An Overview of RV Mattress Sizes for Canadian Travel Enthusiasts

If you like travelling in your RV, it doesn’t have to mean compromising on comfort. What does comfort look like when you are on the road? For many, it starts with a comfortable bed. Picking the right size mattress for the space and your needs and choosing the right type of mattress can ensure a comfortable night’s sleep wherever you might be.

In this article, we cover the RV mattress sizes you can choose from in Canada and how to measure your RV for a mattress that fits perfectly. You will also find information on the different types of mattresses you can choose from and what else you need to consider when selecting a mattress for your RV.

RV Mattress Sizes

When it comes to buying an RV mattress, it is a similar process as if you were buying a mattress for your home. The key difference is the space you have available in an RV. You need a bed that is big enough for you to be comfortable in but small enough to fit your home on the move.

Short queen and short king are the most common RV mattress sizes. As the names suggest, they are shorter than regular queen- and king-size beds, so they will fit better into a typical RV or camper.

Below, you will find the typical sizes for a range of mattresses available for RVs. However, there are slight dimension differences between some brands, so always check the exact sizes offered by the manufacturer.

• Bunk mattresses are usually used in RVs designed for families. They are perfect for creating sleeping space for additional sleepers. Bunk mattress sizes are comparable to the size of twin mattresses.
• RV full-size mattresses can be used to optimise space as they can often be folded into a couch when they are not in use. The length is the same as on the short queen, but it is not as wide.
• RV short queen mattress is a comfortable size for two adults. While the short queen is a great mattress for compact spaces, it might not be the most comfortable mattress for very tall people because they are about five to six inches shorter than a regular queen.
• RV queen is the same size as a regular queen-size mattress you might buy for your home so it offers comfortable space for two sleepers.
• RV short king, like the short queen, is a short option for people who want a king-size bed but cannot accommodate the normal length.
• RV king mattress is roomy and comfortable even if they are slightly narrower than a king-size bed you might get for your bedroom at home.
• RV California king is the same width as the other two king-size RV mattresses but longer. If your RV has the space for it, the California king is the perfect mattress if you are a very tall person or want to accommodate kids or pets in the same bed as two adults.

How to Measure for an RV Mattress?

When you are measuring a mattress for your RV, you need to carefully measure the length and width to ensure it is not squeezed in or taking more space than it should. You also need to measure the depth of the bed platform, as RV mattresses come in different depths.

Depending on your RV, it may already come with mattresses, for example, if it has pull-out beds or bunk beds, as these will have been designed to optimise the space and sleeping options in the vehicle. It may also already have a double bed.

If you wish to change any of the mattresses or reconfigure the setup to accommodate bigger or smaller mattresses, measure each space from side to side, head to toe, and from the base of the platform to the top of the platform.

Choosing the Material for Your RV Mattress

When you have measured and chosen the right size mattress for your RV, you can focus on choosing the right material for your bed. If you use your camper all year round, you may want to choose a material that can help you keep cool in the summer and retain heat in the winter. On the other hand, if you only use it during the summer, you might like to focus on cooling mattresses.

Memory Foam Mattresses

Memory foam mattresses are popular in RVs and campers because even thinner memory foam mattresses can provide a comfortable surface for sleeping. The key benefit of memory foam mattresses is that they contour your body and provide plenty of support as well as pressure relief. However, they can get hot to sleep on so if you travel a lot in very warm climates, you might find that they make you sweaty during the night.

Latex Mattresses

Latex mattresses are similar to memory foam mattresses, contouring your body and providing pressure relief. They are cooler than memory foam mattresses and resistant to dust mites and mildew. Latex is also a natural material derived from the rubber tree and therefore preferred by people who want to make more eco-conscious choices.

Innerspring Mattresses

Most RV mattresses in Canada are made with different types of foam but you can find innerspring mattresses for RVs, too. Innerspring mattresses have a lot of bounce and more edge support than most foam and latex mattresses.

They have good air circulation because air can circulate freely between the springs, which makes them a cooler option than foam mattresses. If you share a bed with a spouse or your kids, consider getting an innerspring mattress with pocketed coils as they have the best motion isolation among innerspring mattresses.

Hybrid Mattresses

Hybrid mattresses combine the qualities of foam and innerspring mattresses. Though combinations vary, they often have a pocketed spring core and a memory foam top. They are cooler than foam and have better motion isolation than innerspring mattresses alone.

What Else Should You Consider When Choosing an RV Mattress?

