The Short Queen is the most common mattress size in RVs, and after recycling over 1.15 million mattresses — many of them pulled directly from campers and motorhomes — I've seen what happens to these mattresses at every stage of their life. The stock ones that come with your RV show up at our facility within a year or two, usually destroyed. The quality replacements? Those we might not see for 20 years.
If you're reading this, you're probably sleeping on that stock Short Queen right now and wondering where to find something better. I can help with that — but more importantly, I can tell you what to look for and what to avoid based on what I've actually seen hold up over time. (For other RV mattress sizes, see my complete RV mattress guide.)
What Is a Short Queen Mattress?
A Short Queen measures 60 inches wide by 75 inches long (sometimes listed as 60x74). It's the same width as a standard queen but 5 inches shorter in length. RV manufacturers use this size to save space — that extra 5 inches goes toward cabinets, bathroom doors, or slide-out mechanisms.
The good news: Short Queen has become so popular that most quality mattress manufacturers now offer their regular home mattresses in this size. You're no longer stuck with "RV-specific" mattresses that cut corners on materials.
| Size | Width | Length | Comparison to Short Queen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short Queen (RV) | 60" | 75" | — |
| Standard Queen | 60" | 80" | Same width, 5" longer |
| Full/Double | 54" | 75" | 6" narrower, same length |
The Problem With Stock RV Short Queen Mattresses
The Short Queen mattresses that come stock in RVs are almost always low quality. I'm talking about low-density base foam — the kind that breaks down quickly — topped with a thin comfort layer, if there's a comfort layer at all. Some are just a single slab of cheap foam with a cover sewn around it.
These mattresses either break down quickly or never provide enough support from the start. For RVers who actually sleep in their rigs regularly, these stock mattresses get discarded fast. We pick them up constantly.
The frustrating part is that RV manufacturers spend serious money on appliances, cabinetry, and entertainment systems, then throw in a $50 mattress and call it a bedroom. I've never understood it.
Two Paths RVers Take (And Why One Works Better)
When people replace their stock Short Queen, I see them go one of two directions. The path they choose usually determines whether I'll see that mattress again in 2 years or 20 years.
Path 1: RV Dealer Websites
Some people go straight to an RV dealer website and buy one of the replacement mattresses listed there. These are slightly better than what comes stock — usually a step up to low-quality memory foam on top or an entry-level hybrid with a basic coil unit.
Here's the problem: these mattresses feel more comfortable than the stock mattress by comparison, which tricks people into thinking they bought something good. But the underlying materials are still budget-grade. Within a few years, they start to sag and develop body impressions. We see these come through our facility regularly.
Path 2: Mattress Specialists Who Also Make RV Sizes
The smarter route — and the one I recommend — is buying from manufacturers who have already proven themselves making quality home mattresses and happen to also offer RV sizes.
These companies built their reputation on comfortable, durable mattresses for bedrooms. When they make a Short Queen version, they're using the same materials, the same construction, the same quality standards. They're not making a "cheap RV mattress" — they're making their regular mattress in a different size.
This is where we see the 20+ year lifespans. The mattress isn't being slept on every single night like a home mattress, so that built-in durability extends even further. People eventually replace these mattresses because they're selling the RV or doing a full renovation — not because the mattress failed.
Where to Buy a Short Queen Mattress
The Short Queen market has matured significantly. What used to require calling around to custom shops is now available from multiple reputable retailers.
Online Options
Brooklyn Bedding
3 Mattresses Available in 60×75 Short Queen
Brooklyn Bedding manufactures their own mattresses in Phoenix, Arizona. They've been making mattresses since 1995 and own their factory — one of the few brands that actually manufactures in the US.
Plank Mattress
1 Mattress Available in 60×74 Short Queen
Plank is a brand that specializes in extra-firm mattresses. If you think you want a firm mattress, this might be firmer than you expect — it's designed for people who genuinely love sleeping on a hard surface.
PlushBeds
1 Mattress Available in 60×75 Short Queen
One of the few places offering natural latex in a Short Queen. Their Eco Green mattress uses GOLS-certified organic latex. More expensive, but latex lasts longer than foam — often 15-20+ years.
MattressInsider.com
3 Mattresses Available in 60×75 Short Queen
They've been doing custom RV mattresses since 2008 and offer their entire lineup in Short Queen. Good option if you need unusual sizes or custom corner cuts. They offer a 365-night trial on non-custom orders, which is the longest in the industry.
GhostBed
They offer memory foam and hybrid mattresses in RV sizes. If you're set on memory foam despite the temperature concerns, at least you're getting it from a quality manufacturer.
Website: ghostbed.com
Wilderness RV Mattress
Family-owned company with their own line of RV-specific mattresses. They can also do custom shapes and corners.
