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There’s nothing like plush comfort on the road.
Words by Jesse Tutt
Summer is the perfect time to get away and take advantage of the great Canadian outdoors. Before the travelling season, amidst the grey days of spring, you look out your window to your RV and are reminded of enjoying peaceful hikes on beautiful sunny afternoons and spending time with your family around a campfire.
But if other thoughts come to mind like a sore neck or aching back from that lumpy mattress that came with your trailer or motorhome, there are choices to get a better night’s sleep, allowing the chance to awake rested and refreshed, all at a reasonable value.
Need a New RV Mattress?
There are many aftermarket options for an RV mattress and you just might be surprised by what is available while keeping weight well under your RV’s load limit. There’s a good reason why RV mattresses are made the way they are. When towing a trailer or driving a motorhome, weight limits must always be considered. Less weight translates to better fuel economy, which is especially important if you normally travel long distances, and you like to bring all of your essential gear.
Airstream
Adding a new mattress can also inspire new designs for more comfort, like this found on the Airstream Bambi.
RV mattresses are made to be lighter with less material and are also smaller than the mattresses in your home due to space restrictions. Floorplans in RVs are designed in several ways and mattresses need to match those specifications – this means you’ll come across different sizes and custom measurements. Some mattresses may also need to fold, which lends itself to softer materials like memory foam.
While browsing for a new RV mattress, it’s important to understand that they are standardized and categorized under the same or similar titles to their traditional counterparts, but they differ in measurement. For instance, an RV queen-short size measures 152 cm x 190 cm (60 x 75 in), which is just a few inches less than a traditional queen size mattress. Similarly, an RV king-size mattress measures 183 cm x 203 cm (72 x 80 in) that is just 10 cm (4 in) narrower than a traditional king. So, when you’re looking for a new RV mattress, always take precise measurements, as you just might need a custom solution.
KZ-RV
A replacement bunk mattress often provides more comfort and support.
Materials and Function
Keep in mind that spring mattresses tend to be heavier than memory foam due to the steel springs. If weight is your primary concern; you may want to opt for a memory foam mattress. These are becoming lower in cost with several benefits over a spring-style mattress. They offer better body contouring and less motion transfer. However, they can get a little hot, especially on warm summer nights – and the last thing you want is to wake up covered in sweat.
One option to consider is the memory foam mattress from Canadian manufacturer Gotta Sleep, which incorporates a layer of foam with graphite and cooling gel. The cooling gel is pretty exclusive, but that doesn’t mean that it’s more expensive than other special varieties.
RV Bunk Mattress and Replacements
RV bunk mattresses can often be uncomfortable as they provide little to no support due to the poor quality of the components. Believe it or not, the components in an average dog bed are usually better. Most OEM RV and camper bunk mattresses are only composed of two to three low-end fibre padding and the foam can potentially start breaking down after only a few uses.
TMC
For bunk mattresses, plan for a minimum of 60 cm (24 in) between the top of the new mattress and the top bunk or ceiling for certain designs.
You will also need to decide on the desired height for your new bunk mattress. The thicker the mattress, the more comfort and support layers it has. That being said, bunk beds in motorhomes, fifth wheels, travel trailers, toy haulers, and camper vans often have minimal head clearance. It’s best to have a minimum of 60 cm (24 in) between the top of the new mattress and the top bunk (or the ceiling if you're replacing the mattress on the top bunk). Bunk mattress heights usually range between 11 and 20 cm (4.5 - 8 in) in depth.
Care and Investment
If you only go RVing in the summer, your trailer or motorhome will be idle for long periods without ventilation, which can result in a musty odor in your mattress. An ideal solution is to purchase a mattress protector, which is designed to help eliminate the odor and provide a fresher mattress the next time you use it.
Aston Yao
In the end, having the best comfort will provide more relaxing and enjoyable trips.
RV mattresses are perhaps one of the most overlooked items before the first trip of the season and it’s not until after that first night that you need a replacement. By following these straightforward guidelines, not only will you be provided with a good night’s rest but more comfort for longer periods, allowing you to enjoy extended trips with family and friends.
Jesse Tutt is an accomplished IT leader of 18 years, international speaker, and entrepreneur. He developed the software that runs The Mattress group of companies, founded one of the largest virtual tour providers in Alberta, and is the CEO of Gotta Sleep, Good Roofers, and Guru SEO Services.
Size Right: A Quick Guide to Mattress Measurements
(Source: Mattress Insider)
Three Quarter Size: 48" x 75"
RV Full Mattress Size: 53" x 75"
Short Queen Mattress Size: 60" x 75" (most common short queen-size)
Short Queen Mattress Size: 60" x 74"
RV Queen Mattress Size: 60" x 80"
Olympic Queen Mattress Size: 66" x 80"
RV King Mattress Size: 72" x 75"
RV King Mattress Size: 72" x 80"
Cal King Mattress Size: 72" x 84"
Eastern King Mattress Size: 76" x 80
RV Bunk Mattress Size: 28" x 75"
RV Bunk Mattress Size: 30" x 75"
RV Bunk Mattress Size: 30" x 80"
RV Bunk Mattress Size: 34" x 75"
RV Bunk Mattress Size: 35" x 79"
RV Twin Mattress Size: 38" x 75"
RV Twin Mattress Size: 38" x 80"
RV Bunk Mattress Size: 42" x 80"
For more details visit https://gottasleep.com/pages/mattress-sizes-dimensions