One of the most unusual things that new RVers find is that RV mattress sheets aren’t the same size as the mattress sheets you have at home!
Whether you have been RVing for years or just bought a new trailer or camper, you’re probably wondering where to find the best RV sheets sets to easily make your bed without any hassle. We have tested a lot of RV sheets with our trailers and definitely have a few favorite choices!
What’s the Deal with RV Mattress Sheets?
What is different about RV mattress sheets? A lot, actually.
RV mattress sizes can be different. They aren’t ALL different, so you really have to know your mattress in your rig. Take a measurement of the size if you need to, and then compare to standard size queen, king or bunk bed (twin bed) mattresses.
If you need a custom size mattress, such as a short queen or short king or curved edges, check out our tutorial on how to make a custom RV mattress yourself (it costs less than ordering from a bed manufacturer).
Not all mattresses in an RV are an unusual size, though. Many RVs and travel trailers can accommodate standard size queen and king beds. Or twin beds in the bunk bed area.
You will want RV mattress sheets to be easy to put on your bed. That goes without saying in a home, too. But in an RV, it can be more challenging. You might not have room to pick up the mattress easily.
Or it can be positioned to where you have to be sitting on the bed to get the covers to go over the edge of the mattress. Which can be difficult.
Hard-to-reach mattresses are often surrounded by walls, which can cause mold growth under your mattress. Be sure to add one of these mats under your bed to protect yourself.
Or you might be trying to make a bunk bed that is in the bunkhouse and you have to position yourself on a ladder while trying to get a sheet set on or off easily.
And no one wants all of the excess sheets hanging off the side of the RV mattress or at the end because you’re using traditional sheets that are too big!
How to Make an RV Mattress More Comfortable
Let’s face it. If you’re buying an RV and using the mattress that it comes with, chances are it’s not going to be too comfortable!
That’s what happened with our RV. The flower-covered mattress was hard and uncomfortable. But we weren’t prepared to buy a new RV mattress at that time. However, I have since found some amazing natural RV mattresses that I would have loved to have got before our trip.
I say you should invest in a new mattress. Because you need good quality sleep every night. But it’s not in everyone’s budget.
If you need a budget friendly way to create a more comfortable RV mattress, check out this RV mattress hack that we used. Seriously, it was so comfortable!
And here’s the all natural mattress topper that we used.
Best RV Sheet Sets for 2024
There are different type of RV sheet sets depending on what size of bed you have. RV short queen sheets and RV bunk sheets are among the most common for RVers.
We’ve listed some of the best options below:
Custom Made RV Sheets
- This small woman-owned shop is among the best we’ve found for making stylish and affordable custom sheets. Whether you just want gorgeous fabrics to choose from (woodland, camping, outdoors, floral, gingham, etc.) or you need sheets made with custom dimensions, we highly suggest you check out BackroadsMama.
RV Short Queen Sheets
- This RV short queen sheets set is among the most popular and best reviewed of all RV sheet sets out there! We love that the RV queen sheets come in a variety of colors to fit your decor. Plus, fun patterns such as florals, snowflakes and deer. Definitely look at these RV mattress sheets for your rig!
- Another clear winner are these 400 thread count RV short queen sheets that are made with eco-friendly Oeko-Tex certified fabrics that are free from harmful chemicals. Plus, these RV mattress sheets are made in a LEED Gold Certified facility that supports more than 300 families with jobs.
- For the ultimate comfort, we have loved having bamboo sheets at home (and we used them in our RV, too). Over time, they get softer and softer. Which makes this organic bamboo RV short queen sheets set such a great find. They come in a variety of colors and made with organic materials. The 16″ mattress thickness allows you to add a pillow topper or mattress topper or cover and not worry about the mattress sheets fitting right.
- A lot of RVers are now starting to use zipped fitted sheets for their mattress. And we are, too! Zippered sheets allow you to remove only the top part of the fitted sheet, which is what gets dirty, rather than removing the elastic sides that wrap around the mattress. It’s perfect for RV mattresses that are against a wall and in a corner, or there’s not much room to walk around the bed. Try out these QuickZip Fitted Sheets for RV short queen mattresses (they also make the sheets in all standard sizes, too). Use our code couch10 to save 10% off non-clearance items!
See how zippered sheets work in our review video:
RV Bunk Sheets
Trying to get RV bunk bed sheets can sometimes be a little difficult. It all depends on what the size of the bunk house is. And whether or not you have to balance on a ladder to change the sheets.
Keep this in mind – you must know the dimensions of your particular RV bunk bed or over-the-cab bed! Even if you are using the mattress sets for the RV sofa bed or turning your dinette into a bed.
Start with those dimensions first – length & width – to make sure that these RV bunk bedding sheets will work for you.
- These microfiber, deep pocket RV mattress sheets are made specifically for RV bunks. They come in a wide array of colors.
- Looking for something a little smaller for those beds that aren’t standard size? These jersey knit cot sheets can work for RV bunks and mattress conversions.
- A camp cot sheet set could be ideal for you, too! Perfect for RV bunk sheets.
- These peel away sheets are kind of weird when you think about it, but they might make sense for you in certain situations. Like when you’re boondocking for awhile, or you’re out in the wilderness getting really nasty and dirty all day and can’t shower before getting into bed.
FAQs
Can I Use Regular Sheets from Home in my RV?
Yes, you can. Especially if you have a normal size mattress in your RV, van or truck camper. However, if the mattress is custom size, your sheets won’t fit as well. If you don’t mind tucking in extra fabric under the mattress or having sheets that don’t fit snuggly, then you can use normal sheets from home.
What is the Best Material for RV sheets?
Chances are, you’re not showering every day when camping. And you might be more physically active and sweaty. You want a material that will absorb odors and stay fresh as long as possible.
Cotton and wool are great options. Bamboo (also called Tencel) is naturally anti-bacrobial and absorbs odors. Polyester is rugged, however it doesn’t wick away moisture well. And you might be sweating more if you are camping with no air-conditioning, or your RV has humidity built up from using air-conditioning.
What About Those Zippered Sheets for Camping?
There are a few companies that make sheets where the top of the fitted sheet actually zips off, leaving the rest of the fitted sheet to stay on the mattress. This is great for camping, because it allows you to easily remove the area that’s gets dirty.
Zippered sheet sets are more expensive than normal sheets. However, you might find the convenience and ease of making the bed worth the additional upfront cost over the long term. We haven’t personally tried them yet, but have many friends who like using them.
How Can I Wash My Sheets While Camping?
If the thought of sleeping on the same set of sheets for a few weeks grosses you out, there are easy ways to clean your sheets while camping. If you have an RV with built-in washer, that is the easiest way. Otherwise, you can find a laundromat while driving to wash your sheets. Many campgrounds also have laundry facilities, which saves you time since you can wash your sheets while going back to your tent or camper.
Perhaps the thought of using shared washing machines freaks you out. There are personal washing machine systems that you can bring while camping. These tiny washing machines can’t do a lot of laundry at once. And you will need a water source. But they will clean your sheets and clothes in your own washing machine without worrying about sharing germs or cooties. Some good choices are this electric washing machine with a wash and spin cycle, or this retro, compact hand-cranked washing machine.
We own one of these Scrubba Portable Washing Bags, too. It definitely requires elbow grease, and will only fit a small amount at a time, but it could be an answer if you have no extra space for a portable unit.