Website: wildernessrvmattress.com
Tochta
Online builder that lets you enter exact dimensions and customize corners without calling anyone. Useful if you need something non-standard and want instant pricing.
Website: tochta.com
Custom Mattress Factory
Handmade in North Carolina. They're transparent about pricing — corner cuts are $25 each, hinges are $150 extra. Good option for truly custom shapes.
Website: custommattressfactory.com
Amazon (Zinus, Linenspa, etc.)
Budget brands like Zinus and Linenspa offer Short Queen mattresses starting around $200-300. They're not going to last 20 years, but they're a massive upgrade from stock RV mattresses. For occasional camping, they're adequate. For full-timing, consider spending more.
Note: Quality varies significantly on Amazon. Look for CertiPUR-US certification and verify the mattress is fiberglass-free.
In-Store Options
Denver Mattress
90+ locations across 30 states. They manufacture RV sizes in their Denver factory. You can test mattresses in the showroom, then order your Short Queen.
Find locations: denvermattress.furniturerow.com
Camping World
Stocks RV mattresses in their 200+ SuperCenters, though selection varies by location. They also carry Sleep Number's RV Edition if adjustable firmness matters to you.
Warning: Their mattresses are non-returnable once you open the packaging, which is stricter than most online retailers.
Find locations: campingworld.com
Local Mattress Factories
Search for "[your city] custom mattress factory" — these are typically family-owned operations that build mattresses on-site. You can discuss materials, firmness, and construction in person. Pricing varies widely.
Regional Chains
Verlo Mattress (Midwest) and Original Mattress Factory (East/Midwest) handle custom sizes including RV dimensions.
What Actually Lasts in an RV Short Queen
Since Short Queens are most often slept on by couples, the mattresses need to handle two bodies, usually for multiple nights in a row during trips. Based on what I see coming through recycling, here's what holds up:
Higher-density support foams. The base layer matters more than the comfort layer. A mattress can have a nice pillow top, but if the foundation foam is low-density, the whole thing will sag eventually. Look for base foam density of 1.8 lbs/ft³ minimum, ideally 2.0+ lbs/ft³.
Quality innerspring units. Pocketed coils with 14-gauge or thicker tempered steel wire hold up for decades. The cheap coil units use thinner wire (15-18 gauge) and lose their support faster.
Hybrid construction. Combining a good coil unit with quality foam comfort layers tends to perform better than all-foam for couples. The coils handle the support; the foam handles the comfort.
Latex comfort layers. If durability is your priority, latex outperforms memory foam. I've torn apart 15-year-old mattresses where the latex layers still had bounce while everything else around them had broken down.
Why I Tell People to Avoid Memory Foam in RVs
When my neighbor asked me where to buy a replacement for his stock Short Queen, one of the first things I told him was to stay away from memory foam.
Memory foam is very heat-sensitive. It softens when warm and firms up when cold. In a temperature-controlled home, this isn't a big deal. In an RV? It's a problem.
RVs experience temperature swings that homes never see. Your rig might be 90°F when you arrive at a campsite in summer, then cool down to 60°F overnight. In shoulder seasons, you might wake up to a cold RV in the morning. Memory foam responds to all of these changes — it can feel rock-hard when you climb into a cold RV bed, then too soft once things warm up.
I've had RVers tell me they thought their mattress was defective because it felt completely different from one trip to the next. It wasn't defective — it was just memory foam doing what memory foam does in an uncontrolled environment.
Bottom line: Latex, innerspring, and hybrid mattresses don't have this problem. Their feel stays consistent regardless of temperature.
If You Need Custom Corners or Shapes
Many RV Short Queens aren't simple rectangles. They might have:
- Radius corners (rounded edges) to fit curved RV walls
- Notched corners to accommodate nightstands or cabinetry
- Angled cuts for wheel wells or door clearance
- Hinged construction for Murphy beds or under-bed storage access
Several retailers handle custom shapes: Tochta, MattressInsider, Custom Mattress Factory, Wilderness RV, and Beloit Mattress all offer custom cutting.
Measure Carefully — Custom Mattresses Can't Be Returned
This is important, and I see people mess it up constantly.
Custom-cut mattresses are almost universally non-returnable. Once a company cuts corners or makes a non-standard size, they can't sell that mattress to anyone else. So if you order wrong, you're stuck with it.
We pick up a lot of brand-new custom RV mattresses from people who:
- Measured the old compressed mattress instead of the bed platform
- Got the notch dimensions wrong
- Didn't realize their RV required a specific maximum thickness
- Ordered a 60x75 when they needed 60x74 (or vice versa)
How to measure correctly:
- Measure the platform, not the old mattress. Old mattresses compress unevenly and don't represent accurate dimensions anymore.
