RV Mattress Sizes and Guide

If your RV interior doesn’t feature a bed, you might as well drive a car around the US. Your RV bed is critical to your road trip comfort, but there’s a lot you need to know about RV mattresses to make your RV bed the most comfortable bed ever.

It all starts with a quality mattress selection, and you might think you already know mattresses because you’ve probably slept on them for most of your life. RV mattresses are a little different, and here are some helpful tips you should know.

Are RV Mattress Sizes Different?

Many RV mattresses are different than standard residential sizes. A queen RV mattress in an RV differs from a residential queen mattress. This means you can’t make any assumptions when shopping for an RV bed.

What Size Is an RV Queen Mattress?

An RV queen mattress measures the same as a residential queen mattress, 60” wide x 80” long. However, an RV “short” queen mattress measures only 60” wide x 75” long. Therefore, it’s essential to understand the short distinction. Not everyone knows the difference, so measuring the mattress yourself is necessary to confirm. A short queen is more common in RVs because they take up less space, usually at a premium.

What Size Is an RV King Mattress?

An RV king mattress is not the same size as a residential king mattress, which measures 76” wide x 80” long. Instead, it measures 72” wide x 80” long. An RV king is not as wide due to limited space. In addition to the RV King, there is also an RV “short” King, which measures 72” wide x 75” long, and an RV California King, which measures 72” wide x 84” long. The short queen is the smallest, and the California king is the largest.

What Size is an RV Full Mattress?

An RV full mattress is the same size as a residential one, measuring 54” wide x 75” long. There are no other common variations of this mattress size.

What Size is an RV Twin Mattress?

Like a full mattress, the RV twin is the same size as a residential twin, measuring 38” wide x 75” long. There are also no other variations of this mattress size. 

What Size is an RV Bunk Mattress?

An RV bunk mattress can measure many different sizes. This mattress has no standard size, and it varies significantly from RV to RV. However, most will be between 23” – 35” wide and 75” to 80” long.

RV Mattress Size Chart

Some of these dimensions match what you’d find in a mattress store. For many RVs, shorter beds are preferred to provide space to move around the bed on either side. 

When buying a new mattress for your RV, start by measuring your old mattress. If you’re already short on space to maneuver around the bed, see if a short version offers smaller dimensions than your current mattress. 

Then, stop by your local Camping World Design Center to speak with a specialist about the type of mattress that’s best for you and your RV.

RV Mattress Types

Not all RV mattresses are made of the same materials. Like residential mattresses, there are many different options. Let’s find out which is best for you.

Memory Foam Mattress

Often considered a premium material, memory foam distributes your body’s weight well, helping relieve tension in your joints. If you’re a restless sleeper, you won’t disturb your partner throughout the night.

All-Foam Mattress

Foam mattresses typically have several layers, making them a well-rounded option. They breathe well and contain hypoallergenic properties, making them suitable for all climates.  

Latex Mattress

Another material you may find in an RV mattress is latex. Latex mattresses are also hypoallergenic. In other words, they won’t trap or hold mildew, mold, dust, dust mites, and more.

Innerspring Mattress

Like most residential mattresses, innerspring mattresses are also used in RV’s. They are very economical, with plenty of options to choose from. However, one downside of this option is that the springs inside can rust over time if you live or travel through humid environments.  

Air Mattress

Air mattresses are highly customizable, so you always get the perfect mix between support and comfort. However, they lack durability, which could be an issue while off-grid. 

The Best RV Mattresses from Camping World

If you need help deciding which is best for you, consult a Design Specialist. With over 46 locations nationwide, Camping World Design Centers help RVers plan and create custom interior design projects unique to their RV. 

Explore brands like CozyWay and Brooklyn Bedding to take your RV bedroom to the next level.

Here are some of our favorite RV mattresses: 

Cozyway Gel Memory Foam Restore Mattress

• Available Sizes: Queen/Short Queen, RV King
• Thickness: 12” 

Cozyway’s Restore mattress utilizes gel memory foam to help your body maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the night. The infused gel wicks heat away, and the memory foam distributes pressure without transferring motion, meaning you’ll feel less when your partner climbs out of bed for a midnight snack. 

Discover all the benefits of this Cozyway gel foam mattress.

Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress, Firm

• Available Sizes: Queen/Short Queen/Olympic Queen, King/Short King/RV King, RV Bunk
• Thickness: 11.5” 

Brooklyn Bedding’s firm mattress is available in any size you need to improve sleep quality on your RV adventures. The hybrid design features eight inches of individually encased coils that provide excellent edge support and minimize motion transfer. The remaining 3.5 inches comprise high-quality foams that offer breathability, buoyancy, and best-in-class comfort. 

Find out more about this Brooklyn Bedding hybrid RV mattress.

