Sleeping in a Popup Camper (How We Sleep Comfortably)

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Sleeping in a Popup Camper

(How We Sleep Comfortably)

Sleeping in any type of recreational vehicle isn’t very pleasant and the mattress originally provided doesn’t do much justice either. In a popup camper, the original mattress is about 5” thick and provides no support. The mattress is then layered on a thin piece of plywood with a dead space below that allows variant air temperatures to rise into the mattress and camper, making sleeping unbearable. All this can make from some grumpy campers.

So, what can you do?

There are many ways you can make sleeping in a popup more enjoyable and all without breaking the bank and purchasing a new mattress. Sure, if your mattress isn’t doing its job and is super old, then it’s time for a new one. But mattress space is limited in a popup camper, right? Let’s explore some options.

Buying a new mattress

So, you have done some research and found out that not any mattress will fit in your popup camper, right? Sure, you could replace it with a foam mattress exactly like the one that accompanied your camper or shell out some money for a thinner mattress but with springs. Maybe your camper didn’t even come with a mattress eek! Finding a mattress that will suit your sleeping needs as well as the right measurements for the camper can be tricky. You can expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $400 for a new mattress.

Pro Tip:

Use the tissue box test. After finding an object the size of your potential mattress, say a plastic container. Lay the tissue box directly on top of the object. Then close your camper for a moment and then bring it back up. If the camper shell doesn’t close correctly or your tissue box is smashed, your potential mattress is too tall. If the box is in excellent condition, you have the perfect height for a mattress.  

Keeping the old mattress!

Sure, you can keep the old mattress and clean it up, but you will need some extra reinforcements to have a better night’s sleep. I have created a list of things I have down to make sleeping much better!

First things first! Add some cushioning under the mattress and prevent air to flow through the bunk end’s plywood. I did this by adding furniture padding on top of the plywood, but others use floor tiles. Furniture padding is about $10 per bunk end and didn’t require any cutting. Though you could if you wanted to. Floor tiles can be costly and run about $100 for both bunk ends and do require trimming to fit in the area. Both are waterproof and provide an extra cushion for your mattress to lay on.

Aww, my favorite! I couldn’t even sleep on my bed without a mattress topper. Mattress toppers can come in many varieties from wool, down, gel, latex, polyfoam, memory foam, and more are being created all the time. They should be breathable and add an extra layer of comfort to your bed. Depending on your needs and budget you can find great options for popup campers. But with so many options out there what should you choose? That my friend depends on you and your sleeping habits.

See, I don’t move or toss a lot in bed. I tend to sleep in one or two positions and don’t have a picky partner with the opposite sleeping behaviors either. Mattress toppers can move and bunch a lot. Even the best ones do it! Are you a mover? Then I would look for thicker options that have a grip on the opposite side to prevent movement. You can even add reinforcements by adding tape or hot glue in spots to lessen the movement between the mattress topper and the main mattress.

I currently sleep on a 2-inch gel memory foam mattress topper from Walmart. It was cheap and does the trick. I also love that it keeps me warm in the winter with no drafts from beneath the bunk end, as well as cool in the summer. No sweating in bed on those warm summer nights. Yuck!

To some people this is a no-brainer, others are like why do I have a sheet? I prefer to keep my mattress and mattress topper waterproof and restrained, something you need in a popup camper. Mattress covers are durable and resist staining. The best part about a mattress cover is that they are typically made of polyester, a must in popup camping to prevent dampness to the touch as cotton does. The moisture-wicking from polyester helps with that. Again, they can come in a wide range of options. I like mine to have extra padding to it to help with adding more softness to the bed.

But not just any bedding! In previous posts on modifications and upgrades. In one, The Right Bedding for Your Pop-Up Camper, I talk about the type of bedding for camping. The type of sheets or bedding you use while camping defiantly can hinder your sleep quality.

Have you noticed that your sheets or bedding feel damp to the touch? Is cotton the culprit? Humidity loves cotton and if your sheets are 100% cotton then you might need to rethink that. What was odd for me was when I could feel the difference and so can you! Your answer! Find a blend with at least a 50/50 blend or the higher synthetic count. We love bed-in-a-bag sets for camping.

For me I love pillows but not the smaller types, they can take up too much space. We love large body pillows and two big soft body pillows fit just right on my queen bed. Though you don’t have to buy large pillows, a normal size pillow could work just as well. But stay away from cotton pillows; polyesters or Microfiber pillows are the way to go. No damp pillows in the middle of the night, right? I also love the way they look on the bed. Plus, you can get pillowcases in any style and color to match your camper’s décor.  

I believe these are the key items to make my popup camper bed feel comfortable all through the night. I didn’t spend more than $100 for both beds and we get great sleep. Really!

Some key notes to tell you though.

• If we can, we prefer to sleep with the popup camper windows down for optimal airflow all the time. Especially in the summertime.
• If it rains, we turn on the AC unit to remove the humidity and bring in more airflow. I also have a small dehumidifier that we live by during those wet trips.
• During winter we open one window a smudge on each side for fresh air, unless it’s 20 degrees out. No way, no how!
• We love scents but the bears don’t! When we are not camping near bear territory, we love Gain Booster beads scents and the warm summer days just allow the bead scents to take over the camper. We get many compliments on it.
• If it’s a hot night I add a fan to cool off. We love the fans that clip on the glide bars in the bunk end, hands-free, accessible, and blowing cool air all through the night.
• Heaters provided such a great relief on cold days but so do heated blankets. Instead of them over you, try underneath you. Aww, warmth
• Organization! Seriously my bunk area is completely organized for my phone, flashlight, watch and etcetera. You never know when you need to get up in the middle of the night to let the dog out or hear something going on outside and can’t find a thing. Look at my post for Popup Camper- Bunk End Storage Space.

And that’s it! Check out other great posts like this at La Plante Mountaineers for all your popup camping and Walt Disney World tips and hacks.