RV tip: Check out that RV mattress

Is your RV mattress comfortable? The older and less expensive models have had mattresses you are more likely to find at a discount mattress warehouse for less than $100. In the Pace Arrow I originally started full-time RVing in, the mattresses were awful! They were pieces of foam with a thin covering. It wasn't long before my back started protesting. We ended up purchasing an air mattress at the RV show in Quartzsite. I don't remember the brand, but they could custom-size it for an RV. What a difference! Now air mattresses are offered as standard in the more upscale coaches and as options in others.

Not everyone is sold on air mattresses. Some RVers add a pillow top mattress pad or purchase a pillow top mattress. They swear by their comfort. Both pillow tops and air beds are an improvement over our foam mattresses.

Shopping for an RV

Since a mattress is so important to a good night's sleep, be sure you lie down on the RV mattress in any unit you are considering and stay there for a while. Get into your normal sleep positions. Do you feel the board supporting the bed? Is the mattress the proper firmness for you? Unless you plan to purchase a new mattress after you buy the RV, make sure it will work for you.

A tip if you purchase an RV with an air mattress: Let some air out of the mattress if you'll be climbing in elevation and adjust it again after you arrive at your destination. This will prevent damage. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Comments

[Jessica]

Great tip about letting the air out before hitting the higher elevation! I've lived in Florida my whole life and it completely slipped my mind when we hit the road for Hill City, SD (4,979 FT Elevation). When we finally got there I opened up my cabinets to find all our stuff had exploded! If I had an air mattress it probably would have popped in an instant. :)

As for the beds, I have a 2 inch foam pad that I slap on all the crappy rv beds we've owned. Works like a charm and is MUCH cheaper (and greener :) than buying a brand new mattress. I don't think I could stand full-timing with an air mattress, even with my foam topper!

[Jaimie Hall Bruzenak]

And South Dakota at 4,979 isn't even the mountains!

If a 2" foam does it for you, no sense spending big bucks for an air mattress or pillow top.

Jaimie

[James & Linda]

Full Time RV's
HELP! HELP! HELP!
In less than a year we want to go full time in uor camper.
We need advice with
Insurance
Income taxes
Drivers Licenses
Mail
Internet
Phones (anyone tryed magic jack)
Cell phones
Cable TV

Please send all your "do's and don't " and any "tricks of the trade" you can give us.

My husband seems okay with this but i have had a permanent home for 34 years and this seems real SCAREY to me. I'm trying to relax but i want to make sure that we have "we have our ducks all in a row" so to speak.
We have a camping membership and live in Michigan.
We want to travel Southern route in winter and come back to Mich. in the summer.

Thanks for all your help

PLEASE HURRY!!

[Jaimie Hall Bruzenak]

My book, Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, answers a lot of your questions.

And, I recommend you join an RV forum or two. You'll find lots of information on these very topics, plus can ask other RVers what they are doing. I hope moderate the Workamper forums. I recommend them. http://forums.workamper.com

Jaimie