Caravan Double Mattress

Caravan Double Mattresses — Made to Your Exact Size and Shape

A caravan double mattress is not the same as a household double mattress. Standard UK double mattresses are 135cm wide and 190cm long — dimensions that fit almost no caravan double bed ever made. Caravan double beds are narrower, sometimes shorter, and frequently have shaped ends, cut corners, or other features that put them entirely outside anything available on the high street. If you have ever tried to buy a replacement double caravan mattress from a general retailer and found nothing that fits, this is exactly why.

We have been making replacement caravan double mattresses to measure for over 40 years. Any size, any shape, any thickness. Whether your caravan has a straightforward fixed double that simply needs cutting to a non-standard width, or a more complex shape with angled ends and notched corners, we make it to fit precisely. Every double caravan mattress we produce is cut and finished to order in our Birmingham workshop — nothing off the shelf, nothing adapted. Made from scratch to your exact measurements.

What Size Is a Caravan Double Mattress?

When most people search for a caravan double mattress, they are using "double" to describe an approximate size — a bed big enough for two people — rather than looking for a specific standard dimension. That is the right starting point, because caravan double bed widths cluster in a range that is broadly double-ish but rarely matches any standard household size exactly.

Most caravan double mattress widths fall between 130cm and 137cm. Swift caravans, which are among the most common we make for, typically come in at 133cm. Some manufacturers go slightly narrower; others push to 137cm. That 137cm figure is the practical upper limit for a caravan double mattress — once the width exceeds 137cm, the mattress moves into king size territory. If your caravan bed measures 138cm or wider, what you actually need is a king size mattress, commonly found in many Hobby caravans such as the Hobby 645 VIP, not a double.

Lengths vary too. Most caravan double mattresses fall between 190cm and 194cm in length. Some models push to a full 200cm — worth checking carefully, because a mattress cut 6cm too short leaves a noticeable gap at the foot end that no amount of tucking will fix.

Once you have established the approximate size, the next question is shape. And this is where caravan double mattresses diverge significantly from anything you will find on the high street.

Caravan Double Mattress Shapes — From Rectangular to French Bed

A caravan double bed can take many different forms depending on the floor plan. Some are plain rectangles — measure up, cut to size, done. Many are not. The most common shaped double configurations we make are:

Rectangular fixed doubles — the simplest shape. A non-standard width and length but otherwise a true rectangle. The majority of rear fixed doubles fall into this category.

Corner cut doubles — a rectangular base with one or more corners removed at the foot end to allow access to a wardrobe, washroom door or bedroom walkway. The corner cut dimensions vary considerably between models. See our dedicated corner cut caravan mattresses page for more detail on this configuration.

French bed doubles — a French bed runs along the side of the caravan and is wider at the head end than the foot end, with an angled cut across one corner. Because the bed sits alongside the caravan wall on one side, the mattress is designated either nearside or offside depending on which wall it sits against. See our dedicated pages for nearside caravan mattresses and offside caravan mattresses for full details on French bed configurations.

Island bed doubles — an island bed is accessible from both sides, with a walkway running along each side of the mattress. Island beds have their own specific shaped corners and dimensions. See our dedicated island bed mattresses page for full details on this configuration.

Whichever shape your caravan double bed is, we make it to fit. Send us the size and shape and we will confirm whether we have your model on record or guide you through measuring if not.

Fixed, Drop-Down, Transverse and Over-Cab Doubles

Fixed double beds are the most common configuration in modern touring caravans. The bed is permanent and typically sits across the rear of the caravan or along one side wall. Fixed doubles come in all the shapes described above — rectangular, corner cut, French bed and island bed configurations are all common.

Drop-down double beds fold up against the wall or ceiling when not in use, dropping down to form the sleeping surface at night. These need a mattress that is both the right size and the right weight — too heavy and the mechanism becomes difficult to operate. We make drop-down double caravan mattresses in foam and memory foam, keeping weight in mind when advising on specification.

Transverse double beds run across the full width of the caravan rather than along its length. Common in larger twin-axle caravans and many continental layouts, the mattress width is determined by the full internal width at that point — typically between 180cm and 210cm — whilst the depth from head to foot is usually shorter than a lengthways double. These require a bespoke mattress in every case.