While the size is crucial to getting the right fit for your RV, and the mattress material can make a big difference in how well you sleep, there are also other things you should consider when shopping for a new RV mattress.

How Firm Do You Want the Mattress to Be?

How firm your mattress is will affect how comfortable you find it to sleep in. If you want more pressure relief, choose a softer mattress, and if you want a more supportive mattress, go for a firmer one. While everyone has their personal preferences, how firm your mattress should be depends heavily on your body type and which position you prefer to sleep in.

Soft to medium mattresses are generally recommended for lighter sleepers and children, as medium or firm mattresses will not contour to lighter bodies as well. In general soft to medium mattresses offer the best cushioning.

The best firmness level for the majority of sleepers is medium because it offers both softness and support so your spine is correctly aligned while you sleep. Firm mattresses are recommended for heavier sleepers to provide better support for the spine and pressure points.

Which Position Do You Prefer to Sleep In?

You should also think about the position you prefer to sleep in when choosing your mattress as this will affect the firmness level of your mattress. Depending on the position you sleep in, your weight is distributed differently and the mattress needs to support your body in different ways.

If you prefer to sleep on your stomach, consider getting a softer mattress, as it will provide you with better pressure relief and support the position of your spine better. Medium or medium to firm mattresses are often the best for side sleepers because they provide more support for the back and hip when sleeping on your side.

Firm mattresses are better for people who like to sleep on their backs or are so-called combination sleepers who change their position regularly during their sleep. Turning a round on a firmer surface will require less effort than on a soft or medium surface.

How Well Does the Mattress Regulate Temperature?

Some people often get very hot when they sleep and your mattress can make a big difference in how hot you get during the night. If you are a hot sleeper, then a regular memory foam mattress will not be best for you as they do not offer much temperature control.

If you are looking for a cooling mattress, consider getting a latex, gel memory foam, or open-cell mattress which has better air circulation and therefore better temperature control.

You can also improve temperature regulation by choosing cooling bed sheets. They are made with materials that move heat away from you and remove moisture to keep you cool and dry.

How Well Does the Mattress Isolate Motion?

Another key point to consider is the mattress’s ability to isolate motion. If you share your mattress with your partner or you have kids who often get into bed with you, mattresses that isolate motion the best are often a must for a better night’s sleep.

Foam mattresses tend to have better motion isolation than innerspring mattresses, except for pocket coil mattresses which are comparable to foam mattresses. If you sleep lightly and wake up easily when your partner or kids move, it is definitely worth getting a mattress that isolates motion as much as possible.

Does the Mattress Provide Pressure Relief?

Pressure points are formed when our bodies press into the mattress. These pressure points can be uncomfortable, affect the quality of our sleep, and make you feel stiff and tired when you wake up. Many modern mattresses are designed to distribute your weight more evenly, which reduces the pressure points. Foam and hybrid mattresses generally offer better pressure relief than innerspring mattresses.

Can You Have a Sleep Trial?

Many companies now offer sleep trials where you can try the mattress out at home, or in this case in your RV, before you commit yourself to buying it. Most sleep trials last between 60 and 120 nights but you can find companies that offer longer trials, too.

When you get a new mattress, it takes around thirty days for your body to get used to it. A sleep trial allows you to decide in the comfort of your own space if the mattress is right for you. For this reason, you usually have to try the mattress out for at least thirty days before you can return it.

If the company you are buying from offers a sleep trial, you can return the mattress with no questions asked before the trial is over. Any unwanted mattresses are either given to people in need or recycled.

What if You Cannot Find a Mattress That Fits?

If you have, for example, a custom-made RV or are renovating a campervan, then you might not find a mattress that fits your configuration. If it is not possible to fit a standard-size mattress in your RV, you can get a mattress custom-made.

Work with reputable and experienced mattress manufacturers or retailers if you need to get a custom-made mattress. They will be able to guide you through the mattress-making process and advise you further with the choice of materials and designs.

Conclusion

Because RV configurations vary so much, there is more variation in mattress sizes made for RVs than among mattresses made for your home. To make sure you get the right size mattress, measure the sleeping platform in three dimensions: length, width, and depth. Choose a mattress that is as close to your measurements as possible.

Other points to remember when you order a new RV mattress:

• Choose a mattress material that adjusts to your body
• If you sleep hot, choose a cooling mattress
• Consider your weight and sleeping position when deciding the firmness of the mattress
• Get a mattress with a sleeping trial if possible, to test it out properly.