RV & Camper Mattress Guide Canada: Sizes, Types, and Best Brands (2026)

If you have ever woken up sore in your RV and blamed it on "roughing it," the problem is almost certainly the mattress. Stock RV mattresses are notoriously thin, cheap, and uncomfortable, manufacturers cut costs on the part you spend 8 hours on every night. Replacing it with a proper mattress is the single best upgrade most campers can make, and you do not need to spend a fortune to do it.

This guide covers everything you need to know about RV and camper mattresses in Canada: sizes, types, brands, pricing, moisture problems, and whether you can just cut a regular mattress to fit. Whether you drive a Class A motorhome, tow a travel trailer, or live the van life, there is a mattress solution that fits your space and your budget.

RV Mattress Sizes: Not the Same as Home Mattresses

The first rule of buying an RV mattress: always measure your bed platform before ordering. RV mattress sizes sound familiar but are often shorter or narrower than their residential counterparts. The RV Short Queen, by far the most common RV mattress size, is a full 5 inches shorter than a standard queen.

RV bunk sizes are wildly variable. Common dimensions range from 28" x 75" (smallest standard bunk) up to 42" x 80" in larger Class A motorhomes. Measure every bunk individually, even bunks in the same RV can differ by an inch or two.

Why the Short Queen matters: That 5-inch length difference means standard queen sheets will not fit properly on an RV Short Queen. You will need RV-specific sheets or Short Queen fitted sheets, which are readily available on Amazon.ca and from most Canadian mattress brands.

Types of RV Mattresses: Which One Should You Buy?

Memory Foam (Most Popular)

Memory foam dominates the RV mattress market for good reason. A Short Queen memory foam mattress typically weighs 40 to 60 pounds compared to 80 to 100 pounds for an innerspring, a major consideration when every pound counts against your RV's cargo carrying capacity. Memory foam also ships compressed in a box, making it easy to manoeuvre through narrow RV doorways.

Other advantages: no metal components that can rust in humid RV environments, excellent motion isolation (critical when the RV is rocking), and the ability to conform to uneven bed platforms that are common in RVs. The downside is heat retention, though gel-infused and phase-change versions address this effectively.

Latex

Naturally antimicrobial and mould-resistant, which is a significant advantage in the moisture-prone RV environment. Latex mattresses are also exceptionally durable (15 to 20 year lifespan) and more breathable than memory foam. The trade-off is weight and cost, latex is heavier than memory foam and typically more expensive. Best suited for full-timers who prioritize longevity.

Innerspring

Familiar feel and good airflow, but the worst choice for RVs. Steel coils add substantial weight (80 to 100 lbs for a Short Queen), can rust in humid conditions, and create noise that is amplified in a small RV space. A 4-inch innerspring also does not have enough coil turns for adequate support, you need at least 8 inches for comfort, which creates clearance problems in many RVs.

Hybrid (Coils + Foam)

Combines coil support with foam comfort. Better airflow than all-foam, good edge support, and a familiar "bounce" that pure foam lacks. Hybrids are heavier than all-foam models (60 to 80 lbs) but lighter than full innerspring. The Juno Hybrid RV starts at $599 CAD and offers a solid balance of support and comfort.

Folding / Tri-Fold

Ideal for Murphy beds, convertible dinettes, and slide-out sofas where the mattress needs to fold for storage. Typically 4 to 6 inches thick. The hinge points can create uncomfortable ridges, but custom options from companies like Tochta allow you to specify hinge placement at any position rather than just equal thirds.

Best RV Mattresses in Canada: 2026 Comparison

Canadian buyers have a real advantage here. Several Canadian-made brands now offer RV-specific mattresses with free shipping, generous sleep trials, and proper RV sizing. Here is how the top options compare.

Canadian-Made RV Mattresses

Best overall value: The Douglas Original RV at $799 hits the sweet spot, 10-inch height for real comfort, 365-night trial so you can test it through an entire camping season, and a 20-year warranty. Both Douglas and Juno are made by GoodMorning.com in Edmonton, Alberta.

Best budget pick: The Juno RV at $499 weighs just 48 lbs and offers solid comfort in an 8-inch profile. The shorter height actually works in its favour for RVs with limited clearance above the bed platform.

US Brands Available in Canada

5 Things to Check Before Buying an RV Mattress

1. Measure Everything

Measure your bed platform length, width, and height clearance (with someone sitting up in bed). Note any rounded corners, angled edges, or notches where cabinets or walls intrude. Even mattresses labelled the same size can vary by an inch or two between brands.

