Have you ever found yourself wishing the bed in your caravan could be a bit more comfortable? After all, having spent a day exploring, it’s understandable that you’re going to want a refreshing night’s rest so you can wake up raring to go.
The good news is that there are steps you can take that could improve your sleeping experience – this is where knowing how to make a caravan bed more comfortable comes in.
Take a look at your mattress
As a starting point, take a look at what you’re actually sleeping on. If you own a tourer which has a fixed bed, such as the Elddis Crusader Mistral or the Swift Sprite Grande Major 4 SB Exclusive, but the caravan is a few years old, it could be the case that your mattress needs changing.
Caravan mattresses (and in particular, older ones) are generally made with a fairly thin foam material, which has the downside of not lasting very long. There are some signs that can help you work out if it’s coming to the end of its lifespan – for instance, there could be sagging, it could have lumps, or you could find you’re aching when you wake up.
In such circumstances, buying a new mattress could help. Opting for one with a better foam, such as memory foam – or if you can, a hybrid – could also improve your sleeping experience.
But, of course, while buying a new mattress is suitable for caravanners who have a fixed bed, it’s not going to be practical for those who make their bed up in the lounge, where settee bases are folded or pieced together. Even if you have a fixed bed caravan layout, you may not necessarily have the budget for a new mattress either.
The good news is that your sleeping experience could still be improved by purchasing a more budget-friendly mattress topper. You should be able to find one which suits the majority of tourer beds, such as caravans with island beds or French beds, with differing thicknesses of one to three inches available too.
A memory foam mattress topper could be worth considering too – these will conform to the shape of your body, helping to relieve pressure points.
For fans of winter caravanning, having a woollen thermal topper will contribute to a more snug sleeping experience.
One thing I will point out – for those of you who feel hot at night, foam will generally retain the heat more than other materials. In such an instance, it could be worth opting for a cooling gel-infused mattress topper instead, even if you are touring in the cooler months – after all, anyone who has followed our tips on how to keep a caravan warm in winter will know how toasty our tourers can get.
Don’t overlook the mattress protector
A mattress protector may not improve the comfort of your mattress, but it is still worth investing in if you’ve purchased a new mattress. This can be a useful buy for two reasons – firstly, it will offer protection from any accidental spillages, and secondly, it acts as a barrier against dust mites and other allergens.
We’d recommend spending a bit extra if you have the budget when you’re purchasing a protector and the rest of your bed linen – buy the best you can get.
We’d also advise opting for natural fabrics, such as cotton or wool, as these are more breathable.
Bespoke bedding
Have you ever experienced a sheet which doesn’t fit well and seems to ping off? If so, you will know just how annoying it can be, whether it happens at home or in your caravan.
To avoid this, we’d advise choosing base sheets which have been cut to the fit of your caravan’s bed. In many cases, you can get tailored upholstery from the firm that manufactured your tourer, or as an alternative, there are other companies, such as Tuck Me Under, which can make bespoke bedding.
Then it’s time to think about the duvet or sleeping bag debate. I think that in a caravan, you should have both the payload allowance and space for a duvet, but it does come down to personal choice.
If you prefer a sleeping bag instead, one which can completely zip up could be a good choice, as you will have the option of using it as a duvet during the summer months.
Ventilation
Having some good ventilation can make a real difference to your sleeping experience in a caravan, too. A through draft will provide the best experience.
Usefully, you should find many caravan windows will have fly screens, which prevent insects from flying in.
A final point here though. If you’re leaving your van in the morning, be sure to shut the windows first – it’s an important piece of caravan security.
What to wear
As a final step, think about what you wear in bed. Restrictive garments are unlikely to be a sensible choice, so instead, opt for something with a looser fit. Don’t forget that clothes can help to wick sweat away during warmer weather, too.
Another accessory which can make a difference to your touring experience is a solar panel, allowing you to harness the power of the sun. If you’re thinking of getting some, don’t miss our guide to how to install caravan solar panels.
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