Split Caravan Mattresses

Split Caravan Mattresses — Made to Measure in Two or More Sections

A split caravan mattress is a single mattress made in two or more separate sections rather than as one piece. The sections can be left loose, joined along one edge with a sewn fabric link, or connected with a zip and link system — depending on how you use the bed and what you need the mattress to do. We make split mattresses in every configuration found in caravans, motorhomes, campervans, van conversions and canal boats — French beds, island beds, rectangular doubles, three-piece splits and bolster sections. Every split mattress is made to your exact measurements and cut to the exact shape of your bed in our Birmingham workshop.

Why Split a Caravan Mattress?

There are two main reasons caravan and motorhome owners choose a split mattress over a single piece:

Under-bed storage access. This is the most common reason. Many caravan and motorhome beds sit above large storage lockers that are only accessible by lifting the mattress. A full-size island bed or French bed mattress can be heavy and awkward to lift as a single piece — splitting it into two sections means each piece is lighter and easier to handle, and the storage locker can be accessed by lifting one section at a time rather than the whole bed. Island beds with a foot end split are particularly practical for this purpose, as the foot end section is typically the smaller and lighter of the two pieces.

Compact storage in campervans and van conversions. Where a campervan or van conversion bed needs to be stowed away during the day to free up living space, a split mattress folds away far more practically than a single piece. With the fabric link joining method, alternating the links between the top and bottom of adjacent sections allows the mattress to fold accordion-style — stacking neatly in a corner when not in use.

The Three Joining Options

When ordering a split mattress you choose how the sections relate to each other. There are three options:

Split Island Bed Mattresses and Bolsters

Island bed mattresses are the most commonly split mattress type in the caravan world. Most modern caravans with an island bed use a two-piece configuration — a main mattress section and a bolster. The bolster is a separate section, typically 20–30cm wide, that sits at the head end of the main mattress.

The bolster serves two purposes depending on the floor plan. In many caravans the bolster lifts independently to give access to the storage locker beneath the head end of the bed — lifting just the bolster is far easier than lifting the entire mattress. In layouts where the bed slides back during the day to create more living space in the bedroom area, the main section slides back and the bolster folds on top of it, creating a compact stack. When you are ready to sleep, the main section slides forward and the bolster drops back into position.

Island bed splits are also found at the foot end rather than the head end — where the storage locker sits under the foot of the bed rather than the head. The Roller Team T-Line 740 pictured above is a typical example of this configuration. Both sections can be made from the same material with matching covers, or in different specifications if you prefer a firmer bolster section.

If your island bed has a lift-up section for storage access, or if the bed slides back during the day, you need a two-piece mattress. If the bed stays fixed in position, a one-piece island bed mattress will work perfectly. If you are unsure which applies to your caravan, call us and we will confirm from your make, model and year.

Split French Bed Mattresses

A French bed mattress can be split along its length — a vertical split running from the head end to the foot end, dividing the mattress into two narrower pieces side by side. This is most commonly done to make the mattress easier to lift for under-bed storage access, as a full-length French bed mattress in one piece can be heavy and awkward to handle in the confined space of a caravan bedroom.

A split French bed can also be ordered with the zip and link option, allowing two people sharing the bed to have different foam grades on each side — useful where one partner prefers a firmer surface and the other a softer one. The zip holds the two halves together as a single sleeping surface with no gap between them.

Split Mattresses for Motorhomes, Campervans and Canal Boats

Split mattresses are just as relevant in motorhomes and campervans as in touring caravans — and for the same practical reasons. Motorhome island beds and over-cab beds frequently benefit from a foot end or head end split for storage access. Campervan sleeping platforms where the mattress needs to be stowed during the day are natural candidates for a fabric-linked two or three-piece split that folds away compactly.

We also make split mattresses for canal boats, where the sleeping berths are often narrow, the access through hatches and companionways is tight, and the practical need to manoeuvre a mattress into position without a straight run makes a split configuration the only sensible approach. If you have a canal boat berth that needs a replacement mattress, call us with the dimensions and we will advise on the right split configuration for your layout.

Split Mattress Specifications — Foam Grade and Thickness

Every split mattress is available in reflex foam, memory foam, Novotex latex foam and pocket sprung — the same full range of specifications as our one-piece mattresses. When ordering with the zip and link option, the two halves can be specified in different foam grades, so each person sleeping on the mattress can have the firmness and support that suits them.

For split mattresses used in drop-down or storage-access configurations, weight is worth considering. A heavier specification in a section that gets lifted regularly becomes a practical inconvenience over time. Reflex foam at 33kg/m³ is the most practical choice for sections that need to be lifted frequently. If comfort is the priority and the mattress stays in position, all four specifications are equally viable.