Short Queen vs Queen Mattress: Which Fits Your RV?
Many RVs take a short queen mattress, and a queen only fits a true 80 inch platform. Measure the bed length before you order, since the 6 inch gap in length decides the fit.
On this page (15 sections)
- What the 6 inch difference blocks
- A worked example with a 75 inch platform
- Side-by-side specs for the two Zinus mattresses
- Height and weight on an RV bed
- Lift beds and the extra weight
- Will queen sheets fit a short queen?
- What the extra 2 inches of foam adds
- Who each size suits
- Common mistakes when sizing a queen or short queen mattress
- When a queen is the right call
- Questions to ask the seller before you order
- Delivery and setup time
- Ways to check your bed before you order
- What to do if your platform falls between sizes
- Which to buy: match the size to your platform
Pick a short queen if your RV bed is about 74 inches long, and pick a queen only if the platform is a full 80 inches. Both Zinus mattresses we compared are 60 inches wide, so length is the one size difference that decides the fit.
Many RVs use a short queen, which runs 74 or 75 inches long and 60 inches wide. A standard home queen is 80 inches long, so the gap at the foot of the bed is 5 to 6 inches.
This guide compares the 8 inch Zinus short queen with the 10 inch Zinus queen, so you can see the length gap next to the thickness and weight. For every common RV bed size, see our RV mattress size guide.
What the 6 inch difference blocks
The extra length rarely affects the bed itself. It affects the space around the foot of the bed, such as a door, a drawer, a wall or a slide-out.
Look at the foot of your bed before you order. That is where the extra 5 to 6 inches will land, and a queen that overhangs the platform can press into anything in that space.
If a slide-out sits near the bed, measure the open space with the slide in and again with it out. The slide changes how much room the foot of the bed has, so one measurement may not tell the whole story.
Think about how you get in and out, too. A queen that runs toward a wall at the foot can leave you no room to sit on the edge and pull on your shoes.
Measure any dresser, bench or storage bin at the foot as well. A longer mattress can block its drawers or lid, and that is easy to miss on a quick walk-through.
A worked example with a 75 inch platform
Suppose your platform measures 75 inches, which sits between the two common short queen lengths. An 8 inch short queen at 74 inches leaves about 1 inch of room, while a 10 inch queen at 80 inches would overhang by about 5 inches.
A 1 inch gap is easy to live with, but it lets the mattress shift. A non-slip layer or straps may help, and our guide to keeping an RV mattress from sliding covers those options.
A 5 inch overhang is a different problem, because the extra length has to go somewhere. In most RVs that means the foot of the bed meets a wall, a door or a drawer, so the queen is the wrong pick for that platform.
Side-by-side specs for the two Zinus mattresses
Both mattresses are 60 inches wide, so the real differences are length, height and weight. The 8 inch short queen is the shorter and lighter bed, while the 10 inch queen is longer, taller and heavier.
| Product | Best for | Size | Thickness | Best fit | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zinus 8 in Green Tea Short Queen | RV short queen platforms | 74 x 60 in | 8 in | Short queen RV beds | 8.8 |
| Zinus 10 in Green Tea Queen | true 60 x 80 RV beds | 80 x 60 in | 10 in | True 60 x 80 platforms | 8.1 |
We compared specs, materials and what owners report, then scored each bed against what an RV platform needs. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
Zinus's foam is CertiPUR-US certified in both sizes, a voluntary foam program you can read about at CertiPUR-US. That speaks to the foam standard, not to fit, so the length still decides the choice.
Both beds also use green tea infused foam, which Zinus says helps control odor.
Height and weight on an RV bed
The 10 inch queen stands 2 inches taller and weighs about 13 lb more than the 8 inch short queen. Height matters under a low cabinet or beside a lift bed's frame, so measure that clearance before you choose.
The queen weighs 53 lb and the short queen weighs 40.2 lb. You feel that gap when you carry the mattress through a narrow RV door or lift it onto the platform.
Zinus says the queen supports up to 500 lb. That is the mattress's support limit, not your lift's rating, so check the lift's own rating before you buy any bed.
Short queen vs queen mattress under a low cabinet
Say the cabinet sits 24 inches above the platform. The 8 inch short queen leaves 16 inches of space above it, and the 10 inch queen leaves 14.
Subtract your bedding and any topper from that number, and make sure you can still sit up.
For a fuller look at thickness by bed type, our RV mattress thickness guide covers clearance step by step.
Lift beds and the extra weight
A lift bed raises the mattress on struts or a frame, and a heavier mattress puts more load on that system. The 13 lb gap between these two beds matters most when you raise and lower the bed often.
Check the lift's rated load, then count the mattress, the bedding and the sleeper together. If that total sits close to the rating, the lighter 8 inch short queen is the safer choice.
Will queen sheets fit a short queen?
Usually not well, because queen fitted sheets are cut for an 80 inch bed. The extra fabric can bunch at the foot of a 74 inch short queen and pull loose at the corners.
Sheets are sold by length as well as width. Look for a fitted sheet labeled short queen or RV short queen, and check the pocket depth against your mattress thickness.
A deeper pocket matters more on the 10 inch queen. If you add a topper later, count its height in the pocket check too.
Toppers and pads are sold by size name as well, and our RV queen mattress topper picks show the inches behind each one.
