Are RV Queen Beds Smaller? (complete size guide)

Written by Jeff Campbell in Bedding & Furniture Last Updated December 20, 2023

Sleeping on a comfy mattress is one of the secrets to having a great time RVing. Seeing as RVs are smaller than the average home, you’ve probably wondered, are RV queen beds smaller?

RV queen beds are smaller than regular queen beds, being 5-6 inches shorter while keeping the same width. A regular queen is 60” x 80”, while an RV queen is 60” x 74” or 75”. 

Because of space considerations, almost every size of RV mattress is a different size from its home counterpart despite using the same name (twin, queen, king, etc.).

But there’s a lot more to know.

So, in this article, we’ll learn about the differences between RV and regular mattresses and whether it’s okay to put a regular mattress in a rig. But, we’ll also check out the difference between a queen and a queen short.

Then, we’ll find out why RV mattresses are different from regular ones. And, we’ll wrap things up by finding out the best and most comfortable queen-size RV mattress.

Let’s get into it.

rv queen beds smaller lg

What’s the difference between an RV queen and a regular queen mattress?

The difference between an RV queen and a regular queen mattress is that an RV queen mattress is 5 inches shorter. The width of the mattress is the same. Additionally, many RV beds fold in half as they can only lay flat with a slide-out extended.

Because of space constraints in an RV, it’s not as long as the regular queen. If it were longer, it wouldn’t fit the bed frame and would hang over it.

As I said at the top, a regular queen is 60″ x 80″, while an RV queen is 60″ x 74″ or 75″.

Apart from the difference in length, it’s also lighter than a regular queen. And, many times, it is foldable as they can’t always lay flat with the slide-out pulled in.

RV mattresses are generally designed to be lighter and leaner than their at-home counterparts. They’re also more flexible so that they can be easily fitted into the bed frames in an RV.

A comfy mattress is a must if you’re thinking of spending a substantial amount of time in your rig or retiring in it. But knowing and checking out the mattress quality before you buy is just 1 of many things you need to think about.

To help you make an informed decision, a recent article of mine explores 25 crucial pros and cons of living in an RV full time. It’s a deep dive.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Can you put a regular queen mattress in an RV?

A regular queen mattress will not fit well in an RV as it will be 5 inches longer than the original RV mattress. But if there is space available at the bottom of the bed frame and it doesn’t have to be folded to accommodate a slide-out being pulled in, it can work.

But some folks use a regular queen mattress in their RVs.

It’s a function of your preference. They’re probably used to what they sleep on at home and want the same experience when they’re on the road.

But the weight and bulk of a regular queen can be a challenge when you have to move it into an RV.

Some of those who prefer to use it in an RV are often those who have transitioned to living fully in their RVs and who are not ready to give up the quality of sleep they’re used to.

But before you go ditching the mattress that came with the RV and just grabbing one at a mattress store, think about making your existing mattress more comfortable.

I got into a bunch of tips in a recent article of mine that can help you make an existing RV mattress a lot more comfortable without having to replace it. I even cover the 1 tip that doubles the comfort level.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

What is the difference between a queen and a queen short?

A queen short mattress is the same size as an RV queen, 5 inches shorter than a regular queen mattress. It is also lighter and leaner.

Consider that a standard queen-sized mattress is 80 inches tall and 60 inches wide, while a queen short is 74 or 75 inches tall and 60 inches wide.

5 inches seem pretty trivial, right? Why would a mattress be reduced by 5 inches? It’s not trivial in an environment, such as an RV, where every inch matters.

Vehicles that are used in towing RVs have certain weight restrictions in terms of what they can pull. So, RVs are designed to maximize space.

Queen shorts help in this quest to make the best of every inch.

Why are RV mattresses different than regular ones?

Space and weight are the key reasons that RV manufacturers make mattresses smaller than conventional home mattress sizes, despite using the same names to describe the size.

In a home, there is often ample space, and even if you’re living in an apartment, the size and the weight of your mattress doesn’t really matter.

But they are vital in the small box on wheels that is an RV. They have to be designed to easily fit smaller spaces. And to be lighter and leaner so that they won’t have a significant effect on the RV’s weight.

Regular mattresses are often thicker and consequently heavier. Some can weigh 100 lbs. Each truck or vehicle has a maximum load it can carry or pull, and when it comes to RVs, everything counts.

The mattress is a key factor to consider. 

  • In some cases, the shapes of RV mattresses are also different so that they can easily fit the bed frames in the RV.
  • Modern RV mattresses are designed in such a way that they do not absorb as much heat as regular mattresses. 

Because they’re usually fitted into small spaces and are bound to be in closer contact with your body, there’s a high likelihood that they’d absorb more heat, making you uncomfy when the weather is warm. 

  • The best modern RV mattresses are sturdier than regular mattresses because they’re designed to be more resistant to the harsh reality of being used in a mobile structure.
  • Lastly, sizes that we’ve come to associate with regular mattresses do not translate well to the RV world. So, if you’re planning to buy a mattress, make sure you’ve measured where it would be fitted.

What is the best and most comfortable queen-size RV mattress?

Travel Happy makes one of the best and most comfortable queen-size RV mattresses on the market. It measures 60″ x 75″ and has 2 inches of graphite gel memory foam on top to provide a really comfortable sleep, and it is cooler than most.

CLICK HERE to see it on Amazon.

The TRAVEL HAPPY RV mattress is 8 inches thick and is hand-crafted by the Amish.

It comes in a vacuum-sealed package. Open and leave it for a day for it to off-gas, and you’re good to go. By the way, it has a cover.

It has over 100 ratings on Amazon, and most of them are 5-star. Check it out here on Amazon to see the current price.

Conclusion

We learned about the differences between RV and regular mattresses and whether it’s okay to put a regular mattress in a rig.

But we also checked out the difference between a queen and a queen short. Then, we found out why RV mattresses are different than regular ones.

And we wrapped things up by finding out the best and most comfortable queen-size RV mattress.

Photo which requires attribution:

Rental motorhome trip by Kent Wang is licensed under CC2.0 and was cropped, edited, and had a text overlay added.

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