If you’ve ever slept in or bought a camper or RV of any kind, you are well aware that their mattresses can be extremely uncomfortable, trust me, I know. I bought a camper a few years ago and the mattresses that came with it were thin and very hard. Fortunately, there are tons of places online where you can purchase special mattresses that will fit wonderfully in your RV. If you’re going to be traveling, you want to be comfortable right? You aren’t going to want to travel if you’re sore and sleepy. Check out this handy list that may help you figure out what will be best for you and your camper.
You may want to check out: RV Mattress Toppers
#1. Twin
The twin sizes for RV’s come in a variety of different dimensions. They can range from 28 x 75 all the way to 40 x 80 inches, depending on what type of bed is in your camper. They can be arranged side by side in some or as bunk beds. They are actually the same measurement as your twin beds at home. 38 x 75 inches is the standard size for this.
Twin beds can be found in most RV’s and small campers, especially pop up’s. These may also be an ideal replacement for those tables that convert into beds. Rather than sleeping on lumpy cushions, a replacement mattress would be a great fit as long as you have the storage space for it when not in use.
#2. Bunk
RV bunk mattresses fit in with the twins, but they have their own dimensions, depending on the layout of the camper. It can range from 28 x 75 to 35 x 75 inches. You will find bunk beds in a lot of the family friendly RV’s such as the Jayco travel trailers. I had a Jayco and absolutely loved it!
Many different kinds of campers will have a variety of combinations for the bunks. There may be twin on twin, twin on full, twin on queen, and even twin on full fold out couch.
If for some reason you can’t find your bunk size, it’s possible that you may need one of the truck bed mattress sizes. These have dimensions of 35 x 79 to 42 x 80 inches.
#3. Full
Full RV mattresses are the same as a double bed would be. They measure 54 x 7 inches. The only difference between these and home mattresses is that they are 1 inch wider. These are found in most RV’s, depending on the model. A lot of them come with the fold out couches.
#4. Three Quarter
The three quarter mattress is just as it sounds, three quarters of the size of a regular queen. It measures 48 x 75 inches. These are found in RV’s that have uncommon dimensions or longer than wider rooms. These are great for the guest rooms that may have more than one occupant.
#5. Queen
The Queen beds in campers are the same size as a domestic bed. These measure 60 x 80 inches. These are found in almost all campers, especially in the main bedrooms. There are a lot of pop up campers that offer queen beds on each end. Queens offer ideal space between you and your partner if you don’t like being close.
#6. Short Queen
The short Queen’s measure 60 x 75 inches, 5 inches shorter than a regular. These would be found in campers that have more width than length in the rooms, especially smaller motorhomes where space is limited. These are great for individuals who need more moving room rather than foot room.
#7. Olympic Queen
The Olympic Queen comes in at 66 x 80 inches, 6 inches wider than the standard. These are found in campers that have more width than length. It gives you and your partner ideal space for movement while still giving you the opportunity to snuggle if nights get cold.
#8. King
King beds are more common than you would think in campers. They measure 72 x 75 to 72 x 80 inches, depending on the width of your RV. My pop up has king beds on each end of it and they can comfortably fit two adults (maybe 3) or 4 kids (maybe more).
#9. Eastern King
This is one that I’ve personally never heard of, but it’s apparently very common in some newer campers. These measure 76 x 80 inches, giving you 4 more inches in width without losing any of the lengths. These are ideal for couples who like to have a lot of space while they sleep. They’re also great for accommodating children who may not want to sleep in their own beds and tend to end up in yours.
#10. CalKing
The CalKing is common in most homes, but not so much when it comes to RV’s. The CalKing gives you more length, but less width. These are for those who may be taller and need the added foot space while not minding cuddling up next to their partner. The dimensions come in at 72 x 84 inches. These are found in campers that have longer rooms, rather than wider.
#11. Truck Mattresses
These mattresses are most commonly used for those truck beds that double as campers, they may also be used in campers that have odd sized beds. The dimensions vary from 35 x 79 inches to 42 x 80 inches. A lot of length for those who may have a pet or a child that like to take up the end of the beds.
Mattress Types
Now that you are more familiar with the sizes you can get for your RV, which aren’t limited to custom sizes, you can become more familiar with the types of mattresses you can get.
Foam mattresses usually come with the camper, but they tend to be chincy and hard as a rock. These are the most common type that people lean towards because they are in an affordable price range of about $150-$350. The standard RV mattresses made of foam are generally 5-6 inches thick and range from 1-2 lbs per cubic foot in density. The density is important because the higher the density, the more durable they are going to be.
If you travel a lot, you may want to consider a thicker foam mattress with a higher density. This will be able to accommodate the constant weight and will break down slower, lasting a lot longer.
#13. Memory Foam
If you are one who lives out of your RV, memory foam is the way to go. These can range from $399-$800, maybe even more depending on the brand you get. These are generally around the 8” thickness range and have a high density urethane base. If you decide to camp somewhere humid, consider a cooling memory foam mattress. These will keep your body temperature regulated if you don’t have an air conditioner in your RV.
If you don’t want to replace your entire mattress, consider a memory foam topper. These are less expensive but may not last as long as a regular mattress would.