Over-cab doubles sit above the cab in coachbuilt motorhomes and larger campervans. The space tapers with the roofline and cab shape, producing a mattress shape unique to that specific vehicle. We make over-cab double mattresses to any shape and size.

Caravan Double Mattress Thickness — Getting It Right

The right thickness for a replacement double caravan mattress depends on the bed type and any clearance constraints. For most fixed double beds there are no restrictions — 15cm is the practical standard choice and a substantial improvement over the factory mattress. We can go up to 25cm in most fixed doubles if you want maximum comfort. For drop-down beds, the mechanism is calibrated for a certain weight and the folded height needs to clear the ceiling — we check both before recommending a specification. For transverse doubles and over-cab beds, headroom above the sleeping surface needs to be considered.

Factory caravan double mattresses are typically 10–12cm deep using foam rated at around 28–30kg per cubic metre. This density feels acceptable initially but compresses under regular use — particularly for two adult sleepers — and quickly starts causing the broken nights and stiff backs that caravan owners come to accept as inevitable. They are not inevitable. Our replacement double caravan mattresses use a minimum of 33kg per cubic metre reflex foam as standard, rising to 39kg per cubic metre in our premium options. The difference in support and longevity is immediately noticeable.

Foam, Memory Foam or Pocket Sprung — Which Is Right for a Caravan Double?

For most caravan double beds, all three options are viable — the right choice depends on your priorities, your body weight, how frequently you tour, and whether the bed has any weight or clearance restrictions.

Reflex foam is the practical all-rounder. It is lighter than the alternatives, which matters for drop-down mechanisms and payload-conscious owners, and it provides excellent support at the densities we use. Our reflex foam double caravan mattresses are the most popular choice and represent a significant step up from any factory mattress. Available in standard (33kg/m³) and premium (39kg/m³) grades.

Memory foam is an excellent choice for couples where one or both sleepers suffer from back or joint issues, or where pressure relief is a priority. Memory foam conforms to the body and eliminates pressure points in a way that reflex foam does not. The trade-off is slightly more weight and a tendency to retain heat — in a warm caravan in summer, some sleepers find memory foam uncomfortably warm. For three-season touring in the UK this is rarely a problem.

Pocket sprung double caravan mattresses are the premium option and the closest equivalent to what you sleep on at home. Individual pocket springs respond independently to each sleeper's weight and movement, which makes a noticeable difference for couples with different body weights. Pocket sprung mattresses are heavier than foam options — 25–30kg for a double — so they are not suitable for all drop-down mechanisms. For a fixed double bed with no weight constraints, they are the best night's sleep a caravan can offer.

Two Sleepers, Two Comfort Preferences

One of the most common conversations we have with caravan double mattress customers is about different comfort preferences between partners. One partner wants firm, the other wants medium. In a household, the answer is a zip-and-link mattress or a dual tension mattress. In a caravan double, the space constraints usually make a split mattress impractical — the gap down the middle is uncomfortable and the sections can shift during the night.

The practical solution for most couples is a single mattress in a medium-firm specification, which suits the majority of adult sleepers without compromising either partner too significantly. If you have strong preferences on either side, call us — we have been advising on exactly this question for decades and can help you find the right specification for your situation.

How to Measure Your Caravan Double Bed

Always measure the bed base itself — not the old mattress. Old mattresses compress and distort over time and are frequently the wrong size to begin with. Measure the length at the longest point, the width at the widest point, and note any corners that are cut away or ends that taper.

For corner cuts, measure how far in from each edge the cut starts — for example, 20cm in from the foot end and 30cm in from the side. A simple sketch with all measurements noted is ideal. If your bed has a more complex shape — a tapered foot end, multiple cuts, or any other unusual feature — a photograph of the bed base alongside a measuring tape is extremely helpful. Call us on 0121 663 6114 if you would like to talk through the measuring process before you start.

Linking Options for Split Caravan Double Mattresses

Some caravan double beds are accessed from the side, requiring the mattress to be in two sections that hinge or separate to allow you to get in. We offer two linking options for split double caravan mattresses: zip links, which allow the sections to be separated completely when needed, and fabric links, which provide a permanent join that is invisible once the bed is made up. See our dedicated split caravan mattresses page for full details on this configuration.