By the RV Geeks
Although we only have personal experience with two RVs, it seems that we're not the only ones who've found that "King" and "Queen" beds aren't always exactly the same size we were used to in a stick house. Typical residential mattresses usually come in pretty standard sizes, which is handy for buying the right size sheets.... particularly fitted sheets. Some mattresses are thicker than others, but at least the widths are pretty standard.
Our first motorhome, a 2002 Fleetwood Bounder Diesel, came with a queen-size bed. We found that the mattress was just a little bit narrower than a standard queen mattress, but it was substantially thinner. This caused our fitted queen-size sheet to be really loose, since there wasn't enough mattress to hold it tightly in place. Moving around during the night caused it to pull out of place, and get all bunched up underneath us as though it was hardly tucked in at all.
It didn't take long for us to hatch a plan to solve the problem, figuring that some sort of elastic strap beneath the mattress would keep it pulled tight. During a stroll around Wal-Mart (during a typical overnight camping stop) we discovered the perfect solution: suspenders!
We purchased two sets, making sure to buy the type that have clips on the end (some types require that suspender buttons be sewn into the pants, and we were not about to sew buttons on our sheets)! We also made sure that they weren't sewn permanently into a "Y" or "X" shape, but instead had the two sections held together by a metal guide, which we promptly (and easily) broke off, separating the two straps from each other. Happily, this style of suspenders is the cheapest of all. lol Since we decided to use only three of the four straps, we still have a spare.
When we purchased our new Mountain Aire in 2005, we had the exact same problem, but this time with a "King-size" bed. It isn't really any thinner than a standard residential mattress, but it is about 4 inches narrower. Luckily, we'd kept our suspenders from the Bounder, so no need to go buy more (the extra one is probably still somewhere with the spare parts in the basement too). ;-)
Making the bed up with clean sheets does take a minute or two longer, and requires two people. One of us stands at the foot of the bed and holds up the end of the mattress, while the other connects the straps. Not really too difficult a task once a week after doing laundry. It's well worth the effort, since the sheet stays tight as a drum now. And when not changing the linens, there is no difference in making the bed at all.
Be sure to confirm that all methods and materials used are compatible with your particular recreational vehicle. Every type of motorhome, motorcoach, fifth wheel, travel trailer, bus conversion, camper and toy hauler is different, so your systems may not be the same as ours.
Great idea, but my bed is stuck back in the corner of my 24' Class C motor home. It's impossible to move the mattress since I have a heavy memory foam topper on it. I travel alone, so even with a partner, unfortunately it wouldn't work for me.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!
ReplyDeleteI have a sleep number bed mattress, and I am just wondering, if this could be done with it also. I live by myself, and not looking for a partner, to just help change the linens every other week! Could you just use two suspenders, instead of having one, that goes top to bottom?
ReplyDeleteTwo suspenders from side to side should be fine. We probably don't even need the one from top to bottom, but since we had it, and there are two of us, we use it. You probably have the right idea about not looking for a partner just for laundry purposes! lol
ReplyDeleteWe have used suspenders for many years and not just in the RV. I've used it to keep the fitted sheets on my kids beds because they could be very restless sleepers at time and have pulled the fitted sheets off the beds more than once. I usually buy the suspenders at a thrift store.
ReplyDeleteI used some on my young children's beds that only went on each corner, it was a short coat to mittens style attachment, with grippers on each end. So if you were to look from underneath, the gripper would attach to the sheet from the length side of the bed to the width side of the bed. Not sure if I explained this well, but someone could do this alone.
ReplyDeleteI've been using corner snaps for years that you get in the bedding section. You attach them to the corners and it holds the sheet in place. As a single person who travels alot, this seems much easier than trying to lift up the mattress and put suspenders on the bottom by myself.
ReplyDeleteI've used corner snaps also, but usually just sew a piece of elastic on the sheets that slip under the corners of the mattress. I can make the bed alone if my GH is busy.
ReplyDelete