RV Short Queen vs RV Full: Which Size Fits Better?

On this page (19 sections)

1. The 7 inch width gap in plain numbers
2. The specs side by side
3. What the two sizes share
4. Length is nearly the same
5. Who the short queen suits
6. Who the full suits
7. Aisle and walk-around room
8. Measuring the route in
9. Can you upsize a full platform to a short queen?
10. Weight, handling and lead time
11. Bedding for each size
12. Two sleepers, one set of coils
13. Questions to ask the seller before you order
14. Per-person room in a real bedroom
15. Where the bed edge lands
16. How the 7 inch gap changes your RV floor plan
17. Shipping and setup for a 10 inch hybrid
18. Ask about lead time and returns
19. Which to buy: match the size to your bed

We compared the WanderRest Cool Hybrid 10 inch in both sizes, so the build, height and feel match and only the size changes. That makes this a clean look at what 7 inches of width does in an RV bedroom.

WanderRest is a line from RV Mattress Solutions, and the thickness and warranty are the same across both sizes. For every common RV bed size, see our RV mattress size guide.

The 7 inch width gap in plain numbers

The short queen is 60 inches wide and the full is 53 inches wide, so the short queen is 7 inches wider. Divide each width by two for a rough per-adult space, and the gap is about 3.5 inches per sleeper.

That split is simple, since people sleep at different widths and not every couple shares the bed the same way. Still, it shows why the short queen usually feels roomier for two adults.

A couple who sleeps close together may not notice 3.5 inches, while a couple who likes space at night will notice the difference.

The specs side by side

The short queen and the full share a line, a thickness and a build, so the size columns do most of the work.

We compared specs, materials and what owners report, then scored each size against what an RV bedroom needs. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.

The short queen scores a little higher here because it gives two adults more room, while the full suits a solo sleeper or a tight space.

What the two sizes share

Both sizes use the same build: gel memory foam over pocketed coils, 10 inches of height and a 10 year warranty from WanderRest. WanderRest rates the feel medium, and both mattresses are made in the USA.

Both have an HD edge system and a plush quilted cover with 360 stretch fabric. The short queen's cover is fabric, and the full's is a polyester blend.

The full has 5 layers. Because the builds match, you are choosing between two sizes rather than two different beds.

Length is nearly the same

The short queen is 74 inches long and the full is 75 inches long, so the two beds line up at the head and foot almost exactly. A 1 inch difference rarely changes the fit by itself.

Still, measure your platform's length first. If it is exactly 74 inches, the full will overhang by 1 inch, which matters at a wall or a headboard.

For a step-by-step routine, see our guide to measuring an RV mattress.

Who the short queen suits

The short queen suits two adults who share the bed and have a platform that is a true 60 by 74 inches. It gives each sleeper more room, and it is the better pick when the bedroom and aisle can handle the extra width.

• Two adults who want more room side to side.
• Couples who like to sit up or read in bed.
• Owners who already have a short queen platform.
• Anyone who can move an 80 lb mattress through the door.

If the platform is already a short queen, you may only need to change the mattress.

Who the full suits

The full suits one sleeper, or a tight bedroom where every inch of floor counts. It is also the easier pick when the door, hallway or stairs are narrow.

• A solo sleeper who wants a smaller footprint.
• A bedroom where a dinette or closet sits close to the bed.
• A platform that is already a full.
• Anyone who needs a lighter mattress for lifting.

Aisle and walk-around room

Narrower beds leave more floor space beside them. The 53 inch full gives 7 inches more clear space across the bed than a 60 inch short queen, which can help when a dinette, closet or aisle is close.

Measure from the bed edge to the nearest wall, cabinet or dinette before you choose. Make sure you can still get in and out on the side you use most.

Check how the bed sits relative to the door as well, because a wider bed can block the path during a tight turn.

Measuring the route in

Measure the route before you order, not after the mattress arrives. The bed has to get from the door to the platform, and that route often has tighter spots than the bedroom itself.

• Measure the narrowest door opening on the route.
• Note any corners, hallway turns, stairs or steps.
• Measure the bedroom width at the spot where the bed will sit.
• Check the distance from the platform to the nearest wall at the foot.

If the route fails at any point, the full is the easier fit, since it is 7 inches narrower.

Stairs, steps and tight corners matter more than the bed itself, because the mattress has to turn at each one. Mark the turning points on a floor plan or a sketch before you order, so you can see where the bed will fit.

Can you upsize a full platform to a short queen?

Usually not without a rebuild, because the frame, side rails and nearby cabinets are built to the platform width. Widening the bed is a job for a builder, not a mattress change.

If your platform is a full, buy a full. If you want the short queen but your bed is a full, plan the rebuild before you order.

A rebuild can cost more than the mattress itself, so price it out before you assume the short queen is possible.

