Will A Full Mattress Fit In An SUV? [Including Queen Or King Size Mattresses]

Transporting a mattress by placing it on top of an SUV can become dangerous, particularly if it falls. But is it possible to fit a full-, queen-, or king-sized mattress in an SUV? We researched for you, and here’s what we found.

Full-, queen-, and king-sized mattresses can fit in different SUVs. Oftentimes, it's possible to fit a mattress flat on the floor of an SUV. But in many cases, you may need to fold the mattress to position it in the vehicle and close the rear door properly.

It’s best to learn more about the different types of SUVs and their sizes to check if a mattress can fit in these vehicles. Keep reading as we tackle more about fitting different-sized mattresses in SUVs in greater detail. We’ll also talk about how to fit a king-sized mattress in an SUV and other relevant matters.

What Are The Dimensions For An Average SUV?

Different types of SUVs exist, and each category offers dissimilar dimensions from the others. Some of the SUVs you can find on the market with their average dimensions include:

Compact crossover: 151.18 x 66.93 inches
Mid-size: 185.04 x 73.62 inches
Full-size: 208.9 x 80.2 inches

Learn more about the average dimensions of SUVs by reading our post on that topic.

Can You Move A Full Size Mattress In An SUV?

Many SUVs have dimensions that can comfortably fit a full-sized mattress. Take note that a full mattress has dimensions of 75 x 54 inches (length by width), which should fit many full-sized SUVs. Here are some examples of SUVs and their measurements to help you visualize how a mattress can fit in these vehicles:

Jeep Wrangler: 166.8 x 73.8 inches
Toyota Land Cruiser: 196.5 x 78 inches
Range Rover: 196.8 x 78.1 inches
Chevrolet Suburban: 225.7 x 81.1 inches

Although you can fit a full mattress into standard-sized SUVs, you may need to move some cabin furniture for a proper fit. Consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual or ask the carmaker to help guide you in this task.

Will A Queen Mattress Fit In The Back Of An SUV?

A queen-sized mattress is slightly larger than a full-sized unit, making it slightly more challenging to fit in some SUVs. With dimensions of 80 x 60 inches, most full SUVs shouldn’t have any issues fitting queen mattresses in their cabins.

Perhaps the main challenge isn’t with the cabin space but with inserting the mattress through the rear door. For instance, Dodge Caravans typically have 36-inch wide rear door openings. Fitting queen-sized mattresses through these openings is possible, but you might need to fold and/or tilt it for it to enter the vehicle.

Can A King Mattress Fit In SUV?

King-sized mattresses have measurements of 80 x 76 inches, which makes it even more challenging than full or queen mattresses to fit in certain SUVs. Again, the main trial might not be with the mattress fitting inside the cabin but with it squeezing through the rear door.

Here’s how to fit a king mattress in an SUV.

Fitting A King-Sized Mattress In An SUV

It’s best to get the help of an assistant for this task. The length and weight of a king mattress might become tougher than intended for one person to handle. After confirming the help of another person, proceed with the operation.

What You’ll Need

Tie-down straps
Mattress bag

Step-by-Step Guide

Put the rear seats down. Lay down a blanket or cover to help protect the SUV’s floor.
Fold the mattress and lock it using the tie-down straps.
Tilt the mattress to about a 45-degree angle and squeeze it through the car’s rear opening.
Wedge the king-sized mattress as far into the cabin as possible without disrupting the driver’s seat. Fold the passenger seat if needed.
Close the rear door.

Watch the video below to see a visual representation of these steps:

Keep in mind that it’s not ideal for transporting mattresses, regardless of their size, on top of vehicles. This method won’t be as secure as fitting mattresses inside cars. The mattresses will also contract fairly high risks of falling, which can become hazardous to drivers on the road.

However, if you need to transport a king-sized mattress at the top of your vehicle because you have passengers, ensure that you’re tying the product with extra straps. Then, make sure that the straps go through the cabin so the closed door can help secure fasteners and the mattress.

Also, drive at a reasonable pace. Driving too fast may cause unnecessary rocking or swaying to the mattress, increasing its risks of falling further.

You might also find it interesting to learn about fitting a king-sized bed into a truck bed.

Check out these tie-down straps on Amazon.

Will A Full Size Mattress Fit In A Ford Explorer?

A full-sized mattress should fit in a Ford Explorer fairly easily. But you may need to fold the mattress before it can fit in the vehicle, especially with the 2020 model. It’s because the 2020 Ford Explorer has a hatch opening width of 46.7 inches, which is smaller than the 54-inch width of a full mattress.

Will A Full Size Mattress Fit In A Chevy Equinox?

Some members of the automobile community say that it's possible to fit a full-size mattress in a Chevy Equinox's cargo space. This vehicle has a 63.5-cubic feet storage capacity, which should be more than enough for a folded full-sized mattress.

Can A Full Size Mattress Fit In A RAV4?

You can fit a full-sized mattress in a Toyota RAV4, as long as you fold it first before squeezing it into the vehicle. Also, keep in mind that you can’t close the rear cargo door with the mattress in the storage space. Additionally, the full mattress' size may require you to fold the seats for it to fit into the vehicle with minimal risk of it falling out.

Is It OK To Fold A Mattress In Half?

Folding a mattress in half should be fine, but it can depend on the product’s construction. Hybrid and innerspring mattresses can become damaged if folded. However, models made from latex and memory foam shouldn’t encounter significant issues when you bend them.

Here’s how to fold a mattress in half properly:

Place the mattress in a mattress bag.
Lift one end of the mattress and fold it in half.
Use a rope and tie a taut-line hitch to prevent the mattress from unfurling.
Close and seal the mattress bag.

Make sure that the mattress has a secure fold. It might extend against the bag and rope, but it shouldn't pose a significant threat of unfolding.

If you don't know how to tie a taut-line hitch, you can watch the video below for a step-by-step guide:

Another option is to use tie-down straps with ratchets if you find tying that knot more challenging than expected.

Final Words

Different-sized mattresses can fit in many SUVs. Keep in mind that squeezing a full-, queen-, or king-sized mattresses into an SUV is possible with the right setup and technique. But think about enlisting the help of another individual to aid you in this task since the dimensions and weight of mattresses might make it tough for one person to handle.