Caravan Mattress Buyer’s Guide
Choosing a caravan mattress comes down to two things: the right foam for support and comfort, and getting the shape right for your caravan’s bed layout. Here’s how to get both right, plus how to order one cut to your exact size.
- Use a two-layer build: Average Medium foam (GB 33M) for the base, topped with Memory Foam (GB 55M) for comfort.
- Caravan beds are often a cut corner shape, we call it a Cutaway Corner Mattress, built to fit around wheel arches and fixed furniture.
- There’s no standard caravan mattress size, dimensions vary by manufacturer and model, which is why cut-to-size foam is the practical answer.
- Our upholstery foam complies with Schedule 1 Part 1 of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988, and we hold it to the same standard for motorhomes, campervans and general vehicle use too.
- Every order is cut in the UK and backed by our 5 Year Guarantee, with 25 shape templates plus a fully custom option.
What Foam Is Best for a Caravan Mattress?
We recommend a two-layer build for caravan mattresses: a supportive base with a comfort layer on top, rather than a single block of one foam type.
| Layer | Foam | Thickness | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | Average Medium (GB 33M) | Approx. 10cm (4in) | Support, holds its shape under repeated use |
| Top | Memory Foam (GB 55M) | 5cm+ (2in+) | Comfort, moulds to the body |
Base layer: Our Average Medium foam (GB 33M), at approximately 10cm (4 inches) thick. This gives the mattress the support it needs to hold its shape over repeated use. If you need a thinner base, under 2 inches, our GB 33H Average Hard foam is a better choice than Average Medium at that thickness, well suited to foam cushions between 1 and 4 inches thick. We also offer a Luxury range (GB 39H Luxury Firm) if you’d like to upgrade further for even greater longevity.
Top layer: A piece of Memory Foam (GB 55M), at least 5cm (2 inches) thick. The memory foam layer moulds to your body for comfort, while the firmer base underneath does the structural work. This is the same base-plus-topper approach used for most quality mattresses, not just caravan ones.
If you’d prefer a different feel, for example a firmer base layer similar to the support layer in our Classic Ortho mattress range, our team can recommend alternatives, just get in touch before ordering.
What Shape Is a Caravan Mattress?
Caravan mattresses are often a different shape from a standard rectangular mattress, because caravan beds are built around wheel arches, storage and fixed furniture, layouts you won’t find in a domestic bedroom. The most common caravan-specific shape is a Cutaway Corner Mattress (also called a corner cut mattress), a mattress with one or more corners removed to fit the bed frame. It’s usually a caravan-specific shape, not something a general mattress retailer will stock.
We offer 25 foam shape templates in total, including the previously mentioned Cutaway Corner Mattress template, plus a fully custom shape option if your bed doesn’t match a standard template. If you’re not sure which template fits your caravan, send us a photo or your caravan model and we’ll help you choose.
Why Are Caravan Mattresses a Different Shape?
It comes down to space. A caravan has to fit sleeping, seating, storage and living space into a compact, towable footprint, so the bed is usually built into whatever space is left around fixed features that can’t move: the wheel arches underneath, fitted wardrobes and lockers or a dinette or lounge seating area that converts into a bed. In a house, you choose furniture to fit the room. In a caravan, it’s the other way round, the bed has to fit the layout that’s already there.
Cutting the mattress to match that layout, rather than squeezing a rectangular one in and losing corners of usable sleeping surface or blocking a walkway, is why corner-cut and other non-rectangular shapes are so common in caravans but rare in a standard bedroom.
What Size Is a Caravan Mattress?
There isn’t a standard answer. Unlike domestic bed sizes, caravan mattress dimensions vary by manufacturer and model, with cut corners and shapes that differ from van to van. That’s exactly why cut-to-size foam exists: rather than trying to match a “standard” caravan mattress size that doesn’t really exist, provide your own measurements and we’ll cut the foam to fit it precisely.
Fire Safety for Caravan Mattresses
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988 set the UK standard for caravan mattress and upholstery filling material. Our upholstery foam complies with Schedule 1 Part 1 of these regulations, which requires polyurethane foam to pass the BS 5852: Part 2 ignitability test. There’s no equivalent mandatory regulation for motorhomes, campervans or cars, but we supply the same high-quality, upholstery-grade foam regardless of application.
Preventing Damp and Condensation
Damp under a caravan mattress is a common complaint, and it’s caused by trapped moisture rather than the foam itself. A few habits help:
- Keep the mattress away from cold outer walls where condensation forms first.
- Allow air to circulate underneath, a solid, sealed base with no airflow is the main cause of damp patches.
