Many truck owners struggle with ill-fitting mattresses that waste valuable bed space or don’t provide adequate coverage, leading to uncomfortable sleeping experiences and wasted investment. To avoid this, it's important to choose the right mattress size for your truck bed. Here's how you can find the perfect fit.
Truck Bed Sizes
Pickup truck beds typically come in three standard lengths:- Short bed: Usually 5'5" to 5'8" (about 65-68 inches)
- Standard bed: Approximately 6'5" to 6'7" (about 77-79 inches)
- Long bed: Around 8' (about 96 inches)
The width is more consistent across different trucks, usually ranging between 50-61 inches between the wheel wells, and 60-71 inches at the widest point.
Truck Mattress Sizes
When shopping for a truck mattress, you'll often see common size labels like Full-Size, Queen-Size, King-Size, or even Custom-Fit. These labels give a general idea of what to expect, but it's important to note that different manufacturers may interpret these mattress sizes slightly differently, leading to variations in the actual dimensions.
However, most manufacturers typically use the following standard measurements:
- 5.5-5.8FT: Suitable for short bed trucks, typically found in compact or mid-sized trucks.
- 6-6.5FT: Common for standard bed trucks, often seen in full-sized pickups.
- 8FT: Typically found in long bed trucks, often in heavy-duty or larger models.
To ensure the mattress fits perfectly in your truck bed, always refer to the actual dimensions provided by the manufacturer, as they are the most reliable indicators for choosing the right mattress size.
How to Measure Your Pickup Truck Bed
To ensure the perfect fit, follow these steps to measure your truck bed:
- Measure the length from the inside of the tailgate to the inside of the front bulkhead
- Measure the width between the wheel wells (narrowest point)
- Measure the width at the widest point
- If you have a tonneau cover or camper shell, measure the height clearance
Recommended Mattress Sizes for the Popular Trucks in the US
Here are popular pickup trucks in the US over the past five years and the recommended mattress sizes based on their bed dimensions:
| Truck Model | Bed Length | Recommended Mattress Size |
|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 | 5'5" to 6'7" | 5.5-5.8FT or 6-6.5FT |
| Ram 1500 | 5'7" to 6'4" | 6-6.5FT |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 5'8" to 6'6" | 6-6.5FT |
| Toyota Tacoma | 5'1" to 6'1" | 5.5-5.8FT |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | 5'8" to 6'6" | 6-6.5FT |
| Nissan Titan | 5'5" to 6'5" | 5.5-5.8FT or 6-6.5FT |
For each of these truck models, ensure you measure your truck bed before purchasing a mattress. The dimensions provided are typical for these models, but variations can exist based on the specific year or configuration.
Custom Mattress for Truck Bed
If your truck bed has unique dimensions or you're looking for a perfect fit, consider a custom mattress. Custom truck mattresses are made to match the specific measurements of your truck bed, ensuring optimal comfort and space utilization.
How to Choose the Right Bedding Size for Your Pickup Truck Bed
When selecting bedding for your truck bed, it’s important to match the right sizes to your mattress.
For fitted sheets, make sure they fit the exact dimensions of your truck mattress, with deep pockets to ensure a snug fit. Typically, full-sized sheets work for short beds, queen-sized sheets for standard beds, and king-sized sheets for long beds.
For blankets and comforters, choose sizes slightly larger than your mattress for proper coverage. Full-size blankets are ideal for short beds, queen-size blankets for standard beds, and king-size blankets for long beds.