Truck camping has become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly due to the surge in camping interest caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Truck bed tents are now available for almost every truck model on the market, but if you plan on turning your truck into a temporary bedroom, there’s one very important piece of equipment you must consider: a truck bed air mattress.
A pickup truck air mattress is simply a mattress that fits snugly into the bed of your truck. You can choose from one of two types of air mattresses: standard non-truck-specific air mattresses or semi-custom truck-specific air mattresses.
However, using a standard air mattress can be problematic when used in your truck. Most truck beds, such as those found in Ford F150 or Dodge Ram models, are about 62″ wide and anywhere from 65″ to 96″ long, depending on the length of the box.
A standard double air mattress, on the other hand, measures approximately 54″ wide and 77″ long, which is too large to fit between the wheel wells of most trucks and can leave huge gaps.
A queen-size air mattress measures 60″ X 80″ which leaves the side sloping upwards and a dip in the middle of the mattress. This might be fine for one person but when you add a second person you’ll be constantly drawn to the middle whether you want to or not.
Semi-custom air mattresses, such as the Airbedz, or Rightline solve this problem by providing custom-designed mattresses for your pickup truck.
When it comes to selecting a truck bed air mattress, there are three options to consider:
- A truck air mattress that fits between your wheel wells but leaves gaps in front and behind it
- A truck air mattress that fits between your wheel wells and covers the entire truck bed (including the gap in front and behind the wheel wells) but does not have fillers for the spaces left between the wheel wells.
- A truck air mattress that fits between your wheel wells and covers the entire truck bed (including the gap in front and behind the wheel wells) but does have fillers for the spaces left between the wheel wells, allowing it to be used as a full double/queen mattress outside of the vehicle.
While a truck mattress that fills your entire truck bed will optimize the entire area of your truck bed, it will cost slightly more in most cases. If you plan to use your air mattress in other situations outside of your truck, such as in tents or at home, having fillers that cover the gap between your wheel wells is more or less a necessity unless you prefer rolling into the gaps left in the mattress to accommodate for the wheel wells.
Selecting a truck air mattress depends largely on the size of your truck bed, not the make or year of your truck. Most truck beds come in one of three lengths: Short Bed (5.5′ to 5’8′), Regular Bed (6′ to 6’6′), and Long Bed (8′).
Truck air mattresses range in price from $90-$100 for the Rightline truck bed air mattress, which has gaps in front of and behind the wheel wells to $179-$330 for the Airbedz truck air mattress, with an automatic air pump, is the most expensive option.
TRUCK BED SLEEPING PLATFORMS
A new option for sleeping in the bed of your truck is the FLATED Air-Deck. This innovative product comes in 3 different sizes based on how much room you have in your truck bed or how many people you need to accommodate.
The FLATED Air-Deck inflates, deflates and rolls up in a duffle bag just like a traditional truck bed air mattress. With the Air-Deck, you have a sturdier surface to sleep on plus you have the option of storing gear under the sleeping platform. With a traditional air mattress, you will need to find room for your gear in another part of the truck, on the roof or outside.
Backseat Air Mattresses for SUVs
Backseat air mattresses for SUVs are a great solution for anyone who wants to turn their SUV’s backseat into a comfortable sleeping space. These air mattresses are designed to fit perfectly in the backseat of your SUV, providing a comfortable and supportive sleeping surface. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes to fit different SUV models and can be easily inflated using a pump.
One of the biggest advantages of a backseat air mattress is its portability. They are lightweight and compact, making them easy to carry and store. This means you can take them with you on camping trips, road trips, or any other adventure where you might need a comfortable place to sleep. With a backseat air mattress for your SUV, you can turn your vehicle into a mobile home away from home.
In conclusion, if you plan on turning your truck into a sleeping area during your next road trip, a truck bed air mattress is a must-have accessory. It will make sleeping in your truck far more comfortable and enjoyable.
Truck Bed Air Mattresses
Truck bed air mattresses are made to fit over the wheel wells of your truck bed. A truck bed air mattress enables you to have a comfortable sleeping area when your out camping in your truck or Overlanding. Cutouts on each side allow the air mattress to fit around and over the wheel wells of the pickup truck, creating a sleeping area that utilizes the entire truck bed. Truck bed air mattresses either come equipped with integrated or external air pumps that plug into the DC “cigarette lighter” type power port of your truck.
