What Size Air Mattress Fits in a Truck Bed? A Practical FAQ Guide

If you’re asking “What Size Air Mattress Fits In a Truck Bed”, you’re usually planning a camping trip, a quick overnight stop, or a simple way to sleep comfortably on the road. This guide explains which air mattress sizes work best for different truck beds, and what to measure before you buy.

How Do I Figure Out What Size Air Mattress Fits in a Truck Bed?

The key is to measure your truck bed and compare those measurements to standard air mattress dimensions.

Most truck beds fall into three rough categories:

• Compact / Short bed: about 5–5.5 feet long
• Standard bed: about 6–6.5 feet long
• Long bed: about 7–8 feet long

Common air mattress sizes:

Because truck beds are not perfectly rectangular (they have wheel wells and tailgate gaps), the “right” size is usually slightly smaller than the bed’s full interior space.

What Size Air Mattress Fits in a Truck Bed for Most People?

For many drivers, a full or short queen–style air mattress tends to work best:

• In a short or compact bed, a twin or slightly shortened full-size mattress is most practical.
• In a standard bed, a full/double air mattress usually fits between the wheel wells and leaves a bit of space at the end.
• In a long bed, a queen air mattress (or truck‑specific queen with cutouts for wheel wells) is often the most comfortable choice.

If you want to keep the tailgate closed, focus on the length of the mattress compared to the floor length of the bed with the tailgate up. If you’re fine sleeping with the tailgate down, you can sometimes fit a longer mattress, but you may want extra support under the extended section.

What Should I Measure Before Choosing a Truck Bed Air Mattress?

To decide what size air mattress fits in a truck bed precisely, measure:

1. Bed length

   • From the inside of the closed tailgate to the front wall of the bed.
   • This tells you the maximum mattress length if you want the tailgate shut.

2. Bed width

   • Measure between the narrowest points, usually between the wheel wells.
   • Compare this to the mattress width; a mattress wider than this may buckle up the sides.

3. Height to the top of the bed rails or canopy

   • Especially important if you sleep under a tonneau cover or cap, so you don’t feel cramped once the mattress is inflated.

4. Space around wheel wells and any storage

   • Some people keep toolboxes, storage bins, or sports gear in the bed.
   • Make sure there’s still a flat area large enough for the mattress size you’re considering.

Do I Need a Truck‑Specific Air Mattress?

You do not have to use a truck‑specific model, but it can be helpful.

Standard air mattresses

• Often cheaper and easier to find
• Work well if your bed is relatively flat and you don’t mind small gaps at the sides or end

Truck‑specific air mattresses

• Shaped to fit around wheel wells
• Designed so more of the mattress surface is fully usable sleeping space
• Often sized similar to full or queen, but with cutouts or special contours

If your main question is “What Size Air Mattress Fits in a Truck Bed”, a standard twin, full, or queen can work as long as it matches your bed’s interior measurements. Truck‑specific options are more about fit and comfort, not completely different sizes.

How Thick Should an Air Mattress Be for a Truck Bed?

Most air mattresses designed for camping or guest use are 8–18 inches thick when inflated.

For a truck bed:

• Lower to mid height (8–12 inches)

  • Often more stable in a truck bed
  • Leaves more headroom under a cover or cap

• Extra‑tall (15–18 inches)

  • Can feel more like a traditional bed but may place you closer to the bed rails or canopy
  • May be harder to climb into if the truck bed is high

The best thickness depends on your headroom, comfort preference, and whether you’re using a cover or not.

Can Two People Sleep on an Air Mattress in a Truck Bed?

Yes, but choose the size carefully:

• For two adults in most standard truck beds, a full/double‑size air mattress is often workable.
• In a long bed, a queen usually gives more elbow room and comfort.
• Consider weight capacity and how much you both move when sleeping, since movement is more noticeable on an air surface.

If the bed width between wheel wells is tight, sleeping slightly diagonal on a full or queen mattress can help.

✔️ Quick Mattress Takeaways

Key points about “What Size Air Mattress Fits in a Truck Bed”:

• Measure first: Length, width between wheel wells, and available height are essential.
• Common matches:
  • Short beds → Twin or compact full
  • Standard beds → Full/Double
  • Long beds → Queen or truck‑shaped queen
• Truck‑specific mattresses aren’t required but can improve fit around wheel wells.
• Lower‑profile mattresses (around 8–12") often work best under covers or caps.
• Always compare your truck’s interior bed dimensions to the air mattress size before you buy.

With a few quick measurements and an understanding of standard mattress sizes, it becomes much easier to decide what size air mattress fits in a truck bed for your vehicle and your sleeping needs.