The Many Choices of RV Mattresses
Owning a recreational vehicle is a great way to enjoy traveling and camping while still maintaining many of the comforts of home. Some RV owners are weekend warriors who simply spend three or four days at a time parked at a campsite. Others are a bit more serious, choosing to go RVing for weeks at a time. Still others are hard-core recreational vehicle owners who live in their RVs virtually full-time.
Regardless of how much time you spend in your RV, you still need a high quality RV mattress that will allow you to sleep comfortably. Unfortunately, many times the mattress that comes from the factory is a cheap, low quality mattress that doesn't last for long. Even if you do have a fairly decent mattress from the factory there will come a day when it needs to be replaced. You'll know that day has arrived when you start noticing some of the following symptoms:
- your mattress begins sinking towards the center
- the edges off the mattress begin to fall
- you can feel the bed platform through the mattress
- you begin waking up with mild to moderate back pain
When you decide it's time to shop for a new RV mattress be aware that you won't be able to simply walk into your local furniture store and pick a model off the floor. You have to shop with a company that offers custom-sized mattresses in order to find one that fits your particular RV. It's not as hard as it might sound, but you still might need to do a little looking. A good place to start is by contacting your local RV dealer for some advice. If you choose to shop online you might even be able to save a little money rather than going to a retail outlet.
RV mattresses can be constructed in three of the same styles used for traditional mattresses. They can be inner spring, latex foam, or memory foam. Most manufacturers use a standard coil spring mattress as the factory default. But just like with traditional mattresses, all three types have their pros and cons which must be considered when making your choice. For obvious reasons you won't be able to find a waterbed mattress for your RV.
Inner Spring RV Mattress
Even though the inner spring mattress is still the default for most RV manufacturers, it's not the best option for most people. That's because an inner spring mattress requires a box spring in order to work properly. Most RVs simply have a platform on which you lay your mattress, with no box spring underneath. This tends to cause a coil spring mattress to break down much more quickly in an RV than it would in your home. It's also a good way to develop pressure points, which can lead to back and joint pain.
Odd-sized innerspring mattresses also cost a little bit more than home models because they are more labor-intensive to construct. Where foam mattresses can easily be made in custom sizes simply by using different sizes of molds, custom coil spring mattresses require a little bit more effort.
Latex Foam RV Mattresses
Latex foam mattresses for an RV are generally made with natural latex rather than synthetic. They are a great choice for RVs because they are durable, comfortable, and resistant to dust mites, insects, bacteria, as such. Additionally, the hypoallergenic properties of latex foam make it an ideal mattress material for campers who already suffer from outdoor allergies. With the right mattress topper and sheets, a latex foam mattress in your RV might possibly give you a better night's sleep than your traditional mattress at home.
Latex foam mattresses for an RV also tend to be the cheapest of the lot. Those made using the Dunlop process are the least expensive of all because manufacturing is not very labor-intensive. The only thing you'll need to worry about with a latex foam mattress is finding the right thickness and density. For individuals under 160 pounds or so, a 2-inch thick mattress will be sufficient. For couples, or individuals over 160 pounds, you should consider a 3-inch model.
Memory Foam RV Mattresses
Memory foam mattresses for the RV are still not as popular as the other two, but they are quickly gaining ground. Memory foam is extremely comfortable for most people because it is conforming to the body, heat sensitive, and rather dense. However, because it is a high tech product whose manufacturing is labor-intensive, memory foam is the most expensive of the three options. For most people who can afford it, it is worth the extra money.
You need to be careful about memory foam mattresses for your RV to ensure you're getting a high quality product. There are plenty of overseas manufacturers that use less than stellar manufacturing processes to produce cheap, low-quality memory foam. One telltale sign of a low-quality mattress is the smell of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is sometimes used in the manufacturing process as a fixer in order to reduce the cost of production. If you smell formaldehyde in an RV mattress, run away. You are better off buying something else.
Mattress Toppers for your RV
Regardless of the type of mattress you purchase for your RV, your choice of topper will have as much of an effect on your comfort as the mattress itself. Most RVs tend to be a little bit stuffy during the overnight hours, especially if doors and windows are closed. You'll want to purchase a topper that absorbs moisture and dissipates heat. This type of topper is ideal for summer camping and those who travel full-time in their RVs. If you find your topper doesn't work well during the winter months, you can always substitute a standard topper in its place.
Make sure you find a mattress topper that is easily washable as well. The nature of camping and RVing dictates that your bedding will get dirty more quickly than it does at home. It's nice to have a topper you can simply throw in the washing machine at the end of your trip. The easier it is to keep clean, the happier you will be.