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To enjoy your weekend camping trip or summer-long road trip, you need a comfortable RV mattress.
Nothing ruins an adventure like waking up with a backache or tired from a restless sleep.
Today, we’re looking at five RV mattress brands that offer better options than the standard manufacturer’s mattress.
Before you book your first camping trip, you’ll likely want to replace the cheap, uncomfortable mattress that came with your rig. Let’s dive in!
Are RV Mattresses Different From Standard Mattresses?
Yes, RV mattresses differ from the ones you sleep on in your house. While you may enjoy resting on a 10-inch or 12-inch thick coil spring or memory foam mattress at your residence, you’ll find a much more uncomfortable, cheaper option in most RVs.
The biggest reason for this is weight. RV mattresses are lighter and thinner to reduce the overall weight of the RV. While it may seem insignificant to go from 100 pounds to 60 pounds, every little bit counts when you’re trying to stay under the GVWR of your RV.
Many beds also have storage underneath. You don’t want to lift an 80-pound mattress every time you have to get a roll of toilet paper or blanket out from underneath the bed.
RV mattresses are also sized differently, which we’ll discuss in more depth next. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t use a residential mattress in your RV. Some people love their Sleep Number mattress so much that they buy a second one for their RV.
As long as you get the dimensions correct and your RV can handle the load, there’s no reason you can’t replace the standard RV mattress with a more comfortable option.
What Are the Different RV Mattress Sizes?
There seem to be as many RV mattress sizes as there are types of RVs. You might have a short queen or a tri-fold sofa. The kids may sleep on a double bunk or a narrow 28-inch bed.
The most spacious option is the king-size RV mattress, which measures 70-72 inches wide by 80 inches long. It’s slightly narrower than a traditional king-size bed. The most common mattress size in the master bedroom of an RV is a queen, which measures 60 inches by 80 inches. It’s the same size as a standard queen bed.
However, you may also have a short king or short queen mattress. These options are five or six inches shorter and allow RVers to walk around the foot of the bed in a smaller layout.
The bunk bed sizes are even more diverse. The kids could have a twin XL mattress measuring 38 inches wide by 80 inches long. Some of the smallest bunks are 28 inches wide by 75 inches long. There are also double over double bunk mattresses that aren’t as large as a full bed but are larger than a twin.
Pro Tip: RV Mattress Sizes: The Only Guide You Need.
What’s Wrong With Manufacturer RV Mattresses?
The manufacturer mattress that came standard in your RV is probably the first thing you’ll want to change. Most RVers find it extremely uncomfortable, hindering their sleep and negatively affecting the overall quality of the camping experience.
We know some friends who have never slept on a standard RV mattress one night. When they purchased their RV, they immediately took measurements and bought a replacement.
We only slept on the mattress that came with our rig for two nights and knew it had to go. We honestly don’t know anyone who has kept their manufacturer mattress longer than a month.
So why do manufacturers use such poor-quality mattresses? It always comes down to cost. It’s cheaper to put in an inexpensive mattress. If you plan on buying a new RV, add the price of a new mattress to your overall budget.
What To Look For When Shopping For An RV Mattress
When you’re ready to look for a new RV mattress, there are three crucial considerations. You want it to be comfortable, but don’t focus entirely on the material. Also, consider the weight and cost to make your final decision.
Material
Gel, latex, and foam are the most popular materials for good-quality RV mattresses. Each adds to the comfort of your sleeping environment, leading to a more restful night. You don’t want to wake up groggy when you have an epic hike planned.
Memory foam is the most popular choice among RVers since it allows for more even weight distribution across the mattress. Additionally, memory foam may be your best option if you’re sleeping with a partner.
Weight
We’ve mentioned that RV mattresses are usually lighter than residential mattresses. This is one reason you don’t see many water beds in an RV.
Adding 1,000 or more pounds would be difficult when your cargo-carrying capacity is only 1,800 pounds. If you go with a residential mattress, ensure you have enough weight for the extra pounds.
Cost
We suggest considering a trial period before committing to a mattress. Some brands offer a 30-day trial period. Others allow up to a year. Know the specific details to get the most out of your bed before making a final commitment. Then, when you spend the money, you’ll know you’re getting exactly what you want.
A Breakdown of 5 RV Mattress Brands
Below are five popular RV mattress brands that can custom manufacture the exact size of your bed or build standard RV sizes like a short queen or twin XL.
1. Mattress Insider
Mattress Insider launched in 2008, making custom-sized mattresses in all shapes and sizes. You’ll find a lineup of residential mattresses and ones for boats, RVs, and trucks.
You can also buy mattress toppers, sheets, and protectors. We love that Mattress Insider can take specific measurements for any size space and create a custom mattress to fit.
Whether you purchase the Elation, the most budget-friendly option, or the Scarsdale Luxury, the most expensive option, you’ll receive free shipping, a 121-night comfort guarantee, and a 15-year warranty.