2. Consider the Weight

Every RV has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and a Cargo Carrying Capacity. Your mattress weight counts against that. A quality foam RV mattress at 48 to 61 lbs saves 30 to 50 lbs over a standard home mattress, weight you can put toward camping gear instead.

3. Think About Moisture

This is the single biggest problem with RV mattresses, and most new RV owners learn about it the hard way. Body moisture passes through the mattress overnight, hits the cold plywood platform underneath, and condensates. Without airflow, mould and mildew can develop within weeks.

4. Check Off-Gassing Impact

New foam mattresses release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In a standard bedroom, this dissipates quickly. In a small RV (100 to 400 square feet), concentrations are significantly higher. Look for CertiPUR-US certified foams, and unbox your new mattress outside or in a garage for 48 to 72 hours before putting it in the RV. Run roof exhaust fans and open windows during the initial off-gassing period.

5. Watch the Thickness

A 12-inch luxury mattress that feels amazing at home might not fit your RV. Overhead cabinets, bunk rails, slide-out mechanisms, and ceiling clearance can all become problems. For most RVs, 8 to 10 inches is the sweet spot, thick enough for genuine comfort, thin enough to avoid clearance issues.

RV Mattress Sizes: Queen Options Explained

The "queen" label causes the most confusion in RV mattress shopping because there are actually three different queen sizes you will encounter.

RV Short Queen (60" x 75"): The most common RV mattress size by far. Found in the majority of travel trailers, fifth wheels, and smaller motorhomes. Five inches shorter than a standard queen, which means standard queen bedding will not fit properly. Always verify this is your size before ordering, it probably is.

RV Queen (60" x 80"): Identical dimensions to a standard residential queen. Found in some larger Class A motorhomes and luxury fifth wheels. If your RV has this size, you can use any standard queen mattress, sheets, and bedding.

RV Short King (72" x 75"): Sometimes found in premium RVs and mistaken for a queen. Four inches narrower and five inches shorter than a standard king. Double-check your measurements if your platform seems wider than 60 inches.

Rounded Corners and Custom Shapes

Many RVs, especially Airstreams, slide-out configurations, and cab-over bunks, have bed spaces with rounded corners, angled edges, or notched corners where structural elements intrude. A standard rectangular mattress will not fit properly.

Custom order options: Companies like Tochta and MattressInsider specialize in RV mattresses with cut corners, radius corners, and custom notches. Tochta offers an online configurator where you input your exact dimensions and corner specifications. MattressInsider (a Canadian company) has built custom mattresses for Airstream, Jayco, Winnebago, Thor, and Fleetwood owners.

DIY cutting: If you have an all-foam mattress, you can cut it yourself using an electric carving knife. Create a cardboard template of your bed platform first, remove the mattress cover, cut each foam layer individually, then reassemble. This approach works well for memory foam and polyurethane foam but is not possible with innerspring or hybrid mattresses. Some RV owners buy a budget Costco foam mattress ($200 to $400 CAD) and cut it to fit, saving $300 to $800 over a custom order.

Common RV Mattress Problems (and How to Fix Them)

Sagging from Weak Platforms

RV bed platforms are often thin plywood or particle board with insufficient cross-supports. Over time, the platform bows and the mattress sags. Fix this by adding 2x4 support beams underneath the plywood, or replace thin plywood with 3/4-inch finished plywood. For slatted bases, ensure slats are no more than 3 inches apart.

Mould and Moisture Buildup

Addressed in detail above, but worth repeating: a ventilation underlayment between your mattress and platform is a $50 to $100 investment that prevents a $500+ mattress replacement. Install it from day one.

Poor Temperature Regulation

RVs experience extreme temperature swings, scorching in summer, freezing in winter. Memory foam becomes noticeably firmer in cold temperatures and softer in heat. If this is a concern, look for gel-infused foams or phase-change materials. The Douglas Alpine RV ($999) uses dual-action phase-change cooling that actively regulates temperature. Hybrid mattresses with coil cores also provide better natural airflow than all-foam designs.

Canadian RV Ownership: A Growing Market

Approximately 2.1 million Canadian households now own an RV, about 14% of all households. RV ownership in Canada grew 22% between 2010 and 2020, accelerated by the pandemic-era camping boom. The result is a vibrant market for RV mattress replacements, especially as buyers of used RVs discover that the original stock mattress is the weakest link in their setup.