What the extra 2 inches of foam adds
The 10 inch queen adds 2 inches of foam in three layers: 2.5 inches of conforming memory foam, 2 inches of comfort foam and a 5.5 inch high-density base.
Zinus says it suits side sleepers and petite to average-weight sleepers, so weigh that against your own build and sleep position.
The 8 inch short queen is layered CertiPUR-US foam with open air pockets in the middle layer, which Zinus says encourage airflow. Zinus doesn't give a layer-by-layer breakdown, so you can't compare the two stacks line by line.
Two extra inches can feel more cushioned, but they also add height and weight. Ask the seller for the 8 inch layer details before you decide the extra foam is worth it.
Who each size suits
The short queen suits travel trailers, campers and smaller motorhomes that have a short queen platform. It keeps the bed inside the space you already have, and it weighs less to lift.
The queen suits larger motorhomes that have a true 80 inch bed and room at the foot for the extra length. In that case, the 10 inch queen gives you more height and more foam in the same 60 inch width.
If you are unsure which group you fall into, start with the platform measurement, not the RV type. Two RVs of the same class can carry different bed sizes.
Common mistakes when sizing a queen or short queen mattress
Most sizing mistakes come from measuring the wrong thing or trusting the bed name.
- Measuring the old mattress instead of the platform.
- Trusting the word queen in a bed name without a tape measure.
- Forgetting the cabinet, slide-out or wall at the foot of the bed.
- Buying the 10 inch queen for a bed that only has room for 8 inches of height.
When a queen is the right call
A queen works when your platform is a true 80 inch bed and the foot of the bed has room. Some larger motorhomes have this platform, and a standard queen fits it without trimming.
The 10 inch Zinus queen is the match here, and it adds 2 inches of height over the short queen. Trust a tape measure over the bed name in a brochure, since two RVs with a queen bed can have different platforms.
If you are not sure a home-style bed will fit, our guide to regular mattresses in an RV walks through the decision step by step.
Questions to ask the seller before you order
Ask for the exact length and width of the mattress itself, not just the size label. Short queens run 74 or 75 inches, so compare that number against your platform.
- Is the stated length the mattress, or the box it ships in?
- What is the total height with the cover on?
- How long does the mattress take to expand, and what does the warranty cover?
- What is the return policy if the length turns out to be wrong?
Get these answers in writing before you pay.
Delivery and setup time
Zinus says to allow 24 to 72 hours for the queen to regain its full shape, and gives no time for the short queen. Both ship compressed and rolled in a box, so the first step is to unbox and unroll.
Foam expands faster in a warm room and slower in the cold. If the bed arrives cold, give it longer before you judge the firmness.
Zinus also says walking or sleeping on the queen can speed up expansion. Plan to set the bed up a few days before you need it, so you are not sleeping on a half-expanded mattress.
Ways to check your bed before you order
Measure the platform, not the old mattress, and write the length down before you shop. An old mattress can be a different size than the platform under it.
- Measure the length from the head wall to the foot edge of the platform.
- Measure the width at the head and at the foot, and note any corner cuts.
- Check what sits at the foot: a door, drawer, wall or slide-out.
- Compare the length with 74 inches for a short queen or 80 inches for a queen.
If the platform falls between sizes, the shorter option is usually easier to fit, because a bed that is too long can block doors and drawers. For the full steps, read our guide to measuring an RV mattress.
What to do if your platform falls between sizes
Choose the shorter bed unless the foot of the bed has clear room for the longer one. The shorter bed is easier to fit, and a small gap is easier to manage than an overhang.
Say your platform measures 77 inches. The 74 inch short queen leaves 3 inches of space, which can shift or leave a gap, while the 80 inch queen overhangs by 3 inches.
Check the head end and the foot end separately, since a platform is not always square. Use the shorter reading, and if the two ends differ, plan for the shorter one.
If the gap is 2 inches or less, a short queen with a non-slip layer is usually the practical choice. If the gap is larger, measure again before you order, since a length mistake is hard to undo.
Which to buy: match the size to your platform
Pick the 8 inch short queen if your platform measures about 74 to 75 inches and you want a lighter bed with less height. Pick the 10 inch queen only if the platform really measures about 80 inches and the foot of the bed is clear.
If you are weighing a full bed instead, compare the widths in our short queen vs RV full guide. If the exact length still feels unclear, our short queen size guide explains why short queens run 74 or 75 inches.
Frequently asked questions
Can a queen mattress fit an RV short queen bed?
Usually not, because a queen is 80 inches long and most short queen RV beds are 74 or 75 inches. The extra 5 to 6 inches can overhang the platform and run into a door, drawer or slide-out, so measure first.
Can you cut a queen mattress down to a short queen?
You can cut foam, but cutting usually ends any return and leaves a trimmed edge that looks and feels different from the factory edge. Most owners who need a shorter bed buy a short queen instead, so measure the platform twice first.
Do queen sheets fit a short queen mattress?
Often not well, because a queen fitted sheet is cut for an 80 inch bed. On a 74 inch short queen, the extra fabric can bunch at the foot, so look for a sheet labeled short queen and check its pocket depth.
Which size is better for a low-clearance RV bed?
The 8 inch short queen is usually easier to fit under a low cabinet, because the 10 inch queen adds 2 inches of height. Measure from the platform to the cabinet, then subtract the bedding you plan to use before you order.
