Yes. RV Queen Beds are smaller in length than regular queen beds. When I travel in a camper, sleeping gets me worried, especially because I am used to sleeping in a regular bed yet it won’t fit in. You need to get used to leaving your regular queen mattress behind when you stay in an RV.
When you put a regular queen mattress in an RV, it won’t fit properly because of the length factor. Their lengths measure differently. RV queen beds measure smaller, 60” by 75”, while regular queen beds measure longer, 60” by 80”.
Other things to consider in installing queen beds in RVs include:
- Shape
- Weight
- Size
- Wear and tear
- Thickness
I haven’t spent time RVing. So, I had never given thought to RV bed sizes before. I knew they were the same as standard mattress sizes, for example, the king. Queen etc.
RV queen bed sizes are entirely different from the sizes of regular queen beds. The difference is dependent on customizations made just for campers, motorhomes, busses, and other recreational vehicles.
RV Mattresses vs Regular Mattresses
A regular queen bed is made of stationery frames for static environments where temperatures typically remain the same year-round. RV queen beds, on the other hand, are made for tougher environments. To withstand extreme wear and tear, including frequent movements.
Other differences emerge in size, materials used in manufacturing, and weight. Full-size measurements of RV queen beds and regular queen beds are 60” by 75” by 11” and 60” by 80” by 11” respectively.
Materials used are polyester, wool, cotton, and some flame retardant adhesives for a standard queen, and Flame-retardant foam gel springs for an RV queen. The weight is between 100 to 150lbs for a standard queen, and between 50 to 75lbs for RV queen mattresses.
The width of both mattresses is the same. A major difference is most RV beds fold in half because they lay with a slide-out extended. RV queen beds are more flexible to easily fit into bed frames in an RV.
I didn’t realize these specifications were much of a difference until I set foot camping and traveling in my RV.
RV Queen Beds Sizes
There are as many RV mattress sizes as there are regular mattress sizes. But our focus is on Queen beds for both RV and regular use.
RVs are equipped with structures to hold the mattress in place. It can flip, slide, or move to store the bed, creating space for other uses.
Short Queen Size
A regular queen bed measures 60 by 80 inches, while a short queen-sized RV mattress retains the width, but measures 74-75 inches in length. Short queen beds won’t comfortably accommodate couples, as you will feel cramped sleeping on them. The sleeping space per person can be compromised.
The bed is more compact length-wise than a regular queen mattress, and is lighter and leaner. Since RVs are meant to maximize available space, short queen RV beds are geared to make the very best of the space available.
RV Queen Size
The queen size is rare to be found in an RV than the short queen size. This is because of the spacing factor. But it’s hard to tell the difference between a short queen-sized RV and a queen-size RV mattress, if you’re under 6 feet tall.
Can I Use Regular Queen Beds in My RV?
If space is not a problem for you, it might be worth it for a while. But after some weeks or months, issues will start arising, depending on the environmental conditions your RV is exposed to.
The regular queen bed will end up with a list of problems, depending on where you travel, how frequently you move, and the timing of travel. The list of issues will include:
- Structural damage to a bed material
- Risk of fire because of the material used
- Mold and mildew growth
- Size frustration as the bed won’t fit properly to available spacing
Since a regular queen bed is 5 inches longer, it won’t fit well in an RV like an RV queen bed. Also, because it would have to be folded to accommodate the pulling on a slide-out, it’s not recommended.
Is Weight a Factor?
RV queen beds weigh less because of the length factor. But weight is mostly determined by the specific materials used. Generally, RV queen mattresses weigh between 40 and 150lbs. However, weight should not worry you much. Differences in weight won’t affect the comfort of your sleep.
Weight is one of the main reasons manufacturers produce RV queen mattresses to be smaller than conventional queen beds. Weight is vital on the wheels of an RV, for lightness and leanness, so it won’t significantly affect the overall weight of the vehicle.
Every vehicle has a maximum weight it is supposed to carry. Considering that conventional beds are heavier, they are not recommended.
Things to Consider Choosing an RV Mattress
The following are important things to consider when choosing a mattress for your RV:
The Material
Mattresses are made of different kinds of materials to choose from. Each type of material comes with its advantages and disadvantages.
- Foam mattress is made of either memory foam, gel-infused foam, or polyfoam. A gel-infused foam provides a cooling effect that regulates body temperature during sleep. This is advantageous when camping in hot and humid environmental conditions.
- Hybrid mattress is a combination of different types of materials, including a layer of memory foam and an innerspring layer in the center.
- Latex mattress is made of either natural or synthetic latex. It borrows the contouring effects of memory foam but is more breathable and firmer.
- Innerspring mattress is made of steel coils on the inside, important in supporting weight during sleep.
Level of Firmness
The level of firmness you prefer will be determined by the need for a firmer mattress. Types of sleepers and the different body types are a factor in choosing the firmness level.
The lowest level of firmness is a plush mattress, which is soft and absorbs into the body as you sleep. This is useful in helping with spinal alignment. Important for side sleepers who require shoulder and hip support, and also lightweight sleepers.
Above-average firmness mattresses provide more resistance compared to plus mattresses, and distribute weight evenly on the surface. This type of firmness is ideal for people who sleep on their back or stomach, or for heavier people.
Temperature Control
Sleeping in a hot environment requires ample temperature regulation. Ideal if you are camping and traveling in your RV to hot summer spots. Avoid memory foam beds as they trap body heat the most. GelFlex Grid mattresses regulate temperature the best, dissipating away excess heat from the body.
Thickness
Consider the depth of your RV bed frames when choosing mattress thickness, and the closeness of the bed to the ceiling. A bed that is too thick will make you uncomfortable because it is near the ceiling.
Size
Take the measurements of the RV sleeping space to help you know the exact size of mattress you will choose. The dimensions of the platform for the mattress are what you need to take. Use the measurements to identify the corresponding name of the RV mattress to buy.
Confirm this with the manufacturer before proceeding to make a purchase. For example, the short queen RV and queen bed RV differ slightly in inches long.
The Best RV Queen Bed
The best RV queen bed should be one that is balanced with all considerable factors for comfortable sleep. A balance of the right firmness and thickness, is breathable for restful sleep even in hot summers, and fits on RV bed platforms.