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RV Mattress Sizes: Don’t Lose Sleep Figuring Them Out

RV Mattress Sizes: Don’t Lose Sleep Figuring Them Out

We recently published a post on RV bunk mattresses (specifically made for RV bunk beds), and soon noticed that there seems to be a lot of confusion out there about RV mattress sizes in general.

So, we thought we’d put together a post to address the most common questions in hopes of clarifying things a bit.

Let’s jump right in!

Is an RV Mattress the Same as a Regular Mattress?

In general, the answer to this question is no. A standard RV mattress is not the same as a home mattress.

When we use the term “standard RV mattress” here, however, we’re referring to the ones that come with an RV when it’s purchased new.

Some larger and/or more expensive RVs do use standard mattresses. And RVers of course make changes and upgrade their rig’s standard equipment at times. So we can’t speak to every rig out there. But in general, most RV mattresses aren’t what you’d normally find in a typical sticks & bricks house.

Besides differences in construction, materials, or other details, RV mattress dimensions aren’t usually the same as standard mattress sizes. That’s primarily because an RV is a much smaller living area than most homes. And sometimes it’s due to the odd shape of the living space.

RV mattress sizes and types vary widely and have changed considerably over the years. So, older RVs may have very different beds than newer RVs.

The size and type of rig are often the biggest factors. Class B RVs are likely to have smaller beds (and therefore smaller mattresses) than Class A rigs, such as a big diesel pusher like our 43′ Mountain Aire. This is mostly due to obvious space considerations.

This means an RV mattress could be (and often is) as much as a few inches shorter and/or narrower than the one in a typical house. And depending on the type of mattress you want to buy, you may also need to consider thickness as well. And what about odd shapes? They’re out there!

Twin beds in a Class B RV on the left and a larger bed in a bigger RV on the right

RV mattresses vary widely in size, quality, and even shape. On the left are “twin” beds in a Class B RV. On the right is a “queen” bed in a larger rig. But do “twin”, “queen” and ‘king” mean the same thing in RVing as what we’ve become used to in the sticks & bricks world?

The bottom line here is that if you’re looking for a new mattress for your RV, you’ll need to take your current mattress measurements carefully to make sure the new one will fit. And of course, there’s the matter of buying sheets that fit properly.

Let’s get into some specifics about RV mattress sizes.

What Sizes Are Mattresses in Most RVs?

In this section, we’ll refer to RV mattress sizes that are most typically found. Keep in mind that dimensions can vary considerably based on a number of factors.

So once again, if you’re in the market for a new mattress for your RV, be sure to measure carefully rather than simply going by the measurements we (or anyone else) discuss as being “typical”. It’s your rig that matters, and your bed that a replacement RV mattress has to fit!

Twin RV Mattress Sizes

A standard RV twin mattress is roughly 75″ long x 38″ wide.

Some twin RV mattresses are as narrow as 35 inches, and there may be some out there that are even narrower. However, it’s not unusual to find a twin RV mattress that’s 35 inches wide by 75 inches long.

We should note here that the size of an RV twin mattress is not the same as an RV bunk mattress. While bunk mattresses can vary significantly in size depending on the RV, they do tend to be smaller than you might expect.

Full RV Mattress Sizes

A “full-size” mattress in an RV is typically noted as “full” or “short full”.

An RV “full” mattress is generally 75″ long and around 53″ wide.

A “short full” mattress in an RV is usually a few inches narrower and slightly shorter at 48″ wide and 74″ long.

Again, these are generalities. Various RVs of different eras have different bed sizes, so it’s possible that your rig might require a custom size.

When replaced the “king-size” mattress in our motorhome with a custom-made innerspring mattress from Mattress Insider, we measured first of course. That’s when we saw more clearly than ever why our king-size fitted sheet had always fit so loosely.  “King” isn’t a standard thing in the RV world!

We even made a video about it with all the details:

Queen RV Mattress Sizes

Most RVs with “queen-size” beds have either an RV queen or an RV short queen mattress.

An actual RV queen mattress is 60 inches wide x 80 inches long, the same measurements as a standard home queen mattress.

