Choose the Right Caravan Bed Mattress
Caravan Mattresses
Article by Andy a Big Red team member
When we consider the plight of the early explorers, they survived with simple comforts – a campfire at night and, at best, a tarp to ward off the morning dew. These days, many swags come with an inbuilt mattress, either self-inflating or high-density foam to smooth out the undulations in the landscape and add some comfort for weary, aching bodies. RVs are offered with several types of mattresses, with foam and innerspring being the most popular options.
Camping comforts have come a long way over the years. For many of our early trips our rig was a soft floor Track Eagle Hawk camper trailer towed by a red Nissan Patrol, affectionately known as the "Big Red Truck".
After many sort trips and weekends away I realised the foam mattress was not going to lead to marital bliss on our planned 8-week trip to the Kimberly. Soft you might say! There are some of life luxuries that you just cannot compromise on and a quality mattress is one of them.
Depending on the number of people you’re planning to squeeze into your caravan, beds are an important consideration when it comes to maximising space and comfort. The quality and cost of your caravan beds will invariably depend on who sleeps in them and for how long. If yours is causing you problems, it’s good to know there are plenty of alternatives available. While many caravans will come with a foam mattress, you can upgrade to an inner-spring mattress.
Choose the Right Mattress
Whatever the shape and make of your caravan bed, the mattress is a crucial component of a good night’s sleep.
- Foam is the standard. It’s lightweight but needs to be reasonably dense to provide support.
- Latex is comfy but heavy, so if weight is an issue, choose something lighter.
- Innerspring is possibly the most likely to provide support. If you hear mention of ‘Bonnell springs’ when buying a mattress, it simply refers to hourglass-shaped coil springs that hold their shape.
- Caravaners tend to sit on the edge of beds, so make sure your mattress has strong sides and that it’s turned regularly.
- Moisture can be a problem, both inside and under the mattress; choose a mattress with air vents that allow the air to circulate.
Foam Mattress
Foam is more common in camper trailers, contributing to a lower entry price, with innerspring often an optional extra. Mattress height is a key limiting factor in this sector as many soft floor and hard floor camper trailer designs can only accommodate a low form mattress. In these situations, a high density, thinner foam mattress is a popular choice. Some travellers have reported improved comfort levels by adding an egg shell layer to their foam mattresses, however these can be bulky and take up valuable packing space.
Latex Mattress
Latex is another material sometimes seen in mattresses. Latex foam moulds to body shape. Natural latex is white liquid produced by and tapped from the trunks of rubber trees. This is blended with synthetic latex and turned into latex foam.
While offering comfort and warmth benefits in cooler climates they are quite heavy. A pure wool mattress protector over the latex mattress can overcome some of the heat issues. If you are concerned about weight and fuel consumption you would be best to stay away from latex and pocket caravan mattresses. When purchasing a latex product please ensure you know the country of manufacture as cheap imports may contain materials banned from use in Australia because of their toxicity.
Innerspring Mattress
While foam mattresses or overlays may suit some people, many travellers will want an additional level of comfort. For some, it’s more about staying isolated from your partner’s restlessness. An innerspring mattress provides additional support to your body with better weight distribution and offers anti-disturb properties.
Camping innerspring mattresses are offered in a range of heights to suit both camper trailers and caravans, with the different heights controlled through layers of quilting or a thick foam pillow top. The slimmest mattress is generally 100mm for campers and 120mm for vans. Additional quilting can add a further layer, ranging from 120-140mm and a pillow top can range from 160-180mm.
When selecting a mattress for Track Eagle Hawk camper trailer we were constrained by height, yet the cassette spring, foam box construction measuring 100mm did the job in providing a supportive and comfortable slumber option.
You really can’t compromise when it comes to a good night’s sleep. A decent sleep keeps you alert, awake and fresh to take on the day’s activities, which can sometimes include piloting the vehicle and van or camper on long journeys or across slippery tracks and unforgiving terrain. A comfortable mattress is simply an investment in your well being.
Travelers Tip
To extend the life of an inner-spring mattress, you will need to turn it regularly, as the edges of the bed often double as chairs in a caravan, causing the mattress to wear out faster.
Conclusion
No matter how picturesque the scenery and no matter how good the company, your trip away will be severely dampened if you don’t have a good night’s sleep. The key is to make sure your sleeping conditions are as close to ideal as possible, with a comfortable bed and a comfortable sleeping temperature.
Browse through our selection of Mattresses and find what you need, or feel free to Contact Us for help.
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