam mattress, which sinks you into it, latex mattresses offer you more freedom of movement, akin to what you'd experience on a gel memory foam mattress.

• Innerspring Mattress

  Innerspring mattresses make use of spring coils for support and additional firmness. The coils, which are usually Bonnell, offset, or pocketed coils, are wrapped in a thin layer of cushioning material for comfort. Innersprings are bouncy, breathable, firm, and supportive. They tend to lack pressure-relieving and motion-isolating properties, however, mostly because of the thinner comfort layers.

• Hybrid Mattress

  Hybrid mattresses implement spring coils as the support core but focus more on improving pressure relief by adding a thicker foam comfort layer. A hybrid mattress is typically made of higher-quality materials than a traditional innerspring, making it more expensive.

  Nowadays, a luxury hybrid mattress is often fitted with pocketed coils in the support core and latex/memory foam in the comfort layers. You get a medium-firm feel from most hybrids, where the springs provide support and bounce while the foam provides contouring and pressure relief.

Finding the best RV mattress requires quite a bit of research on your end, as it mostly depends on personal preference and surroundings. Consider factors like your sleeping position, ideal temperature, health conditions, budget, sleep partners, etc.

For example, stomach sleepers would be better off sleeping on a firm or medium-firm mattress compared to a side sleeper who finds a soft mattress suitable. Another example is hot sleepers, who find a breathable, cooling latex mattress more ideal than a heat-retaining memory foam mattress.

Go to a few mattress stores nearby, try out various mattress types from various mattress companies, and create a list of the best-quality RV mattresses you like most. Make a comparison between all of your mattress choices, choose the best RV mattress that suits your needs, and then buy it online.

We recommend an online mattress purchase over an in-store mattress purchase because, online, you can often find better sales and discounts that surpass what in-store mattress companies offer.

Bedding accessories are crucial to completing the setup of new mattresses. Here are some ideal bedding accessories you can fit in an RV setting:

• Cushions and Pillows

  Pillows and cushions can add a touch of hominess to the RV bed during the day and a lot of comfort during the night. Just be mindful of the number of pillows, as space is often limited in RVs.

• Mattress Toppers

  A mattress topper is a layer of foam or fill material that helps change the feel of the mattress. Adding a mattress topper to your RV mattress can usually enhance comfort and durability, as it absorbs most of the initial wear and tear.

• Mattress Base

  A reliable mattress base, such as a platform bed frame, slatted mattress foundation, or box spring, can make the RV mattress more supportive and comfortable while also improving its lifespan. On the other hand, there is the bunk bed frame, which allows for space-saving. So, choose a mattress base/bed frame that best suits your needs as RV owners.

• RV-Mattress Sized Sheets and Covers

  Regular-sized bed sheets and waterproof mattress protectors might not fit well on RV beds, so look for ones that are specifically designed for RV mattress sizes. These will have the right dimensions and corners to fit snugly. We'd also recommend looking for a machine-washable cover/sheet for easier maintenance.