What’s the difference between an RV mattress and a regular mattress?
An RV mattress is designed to fit your motorhome in all three of these critically important ways: (1) Height (2) Length (3) Weight. A regular mattress is usually several inches too high for most RV size beds, could weigh down a motorhome, and is at least a few inches too big for a RV bunk. Luckily, some mattress retailers specially cater to a travel trailer’s required dimensions, size, and weight, providing accessibility to great sleep with a simple online order.
Can you put a regular mattress in an RV?
You may be tempted to select a regular mattress for your camper or RV—but before you do, consider your vehicle’s prescribed weight limit from the manufacturer, also known as the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
A regular mattress is a heavy item to add to your RV—especially when a RV mattress will usually weigh about 50 pounds less. Plus, you never know what other items you may need to add to your RV during your travels (like a generator which can weigh anywhere from 50 lbs to 250 lbs).
Our verdict: for peace of mind and smooth sailing (er, driving), select one of the many highly rated RV mattresses on the market today.
RV Queen Mattress vs. Regular Queen Mattress
Queen size mattresses are a luxury for the adult sleeper. Many luxury motorhomes will accommodate a regular queen size (60”x80”) but these sizes are also where weight becomes an issue—hence the need to turn to an RV mattress.
RVMattress.com offers a mattress model (the RV Signature Hybrid) in a standard queen size, along with a short queen (60”x74”) and an olympic queen (66”x80”)—all while weighing less than 100 pounds. Plus, it’s only 10.25 inches in height without compromising comfort—while some standard queens can be anywhere from 18 inches to 36 inches in height.
Those looking for a cooling mattress topper can select the RV Signature Hybrid’s optional sewn-on mattress topper, GlacioTex™. It’s cool to the touch to prevent you from sleeping too hot or too cold.
RV King Mattress vs. Regular King Mattress
Many king beds in a camper offer a standard RV king size (76”x80”) but, again, here is where weight and height become an issue with most standard king mattresses. Opt for a RV king mattress, which will usually weigh no more than 105 pounds, unlike a regular king mattress that can weigh up to 180 pounds.
However, a standard king mattress may also not fit all RVs and campers.
RVMattress.com offers an additional RV short king mattress (72”x75”) and a RV California king mattress (72”x84”), along with three hard-to-find RV king sizes: 70”x74”, 70”x80”, and 72”x84”. (If you are looking for an Eastern King, this is the same dimensions as a regular king size mattress, 80”x76”, i.e., almost a perfect square.)