If you want the short answer: South African caravan mattresses come in two standard sizes — Double Bed (R3,799) and Island Bed (Queen) (R4,999) — and everything else is a custom cut, which Mr Mattress prices at the same R4,999 as a Queen. Island bed orders ship with free rounded corners. Every size is cut from 50kg/m3 SABS-approved high-density foam and delivered free anywhere in South Africa, vacuum-rolled so it fits through a standard 65cm caravan door.
That one paragraph answers the question most caravanners type into Google at 10pm after another bad night at the coast. The rest of this guide explains how the sizes map to actual South African caravans, what "island bed" really means, and when you genuinely need a custom cut.
The three caravan mattress options in South Africa
| Option | Fits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Double Bed | Straight-cut double layouts: Sprite Splash, Sprite Swing and similar | R3,799 |
| Island Bed (Queen) | Most SA island bed layouts: Sprite Tourer, Sprite Spiral, Jurgens Exclusive, Gypsey Royale — free rounded corners | R4,999 |
| Custom shape | Cut corners, French beds, odd island layouts — cut to your traced template | R4,999 (same as a Queen) |
What is an island bed, exactly?
An island bed is the walk-around bed at the front or rear of the caravan — accessible from both sides, usually with rounded foot corners so you don't catch your hip on the way past. It's the most common "my mattress doesn't fit" layout in South Africa, because a standard household Queen is square-cornered and often a few centimetres too long. That's why a proper island bed caravan mattress ships with the rounded corners already cut — free, in our case.
See Caravan Mattress Prices & Sizes
Why the original mattress is the weak point
Most caravans — even R500,000 ones — leave the factory with 28–30kg/m3 foam built to a price. It hollows out within a season or two. A replacement in 50kg/m3 SABS-approved high-density foam (the same density used in home mattresses) is the single biggest comfort upgrade you can make to a caravan, and foam saves 15–25kg of payload versus an innerspring with no springs to rust on corrugated roads.
When you need a custom cut
Cut corners, French beds (the angled corner cut), bunk conversions and older or imported vans need a custom shape. Trace the old mattress onto paper or cardboard, photograph it with a tape measure in shot, and WhatsApp it to 087 292 1957. The custom cut costs the same as a Queen — R4,999 — and carries the 10-year warranty. Standard sizes carry the 30-day money-back guarantee, the 365-night trial and the 10-year warranty.
Regional caravan mattress guides
Delivery is free nationwide, and we keep a dedicated guide for every province: South Africa (national) · Gauteng · Cape Town · KZN · Free State · Mpumalanga · Limpopo · Eastern Cape · North West.
Frequently asked questions
What sizes do caravan mattresses come in South Africa?
Two standard sizes: Double Bed (R3,799) and Island Bed (Queen) (R4,999) with free rounded corners. Anything else — cut corners, French beds, odd island layouts — is a custom cut at R4,999, made from your traced template.
Will a caravan mattress fit through the caravan door?
Yes. It ships vacuum-rolled in a box, carries through a standard 65cm caravan door easily and expands on the bed within hours.
Which caravans does the Island Bed (Queen) fit?
Most South African island bed layouts, including the Sprite Tourer, Sprite Spiral, Jurgens Exclusive and Gypsey Royale. Measure your bed base at its widest and longest points to confirm, or WhatsApp a traced template to 087 292 1957.
Written by Andries Taljaard, founder of Mr Mattress.