The figures on sleep speak for themselves: you generally spend eight hours a day sleeping, you turn over 40 times a night and you lose almost half a litre of water through perspiration... That shows how important the quality of bedding is in a caravan. And even if you don't use your bedding as much on holiday as you do at home, you still need to make the right choice, especially if you have back pain. So we asked manufacturers about the quality of the mattresses they offer, as well as the options available today. It is already worth noting that 90% of new caravans have a fixed double bed (more rarely, twin beds), consisting of a mattress resting on a slatted base. The slatted base is not only a guarantee of comfort, but also a key factor in the ventilation of the sleeping area, a key point in caravans.
What density for foams?
Since we are mainly dealing with foam mattresses in caravans, specialists in home bedding state that a density is only of good quality between 25 and 35 kg/m3. Below 25 kg/m3, the mattress can only be considered as an extra bed, or for children, because the polyether foam is too low in density to ensure proper sleeping comfort. Polyurethane foams of 30 or 40 kg/m3, known as high resilience (HR), are the best possible choice: the mattress offers good support for the body and the conditions are optimal for a good night's sleep. On the other hand, this type of mattress is heavier to handle - or to lift if you want to access the under-bed compartment. As for spring mattresses, this system would be better suited to people of large build, as the feeling is sometimes very firm, even bouncy.
Proper testing of the bed is essential
It is always advisable to lie down on a mattress to test it, this also applies to the caravan. The feeling is quick. A mattress that is too firm can quickly lead to back pain and blood circulation problems due to excessive compression. The same goes for a mattress that is too soft, which can cause back pain. Of course, firmness or softness also depends on your body mass, which is why it is important to do this quick test. There are two things you can do to find out whether you are lying on a mattress that is too firm or too soft. If you can put your hand between your back and the mattress when lying down, it is too hard. If, on the other hand, you have difficulty turning, the mattress is too soft.
What about dimensions?
It is necessary to check the dimensions of the mattresses with a measuring tape, as the indications given in the caravan catalogues sometimes vary by a few centimetres... important if you are tall or wide. The standard in recent vehicles is 140 x 190 cm, but you may have to deal with 135 cm wide or 185 cm long... As for the large beds (210 cm long, 160 wide), they are obviously the "top" but are rare. In addition, you will need to buy a specific bedding set. In your test, you should also think about moving the mattress: if it is too heavy, you will be embarrassed when you lay the sheets. It is also this same mattress that you will have to lift to access the storage compartment under the slatted base... Some manufacturers make their double beds with two mattresses side by side: this is an advantageous solution, as it means that your partner's sleep is less disturbed when you move.
Does body weight matter?
There are currently no standards for sleeping arrangements in caravans, except for children's bunks, including those in the upper position, which must withstand a certain weight (displayed on a wall, between 60 and 80 kg depending on the brand) in order not to collapse. The beds placed on the ground, on the other hand, can, according to a caravan design office manager, resist 200 kg, which is enough for ordinary people. For heavier users, however, it is important to be careful and to choose a firm mattress that is suitable for heavy weights. Also bear in mind that when you buy a second-hand caravan, the bedding may already be worn and may not be able to withstand the weight: you may need to invest in a new mattress.