An important part of using your motorhome is making sure there are beds large enough for each member of your family. However, since motorhomes have a smaller interior, mattress sizes may vary from those inside a full-size home.
So, what size mattresses are in most motorhomes?
| RV Mattress Size | Dimensions |
| Bunk Bed | 30″ x 75″ |
| Twin | 38″ x 75″ |
| Full | 53″ x 75″ |
| Short Queen | 60″ x 75″ |
| King | 72″ x 80″ |
Choosing an RV with mattresses big enough not only for your children but for you, can prove to be a little difficult. Continue reading to learn more about the differences between regular mattresses and RV mattresses, what types of mattresses you can use in your motorhome, and more about sleeping in a motorhome below!
Content courtesy of Tuck.com.
Motorhome Mattresses versus Regular Mattresses
If you have spent time in a motorhome or have begun searching for a new motorhome to buy, you may have noticed that mattresses in motorhomes and RVs vary greatly in size in comparison to a regular mattress.
Why is this you may ask?
Well, to keep it quick and simple, motorhome mattresses are smaller in size to maximize the amount of living space in your motorhome!
If the mattresses were full sized, space would have to be taken away from the kitchen, bathroom, and living room areas.
Since the living space is extremely important in your motorhome, sacrificing a few inches on your mattress shouldn’t be too big of a problem.
However, you should still be able to be comfortable when staying in your RV.
Not sure how your regular mattress sizes up against an RV mattress? Find out in our table below!
| Mattress | RV | Regular |
| Twin | 38″ x 75″ | 39″ x 75″ |
| Full | 53″ x 75″ | 54″ x 75″ |
| Queen | 60″ x 75″ | 60″ x 80″ |
| King | 72″ x 75″ | 76″ x 80″ |
| California King | 72″ x 80″ | 72″ x 84″ |
Content courtesy of MattressFirm.
While shaving off a few inches on the size isn’t a big deal for everyone, for those who are a bit taller, it is important to know that they will not only fit in their bed, but fit comfortably.
Some travel trailer or motorhome companies (such as Airstream) will have different mattress measurements specific only to their brand.
So while the dimensions in the table above are overall accurate, mattress sizes will vary depending on the trailer you are purchasing.
Do not be afraid to lay in the bed when viewing motorhomes on the lot. You should be sure you are going to sleep comfortably before purchasing a new motorhome!
Another drastic difference between motorhome mattresses and regular mattresses are the materials they are made from.
Continue reading to learn more about what kind of mattress is used in your motorhome!
Variations in Mattress Size and Material
In our homes we have each picked a mattress that is not only the right size for us, but is also comfortable for us to sleep on. The same rules should apply for the mattresses in our motorhomes!
Conventional mattresses are most commonly made with either a foam blend, or have an inner spring structure.
If you are looking for a mattress with more cushioning, you may choose either a memory foam mattress or a specialty mattress.
In a motorhome the master bedroom will usually contain a conventional style mattress (of course the mattress will be a little shorter than normal).
However, the smaller the mattress is inside your motorhome, a cheaper type of material will be used.
What this means for us RVers is that our kids are most likely going to have a mattress made from lower quality materials.
The most common material used when making motorhome mattresses is foam.
If foam is used for a queen or king sized mattress, its thickness will most likely be between 5 to 7 inches. This added thickness will help you to sleep better in your RV.
However, for a twin or bunk sized mattress, the foam’s thickness can range anywhere from 2 to 3 inches. The mattresses thinness may leave your children feeling a little cranky in the morning.
Worried about your child getting a good nights sleep in your motorhome? Then you may want to find a replacement mattress!
Consider purchasing a memory foam mattress to go in your motorhome instead!
A great mattress that is sure to help your kids sleep well after a long day of camping and travel is the Zinus Memory Foam Mattress.
This mattress is only $84.99 and will fit in a 30 inch by 75 inch space. Making this the perfect mattress for your motorhome!
How to Maximize Your Sleeping Capacity
One of the greatest challenges of using a motorhome is ensuring that there is enough space for everyone who wants to come along.
With the smaller mattress sizes, it can become a little difficult to find room for everyone to stay.
You should never have to leave someone behind simply because there isn’t enough beds in your motorhome!
Continue reading below some of my tips to help you maximize your motorhome’s sleeping capacity.
1. Always Look for Hidden Bed Space
Common in most motorhome and RV floorplans is pull-out couches and collapsible dining tables.
While these may not offer the highest end of style, they do allow you to squeeze a few more people in your motorhome.
Pull-out couches are designed to offer living space during the day and extra sleeping space at night (also known as a “sofa-bed”).
For most pull-out couches, this adds an extra 2 beds to your overall sleeping capacity!
While it may not be as simple as pulling a bed out of the couch, a collapsible dining table can add a little more sleeping space to your motorhome.
Not quite sure what a collapsible dining table is? Wondering why I would suggest you make someone sleep on your dining table? Don’t worry! I can answer both of these questions!
First of all, most RVs and motorhomes are equipped for the dining table to be removed.
You simply pull up on the top of the table until it detaches from the metal posts holding it up. These post are removed from the floor and can be stored underneath the dining area.
Along the bottom of the dining table seats you will see a small ledge. Place the top of the dining table on this ledge, rearrange the cushions to cover the table top, and *poof* you have an extra bed in your motorhome!
While this may not seem like the most comfortable place to sleep, I can assure you it is nicer than you would expect!
This space can add either one adult or two smaller children to your motorhome’s sleeping capacity!
Be sure to look for both of these options when shopping for your next motorhome!
2. Use Collapsible Bunks
If you have some extra floor space in your RV, and a few too many kids then you have beds for, then collapsible bunks could be the perfect solution to solve your motorhome’s bedding crisis!
Collapsible bunks are basically just cots you can set up for your kids so that they don’t have to sleep on the floor.
Not only will this be more comfortable for them, but it will be fun as well!
Not sure where to find a collapsible bunk bed? Check out my favorite collapsible bunk bed on Amazon!
3. Murphy Beds
While technically falling under “hidden bed space,” murphy beds are so good they needed their own section!
For those who are unaware, a murphy bed is simply an everyday object that can be folded down into bed at night.
During the day use the space without any trouble. In fact, guests will never even know that they are using a murphy bed until you show them!
Some common murphy beds are hidden in dressers, counters, and tables.
While these come at a higher cost to add to your motorhome, a murphy bed can give you the much needed sleeping space without taking away from your living space.
4. DOUBLE UP!
If all else fails and you are only a couple beds short of fitting everyone!
Double up!
For smaller children this will be a lot easier. Encourage them to enjoy the time spent closer to their siblings as if it were a “sleep over party.”
Doubling up in beds can nearly double your motorhome’s sleeping capacity.
While this tip works for smaller children, when they grow up, other options (such as a larger motorhome) may need to be explored.
Related Questions
What is the difference between a pillow top mattress and an euro top mattress? Pillow top mattresses have an extra layer of padding added to the top of the mattress. Euro top mattresses are extremely similar to pillow tops but are made to create a uniform line between the sides of the mattress and the extra cushioning.
Does I need to put mattress toppers in my motorhome? If you are looking for a little added comfort while sleeping in your motorhome, a mattress topper may be the right choice for you. However, if sleeping on the original mattress doesn’t bother you, there is no real need for a mattress topper in your motorhome!