- Hinge or lift the mattress when the caravan isn’t in use, rather than leaving it flat and sealed against the base.
- Ventilate the caravan itself, especially after cooking or when it’s been closed up for a while.
None of these need special equipment, they’re small routine habits that keep a caravan mattress fresh and dry season after season.
Do You Need Dacron and Stockinette?
Dacron and stockinette are optional finishing layers that help foam slide into covers more easily and add a bit of loft to the surface. This is mostly used for cushion covers as opposed to mattresses.
How to Order Your Caravan Mattress
Once you know your foam and shape, ordering is straightforward:
Choose your shape. Select Cutaway Corner Mattress or another template from our caravan cushions and mattresses page, or choose the custom option and upload or send us a template.
Enter your measurements. In inches, cm or mm, whichever’s easiest for you.
Select your foam. Use our recommendation above, or choose your own, contact us first if you’re unsure.
Add Dacron and stockinette if required.
Finalise your order. If you’ve chosen a custom shape, upload your template or tick the box to say you’ll post it to us. If you’re ordering a double-layered mattress (base plus memory foam topper), let us know in the order notes and we’ll laminate the layers together for you.
Please note we cut and supply the foam itself, we don’t provide bespoke covers for custom mattresses.
Every order comes cut in the UK, backed by our 5 Year Guarantee against faults in manufacture, and our upholstery foam complies with UK fire safety regulations for caravan mattress and upholstery filling. We’ve been supplying custom foam since 1976, with over 50 years of experience, you can rely on us to provide you with the perfect foam for your caravan mattress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What foam is best for a caravan mattress?
We recommend a base of Average Medium foam (GB 33M) at around 10cm thick, topped with at least 5cm of Memory Foam (GB 55M). The base provides support, the memory foam layer adds comfort.
What thickness should a caravan mattress be?
A typical build is a 10cm base with a 5cm memory foam topper, around 15cm total. If you need a thinner base, under 2 inches, our GB 33H Average Hard foam is a better choice than Average Medium to avoid it feeling like it’s bottoming out. Thinner bases generally need firmer foam.
What shape is a caravan mattress?
Caravan mattresses often have one or more corners cut away to fit around the bed frame, wheel arches or fixed furniture. We call this shape the Cutaway Corner Mattress, also known as a corner cut mattress, a shape that’s mostly specific to caravans and not something you’ll find at a general mattress retailer. It’s one of 25 templates we offer, alongside a custom option for anything that doesn’t match a standard shape.
Do I need Dacron and stockinette on a caravan mattress?
No, it’s optional. Dacron and stockinette help foam slide into its cover more easily and add a bit of loft, but plenty of customers order without them. These extras are generally more suited to cushions.
Can I get a custom-shaped caravan mattress?
Yes. If none of our 25 templates match your caravan’s bed shape, choose the custom option and send us a template, photo or your caravan’s model details and we’ll cut to match.
What size is a caravan mattress?
There’s no standard size. Caravan mattress dimensions vary by manufacturer and model, with different cut corners and wheel-arch shapes from van to van. Measure your own bed base, or send us your caravan’s make and model, and we’ll cut foam to fit it exactly.
How do I stop my caravan mattress getting damp?
Keep it away from cold outer walls, allow air to circulate underneath rather than sitting flat on a sealed base, hinge or lift it when the caravan isn’t in use and ventilate the caravan itself, especially after cooking or when it’s been closed up.
Can I store a caravan mattress on its side?
Not for long periods. Short-term, a few days to a week, is generally fine, but storing a foam mattress on its side for longer than that risks permanent deformation, particularly with memory foam. Store it flat when you can.
How do I clean a caravan mattress?
Spot clean with a mild detergent and a damp (not wet) cloth, then leave it to air dry fully before putting covers or bedding back on. Foam holds moisture, so avoid soaking it, and make sure it’s completely dry before use to prevent damp or mould.
Speak to Our Team
If you have any questions about ordering a custom mattress for your caravan, please do not hesitate to get in touch with one of our foam experts. Call us on 01494 441177, email sales@gbfoam.com or fill out the form on our contact page.
Cameron has emerged as a key marketing expert since joining GB Foam Ltd in 2017. A graduate of the University of Winchester, with a professional background in Public Relations; he has combined his content writing and brand awareness expertise with an in-depth knowledge of foam products and foam conversion technology to enhance the company’s marketing strategies and industry presence. Cameron has led numerous marketing campaigns, in both B2B and B2C segments, to further brand recognition and open up new business avenues worldwide.