Cozyway Medium Firm Renew Mattress

• Available Sizes: Queen/Short Queen, RV King
• Thickness: 8” 

Cozyway’s Renew mattress is designed to offer therapeutic relief for side sleepers, snorers, early risers, and everyone else. Constructed from eco-friendly polyurethane foam, it makes it easy to find a comfortable position and wake up refreshed and renewed for the day ahead. 

Check the price point of this Cozyway RV mattress.

Cozyway Medium Firm Bunkie Mattress

• Available Sizes: Bunk
• Thickness: 4” 

RV bunks aren’t always equipped with the most comfortable stock mattresses. If your kids struggle to get quality sleep in your bunkhouse travel trailer, upgrading to Cozyway’s Bunkie mattress could be the perfect solution. It’s designed for bunks with rails and measures 72” L x 29” W. 

Upgrade your RV bunks with this Cozyway Bunkie mattress, or explore other bunk bed conversion ideas.

Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress, Soft

• Available Sizes: Queen/Short Queen/Olympic Queen, King/Short King/RV King, RV Bunk
• Thickness: 11.5” 

For those who like a softer mattress, Brooklyn Bedding adapts the foam insertion on this mattress for a more plush feel. You still get the eight-inch engineered layer of pocketed coils, but the thickness of the memory foam layers on top of the coils changes. You can add a cooling bed cover for better temperature regulation when camping in hot climates.

Learn more about the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid RV mattress.

RV Mattress Frequently Asked Questions

If you still have some questions, you are not alone. Let’s review some of our most frequently asked questions to help put your mind at ease.

Can You Put a Regular Mattress in an RV?

Mattresses can be quite heavy – a residential queen-size mattress can weigh as much as 150 pounds. In contrast, most RV mattresses are thinner and lighter, which is important because they typically rest on a sheet of ⅜” plywood (sometimes thicker or thinner, depending on the RV manufacturer). 

The platform underneath your RV bed may not support the weight of a standard mattress. Consult your RV manufacturer to determine the maximum mattress weight your bed platform can support. Remember, it must support the weight of the mattress and all those sleeping on it.

Foam mattresses tend to be more lightweight than innerspring mattresses, so you’ll find many RV mattresses made of memory foam or gel foam. Hybrid designs provide the feel of an innerspring mattress with comfort layers of memory foam on top. Your best bet is to compare mattress weights, regardless of their construction. 

Can You Move the Mattress Easily?

You might not mind moving your mattress once you get it into your RV, but RV bedrooms are often tight quarters. This means you won’t have as much room to make your RV bed as you do at home. 

You may need to maneuver your mattress around to add or remove bed linens. It’ll be much easier to do so with a lighter mattress. Beyond that, lighter RV mattresses will be easier to maneuver into your RV once you dispose of your old mattress. 

You’ll need a mattress that flexes enough to navigate the narrow hallways in your RV. Many RVs have at least one tight turn before you get to the bedroom. That means you need a mattress that can swing that. Foam mattresses can be bent or stuffed basically anywhere. 

Don’t count innerspring mattresses out, though. Many of them can hang a tight corner pretty easily. Get a friend to help, and you should be able to maneuver the mattress into the right place in your RV. Just don’t go too stiff because the last thing you want is a mattress you can’t get in your RV.

How Often Should You Replace an RV Mattress?

Most RV mattresses should be replaced about every eight years. However, it’s important to remember that these mattresses aren’t necessarily designed for full-time use. The more you travel in your RV (and sleep in your bed), the more often you’ll need to replace your RV mattress. 

If you can’t remember how long you’ve had your RV mattress, just consider its comfort. Have you noticed a change in your sleeping patterns? Do you sleep much worse in your RV than you do at home? If you answer yes to either of those questions, it may be time for an RV mattress replacement. 

Lastly, a note that most of us don’t like to think about – your RV mattress accumulates “stuff” over time. We’re talking about dust, dead skin, sweat, and other things that come off your body or make their way into your RV when camping. 

Replacing your RV mattress regularly is important for your health. Older mattresses can be breeding grounds for bacteria, so replacing your mattress regularly is vital to healthy, happy RV road trips. 

Can I Add a Mattress Topper to an RV Mattress?

If you want to make your RV mattress more comfortable without buying a new one, consider getting a mattress topper. A mattress topper can completely transform the feel and comfort of your RV mattress. It’s one of the best ways to sleep more comfortably in travel trailers with Murphy beds.

Most people think of mattress pads and toppers to adjust the firmness level of an RV bed. They are certainly useful for softening your bed, but they can also reduce motion transfer, improve heat transfer, and provide pressure relief. High-density mattress toppers are just one of many RV bedroom ideas that can improve sleep.

Searching for more than a mattress – maybe even a new RV? Camping World can handle the entire selling and trading process for you.

What’s most important to you in an RV mattress? Share your sleeping preferences in the comments below!