RV bed. Photo via Flickr
You’ll Sleep Better in Your RV Bed if You Do These Things
RVs are quite expensive and even the most high-quality models find ways to save money in the build process. Unfortunately, one area that often takes a hit in the comfort department is the RV bed!
The standard mattresses that come in most RVs are suitable, but not really built for long-lasting comfort. They are sometimes a bit thin and tend to lead to sore backs after you sleep on them for a while.
Getting a good night’s sleep is essential, especially when you plan on traveling quite a bit. So to help make your RV bed a bit more comfortable, check out some of the tips below. Some are quick fixes while others might require more time and money to implement. But when it comes to getting great sleep, it’s best to know what your options are!
Buy an upgraded RV mattress
Of course, one of the most effective ways to improve your RV bed is to buy a brand new mattress. This is also the most expensive option though, so it makes sense to explore the other possibilities before you commit.
Lots of standard RV mattresses don’t offer enough support and tend to break down fairly quickly. Some of them are even treated with harsh chemicals that can irritate your skin. Generally, they are just a bit thin and uncomfortable and many people prefer to just get rid of them entirely.
Because this is a common problem in the RV industry, there are lots of solutions available. Just make sure you buy a new RV mattress that fits the size of your bedframe/bedroom. The typical mattress height is between 8 and 12 inches, and the width will vary depending on the size you’re looking for.
Some great brands to consider include Plush Beds and Dynasty RV Mattresses. These are both top names in the world of RV beds and you can select your personal preferences when it comes to the firmness level. If you want to get to the root of your sleep troubles, a new mattress is usually the fastest way to go.
Use a memory foam topper
If you don’t want to invest in a brand new mattress after you just bought an RV, we don’t blame you! That’s an expensive purchase and there are other ways to improve an RV bed without replacing it entirely.
Mattress toppers are another popular way to improve your quality of sleep. These can just be laid over the top of an existing mattress and covered with your standard sheets. They provide extra support to your body and cushion your body if the mattress below is a bit thin.
Memory foam is the most popular material to use for toppers, and there are a few different types you might want to consider.
Open cell
Open cell memory foam is a less dense type of memory foam. Because the cell walls have been broken, there is more room for air to flow and disperse. This means that it’s easier to cool down if you sleep on an open cell topper. This type of memory foam is particularly soft and will have a lot of give to it. If you love a soft sleep surface, an open cell memory foam topper would be perfect.
Closed cell
Closed cell memory foam is denser and more tightly packed. If you’re looking for a firmer sleep surface, this is the way to go. This type of topper tends to absorb and retain heat. This could be a good or bad thing, depending on your preferences. If you are often cold at night, this could help you stay warm. But if you get too hot at night, it’s tough to cool down with a closed cell topper.
Cooling gel
This type of topper is less common, but cooling gel memory foam toppers are helpful for people who get too hot at night. In addition to the memory foam, these toppers use a layer of gel or gel beads that absorb heat. This will keep you nice and cool, while still providing the extra support you need for a good night’s sleep.
Pad the RV bed frame
In some cases, it’s the bed frame itself that needs work, not the mattress. If the mattress isn’t getting proper support, then you’ll feel uncomfortable, regardless of how high-quality the material is. Lots of RV bed frames are made out of plywood, which doesn’t provide the most stable base.
To help make your bed more comfortable, consider adding some padding to the bed frame. You can use simple items like folded blankets to do this or invest in a foam pad to place on the base. Anything that can provide a level layer of padding can help!
Add a second mattress
Another way to give yourself a more comfortable sleep surface is to use 2 mattresses instead of 1! Stacking your mattresses creates a softer bed and it gives you much more padding. Of course, this also means your bed can end up being quite tall, so you’ll want to use mattresses that fit within your allotted bedroom space.
Air mattresses are a common choice among people who want to stack their mattresses. It can either be used as a top or bottom layer, but usually it works better when it’s placed on top. An air mattress is also cheaper than a traditional mattress, so this is a budget-friendly option.
Invest in good pillows
Pillows are another essential element to creating a good RV bed. If you have poor neck support, this can lead to back and body pains. Maybe it’s not the mattress’s fault that you ache in the morning. It could be your pillow that’s to blame!
Luckily there are tons of great pillows on the market and there’s something for everyone. Some people prefer a firm pillow, while others want one that’s squishy. Overly-stuffed and soft pillows have their place too! You may even want to buy a few pillows of varying firmness so you can swap them out depending on your needs each night.
When it comes to high-quality pillow design, it’s hard to beat the lineup from Malouf. Many of these pillows are built with cooling technology that prevents you from getting too sweaty at night. They also have a variety of sizes and firmness levels that can accommodate anyone’s sleep needs.
Try a weighted blanket
Finally, don’t overlook the blankets you’re using. A good comforter can go a long way when you’re settling in for the night. One item that can promote better sleep is a weighted blanket. These provide an even layer of pressure over your body and help you sink into the bed.