But many RVs have a “queen” that’s really a short queen, measuring 60 inches wide by 75 inches long.

This depends on the RV type, age, and manufacturer, so we’ll shout it again from the rooftops here: measure carefully to get the exact measurements of your so-called “queen-size” RV mattress.

King RV Mattress Sizes

The standard king mattresses found in typical homes tend to measure 76″ wide x 80″ long.

But like the king mattress in our motorhome, most king-size RV beds measure a bit differently, depending on several factors, most prominently the design and layout of the RV’s master bedroom.

As we noted above, when it came time to replace our RV mattress, we needed to have one custom-made for us. That’s because while a typical RV king runs 72″ x 80″, ours is a little different. When we first measured, it concerned us initially that there wasn’t any standard-size mattress that would fit our space. Then we learned about Mattress Insider’s custom options, and we’ve been sleeping like babies ever since!

Like the full and queen RV mattress sizes noted above, “short king” mattresses are often found in RVs. These generally measure 72″ wide x 75″ long.

Bunk RV Mattress Sizes

RV bunks are largely intended for kids, so some can be quite small, depending on the RV.

However, RV bunk mattress sizes vary widely from rig to rig, and there’s not exactly a “standard” size for an “RV bunk mattress.”

Are bunk beds high on your RV wish list? Check out our posts on RV bunk mattresses and RVs with bunk beds for more details.

Truck RV Mattress Sizes

We want to make a special note here about mattresses in truck campers which can be quite different from those in other types of RVs.

A truck camper typically has a bed that sits out over the truck’s cab. This area often measures about 79″ or 80″ in length, but can vary widely in width, anywhere from 35″ to 42″.

With that said, it’s possible to find truck campers that can fit a regular queen mattress (60″ x 80″) in some cases.

Are RV Mattresses the Same Thickness as Home Mattresses?

Standard RV mattresses tend to be thinner than mattresses typically found in a home. Some of that is to save cost. Other factors may have to do with construction (is it an innerspring or latex mattress)?

Many RV mattresses measure only five inches in thickness. That’s often less comfortable than a typical household mattress, and a primary reason why many RVers replace the original mattress that came with their rig.

But mattresses may come from the RV manufacturer ranging in thickness from 5 inches to 12 inches depending on the rig.

A thinner mattress on the left and a thicker one on the right

The thickness of RV mattresses varies significantly from 5″ or less to 12″ or more. The construction of RV mattresses varies widely as well. In general RV mattresses tend to be thinner to save both weight and cost.

An RVer wanting to replace a mattress will need to measure carefully and take into consideration any built-in RV furniture, headboard, and cabinetry as well as space.

For example, you don’t want to exchange your 5″-thick mattress for a 12″-thick mattress that finds you constantly smacking your head on a built-in cabinet above your bed!

As an alternative to having a very thick mattress, some people use mattress toppers to enhance the comfort of a mattress that’s a bit thinner by necessity.

What Is the Difference Between RV Queen vs Regular Queen?

A queen mattress in an RV is actually the easiest one to replace because an RV queen is generally the same size as a regular queen mattress.

However, some rigs come with a “short queen” which is five inches shorter than a standard queen mattress. That’s an important difference to note. So be sure to measure twice if you’re replacing your RV’s queen mattress, or when you’re buying new sheets.

Speaking of sheets…

Will Queen Sheets Fit an RV King Mattress?

Most often not. The primary reason is the difference in widths.

A standard queen mattress is 60″ wide by 80″ long. While your RV king might be 80″ long, widths vary, with the most common being anywhere from 72″ to 76″.

There’s no way a queen sheet designed for a 60″-wide mattress will fit one that’s 72-76″ wide.

You’d be better off getting sheets that are too wide rather than not wide enough.

Here’s a little trick we’ve used to make a standard fitted sheet better fit an RV mattress:

Where Can I Buy a New RV Mattress?

Based on our own experience, we have to tip our hats to Mattress Insider.

Not only do they have every size and type of standard mattress ready to purchase, but they’re also real pros at custom-making any size or type of mattress you want. They’ll even hook you up with custom-sized sheets!

We sing their praises here because we have first-hand experience with their stellar service. And we just woke up from another night of great sleep!