A 60 inch mattress would overhang a 53 inch platform by about 3.5 inches on each side if centered, which is a problem at the walls. If a home-size bed is tempting, our regular mattress in an RV guide explains the trade-offs.

Weight, handling and lead time

The full weighs 70 lb and the short queen weighs 80 lb, so the full is easier to carry through a narrow RV door. Both are 10 inches thick and use the same pocketed coil core, so the difference is size and weight rather than build.

Measure the door opening and any hallway turns before you buy. The 7 inch width gap can decide whether the bed fits through a tight turn at all.

Both mattresses are made to order in the USA. Ask about lead time before you pay, since made-to-order items may take longer to arrive than a stock mattress.

Short queen vs full on a lift bed

If your bed lifts on struts, the 10 lb gap between the two mattresses counts. Check the lift's weight rating against 80 lb for the short queen or 70 lb for the full, then add your bedding.

That rating comes from the bed maker, not the mattress.

Bedding for each size

Sheets are sold by width and length, so a short queen sheet will not fit a 53 inch full, and a full sheet will not cover a 60 inch short queen. Check both measurements on the label before you buy.

Length matters too. A 74 inch short queen and a 75 inch full need sheets with enough drop to tuck under the mattress, so check the pocket depth for the 10 inch thickness.

Two sleepers, one set of coils

WanderRest says the individually wrapped coils reduce motion transfer, which matters when two people share a bed.

The coils work the same way in either size. The difference you will notice is the room each person gets, not the way the bed responds.

If one of you moves a lot at night, check the feel in person when you can.

Questions to ask the seller before you order

Ask for the exact length and width of the mattress itself, not just the size label. These two run 74 and 75 inches, so check both against your platform.

• Is the stated size the mattress, or the box it ships in?
• How long is the lead time for a made-to-order mattress?
• What does the 10 year warranty cover?
• What is the return policy if the size is wrong for your platform?

Confirm the answers in writing, and keep them with your order, so you have a record if the size or lead time changes.

Per-person room in a real bedroom

The 3.5 inches per sleeper is an average, and a broad sleeper may feel the gap more than a narrow one. Think about the person who sleeps on the outside edge, since they need room to get in and out without climbing over the other person.

Sit on the bed where you will sleep and check the room on each side. If the outside edge sits against a wall or a dresser, the wider bed may leave you no room to sit up.

Where the bed edge lands

Measure where the bed edge lands against any nightstand, window or closet door, not just the width of the bed. A 60 inch short queen centered on a platform leaves less floor at each side than a 53 inch full.

If the bed sits against a window or a built-in table, measure that spot too. Check the edge with your bedding on, since blankets that hang over the side can make the gap look smaller than it is.

How the 7 inch gap changes your RV floor plan

Seven inches across the bed can become a walkway, a bench or a nightstand. A full leaves more room for a bench at the foot or a slim table at the side, while a short queen fills more of the floor.

Decide what you want to keep beside the bed before you choose. If the walkway matters more than the extra width, the full is usually the better plan.

Shipping and setup for a 10 inch hybrid

RV Mattress Solutions says its mattresses ship quickly but gives no expansion time. Plan the setup for a day when you can open the bed and leave it to settle before you sleep on it.

Lift and carry with two people, since an 80 lb mattress is awkward to carry alone through a door and up a step. The full at 70 lb is lighter, but it is still a two-person move in a tight RV.

Ask about lead time and returns

Made-to-order mattresses can take longer than a stock size, so ask for the lead time in writing before you commit. Returns can also be harder with a size made for your order, so ask about the return terms before you pay.

Which to buy: match the size to your bed

Pick the short queen if two adults share the bed, the platform is a true 60 by 74 inches, and your aisle and door can handle an 80 lb mattress. Pick the full if you sleep alone, the bedroom is tight, or the door and aisle are narrow.

For more size options, read our RV full and twin sizes guide or the short queen size guide. If you are also weighing an 80 inch queen, our short queen vs queen guide compares that size too.

Frequently asked questions

Is an RV full the same as a home full mattress?

Close, but not always the same, since a home full is usually 54 by 75 inches and the WanderRest full here is 53 by 75 inches. RV beds vary by maker and floor plan, so measure your own platform before you assume a home-size sheet or mattress will fit.

How much room do 7 extra inches give two adults?

If you split the width evenly, each sleeper gets about 30 inches in the short queen and about 26.5 inches in the full, a gap of about 3.5 inches each. That split is simple, but it is enough to change how two adults share a bed.

Can I put a short queen mattress on a full RV platform?

Not without trimming, and trimming usually ends any return, so measure the platform width before you order. A 60 inch short queen is 7 inches wider than a 53 inch full, so it would overhang by about 3.5 inches on each side if centered.

Which is easier to move through an RV door?

The full, because it is 7 inches narrower and 10 lb lighter, at 70 lb compared with 80 lb for the short queen. Measure the door opening and any hallway turns before you order, so the bed fits on the way in.