How to Choose an RV Mattress for your RV

This summer the RV industry has seen a huge boom in sales, and it’s not hard to deduce why. People want to get out of their homes without risking staying in unfamiliar hotels, AirBnBs, or crowded camping sites. An RV is a great way to get out and away with the comforts of home nearby. One of the advantages is that you have a bedroom on wheels ready to crash in after a long day of adventures, but if you’re not sleeping on something comfortable, is it really worth it?

What’s the difference between an RV mattress and a normal mattress?

There are a few things that set RV mattresses apart, typically speaking. Often, camper models might save on space and use a Queen Short, which is a mattress that is as wide as a Queen, but the length of a Full. These mattresses can be hard to find outside of camper-specific stores, and the loss in length can be problematic for taller travelers. Plenty of campers have room for full sized Queens nowadays, so it’s always important to measure your space.

Typically RV mattresses are three sizes:

Queen | 60 x 80

Full | 54 x 75

Queen Short | 60 x 75

RV mattresses are also typically lighter than normal household beds. When traveling in a camper, weight is important to keep limited to ensure safety. A 100-pound mattress can take up a significant amount of a weight limit if your RV is on the lighter load side.

Where a typical mattress might be dense foam and springs, an RV mattress is usually thinner, less luxurious, and more utilitarian.

What to look for in an RV mattress:

If you need a new RV mattress or you’re replacing a current one, there are some things to keep in mind when shopping.

What’s your RV’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)?

You can find this on the RV’s specs, and it refers to the dry weight of the camper plus the maximum amount of cargo weight. This includes fluids, so don’t forget to account for your liquid weights! If your RV can hold a higher weight, you can afford a little more heft to a mattress.

What kind of bed framing are you looking at?

If you have a simple platform, most mattresses should be well supported. If you’re outfitting bunks, a thinner, easier to maneuver mattress is probably a better solution.

What’s the maximum length you can afford in your space?

If you have enough space for a full length Queen, definitely take advantage of it. If you have a tight space, a Queen Short will give you some room without feeling as snug as a Full.

Do you need a new mattress, or does your mattress just need a little make over?

Most RVs come with a factory standard mattress. If you already have a mattress that just needs to be a touch cozier, adding a topper is a great way to enhance your current setup. This helps you save on weight, space, and some cash. Shop our topper here.

Will a Tuft & Needle Original Mattress work in an RV?

Our T&N Original Mattress could work in the right RV. We don’t currently make a custom model or Queen Short, so that’s important to keep in mind. If you have the space for a full length Queen, or a standard size Full, and your vehicle can hold a slightly heavier mattress, we’d recommend giving ours a try. If you have a tighter space, we don’t recommend trying to squeeze our foam mattress in to fit.

Our Queen Original mattresses are about 72 pounds, and a standard 60 x 80 inches. If those dimensions work with your camper, shop the Tuft & Needle Original Mattress here.