What Size Mattress Fits in a Truck Bed? A Practical Guide to Getting It Right
If you’re searching for “What Size Mattress Fits In a Truck Bed”, you’re likely planning road trips, camping, or turning your pickup into a comfortable sleep space. This guide walks through how mattress sizes match common truck beds, what to measure, and what to consider before you buy or repurpose a mattress.
How Do You Figure Out What Size Mattress Fits in a Truck Bed?
The key is to measure your truck bed first, then match those measurements to standard mattress sizes.
Most pickup beds fall into three general categories:
- Short bed: around 5 to 5.5 feet long
- Standard bed: around 6 to 6.5 feet long
- Long bed: around 8 feet long
Mattress sizes commonly considered for truck beds include:
- Twin: 38" × 75"
- Twin XL: 38" × 80"
- Full/Double: 54" × 75"
- Full XL: 54" × 80"
- Queen: 60" × 80"
Because truck beds have wheel wells, tailgate gaps, and tapered sides, the usable sleeping area can be smaller than the listed bed length and width. Always measure:
- Length: from the inside of the closed tailgate to the inside of the cab wall
- Width: between the narrowest points (usually between the wheel wells)
Which Mattress Sizes Commonly Fit in Different Truck Beds?
The answer to “What Size Mattress Fits In a Truck Bed” depends on your specific model, but this is a general guide many owners use:
| Truck Bed Type | Typical Length | Mattress Sizes That Often Work* |
|---|---|---|
| Short bed | ~60–67" | Custom-sized, cut foam, sometimes Twin (with tailgate down) |
| Standard bed | ~72–79" | Twin, Twin XL, sometimes Full (may require tailgate down) |
| Long bed | ~96" | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen (usually fits with tailgate closed or slightly angled) |
*Always confirm with your own measurements.
Key idea:
- A Twin or Twin XL often works for solo sleepers in many truck beds.
- A Full or Queen is more realistic in standard or long beds, especially if you can sleep with the tailgate down or angle the mattress slightly.
Can a Queen Mattress Fit in a Truck Bed?
A Queen mattress (60" × 80") can fit in many long beds and some standard beds, but there are tradeoffs:
- In a long bed, a Queen usually fits flat with the tailgate closed or very close to closed.
- In a standard bed, a Queen may:
- Require the tailgate down for full length
- Be placed at a slight diagonal so the corners rest at wider points
- Sit higher if you build a platform above the wheel wells
It’s common for the mattress to overhang the tailgate slightly in shorter beds. Some people are comfortable with this; others prefer a smaller size or a custom-cut mattress.
Do You Need a Custom Mattress for a Truck Bed?
You do not always need one, but custom or cut-to-size foam can solve many fit issues, such as:
- Narrow beds where a standard Twin or Full is too wide
- Beds with pronounced wheel wells that reduce usable width
- Camper setups where you want built-in storage around or under the mattress
Many truck sleepers use:
- A standard mattress that roughly fits, and accept small gaps
- A trimmable foam mattress or topper, cut to match the truck bed shape
If your question is strictly “What Size Mattress Fits In a Truck Bed”, a standard size like Twin, Twin XL, or Full is often the starting point, then adjusted based on your measurements.
What Else Should You Consider Besides Size?
Beyond “Will it fit?”, it helps to think about:
1. Thickness and Comfort
- Thinner mattresses (4–8") are easier to move and give more headroom under a truck cap.
- Thicker mattresses may feel plusher but can reduce space to sit up.
2. Flexibility and Material
- Foam mattresses are easier to squeeze into tight spaces, cut to size, or bend slightly.
- Hybrid or innerspring options are usually less flexible and heavier.
3. Height of the Sleeping Platform
If you build a platform above the wheel wells, you gain width but lose vertical space. This affects how thick your mattress can comfortably be.
4. Weather and Moisture
Truck beds can collect condensation or humidity, especially under a topper or cap. Many truck campers place a ventilating layer under the mattress (such as slats or a breathable mat) to help reduce moisture buildup.
✅ Quick Mattress Takeaways
Key points to remember about What Size Mattress Fits In a Truck Bed:
- Always measure first: length (cab to closed tailgate) and width (at the narrowest point).
- Short beds usually work best with a custom foam mattress or a Twin with the tailgate down.
- Standard beds often fit Twin, Twin XL, or Full, sometimes at a diagonal.
- Long beds can typically handle Twin, Twin XL, Full, or even Queen more comfortably.
- Foam mattresses are easiest to trim, bend, or fit around wheel wells.
- Consider thickness, headroom, and ventilation as much as raw length and width.
By starting with accurate measurements and a basic understanding of standard mattress dimensions, you can confidently decide what size mattress fits in your truck bed and create a sleep setup that feels secure, practical, and comfortable for your needs.