- Measure length on both sides. RV bed platforms aren't always perfectly rectangular — one side might be slightly shorter.
- Measure width at multiple points. Check head, middle, and foot of the platform.
- Check height clearance. Measure from the platform to any overhead cabinets, slideout mechanisms, or ceiling obstructions. Make sure your new mattress thickness will fit.
- For corners, measure precisely. If you have a radius corner, measure the exact radius. If you have a notch, measure the depth and width exactly.
- Create a paper or cardboard template if the shape is complex. Some retailers will accept templates.
- Email the company first. Before you order anything custom, send your measurements and a photo of the bed platform. Ask them to confirm you're ordering correctly.
Be 100% certain before spending hundreds — or over a thousand dollars in some cases — on a mattress that can't be returned. We see this mistake way too often.
What I'd Recommend (And Why)
My neighbor asked me directly where to buy a Short Queen, so I'll tell you what I told him.
For a couple sleeping on a Short Queen regularly, I'd avoid entry-level options. The price difference between a budget mattress and a quality one might be a few hundred dollars, but the lifespan difference can be 10-15 years. Spending more upfront usually makes sense.
I'd look for a hybrid with quality pocketed coils and good foam layers — not memory foam for the reasons I mentioned, but quality polyfoam or latex in the comfort layer. This combination handles two sleepers well and maintains its support over time.
Do your own research. Everyone's preferences are different. The important thing is buying from a real mattress manufacturer using quality materials — not an "RV mattress" made with the cheapest foam available.
My Experience Building RV Short Queens
At the beginning of my career, I worked on the factory floor at a mattress manufacturer. We offered custom sizes, and I built a lot of Short Queen mattresses.
What stuck with me was how surprised people were. They couldn't believe we were offering home-quality mattresses in a Short Queen option. Back then, very few manufacturers made quality mattresses in RV sizes. If you wanted a Short Queen, you were pretty much stuck with whatever the RV dealer had in stock — which meant cheap foam from manufacturers who specialized in RV products, not sleep products.
Today, the market is completely different. Short Queen is the most popular RV mattress size, and tons of high-quality options are available. You can absolutely get amazing comfort and support in your RV if you know where to look.
The key is understanding that a Short Queen is just a size — it doesn't have to mean lower quality. Buy from mattress manufacturers who happen to offer that size, not from companies that only make "RV mattresses" and have no reputation in the broader mattress industry.
What to Do With Your Old RV Mattress
When you replace your stock Short Queen, you'll need to get rid of the old one. Don't just throw it in a dumpster — most mattresses can be recycled.
Need Your Old Mattress Removed?
Getting rid of an RV mattress can be tricky. I've put together a complete guide to your disposal and recycling options.
See Your Options →Quick Reference: RV Short Queen Dimensions
| Dimension | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Standard Short Queen | 60" × 75" |
| Alternate Short Queen | 60" × 74" |
| Compared to Standard Queen | Same width, 5-6 inches shorter |
Always measure your specific platform rather than assuming dimensions. RV manufacturers aren't perfectly consistent with sizing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will regular queen sheets fit a Short Queen mattress?
They can work, but not perfectly. Regular queen sheets (60×80) are 5 inches longer than Short Queen (60×75), so fitted sheets will have extra fabric that bunches up. Many RV owners use sheet straps or corner suspenders to keep them tight. For a proper fit, search for "RV Short Queen sheets" on Amazon or at RV retailers.
How thick should an RV Short Queen mattress be?
8-10 inches is ideal for most RVs. Before buying, measure from your sleeping platform to any overhead cabinets, slideouts, or other obstructions. Some RVs require thinner mattresses (5-6 inches) due to space constraints. A mattress that thin needs to be at least moderately firm to prevent bottoming out.
Can I put a regular queen mattress in my RV?
Yes, if you have the space. Regular queens are 5 inches longer, so check that your slideout won't hit the extra length when closing. Also verify the platform can accommodate the size and that a thicker mattress won't interfere with overhead structures.
Is a Short Queen too short for tall people?
If you're under 6 feet tall, you probably won't notice the difference. If you're over 6 feet, your feet may hang off the end. Some couples accept this for occasional RV trips but find it uncomfortable for extended travel or full-timing.
What's the difference between Short Queen and RV Queen?
They're the same thing. "Short Queen" and "RV Queen" both refer to a 60×75 inch mattress (sometimes 60×74). The terms are used interchangeably.
How long do RV mattresses typically last?
Stock RV mattresses often show up at our recycling facility within 1-2 years. Quality replacements from reputable manufacturers can last 15-20+ years in an RV because they're not slept on nightly like a home mattress. The key is buying from actual mattress manufacturers, not RV-specific brands using cheap materials.
About This Guide
