The average person spends as much as one-third of their life asleep. For something that people spend so much of their lives doing, it’s surprising that greater focus isn’t placed on making sleep as truly restful and restorative as it possibly can be.
Those who travel or live in RVs know all-too-well that the manufacturer-supplied mattresses are almost always far from top-of-the-line on comfort and quality. It can be a challenging and frustrating search to find a mattress that not only fits, but one that is also comfortable and durable. Tiny home owners may experience similar issues due to the strict space constraints their homes have.
Finding the Right RV Mattress
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to RV mattress replacement. What is best for one person will not be a solution for all. Mattress options will fall into one of three categories, spring, air, and foam, each with its own list of pros and cons. And finding a size that fits well in your RV’s allocated space can be a real issue as well. There are a number of factors to consider when shopping for a new mattress.
Physical Factors to Consider
Size-When shopping for a new RV mattress, owners will quickly learn that a queen is not necessarily a queen. Sizes have not been standardized in the industry. While some mattresses do match the length and width measurements of their household counterparts, most do not.
Profile-The profile, or thickness, of the mattress may need to be restricted to a certain height. A thicker mattress might be more comfortable, but depending on the location where it is used and if it needs to fold or be moved to access storage, a lower profile may be optimal.
Shape-RV mattresses may be uniquely shaped. In order to accommodate foot traffic around the bed, the mattress may have rounded corners rather than traditional square corners.
Weight-Manufacturer supplied mattresses are normally light to reduce vehicle weight. If already nearing maximum towing capacity, the weight of the mattress needs to be considered.
Durability-RV mattresses are subjected to a much wider range of environmental conditions. Temperature and humidity can affect the longevity of the mattress.
Other Factors to Consider
After narrowing down the mattress options to those that will physically fit into the space, there are additional and more personal, considerations to be made.
Comfort-Mattress comfort is a very individualized preference. Variations in mattress firmness should be a factor during selection.
Warranty-A new mattress should be built to last, even in tough conditions and with frequent use. An investment in a quality mattress should be backed by a good warranty.
Price-There is a solution for every budget. A new mattress doesn’t have to break the bank. Those who live in, or frequently use, their RV should consider spending a bit more for a higher quality and more durable mattress.
Budget
So how much should be spent on a new mattress? Considering how vital a comfortable night’s sleep can be, it’s worthwhile to spend as much as is needed to purchase a solution that will be both practical, comfortable, and meet your needs.
Bargain seekers should plan on spending at least $150-$250, while those desiring the ultimate in comfort, durability, and quality, should plan for $400 or more.
Determining Size
As there is variation in mattress names and sizes, accurate measurements are needed. A common mistake is to measure the mattress itself; however, there may be changes in size and shape due to use and environmental factors. Instead, a best practice is to measure the length and width of the platform where the mattress will be placed. Some of the most common sizes are listed in the table below.
| King | Queen | Full | Twin | Bunk |
| RV King 72″ x 75″ |
Short Queen 60″ x 75″ |
RV Full 53″ x 75″ |
RV Twin 38″ x 75″ |
RV Bunk 28″ x 75″ |
| RV King 72″ x 80″ |
Short Queen 60″ x 74″ |
Three Quarter 48″ x 75″ |
RV Twin 39″ x 80″ |
RV Bunk 30″ x 75″ |
| Cal King 72″ x 84″ |
RV Queen 60″ x 80″ |
RV Bunk 30″ x 80″ |
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| Eastern King 76″ x 80″ |
Olympic Queen 66″ x 80″ |
RV Bunk 34″ x 75″ |
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| RV Bunk 35 |