One of the biggest perks of owning an RV, including a fifth wheel or travel trailer, is being able to sleep in your own comfortable bedding while camping. But unfortunately, the mattresses that come with recreational vehicles are notoriously thin, stiff, and can feel like you’re sleeping on a board. But it is possible to have the best of both worlds — fun in your RV and a good night’s sleep.
After having to sleep on an uncomfortable mattress on their first few road trip adventures, many RV owners are now making the decision to upgrade their mattresses to get a better night’s sleep. This brings us to the question: what’s the difference between an RV queen mattress and a regular mattress?
Below, we will dive deeply into this popular question and give you a few tips for buying a new RV mattress.
Main Differences Between an RV Queen Mattress Vs. a Regular Mattress
If you’re serious about improving the quality of sleep, you may be wondering whether you can put a regular mattress in your RV. The short answer? it is possible. However, it’s not a good idea to run right out to the mattress store and pick out a replacement mattress before doing some research. The fact is that RV queen mattresses differ from traditional mattresses in a number of important ways. Here are a few:
Size
Many RV mattress sizes aren’t built to the same standard sizes as household bedframes. So, if you try to fit a house queen mattress on your RV queen bed, there’s a good chance it won’t fit. A standard queen mattress measures about 80 inches in length and 60 inches in width. In contrast, the two types of mattresses that are available for RVs in queen size feature the following measurements:
- Short Queen RV Mattress – 60 x 75 inches
- Regular Queen RV Mattress – 60 x 80 inches
As you can see, the regular RV queen and your home’s queen mattress have the same measurements. However, the short queen is smaller in length, so you can’t replace it with a normal queen mattress.
Weight
Many RV manufacturers try to keep the rig’s weight as low as possible to make driving or towing easier and improve fuel efficiency. With that in mind, you can expect the RV queen mattress to be significantly lighter than your regular mattress.
To be precise, typical queen-size residential memory foam mattresses tip the scales at about 150 pounds. Its RV queen-size counterpart weighs only about 50 pounds. Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to rule out putting a standard mattress in your RV. If your rig has a high gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), chances are you can fit it with a larger mattress if you have the available space
Thickness
One of the biggest complaints about RV mattresses is that they are too slim. And sure enough, they measure 5 to 6 inches thick, which isn’t as thick as home mattresses — which cover a wide range of 6 to 18 inches.
But to be fair, many RV mattress manufacturers keep mattresses slim by using foam layers instead of the materials used in innerspring mattresses, latex mattresses, or hybrid mattresses, which also means less weight.
Also, slimmer RV mattresses save room in more compact rigs, such as a camper van, as having a thick mattress on a bed that’s near the ceiling can make the space feel cramped when you sit up or get in bed. Additionally, in some campers, the mattresses need to be slim and flexible enough to bend when the bedroom slide-out comes in, so a thick one doesn’t make sense.
Shape
Don’t expect your RV’s bed frame to be shaped like your home bed. Sure, the RV queen mattress may have the same dimensions as a regular one, but the shape on the edges may be unusual. Most have rounded corners to maximize the space available.
It isn’t uncommon to find an RV bed with 3 square corners and one cut or rounded corner. And if you force a regular type of mattress into one of the irregular RV bed frames, it may deform or become downright uncomfortable. In situations where the bed frame has an odd shape, you may need to order from a custom RV mattress maker.
What to Look for in The Perfect RV Queen Mattress
If you’re ready to upgrade your RV queen mattress, below are tips to help you pick the right one.
- Correct dimensions – Of course, you’ll first need to measure the exact dimensions of your RV bed frame before you start shopping for a mattress replacement.
- Ideal Material – Go for a material that offers ample support. Many RVers tend to choose memory foam as it provides good cushioning and is inexpensive and light.
- Durability – Similar to your mattress at home, ensure the RV mattress you choose will hold up over time without sagging. Foam has a decent lifespan even when exposed to different environments and climates.
- Flexibility – If you have under-bed storage or your RV’s construction usually requires the mattress to bend or fold, e.g., to retract a bedroom slide out, then you’ll need to buy something flexible.
- Other factors– You’ll also want to ensure the mattress won’t trigger your allergies, is within your budget, and is good at regulating temperatures.
How To Sleep Better in an RV
If you’re wondering how to set yourself up for a good night’s sleep (or at least, a better night’s sleep) in your RV, use these tips:
- Enhance the mattress you already have – Before you buy a new mattress, consider purchasing a quality mattress topper, which can change the firmness level of your current mattress. It’s also a smart way to protect the mattress from daily wear, tear, and spills. You can buy an RV mattress topper or potentially trim off the edges of a regular mattress topper for a perfect fit.
- Upgrade your sheets and pillows – Even with a great mattress, lumpy pillows and worn sheets will impact how well you sleep. Apart from investing in fluffy pillows and new sheets, make sure the bedding is always clean and comfortable.
- Add padding to the RV bed frame – Sometimes, the bed frame is responsible for the discomfort, not the mattress. If that’s the case, add foam padding to the bed frame’s base.
- Pick a quiet parking spot – Don’t overlook the importance of silence when you need to sleep. Always pick a site that is away from the bulk of the action and level your RV to keep it from rocking when someone else is walking inside.
Wrapping Up: Can You Use a Regular Queen Mattress in an RV?
A regular queen mattress can be used in an RV if there’s enough space. However, this option is mostly only available to those who own luxury rigs that have a high GVWR. The best option for RVers who need to keep their camper’s weight low and maximize every inch of space is to search for a lighter but RV-specific mattress that will allow for comfortable sleep. That’s because bigger and thicker mattresses occupy more space, and the extra weight can hurt your vehicle’s fuel economy.
About the author:
Cynthia Measom is the founder and main content creator of RV Top Tips. Not just a writer, she’s a dedicated RV owner and enthusiast, alongside her husband, Joe, who is an experienced RV tech. With their joint knowledge, the two are up on the latest trends and technologies in the RV industry, as well as practical camping and lifestyle tips.
The couple own a 2020 Coachmen Chaparral fifth-wheel that they absolutely love. Their secret to being so satisfied? They purchased the model after a solid year of researching different fifth-wheel campers in person and online to find the perfect fit for their family of three.