Fixed Bed Caravan Mattresses

Caravan Fixed Bed Mattresses — Replacement and Upgrade

A fixed bed caravan mattress is a replacement mattress for any permanently made-up bed in a caravan, motorhome, campervan or canal boat — one that stays as a bed at all times and does not convert from seating during the day. Fixed beds come in a wide range of configurations and sizes depending on the caravan layout and manufacturer, and very few are a standard domestic size. We make every fixed bed mattress to your exact measurements in our Birmingham workshop, in reflex foam, memory foam, Novotex latex foam and pocket sprung, cut to any shape your bed requires.

What Is a Fixed Bed Caravan?

In the caravan world, a fixed bed is any bed that stays permanently made up — it does not need to be assembled from seating cushions each evening or folded away each morning. This distinguishes it from the front lounge make-up double, where the parallel bench seats are converted into a bed at night, and from the dinette conversion bed, where the dining table and seats fold flat.

Fixed bed is an umbrella term covering several distinct bed types. Island beds — positioned with access from both sides — are fixed beds. French beds — running lengthways against one wall — are fixed beds. Twin singles arranged either side of a central walkway are fixed beds. Corner beds, transverse doubles and rear fixed doubles are all fixed beds. What they share is that the mattress sits on a permanent platform and is never removed for daytime use.

The practical appeal of a fixed bed is straightforward — there is no making up or dismantling required. Arrive on site, open the caravan, and the bed is there waiting. For couples who use their caravan regularly, this convenience is significant. The fixed bed also typically sits above a large under-bed storage locker, which in many layouts is one of the best storage areas in the caravan.

Fixed Bed Types and Configurations

Fixed transverse double — runs width-ways across the rear of the caravan, with the length of the mattress going from wall to wall and access from one end. Common in shorter tourers where the floor plan does not allow a lengthways bed. The mattress is typically a straightforward rectangle, though the width varies considerably between models.

Fixed rear double — corner bed — positioned in one rear corner of the caravan, accessible from one side only. The bed platform may be fully rectangular or may have a corner cut to allow walkway access to the washroom or wardrobe. Bailey caravans in particular use this configuration across several ranges.

Fixed twin singles — two individual single mattresses arranged either side of a central walkway running the length of the rear bedroom. Each mattress is independently replaceable. The width of each single varies between manufacturers, and the length is rarely a standard 190cm — always measure rather than assuming.

Fixed island double — a double bed positioned away from both side walls with access from either side. Covered in more detail on our island bed mattresses page, but listed here as it is technically a fixed bed configuration.

Why Fixed Bed Mattresses Are Rarely a Standard Size

Caravan manufacturers design their floor plans around the internal body width, the washroom position, and the available length behind the axle. The fixed bed platform is whatever size results from those constraints — not a standard domestic mattress size. A fixed double in one Bailey model may be meaningfully different in both length and width from the equivalent bed in a Swift or Elddis of the same year.

Fixed twin singles are particularly variable. The width of each single is determined by what remains after the central walkway is accounted for, and that walkway width varies between manufacturers. The result is that a fixed single in a caravan might be 68cm wide, 72cm wide or any other non-standard dimension. Ordering a standard 75cm single for a 68cm platform means the mattress will not fit. Ordering to the actual platform measurement means it fits precisely.

Always measure your existing platform before ordering — length, width, and note any corner cuts or shaped ends. If you have the caravan make, model and year, call us and we will check our records first — for many popular models we already have the dimensions on file and may be able to confirm your measurements or supply without measuring at all.

Fixed Bed Mattresses for Bailey Caravans

Bailey caravans are one of the most common fixed bed mattress orders we receive. Across the Pegasus, Unicorn, Alicanto and Senator ranges, Bailey uses several distinct fixed bed configurations — rear corner doubles, transverse doubles and fixed twin singles — each with its own specific dimensions. The Unicorn range in particular uses a corner bed configuration where the platform has a diagonal cut at one corner to allow washroom access, meaning a standard rectangular mattress will not fit. We make Bailey fixed bed mattresses to the exact platform dimensions for every model in our database. See our full Bailey caravan mattress range for model-specific options.

Fixed Bed Mattresses for Swift Caravans

Swift fixed bed configurations vary across the Challenger, Conqueror, Sprite and Elegance ranges. Twin fixed singles are common across several Swift models — each a non-standard width determined by the floor plan. Swift transverse doubles also appear frequently, particularly in shorter floor plans where a lengthways bed is not possible. We hold dimensions for a wide range of Swift fixed bed models. See our full Swift caravan mattress range for model-specific information.

Fixed Bed Mattresses for Canal Boats

Canal boat sleeping berths share many of the same practical challenges as caravan fixed beds — non-standard dimensions, shaped platforms, tight access and the need for a mattress that fits precisely rather than approximately. We make fixed bed mattresses for canal boats to any dimensions, in any shape required. Foam is the most common specification for canal boat berths given weight and moisture considerations, though all four foam types are available.

Foam Specification for Fixed Bed Mattresses

Fixed bed caravan mattresses are available in four specifications. Unlike drop-down beds or bunk beds, fixed beds in caravans have no weight or clearance restrictions — the mattress sits on a permanent platform and stays there, so the full range of options is available without constraint.

Reflex foam is firm, supportive and the most practical everyday choice. Available in 33kg/m³ standard density and 39kg/m³ premium density — the higher density grade gives meaningfully better support and longevity and is worth the modest additional cost for a mattress that will be slept on regularly.

Memory foam moulds to body shape, eases pressure points and reduces movement disturbance — particularly relevant for couples on a fixed double where one partner moving does not disturb the other. Available with a Tencel breathable cover as standard.

Novotex latex foam is naturally hypoallergenic and exceptionally durable. It retains its shape over years of regular use better than standard foam and is the best long-term value option for a fixed bed that sees heavy use across a long season.

Pocket sprung gives the best sleep quality of all four options — individually wrapped springs that move independently, matching body shape and minimising motion transfer. At 25cm deep, a pocket sprung fixed bed mattress transforms the sleeping experience in a caravan to something genuinely comparable with a domestic bed. The fixed bed platform in most caravans has ample clearance for a 25cm mattress.

Should You Split a Fixed Bed Mattress?

For fixed beds with under-bed storage access, splitting the mattress into two sections makes lifting far more practical — particularly relevant for heavier specifications like pocket sprung. A split mattress can be ordered loose, fabric linked or zip and link. See our split caravan mattresses page for full details on the joining options and configurations available.