Prices range from $300 to over $1,000, depending on the thickness, size, and type. This is the mattress we currently have in our truck camper, and we love it. More on that later, though.
One of the first things we recommend to new RVers is to toss out that horribly uncomfortable mattress that came with your RV and switch to Mattress Insider. They specialize in hand-made mattresses as well as custom mattress sizes and shapes; perfect for oddly shaped bunk beds and more. We had our mattress custom-made for the truck camper and now sleep like babies. You can too with Mattress Insider.
Use the code “GETAWAY5” to save 5% off your order!
2. Wilderness RV Mattress
Wilderness RV Mattress offers customers a 100-night trial plus free shipping. Like other brands, all mattresses come compressed in a box so they can be quickly shipped and maneuvered in tight RV spaces.
They also advertise a 10-year limited warranty. However, customers have reported having issues filing a warranty claim.
The Wilderness Dream Bunk is the cheapest option, while the Montana Hybrid costs around $1,200. You’ll find gel memory foam options and pillow top options. However, these mattresses are heavier than others on our list and can make getting to the under-bed storage more challenging.
This is the mattress brand we had in our fifth wheel, and after years of use, we ultimately decided we wouldn’t use them again. Here are 5 Reasons We Avoid Wilderness RV Mattress now.
Pro Tip: Our Wilderness RV Mattress got moldy, so we tossed it. Here’s How We Prevented Mold Under Our New RV Mattress!
3. RV Mattress By Brooklyn Bedding
Brooklyn Bedding is well-known for its sheets, but did you know the company also manufactures RV mattresses? You can choose from the Dreamfoam Essential, which starts around $275; the Dreamfoam Hybrid, which starts around $530; the Signature Hybrid, which starts around $665; or the Aurora Luxe, which starts around $1,000.
Like other companies on our list, RV Mattress offers options for every budget.
All Brooklyn Bedding mattresses come with a full 10-year hassle-free warranty. The 120-night trial period gives you ample time to try out the product before deciding if it’s right for you. All mattresses are tightly compressed in durable plastic and shipped in a box.
4. Sleepdog Mattress
Sleepdog Mattress specializes in semi-truck and RV mattresses. Like Brooklyn Bedding, Sleepdog offers a 120-night trial period and a 10-year warranty. Shipping is also free in the contiguous U.S.; all mattresses are manufactured in North Carolina. Every RV mattress order ships within two days after placing your order.
While the other RV mattress brands provide several options at varying price points and with different materials, Sleepdog Mattress only has two.
The Original RV Mattress is an 11-inch gel memory foam mattress that starts at $1,069. The Azul RV Mattress is also an 11-inch mattress that features a multilayer foam construction and an UltraCool soft knit cover. It starts at $1,400.
5. Tochta
Finally, Tochta specializes in custom RV, home, or truck mattresses. These custom builds are priced independently. You choose your mattress and then input the exact dimensions.
The Divini mattress offers split-side firmness customization and nine different firmness options. The Utopis mattress features a cooling foam and is about $150 cheaper than the Divini mattress. The Journey mattress is the most budget-friendly mattress and starts around $375.
All mattresses from Tochta ship free from California, come with a 10-year warranty, and are made with CertiPUR-US certified foams. The trial period – only 100 days – is a bit shorter than the other RV mattress brands. Because of the customization, shipping also takes longer. Most mattress orders are received in about two weeks.
Which RV Mattress Is Best?
While most of us are as picky as Goldilocks when it comes to what mattress is right for us, we prefer Mattress Insider. We created a custom-sized mattress for our truck camper and loved it. It fits perfectly, is super comfortable, and shipped quickly.
We also got a custom-sized mattress cover to ensure it lasts long. The cover isn’t crinkly or disruptive either; you can’t even tell it’s there.
We also love that Mattress Insider is a small business based in Colorado, so we know everything is made in the USA. Their customer service was friendly and prompt when ordering, and they were able to answer all our questions to help us decide which mattress would be best for us.
One of the first things we recommend to new RVers is to toss out that horribly uncomfortable mattress that came with your RV and switch to Mattress Insider. They specialize in hand-made mattresses as well as custom mattress sizes and shapes; perfect for oddly shaped bunk beds and more. We had our mattress custom-made for the truck camper and now sleep like babies. You can too with Mattress Insider.
Use the code “GETAWAY5” to save 5% off your order!
Sleep Easy With a New RV Mattress
It’s imperative to get a good night’s sleep while camping.
Whether traveling full-time or enjoying a weekend getaway, your sleep affects your overall health. You want the energy to paddle, bike, fish, and explore. Or if you’d rather relax and do nothing on your camping trip, you at least want to feel well-rested to enjoy the outdoors.
Check out these five RV mattress brands to replace your awful mattress that came with the RV.
