Affiliate disclosure: Sleeping Express may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. We have not slept on every mattress mentioned here; recommendations are based on published specifications, materials and sizing information from each manufacturer. Prices were correct at the time of writing and change often.

Replacing a mattress in a caravan, campervan or motorhome is a different job from replacing one at home. The space is rarely a standard rectangle, the depth is usually limited, and the mattress often has to bend, fold or slide through a doorway that was not designed with furniture in mind. Buy a standard double and there is a good chance it will not fit, or will fit so tightly that the bed becomes difficult to make.

This guide covers how to measure a leisure vehicle bed properly, which foam types suit the conditions, and when a topper solves the problem more cheaply than a full replacement.

Why leisure vehicle mattresses are a separate category

Three things make caravan and campervan sleeping spaces awkward. First, the shape: bed platforms are frequently tapered, cut around wheel arches, or built into a corner, so at least one edge is not square. Second, the depth: many vans allow only 10–15cm before the mattress interferes with seating, storage lids or roof clearance. Third, moisture. Vehicles are colder and damper than houses, and a mattress sitting directly on a solid plywood base with no airflow underneath can collect condensation.

That last point is worth taking seriously. If you have ever lifted a van mattress in spring and found damp patches on the underside, the mattress was not faulty — the base simply could not breathe. Slatted bases, spacer membranes or breathable underlays all help.

How to measure before you order

Measure the platform, not the old mattress

Old foam compresses and shrinks at the edges, so copying its dimensions will usually give you something slightly too small. Measure the base itself, corner to corner, and note the widest and narrowest points if the shape tapers.

Record the shape, not just two numbers

For anything other than a true rectangle, sketch the outline with measurements on each edge and mark which corners are cut or radiused. Most UK foam manufacturers will cut to a drawing, and the ones specialising in leisure vehicles expect to receive one.

Check depth and access separately

Measure the maximum depth that still lets seating, lockers and doors close. Then check how the mattress will physically get in. Rolled and boxed delivery helps considerably here, because the mattress arrives compressed and expands in place rather than needing to be manoeuvred through a narrow door at full size.

Which foam suits a caravan or campervan

Reflex or supportive foam is the usual base layer. It is firmer, holds its shape under concentrated weight, and copes better with a vehicle that spends months unused. Memory foam adds pressure relief on top but softens in warmth and firms up in cold, which is noticeable in an unheated van in winter. A combination layer — supportive foam beneath, memory or cooling foam above — tends to be the practical compromise.

Cooling foams and breathable covers matter more in a van than at home. A small, poorly ventilated space with two people in it warms up quickly. Covers using CoolMax or similar moisture-wicking yarns are a sensible upgrade rather than a gimmick in this setting.

Comparing your options

The table below compares the main routes, using UK manufacturers we currently work with. Prices shown are the advertised starting prices at the time of writing and vary with size and specification.

Browse custom caravan & campervan mattresses

Static caravan, touring caravan or campervan?

Static caravans

Statics usually have the most generous dimensions and often take something close to a standard UK size, which makes them the easiest and cheapest to re-mattress. The Foam People stock a dedicated static caravan range, and The Sleep People also list static caravan options.

Touring caravans

Tourers are where cut corners and tapers are most common, particularly on fixed island beds and French beds. This is the category where a custom cut is most often genuinely necessary rather than a nice-to-have.

Campervans and motorhomes

Depth is the binding constraint. Rock-and-roll beds and pull-out platforms limit how thick a mattress can be, and a mattress that folds needs foam that tolerates repeated bending without creasing permanently. If your bed folds, say so when ordering — the foam grade matters.

Truck cabs

Worth mentioning because standard bedding almost never fits. Purpose-made truck mattresses and toppers exist for exactly this reason.

When a topper is the better buy

If the existing foam is intact but simply too firm, a topper is a much cheaper fix than a full replacement and adds pressure relief at the shoulders and hips. It is the wrong answer if the mattress has a dip, has gone soft in the middle, or smells damp — a topper sits on top of those problems rather than solving them.

Toppers also let you keep a firm base for winter and add softness seasonally. Compare the current topper range if that suits how you use the vehicle.

Before you order: a short checklist

• Measure the base, not the old mattress, and note every edge.
• Confirm maximum depth with lockers and seating closed.
• Ask whether the foam is suitable for folding if your bed folds.
• Check whether custom-cut items are returnable — most made-to-order foam is not.
• Plan for airflow underneath, especially on solid plywood bases.
• Check delivery: rolled and boxed is far easier to get into a van.

Frequently asked questions

Can I just cut a standard mattress down?

You can cut foam, but you cannot cut a sprung mattress without ruining it, and a cut foam mattress loses its cover edge. It is usually cheaper and tidier to order the right shape than to modify the wrong one.

How deep should a campervan mattress be?

There is no single answer — it is set by your vehicle. Measure the clearance you have, then choose the deepest option that fits, since thin foam over a hard base is the most common comfort complaint.

Why does my van mattress feel damp underneath?

Almost always condensation rather than a leak. Warm, humid air from sleeping meets a cold base and condenses. Improving airflow beneath the mattress is the fix.

Are UK-made foam mattresses better?

Not automatically, but buying from a UK manufacturer makes custom sizing far more practical, and it is easier to check fire-safety compliance. The Sleep People group, which includes The Foam People, is a member of the National Bed Federation.

The short version

Measure the platform rather than the old mattress, record the full shape if it is not a rectangle, and check your depth limit before anything else. If the existing foam is sound but too firm, start with a topper. If it is misshapen, damp or the wrong size, a custom-cut replacement is the honest answer — and it is a lot less expensive than most people expect.

See custom size mattress options