What You Need to Know About RV Mattress Sizes

Sleep might not be top-of-mind when you’re selecting your RV, but getting a good night’s rest is crucial to being comfortable in your new motorhome. Unlike standard home mattresses, RV mattress sizes are a little more complicated. Let’s take a look at why and what it means for your beauty sleep.

What Is An RV Mattress and Why Is Size So Important?

An RV mattress is a mattress that comes with the purchase of an RV. Many RV manufacturers will list an RV as having a “king bed” or “queen bed” without specifying the actual measurements. Why is this important? Because that mattress that comes with your RV will probably be uncomfortable, and you’ll likely want to replace it.

When you go to put that new king or queen mattress in there, you’ll then likely notice that it doesn’t fit.

Now, a good mattress isn’t cheap, so this scenario can be frustrating. This is why it’s important to check actual sizes, as they can vary from RV to RV!

RV Mattress Sizes Explained

While you may be used to the standard twin, full, queen, and king sizes, RV mattresses have more options reflecting RV size and layout diversity.

Before we dive into whether a regular mattress will fit or if you’ll need a custom RV mattress, let’s first understand the common mattress sizes and how they measure up to what you’ll find in an RV.

RV King

RV king mattresses are your most spacious option. They measure 70-72 inches wide by 80 inches long, slightly narrower than a traditional king-size bed. These beds can comfortably fit two to three adults or up to four children.

Short King

A short King is similar to a standard RV king-sized bed except shorter. Short kings measure 72 inches wide by 75 inches long, five inches shorter in length than traditional RV kings. These are the right choice for RVers who want the space of a king but don’t have the space required.

Cal King

For those who want a little extra length to stretch out (and have a rig that fits), a cal king may be the RV mattress size for you. It measures 72 inches wide by 84 inches long. It’s four inches longer than a standard RV king and nine inches longer than a short RV king.

Eastern King

An eastern king is an RV mattress size equal to that of a traditional king-sized bed you’d find in a sticks-and-bricks home. Measuring 76 inches wide by 80 inches long, you’ll get a few extra inches of width compared to an RV king. 

RV Queen Mattress

The next significant step down from the king-sized beds, RV queens have the same dimensions as their residential mattress cousins. They measure 60 inches wide by 80 inches long and are suitable for a couple or two to three kids. 

Short Queen 

As the name implies, the short queen is five to six inches shorter than the standard RV queen, with the same width. These can be the right choice for moderate-sized RV bedrooms that can’t fit RV kings or other queens.

Olympic Queen

An Olympic queen is a less common mattress type that lands between an RV king and an RV queen in overall size. Olympic queen mattresses measure 66 inches wide by 80 inches long. If you need a bit more side-to-side space but can’t accommodate a king or short king’s size, an Olympic queen may solve your problem.

Full Mattress

RV Full mattresses are just a hair smaller than traditional full mattresses, coming in at 53 inches wide by 74 or 75 inches long. Full-size beds can generally accommodate one adult or older child or two smaller children.

Short Full or 3/4

Based on previous sizes, you might be expecting the short full or 3/4 to be a few inches shorter than the RV full. But you’d be wrong–the short full is actually 5 inches narrower, measuring 48 inches wide by 74 or 75 inches long. 

Twin

Twin beds are the smallest of the non-bunk RV mattress sizes at 38 inches wide by 74 inches long. These are most comfortable for children or smaller adults. 

Twin XL

The Twin XL includes a bit of extra length compared to the standard twin. It measures 38 inches wide by 80 inches long.

RV Bunk Sizes

There are numerous RVs that come with bunk beds that are perfect for families. RV Bunk mattresses come in various sizes, designed to reflect the narrow bunk sleeping areas found in some motorhomes.

They start at just 28 inches wide by 75 inches long and generally run up to 35 inches wide by 79 or 80 inches long. This is a relatively cramped sleeping space, even for children. 

Can You Put a Regular Mattress in an RV? 

This largely depends on your rig. The main concerns are threefold: size, weight, and getting the mattress on board. 

As noted above, RV beds often require slightly different sizes than traditional mattresses. RVers also need to keep their ride’s overall weight in mind, especially when towing, and a regular mattress can be significantly heavier than their RV-style cousins. 

The other concern might be more apparent. If you can’t physically get your mattress through the RV door and into your bedroom, you’re clearly out of luck. Some regular beds’ bulky nature combined with most RVs’ narrowness can sometimes make this an impossible task.

→ Many RVers opt for a Sleep Number Mattress in their RV. Find out how to get one in yours!

Where to Get Custom RV Mattress Sizes

If none of the standard options work for you and your RV (either on a size or comfort basis), custom RV mattresses are also an option. Some companies will make these for you based on your needs.

Some RV mattresses require rounded corners, beveled edges, or even hinges to fit properly into place. If this is the case for you, a standard mattress simply won’t do!

For a more budget-friendly option for size issues, you can also buy a larger foam mattress and cut it to size. 

→ If you’re planning on camping in your truck bed, you can still get a comfy truck bed mattress too.

What Is the Best Mattress for an RV? 

Best can be a subjective term, but based on comfort, price, weight, and maneuverability, many RVers opt for bed-in-a-box-style foam mattresses. Popular brands include Zinus, Dynasty Mattress, Live & Sleep, or Signature Sleep. Many people will opt for a foam bed option from Costco for its sheer convenience.

Many brands have risk-free trial periods so that you can test a mattress in your RV first.

We’ve personally found that simply adding an RV mattress topper can turn practically any drab mattress into a comfy resting spot. They are also very easy to trim to the correct size.

We also recommend checking out the RV mattress options from RecPro.com. They have a variety of RV-specific sizes available, including RV King, RV Queen, and even RV Hide-a-Bed and Bunk Bed options.

Sleep Soundly With A Comfy Mattress In Your RV

As you can see, the issue of RV mattress size isn’t as cut and dry as it is for traditional beds. But with the help of these tips, you’ll soon be sleeping soundly on your new, perfectly-sized mattress.

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