Sleeping in an RV: What Options Do You Have

Smiling woman on RV mattress


Whether you are heading out for a weekend or taking an extended cross-country trip in your RV, one of the main considerations when addressing travel comfort is your RV mattress. It is difficult to enjoy the daytime scenery when you can’t get a good night’s sleep. Thus, when buying an RV (especially if it’s a used RV) or when redecorating your current RV, keep in mind that you have several options when it comes to sleeping during your RV trip:

Bed with RV Mattress
RV mattresses come not only in all sizes, from twin to Eastern King, but in different shapes as well (one cut corner, two cut corners etc.). It is important to have a mattress that will fit into your allotted space. For some, the bigger the mattress is, the more likely it is for them to have a comfortable night. Others want more room to walk around so the mattress size could be smaller.

Thickness of the trailer mattress should be considered, as well, although quality of the foam may be more crucial to mattress comfort than actual thickness. The thickness of the camper mattress can vary between 5″ to 8″. The density of the foam and the Indentation Force Deflection (IFD), however, can affect the level of support and firmness. The denser it is, the better support you’ll get from the mattress, while the higher the IFD is, the firmer the RV mattress will be. The trailer mattress, available in 5″ high-density foam, is an excellent space-saving option that doesn’t sacrifice comfort. A step up from that is the camper mattress, with 8″ of foam that offers additional support and comfort. The luxurious RV mattress features a layer of memory foam that cushions you in cloudlike comfort as you sleep, providing a truly superb slumber.

Many RV and trailer beds have storage underneath. How you access this storage may be a deciding factor in how thick you want the mattress. If you have drawers that pull out from the side, a thicker mattress will be fine. If you have a bed that uses a lift and raises the platform that the mattress lays on, a thinner mattress may be a better choice.

A memory foam mattress is another option. Many people find memory foam to be very comfortable. It is a different experience, though, so before you order a memory foam mattress, take an opportunity to try it for a night. It is not recommended that you use a regular mattress in your RV. Our RV mattresses are designed for both the durability you need and the comfort you want.

Bunk Beds
Bunk beds are a great and sometimes creative way to provide sleeping quarters for kids. Besides the traditional type of bunk beds, some RV designs have been known to tuck bunk beds back in a corner peeking out from behind a cupboard or closet, or tucked up into the head space above the dining table, to be lowered into sleeping position, as needed.You’ll need to be sure that you get the proper mattress for a bunk bed (they tend to be thin to accommodate head room, so a higher density trailer mattress is important here), but they’re an excellent option if you want to save space. As an added bonus, your kids or grandkids will love the adventure of sleeping on the top bunk.

The Sofa Bed
The sofa bed is a great alternative for smaller campers. It provides seating by day and sleeping by night. The sofa bed mattress should be on the thinner side, as it has to be folded into the sofa when put away. As in the case of the RV mattress, a thicker or conventional mattress will not work for a sofa bed.

More For Less
For extra sleeping space, a bunk bed on top and a sofa sleeper below might just do the trick. Not only does it provide room for one more, it provides another area during the day to sit and enjoy each others’ company.

Whether you choose an RV bunk bed, a sofa bed or traditional camper mattress, you’ll start each new adventure well-rested thanks to the sleep you’ll get on a foam RV mattress.