For those who get cold at night, a weighted blanket can also help you retain heat and avoid moving around too much. Restless sleepers have found that this is a great solution that helps them settle down for the night. They’ve even been shown to reduce stress!
Hopefully the tips above will help as you look for ways to make your RV bed more comfortable. You don’t have to throw the whole bed away because there are many ways to make it perfectly suited to your sleep needs.
One of the best parts about RVing is engaging with the community of traveling enthusiasts. iRV2 forums allow folks to chat with other RVers online, and get other perspectives on everything RVing, including products, destinations, RV mods, and much more.
Related articles:
- Don’t Get A New RV Mattress (Until You Do This)
- The 5 Best RV Mattresses For Quality Sleep
- 6 Ways To Get Better Sleep While RVing
Get sheets that fit properly.
We replay the mattress with one just like the one in our bedroom. Only difference was it was made for the RV. Couldn’t tell the difference when sleeping.
Spend the money and get a Sleep Number mattress! You will be SO GLAD you did and you get a 90 day tryout time also. We have one in ours since we are full timers. Dont go cheap….go luxury and you will be glad you did.
What we found for a good night sleep in our TT is a house pillow top mattress.
Nice and comfy.
And for quick and easy sheets and blankets we use two sleeping bags zipped together
Keep it simple silly
We’ve had two Class C motorhomes and replaced the original queen mattress in each with a Sleep Number bed. We love them! They are light and Sleep Number makes an RV air bed.
Instead of a regular mattress pad get a heated mattress pad with individual controls. You can get low voltage ones on Amazon. They have thinner heating wires so you don’t feel them under the fitted sheet and they use less power.
The biggest trick is finding a good affordable mattress when the bed is in the slide and the mattress has to fold to close the slide.
The places I’ve looked at are too pricey for me.
We went to original mattress factory in minnesota. Ordered firmness, short queen and 1 row of coils less along side to make bed easier to make without scraping hands on side walls. Less cost than rv stores
Thanks for the great, informative article. We bought a used RV with an older bed. Instead of replacing the mattress which was in great shape (just not very comfy) we bought a “My Pillow Mattress Topper.” It is SO NICE!! I no longer wake up achy and sore. They even have RV sizes!
The item that turn my RV bed from almost comfortable to very comfortable was an egg rate mattress. I purchased the 4 inch one. Ahhhh
40 years ago I bought a queen sized box frame/mattress at the Navy Exchange in Subic Bay Naval Station, Philippines. Last night I slept on it. Mrs now has her own bedroom (I snore). I believe I sleep as well as I did 40 years ago granted the bed is not subjected to the activity it once was. I find this hoopla about mattresses the “emperor’s new clothes”. Nice try. No sale.
Thank you so much for this article and video on the importance of getting the right mattress for your motorhome.
I have an inherited neuropathy and nerve condition in my legs, spine and neck so having a good mattress is extremely important to me.
We hope to be purchasing our first motorhome within the next six months. And making sure we have the right mattress is a top priority. Thanks again for your informative video.
The problem I find with RV bed comfort is that the mattress rests on solid plywood instead of box springs. I have never been comfortable on that type of set up. I’m ready to take out the entire set up and replace with a regular bed bolted to the floor.
Do you have any suggestions for people who own an RV with a Murphy bed? Mines uses a split mattress to allow it to fold into the wall. I did not see split mattresses on either of the websites you recommended. Also, is a closed cell or open cell topper best for this type of application?
Our experience is the following: remove the plywood base and replace it with a European-style slat system.
The best ones have slats that are slightly bowed upward when there is no load on them, they have “sockets” to secure both ends of each slat to the frame, and the frames are welded or riveted to avoid twist and movement. They may sound heavy, but most are not significantly heavier than the plywood platform they replace. The benefits are: improved breathability of the mattress, even support of the mattress, and it eliminates the need for any padding under the mattress. It is worth noting that replacing the standard (cheap) RV mattress with a high quality residential mattress is also a key step.
We had our 24′ Kodiak straight pull three days before we threw out the mattress. We replaced it with an air bed (one of the taller types) and 2 inch mattress topper, then a quilted mattress pad. Have slept comfortably for 3 years now. Not only that – less weight.
Another in-expensive trick and makes a world of difference, is thick foam Yoga mats. Place them on the wood platform beneath your mattress. (You will notice the difference!)
I bought a Sleep Number bed, eastern king size, never used. I bought it for the Winnebago we bought and sold before we could use it. Took it out of the box to ensure all parts were there – and they were. We paid $2,800 but will entertain any reasonable offer (at least half please). Email below and spread the word please. Thank you
We replaced the original mattress with a good quality air mattress and a 2 inch foam topper. Light weight and completely adjustable with the air pump.