I have always wondered about the mattresses in RV's and just read in RV.net blog that they aren't comfortable.  Can I substitute a mattress from home for one that comes with the RV?  Or are they different enough in length that it wouldn't  be advisable.  I have a really good queen mattress as well as a rarely used full size mattress, and would prefer either of them to having to use an eggshell foam topper, which I don't care for to begin with.  Thanks.
gypsy

The quality of the mattress varies by manufacturer and model, they are not all uncomfortable. We've been happy with ours for almost 3 years now, but did add a mattress topper about a year ago. Give it a good test before you buy and then decide if you want to bring one from home. Sometimes they fit and sometimes they don't, again depends on the model RV you decide on. Fred

We measured the beds in both of our RVs and made sure they used a normal 60x80 Queen mattress.  On the first one we hated the mattress and replaced it with a Select Comfort Sleep Number bed with pillow top.  When we traded to the new RV we moved the new mattress to the old RV and moved our Select Comfort mattress in. 

Our MH  came  with a 60x80 queen size mattress. We wanted a regular size when we  bought, and not the  shorter  ones. However we  got rid of the new one  that came in it as we ordered  the same as  we have on our bed at home...A Natures Rest. Love it.
Would have used the one at home but it is a King size.
When you buy  your  rig...just be aware of the size  they are offering you.
Buying sheets are  easier too  I think anyhow if you  have a noraml size mattress. 
 We could have ordered the sleep number as an option on ours, but liked our home one so much decided  against it.
It works...so why change.
Good  luck///and  good night   ....sleep well
I'm off to  nite nites    now...
We're up at Boothbay Harbor  Maine...and it has been raining buckets all day, and it is only 56 degrees...good sleeping weather though..
Arlene

We installed a Sleep Number King in our Montego Bay. The mattress it came with was pitiful. We love our Sleep Number King.

Joezilla

The biggest issue is going to be when the slide comes in will the mattress "crush" enough. We replaced our RV mattress with a regular and have had no problems - most mattresses will collapse enough to allow the slides to function properly. If you are bringing one from your house, get some help and switch it out to see what happens.

It sounds like the mattress contacting the slide when closed is a common situation. Is this true more often than not? Which models of fifth wheels does this occur in most?

Just curious................... Don

Some 5th wheels have no slide in the bedroom and I don't think they would be affected. 
gypsy

After a couple of years full-timing, we got rid of the original king-sized mattress in our 5er and went with an RV queen air mattress. Basically, it's a Sleep Number without paying the high price of a Sleep Number. If interested in the manufacturer, PM me and I'll give it to you. We've been very happy with it and their customer service. Anyway, the RV Queen is a few inches shorter than a regular queen. We needed that because our slide would have crunched the mattress and we didn't want that to happen. After paying almost $1000 for a mattress, we want to take the best care of it possible.

Guiler85 wrote:

---

If interested in the manufacturer, PM me and I'll give it to you. We've been very happy with it and their customer service.

---

Thanks, I will keep it in mind for when I decide on an rv.
gypsy

 

This  is another  great reason to  love this forum....
We never  even gave  weight a thought about the mattress. DUHHH!!!
Now after reading all the posts we are considering looking into buying a sleep number  with pillow top. While we are waiting  for the house to sell, and before going on the road fulltime...we will need  to consider less weight everywhere we can I guess.
The mattress sounds a  great way to do that.
So just a queen 60x80 should  do it as  that is what we have now.
Any suggestions on model numbers or where to purchase them? They seem to be in the Malls etc
Arlene

The RV-sized Sleep Numbers are ONLY available through Camping World through some secret exclusive arrangement. Seems Sleep Number can not even sell you one over the phone direct and their stores nor phone reps do not even know they make an RV sized mattress.

You will NEED a 110v outlet near the bed to power the air pump!!!!!


-- Edited by RVDude at 10:45, 2008-08-14

Jeff,
We have a regular size  queen mattress...60x80...not the rv  short  size.
So you mean we need to go to Camping World to buy this?
Is that because the other places have a different model?
Thanks
Arlene

You should check your specific RV make and model. Not all RV's require a special size mattress, ours uses a standard queen size 60 X 80. Fred

Only the RV-sized Sleep Number has to be bought through Camping World. Naturally, all the standard Sleep Number beds can be ordered online, phone or through their mall outlets. Measure to make sure if you have a standard or RV-size. The other RV-size difference tends to be in the more rounded foot-end mattress corners - making for tough sheet fitting though.