This growing demand has brought more Canadian-made options to market. Brands like Douglas, Juno, Haven, and Silk & Snow all launched or expanded their RV mattress lines in recent years, giving Canadian campers better choices, competitive pricing, and free shipping coast to coast.

Frequently Asked Questions

RV Mattress by Region in Canada

RV mattress shopping varies by region due to seasonal use patterns, climate, and availability:

• Toronto and Southern Ontario: The largest selection of RV mattress retailers. Custom-cut mattresses for Class C motorhomes, fifth wheels, and travel trailers are available through specialty shops. Mattress Miracle in Brantford serves the GTA to Kitchener-Waterloo corridor
• Vancouver and BC: Year-round mild climate means more full-time RV and liveaboard living. Look for moisture-resistant mattresses with antimicrobial covers for Pacific coast humidity
• Edmonton and Alberta: Extreme temperature swings demand a mattress that performs from -30C to +30C. Gel-infused memory foam handles this range well
• Winnipeg and Prairies: Shorter RV seasons mean mattresses need to store well in winter. Vacuum-sealed compress options work well
• Ottawa and Eastern Ontario: Consider good temperature regulation for humid summer camping along the St. Lawrence and Ottawa River corridors
• Maritimes: Coastal humidity means antimicrobial, moisture-wicking mattress covers are essential

RV Mattress by Vehicle Type

Class C Motorhome

The overhead cab sleeping area has a unique angled shape. Custom-cut 6-inch gel memory foam fits best. Measure widest and narrowest points.

Fifth Wheel

Many fifth wheels accommodate standard queen or king mattresses in the bedroom slide-out. A hybrid with pocketed coils provides the closest residential experience.

Travel Trailer

Smaller trailers use RV-specific short queen (60 x 75 inches vs standard 60 x 80). Memory foam absorbs road vibration well.

Pop-Up Camper

Replace the stock 3-inch mattress with 4-6 inch gel memory foam that still folds. Measure platforms carefully as pop-up beds are not standardized.

Teardrop Trailer and Toy Hauler

Teardrops need custom sizing. Toy haulers use the garage area for sleeping. Prioritize lightweight foam to avoid excess tow weight.

Truck Camper

Narrower and shorter than standard sizes. A 5-6 inch CertiPUR-US certified foam custom-cut to your model works best in limited ventilation.

Alternative Mobile Living Mattresses

Houseboat and Liveaboard

Constant moisture exposure demands latex or gel foam with waterproof breathable covers. Liveaboard sailors on the Great Lakes or Atlantic coast need antimicrobial mattresses. Elevate on slatted bases for air circulation underneath.

Sailboat

V-berth and settee shapes require custom cutting. Closed-cell foam resists marine moisture better than open-cell. A 4-5 inch latex mattress provides good support in compact berths.

Skoolie (School Bus Conversion)

More space than most RVs, often fitting queen or king. The challenge is insulation through thin metal walls. Memory foam retains heat better than latex for Canadian winters. Build platforms with insulation underneath.

Overlanding and Roof Top Tent

Upgrade built-in RTT mattresses with a 2-3 inch memory foam topper. For ground camping, a self-inflating pad (R-value 4.0+) beats a thin mattress on cold Canadian ground.

Cargo Trailer Conversion

Build an elevated platform with storage underneath and use a standard 6-8 inch mattress. Insulate walls, ceiling, and add ventilation for Canadian conditions.

Cottage and Seasonal Home Mattresses

Muskoka and Cottage Country

Cottage mattresses face seasonal use, mouse risk during off-season, and temperature extremes. Choose removable washable covers. Store vertically with cedar blocks and protective covers in winter. Avoid wrapping in plastic, which traps moisture.

Mobile and Modular Home

Standard sizes fit, but check doorway widths as some mobile homes have narrower doors. A mattress-in-a-box that compresses for delivery solves access problems. Choose medium-firm with good ventilation as mobile homes run warmer.

Winterizing Your RV Mattress

Remove the mattress and store indoors if possible. If it stays in the RV, stand on edge, place moisture absorbers nearby, and cover with breathable fabric. Never wrap in plastic. Air for 24 hours in spring and inspect for mould before use.

Snowbird RV Mattress

Snowbirds who split time between Canadian summers and southern US winters put double duty on their RV mattress. Choose a temperature-neutral mattress (gel memory foam or latex) that performs in both climates. Consider leaving a dedicated mattress in your seasonal spot and a quality topper in your travel RV to avoid hauling a full mattress across the border.