#14. Latex
These are another great choice for those who live out of their campers or who just like to camper a lot. These are also very eco-friendly if you get the ones that are completely organic. The ones that are all organic are made directly from the rubber tree without any chemicals. They are naturally hypoallergenic, dust-mite resistant, anti-bacterial, but are also very expensive. If you are going to spend the extra cash, make sure it’s all natural and not synthetic. The synthetic blends will break down a lot quicker.
#15. Air
The RV air mattresses are just like home air mattress except they are revamped and are a lot better and more durable. These are going to run you in the $1100-$2000 range. These give you the ability to adjust the firmness on each side so that you and your partner can both be comfortable without having to fight about it.
These are only recommended if you are going to use them once in a while because of the issue of leaking air. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve filled my air mattress and woken up to being on the ground because of a slow leak.
#16. Gel Foam
The gel foam mattresses are great for those who live in a warm environment and don’t have an air conditioner in their campers. Gel foam mattresses are memory foam, but with gel microbeads that capture your body heat and release it elsewhere. They are best known for keeping individuals cool while helping with injuries that may be relieved with cool pressure. These are around the same price as memory foam would be, maybe a little more.
#17. Innerspring
Innerspring mattresses aren’t always suitable for RV’s, but they do tend to be more comfortable. Honestly, it could make you feel like you are on a really expensive hotel mattress that has wheels. As long as the springs are durable, it should be okay. Unfortunately, you really can’t place these in pop up campers because of the weight, it may put more pressure on the support bars when it’s time to fold them up.
Most of the RV innerspring mattresses will come with a pillow top layer. This will help cushion you from the springs. Unfortunately, the springs may condensate from the weather changes, so just be careful of that.
Where To Buy Them
There are tons of places on the internet where you can buy these special RV mattresses. Here are a few that are very highly rated.
#18. Camping World
Camping World is an ideal place to buy your new RV mattress from because they are a specific dealer for everything camping related. Their website may be a little confusing to navigate, so if you want to get to the mattress section, click on their menu and click on “indoor living” or search “mattresses” in their search bar.
#19. Overstock
Overstock actually ranks #1 on Google for RV camping mattresses. If you go up to their search bar and look for RV mattress, you’ll be taken to a page that shows you a variety of mattresses you can choose from. This is a good place to go if you are looking for great deals and for unique mattresses that you may not find on other websites.
#20. Amazon
Amazon is another online store that has pages of RV mattresses. This may be a good place to get some amazing deals on mattresses, plus their shipping is free most of the time. If you’re lucky enough to have Prime, you can have your mattress in 2 days. You will also be able to read reviews from people who have bought and used the mattress you are looking at.
#21. Rocky Mountain Mattress
This website is where you want to go if you have custom sizes needed. On their front page, you’ll notice their unique mattresses they have available. You’ll also be instructed on how to measure your mattress to ensure that it will fit in your RV. They also have standard sizes, toppers, and adjustable bed mattresses available for RV’s as well.
You may want to read: Best Mattress for an RV
Conclusion
As you can see, there are more mattress sizes than you would think for your RV. Before you buy any random mattress, you need to make sure that it is going to fit in your camper first. You can’t have it too thick for some campers because they won’t close, especially for pop up’s, and you can’t have them too close to the ceiling. Most, if not all, of the websites above will tell you how to measure your mattress. Take into consideration storage and how frequently you will be traveling when pricing them and picking out materials. If you found this list to be helpful and know somebody who would love the information, feel free to share it!
Frequently Asked Questions
How thick should a mattress for an RV or camper be?
The thickness of the mattress, just like the type and size, will depend on the kind of RV or camper you have. For example, if your RV or camper has slide-out beds, then the mattress should be five or six inches thick, as these usually cannot accommodate anything thicker than six inches. However, for regular RV beds, you can use a mattress of any thickness, as long as you leave enough room between the mattress and the ceiling for you to be able to at least partially sit upright.
Is the thickness of an RV mattress important?
Just like the mattress you have at home, the mattress in your RV should be as comfortable as possible, whether you use it once a year for a two-year trip or it’s the place you live in six months of the year. Aside from the material it is made of, the thickness of your mattress will have a lot to do with its comfort level. The thicker the mattress is, the better the comfort level for you, since a thicker mattress will have many layers of foam, with each layer adding to the comfort quotient. However, cost will be a factor in your decision. For example, an eight-inch mattress will not be as comfortable as a 10-inch thick mattress, but the thicker option will be more expensive, and the price will go up as the thickness increases. A very thick RV mattress can also absorb pressure from your body to provide better support, which can result in waking up with little to no back pain. As well, for plus-sized individuals, a thicker RV mattress will better support your weight. In fact, people weighing up to 250 pounds can use an eight- or nine-inch-thick mattress, but anyone above 250 pounds would do better on a minimum 10-inch thick mattress to ensure proper support.
Should you replace a mattress in an RV?
Typically, the RV you purchase will come equipped with mattresses on the beds However, chances are, they won’t be of the best quality and may uncomfortable from the get-go, or very soon after. However, if you are blessed with an RV that has comfy mattresses, somewhere along the line they will have to be replaced. How will you know when that time comes? The following is a list of a few good reasons to replace your RV bed, although you may have your own: Probably the most evident reason is that it’s not comfortable to sleep on; if you find mold underneath or on the mattress; if it’s more than 10 years old; it’s made from latex and you’re allergic; and if you prefer a different kind of material, say memory foam versus cool gel foam.