Here’s our Mattress Insider discount code to help you save on regular mattresses & sheets, custom mattresses with sheets to match, as well as mattress toppers, pillows, and mattress protectors.

SAVE 10%
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MattressInsider.com 10% Discount

After 11+ years of full-time RVing, our original RV mattress was worn out and no longer comfortable to sleep on… but with our new, custom-made one from MattressInsider we’re sleeping soundly...Show More

After 11+ years of full-time RVing, our original RV mattress was worn out and no longer comfortable to sleep on… but with our new, custom-made one from MattressInsider we’re sleeping soundly again!

Watch our mattress replacement video

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Judy Bowen

Tuesday 12th of December 2023

I have the short queen, but on a slide out so when retracted, the bottom flips up. I have searched for a replacement mattress unsuccesssfully. Any suggestions you may know of??

Warren G

Sunday 10th of December 2023

Good recommendation on Mattress Insider. We replaced our 72” wide x 74” long mattress there (went an inch longer for a little more toe room). We live south of Denver and were fortunate to be able to visit their showroom in Lakewood, CO to actually test the mattresses. Very happy with the quality and comfort. While I know there are other high quality options, most of them are available in certain sizes and were not available in our somewhat unusual size.

TheRVgeeks

Monday 11th of December 2023

Great to hear, Warren. Thanks for sharing your experience with everyone! Pleasant dreams! 🛌

Norman

Sunday 10th of December 2023

Have a Rockwood MiniLite 2104s with a Murphy bed. Horrible mattress we want to replace. Can not find info on options that would work. Worried about weight on mechanism and thickness for getting closed. Help??

TheRVgeeks

Monday 11th of December 2023

Hi Norman. We recommend Mattress Insider for high-quality, comfortable, and custom-sized mattresses to fit RVs. You'll want to take some careful measurements of the space with the Murphy folded up/closed. And we'd suggest contacting Forest River to find out what the weight limitations are for the platform.

One other consideration... does the mattress have to fold/bend significantly when you close the Murphy? If so, you'll likely need to stick with a mattress style that can handle that (MattressInsider can give you recommendations on that once you have the other questions answered).

Hope that helps... and hope someone else with a Murphy bed chimes in with any info they may have about specific issues.

Dan Guyor

Thursday 26th of January 2023

There is one other thing to think about with RV mattresses, and I just found out about it when I tried replacing mine.

We have a Sleep Number bed at home and have been using one for about 20 years now. I've seen YouTube videos and camper blogs where they put a Comfortaire or Sleep Number in their RV and said it was an easy install and very comfortable. Most were between 2019 and 2021. That product seems to have vanished during the first half of 2022.

My bride came up with the idea of getting two twin household mattresses and putting them on the platform for the RV short king. When I contacted Sleep Number again I was told that they cannot put their household mattress in my motor home because while they meet fire safety standards, they do not meet the fire safety standards required for installation in a recreational vehicle. If I were to buy the household mattresses they would not install them in the RV.

We did find another vendor that carries the air chamber mattress designed for the RV and have one on order now.

My recommendation is that anyone thinking of buying a mattress designed for the home and puting it in their RV give it a pass and get one designed for the RV market.

Rhonda Meyers

Tuesday 13th of December 2022

Thank you for the information. We have a tilt-up section for our mattress and bedroom slide to work properly. What's missing from the few mattress places we researched and/or recommended by YouTube content providers was only for a solid mattress - nothing that could actually fold up like a hinge. Fortunately, we have a local company that custom makes mattresses that was able to make the two-piece set we needed. They are just down the street from an RV dealership so they are getting increased business for RV mattresses.

As mentioned in your blog, each RV owner is their own advocate for what they need. Thank you for always informative posts.

Judy Bowen

Tuesday 12th of December 2023

@Rhonda Meyers, where???? we have a Class C with the bottom fold up mattress to accommodate the bedroom slide retracted and unable to find a replacement. After 5 years, its become a hammock!

TheRVgeeks

Tuesday 13th of December 2022

Glad to hear you found a local solution to your problem, Rhonda! Sleep tight! ????????

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