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It’s called a truck bed after all, so why not sleep in it? Whether you want to sleep under the stars or you need to transport a mattress with your truck, the experts at LINE-X^® can help.

Want the short answer? Only a twin-size mattress will lay flat between the wheel wells in both full and mid-size truck beds. Keep reading to find out what to do if you want to sleep on or move a bigger mattress.

Mattress Sizes

If you want to double-check your truck bed’s dimensions with your mattress size, simply use the information provided below:

• King           76″ x 80″
• Queen       60″ x 80″
• Full             54″ x 75″
• Twin          38″ x 75″

When looking for a mattress size that will fit your truck, simply measure the distance between the wheel wells and compare it to these measurements. Most truck beds measure roughly 48″ between the wheel wells, which is the width of a standard sheet of drywall or plywood.

Best Truck Mattress Options

We get it, cuddling on a twin-size mattress isn’t ideal. Fortunately, you have three good options:

1. Build a Raised Platform

Since wheel wells reduce the size of the mattress you can fit in your truck bed, many truck owners build simple platforms so the mattress sits above the wheel wells. Bonus: Not only do you get more room to catch some z’s but also you still have some storage space underneath your mattress. You should be able to fit a full-sized or queen-sized mattress this way, but we recommend cutting a foam mattress to size for the best fit (see option #3).

2. Order a Custom-fit Mattress

There are several companies that make mattresses custom-fit to your truck’s bed. These mattresses conform to your truck bed’s shape and go right around the wheel wells! They come in inflatable and foam versions.

3. Make Your Own Mattress

If you’re spending a lot of time on the road then making your own mattress is a great way to ensure a restful night’s sleep. Any standard sized mattress won’t fit your truck bed perfectly and you’ll still be left with gaps around the sides. Simply cut a foam mattress to size, whether it’s for your DIY platform or a mattress that goes around the wheel wells, this is a great option.

Best Way to Secure a Mattress in a Truck Bed

“Hey, is that your truck? Want to help me move?”

If you said yes, and you need to transport a mattress or three, we can help. (Also, please consider one of these bumper stickers.) Since anything bigger than a twin won’t lay flat in your truck bed, you’ll need to angle it in the truck bed to transport it. For foam mattresses, we recommend folding them in half and using a pair of ratchet straps to keep it that way, just like a taco.

For mattresses that can’t resemble your favorite street food, you’ll need to angle them in the bed and use straps to secure them. Two straps across the top and two across the back should be just fine. However, we only recommend transporting a mattress like this in town. For cross-country trips or any time you’re driving highway speeds, we recommend renting a trailer so your mattress doesn’t fly out and cause an accident or become roadkill.

Truck Accessories for the Road

If you’re gearing up to hit the road, we can help! Our Truck Gear products can keep you safe and comfortable for your next adventure. Our toppers are the perfect addition to your mattress-on-wheels and will keep your gear secure and dry! Reach out to your local LINE-X dealer today.