Airstream Caravan Mattresses

Replacement Airstream Caravan Mattresses

An Airstream is not like any other caravan on the road, and neither are its mattresses. That curved aluminium shell — the thing that makes an Airstream look like nothing else — is also the reason you cannot simply drop a standard mattress into one. The interior walls follow the curve of the body, so the bed frames are shaped to match. Mattresses in an Airstream typically have radius corners, angled cut-offs, or fully contoured edges that correspond to the aluminium skin. We have been making replacement mattresses for Airstream caravans for years, and every single one has to be cut to the exact profile of that particular model.

Why Airstream Beds Are Unique

Most caravan manufacturers build a flat-sided box and fit rectangular beds inside it. Airstream does the opposite — the monocoque shell is the structure, and everything inside follows its shape. This means a bed in an Airstream is rarely a simple rectangle. Twin beds normally come as a left and right pair, each with a radius corner on the outer edge where the mattress meets the curved wall. Island beds and transverse doubles often have two rounded corners on one side, or 45-degree angled corners, depending on the model and year. Even the V-shaped twin beds on the newer World Traveller have a notched profile that no off-the-shelf mattress will fit.

The other complication is measurement systems. If you have a UK-specification Airstream — the International Tourer 534, 684, or 25 IB — the bed dimensions will be in metric, built on a European Al-Ko chassis. If you have a vintage American Airstream that has been imported or restored, the bed dimensions will be in inches, and they will not correspond to any standard UK or US domestic mattress size. Either way, the mattress needs to be bespoke.

Current UK Models

Airstream sells three touring models through Lowdhams, the sole UK dealer. All three are 4-berth caravans with fixed island beds and a convertible front lounge.

The International 534 is the compact single-axle model at 6.8 metres. It has a fixed rear transverse bed — wide enough for two, but not a standard UK double size. The International 684 is the larger twin-axle version at 8.25 metres with a more generous island bed and additional living space. The International 25 IB is the flagship — also 8.25 metres, but wider at 2.5 metres with a full island bed layout. The wider body on the 25 IB means the bed dimensions are larger than the 684 despite sharing the same length, so do not assume they take the same mattress.

Lowdhams has also introduced the World Traveller range — a narrower, lighter Airstream at just 7 feet 6 inches wide, designed for easier towing. The World Traveller uses a distinctive V-shaped twin bed at the rear with a notched profile to create more floor space. This is an unusual shape that absolutely requires a bespoke mattress cut to match the V profile. The front dinette also converts to a double, which again is a non-standard size.

Vintage and Imported Airstreams

A good proportion of the Airstream mattresses we make are for vintage American models — the ones imported from the United States for restoration, glamping, or private use. There is a thriving Airstream restoration scene in Britain, and these older trailers present their own challenges. A 1950s or 1960s Airstream will have bed dimensions in imperial measurements that do not match anything available domestically. The aluminium body may also have settled or flexed slightly over the decades, meaning the bed frame is no longer quite the shape it was when it left the factory. In these cases, we always recommend measuring the bed frame itself rather than relying on published specifications.

Vintage Airstreams that have been converted for glamping often need bespoke bed platforms built from scratch. If the restorer has fitted a custom bed frame — as most do — the mattress needs to be cut to match that specific frame, not a generic Airstream template. Send us a sketch with the dimensions and we will make it. We have done mattresses for Airstreams from the 1950s through to brand-new models, and the process is the same every time: measure the frame, cut to fit, deliver.

The Radius Corner Problem

This is the single most common issue with Airstream mattresses. Because the walls curve inward, the outer corners of the bed need to be rounded to match. Airstream uses a variety of radius sizes — typically 10-inch or 11-inch radius curves, though it varies by model and year. If you buy a mattress with the wrong radius, you will either have a gap where the mattress does not reach the wall, or the corner will press against the aluminium and bunch up. Neither is comfortable, and it looks wrong.

We cut every radius corner individually. You measure the curve (we will talk you through how to do it using a sheet of paper or cardboard), tell us the radius, and we cut the mattress to match. If you have a left and right pair of twins — which most American Airstreams use — the radius will be mirrored on each mattress. We make them as a matched pair so they fit together properly when the bed is in use.

Factory Mattress Quality

Modern Airstream factory mattresses are reasonable — typically around 20cm of foam with a pillow-top finish. They are a step up from what you find in most British-built caravans. However, given that a new Airstream costs upwards of £100,000, many owners expect a mattress to match that level of investment. The factory foam is still a compromise designed to keep shipping weight manageable, and after a few seasons of regular use the support drops off. For a caravan at this price point, upgrading to a proper memory foam or CoolPlus™ cool gel mattress makes a noticeable difference to sleep quality.

For the current International Tourer models with lift-up island beds, mattress weight is a consideration. Our Bodyshape™ and CoolPlus™ foam mattresses weigh between 8kg and 15kg, which is well within the gas strut capacity. The Imperial Elite™ 2000 pocket sprung option at 25cm deep weighs 25–30kg — still manageable on most of the International models, but we will confirm the strut specification with you before proceeding.

Airstream Models We Make Mattresses For

We make replacement mattresses for every Airstream model used in the UK. Current production models include the International 534, International 684, International 25 IB, and World Traveller. American-specification models we regularly work with include the Flying Cloud, Bambi, Caravel, Basecamp, Globetrotter, Classic, and Trade Wind, plus older and vintage models going back to the 1950s — Sovereign, Safari, Overlander, Ambassador, Excella, and Land Yacht among others.

If you have an Airstream — whether it is a brand-new International fresh from Lowdhams or a 1960s import sitting in a field waiting for restoration — we can make a mattress for it. Give us the model, the year, and the bed dimensions, and we will take it from there. If you are unsure about measuring the radius corners or the V-shaped profile, call us on 0121 663 6114 and we will walk you through it.