As many as 11 million households in the US have an RV, but the majority of these vehicles are delivered with thin, uncomfortable mattresses that often cause travelers to suffer from aches and insufficient sleep. The mattress you use inside your RV is equally important as a sleep surface as the one in your house. In this post, we discuss mattress criteria and share 5 RV mattresses you can buy today.
Essential Features of a Good RV Mattress
When we talk about the difference between sleeping in an RV and at home, the first thing that comes to mind is the bedroom in the RV being a lot smaller, temperatures reaching extremes unexpectedly, and the necessity of adhering to weight restrictions. Therefore, a good RV mattress should provide excellent comfort while accommodating the special layout of your vehicle.
It’s worth noting that RV mattress dimensions do not match standard sizes. Some examples of typical RV beds are the Short Queen measuring 60″ x 74″, RV King 72″ x 80″, and several sizes for bunks. You should always measure your bed frame before making a purchase, taking into account any furniture or other fixtures that might affect the size.
Key Features
Aside from size, the following features distinguish a quality RV mattress from a basic one.
- Cooling technology: Since RVs can become hot, especially in summertime, it’s a good idea to go for gel-infused foam or covers that allow for air circulation.
- Support type: Foam mattresses are lightweight, whereas hybrid mattresses (those combining foam and coils) give more room for airflow along with better edge support.
- Firmness options: People with different sleeping positions require different mattress firmness levels. For instance, side sleepers normally like medium, while back and stomach sleepers have the most success with firm support.
- Sleep trial and warranty: A company that provides its customers with a generous trial period shows that its products are of good quality.
- Weight: If your mattress is heavy, it will impact your fuel consumption and the weight balance of the RV.
5 Best RV Mattresses Worth Buying
There are many choices available, but these five have been noticed for quality, comfort, and value. Three are from Adventure RV Mattress, and two are from RV Discount Mattress.
1. Adventure Classic RV Mattress
Features:
- Breathable, quilted cotton cover to aid airflow
- Contour Gel Foam comfort layer is designed to reduce pressure
- High-density support foam base to avoid sagging
- Firmness level: 8 out of 10 (firm)
- Handmade in the USA
- 365-night sleep trial and 20-year warranty
- Shipping via FedEx comes rolled and compressed.
Adventure Classic is the most affordable mattress in the Adventure RV lineup, yet it offers much more than its price tag. Being a firm mattress, it is rated 8 out of 10, which makes it probably the best mattress for people sleeping on their back and stomach who require a firm spinal support without very much sinking. The quilted cotton cover helps with airflow, and the Contour Gel Foam layer alleviates pressure in the hip and shoulder areas.
The high-density foundation ensures that the mattress remains flat and stable for years to come. If you are aiming to replace the stock RV mattress that is worn out without breaking the bank, this one is certainly a good starting point.
2. Adventure Plus RV Mattress
Features:
- PolarHex™ Quilted Cooling Cover helps keep the body temperature.
- Contour Gel Memory Foam accords the body for relief of pressure points
- High-density support foam base
- Firmness level: 7 out of 10 (medium-firm)
- 3x better heat regulation than typical RV mattresses
- Best for back and side sleepers
- 365-night sleep trial and 20-year warranty
The Adventure Plus is an option that bridges the gap between the Classic and Max. It contains the same Contour Gel Foam as the Classic, but it also features the brand’s signature PolarHex™ Quilted Cooling Cover, which actually controls the temperature by providing more airflow and lowering the humidity build-up.
Such a feature makes a big difference in warm areas or during summer travel. Having a firmness of 7 out of 10, it provides a medium-firm feel that is suitable for both back and side sleepers.
The Adventure Plus is the best choice for different seasons and for couples who have various sleep preferences.
3. Adventure Max Hybrid RV Mattress
Features:
- PolarHex™ cool-to-the-touch quilted cover.
- Gel-infused memory foam comfort layer
- Individually wrapped encased coil support system.
- EdgeGuard™ reinforced perimeter coils for edge support.
- Available in plush, medium, or firm
- No fiberglass, formaldehyde, or harmful chemicals
- Best for stomach, back, and side sleepers
- 365-night sleep trial and 20-year warranty
Adventure Max represents the pinnacle of the Adventure RV mattress series and is also the most advanced mattress they make. This is an authentic hybrid that merges gel memory foam with a coil system that is individually wrapped to provide support and airflow at a level that foam-only mattresses simply cannot reach.
The EdgeGuard™ perimeter coils keep the mattress from collapsing on the edges, hence allowing you to fully utilize the sleeping surface without feeling like you may accidentally roll off. It is available in plush, medium, and firm, so anybody can get their preferred one.
This is the right choice for hardcore RV travelers wanting to experience the same comfort as a hotel bed while being on the road.
4. JourneyRest Cool Hybrid 12″ — RV Discount Mattress
Features:
- Increased height: 12″
- Five layers of comfort
- Gel-infused memory foam for a cooling effect
- High-density comfort foam layer
- Perimeter edge support with pocketed coil system
- Breathable plush quilted cover
- Firmness: Plush-Medium
- 120-night sleep trial and 10-year warranty
- Free shipping, 22 standard sizes available
The 12-inch JourneyRest Cool Hybrid mattress combines 5 layers to make a hybrid model from RV Discount Mattress. At a plush-medium firmness level, it is softer than other RV-specific options, so it can be a good choice for side sleepers or those who want a cushioned feeling.
The gel-infused memory foam removes heat from the body, while the pocketed coil in the perimeter ensures that the mattress remains stable and has edge support even if the weight changes.
It has 22 standard sizes, it lets you select the most suitable size, and the shipping is free, along with a 120-night trial period, which means that you test the mattress for four months.
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5. Tru Lux Cool 12″ Hybrid — RV Discount Mattress
Features:
- 12″ height with 5 layers of comfort
- HD Cool Visco Foam for cooling sleep
- Gel-infused memory foam layer
- Perimeter edge pocketed coil system.
- Breathable quilted cover
- 120-night sleep trial and 10-year warranty
- Free shipping, 22 standard sizes available
- Additional 10% discount when buying 2 or more
Tru Lux Cool Hybrid is the highest quality mattress from RV Discount Mattress.
There are 5 layers with pocketed perimeter coils and free shipping across 22 standard sizes, just like the JourneyRest.
This mattress uses HD Cool Visco Foam as the top comfort layer, whereas the JourneyRest uses a gel-infused memory foam, which cools better than the latter; however, the HD Cool Visco Foam is a better quality memory foam that responds faster to body movement.
You can get 10% off if you buy two mattresses, which is great for RV owners having more than one sleeping area and needing to replace mattresses in all rooms.
How to Choose the Right One for Your RV
Any of the five mattresses listed above could work well, but the best choice for you will vary based on your individual situation. Here is a brief summary to help you decide:
- If you are a budget-conscious buyer: Adventure Classic — reliable, firm, made in the USA
- If you are an all-season traveler: Adventure Plus — medium-firm with excellent cooling
- If you want a premium sleeping experience, Adventure Max Hybrid offers the highest level of customization and hotel-quality comfort.
- If you want a soft feel: JourneyRest Cool Hybrid — plush-medium with gel cooling
- If you are replacing several mattresses: Tru Lux Cool Hybrid — luxurious feeling with a multi-unit discount
Regardless of which one you pick, upgrading from a factory RV mattress to any of these will definitely improve your sleep quality on the road. Comfort for a road trip actually begins the night before you start driving.