BTW, ordering any Sleep Number accessories from their store outlets will save you shipping charges - and you still get them delivered to your home via UPS! Seems the stores can place your order for you and then they can "credit back" the shipping charges.

Our queen size mattress that came in the new  MH is a normal 60x80 mattress.
We took it out as it was too hard.
Bought a Natures Rest from  the furniture store  that we  bought our home king size, but it is really thick and heavy.
As I  said  before never gave  weight a thought !  New at this getting everything for  fulltiming thing, and weight issues.
Now we will give the new mattress to a friend and neighbor who can use it.
BUT will be again buying a new one, and I need a comfy one  due to having MS.
I need one that is soft and plush not hard. With the Multiple Sclerosis that is important. Everyone on here seems to love them, but all have the pillow top model. Guess going to a store where they sell them and  trying them first is the answer.
Seem to have so many models on line, and it is confusing.
So any suggestions  as to  models  will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

Arlene

travelin, just because the mattress you really like is thick and heavy does NOT mean it automatically gets das-boot from the RV. First look at does it fit. l x w x h. Since l and w are fine see if it is too tall for the RV. Can you make the bed - sometimes it's so tight that you might have to lift the mattress to tuck. Comfort is an important consideration and we spend a lot of time prone. IF the rig is over weight, consider booting something else instead of the thing you'll spend a third of your day on. You have a 40 footer and I know weight is going to be tight on that - one more foot or so and that puppy will have a tag axle due to weight. But, consider priorities where you can balance weights and comfort.

Yes, an inflatable mattress can help a bunch with weight but make sure it's comfortable first. I know the Select Comfort brand comes in pillow and non-pillow-top. There are many other blow-up brands too, it's just that Select Comfort has the marketing exposure - I've had a couple Select Comfort mattresses and am extremely satisfied in their quality and customer service but they are not inexpensive!

Don't forget the 120v outlet and a space to put the inflator!

Jeff
Thanks for  all the information, and help.
We will consider it all.
Going to  try one out this weekend.
Arlene

It seems you can now order without going through Campers World.

The select number advertisement web site that popped up at the top of this page showed RV matresses for sale through the web site.

Hey Dude after  reading your post Larry and I decided you're right...we are very comfortable on the mattress we have, and will  stay with it.
Thanks

We have a short queen and I too am looking at an air mattress.  There is an ad In Good Sam Highways for www.bearbeds.com that looks interesting.  They show one with an internal pump so you don't have to look for a place to put the pump.  We have a drawer under the bed rather than the bed lifting up so finding a place for the pump might be a problem.  Do they have to be plugged in all the time or just when you air them up?  Jeff, your website is amazing.  Cool panoramic views!  Met you at the rally.

Lynda & Bob, we have an RV queen air bed from BearBeds.com and are very pleased with it. We've had it for about a year and a half. I believe the one we bought is the "Teddy Bear" bed. Their customer service is phenomenal. One of the mattresses went bad after a year and their warranty is great - full replacement at no cost for 5 years! They sent us a new mattress and upon receipt of it, we sent back the damaged one. No problem at all. We highly recommend this company.

Randy and Terri,  Thanks for sharing your info.  We've been without Internet coverage for awhile.  When we get to Mission, TX in Oct./Nov. we will make a final decision on the mattress.

Just started fulltiming, used original mattress for 2 months. About a month ago went for Select Comfort through Camping World. With Pesident's club and free shipping found the mattress to be fairly reasonable. Have had it a little over a month and absolutely love it.

We have a bearbed--king, it came with our rv. It too sprang a leak within the first year of use. We did get it replaced without any problems but we had to pay for all the shipping charges on our end and theirs. I feel we should have not been responsible for any charges as the bed failed in the very first year of use. The pumps for the bed are hidden within the mattress itself and you do not need to keep the unit plugged in all the time---you can just plug it in for airing up or releasing air. The bed is comfortable, but be sure you read the "fine print" on your warranty! Also, be sure and keep some vinyl patching materials on hand for emergency repairs. Once you spring a leak there is nothing between you and the plywood platform but about an inch of foam!