Our Guide to RV Mattress Sizes… So You Don’t Lose Any Sleep!

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 from time to time. 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 even 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 former rig, a 43′ Mountain Aire). This is mainly due to obvious space constraints. 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!

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 that the size of an RV twin mattress is not the same as that of 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, while a “short full” mattress is usually a few inches narrower and slightly shorter at 48″ wide and 74″ long.

Again, these are generalities. RVs from different eras have different bed sizes, so your rig might require a custom size. That’s what we did when we 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 from the rooftops again: measure carefully to get the exact dimensions 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 we had 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 was time to replace our RV mattress, we needed one custom-made. That’s because while a typical RV king runs 72″ x 80″, ours was a little different. When we first measured, we were initially concerned that there wasn’t a standard-size mattress that would fit our space. Then we learned about Mattress Insider’s custom options, and we slept like babies in that rig until we sold it!

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 primarily intended for kids, so some can be pretty small, depending on the RV. However, RV bunk mattress sizes vary widely from rig to rig, and there’s no exact “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 differ significantly 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″.

That said, it’s possible to find truck campers that can accommodate 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 costs. Other factors may involve construction (is it an innerspring or a latex mattress)? Many RV mattresses are only 5 inches thick. That’s often less comfortable than a typical household mattress, which is a primary reason 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.

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 an RV Queen vs a 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, as we mentioned above, some rigs come with a “short queen,” which is five inches shorter than a standard queen mattress. That’s a significant difference to note. So be sure to measure twice if you’re replacing your RV’s queen mattress or 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″. So 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:

Or, if you’d rather get sheets that are specifically made to FIT your RV’s weirdly-sized mattress, consider checking out QuickZip sheets. Not only do they come in RV-specific sizes, but the 2-piece, zip-off fitted sheet makes laundry day SO much easier (especially if your RV’s bed is difficult to access). Plus, you can save money on your order with our discount code:

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. 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.

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