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Want to be able to put a bed in your SUV? Today we explore your options. Once you know whether the full-size can fit into your vehicle, you can further decide which type – a regular mattress, an air mattress, or a plain mattress topper; whichever you prefer. I looked into 21 common SUV models and checked their sizes, so let’s see if you can make a full-size mattress fit into your SUV.
Is it possible to fit a full-size mattress in an SUV?
A better question would be: Which SUV can a full-size mattress fit into?
A full-size mattress can fit in the following SUV models:
- Jeep Wrangler
- Jeep Cherokee
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- GMC Yukon XL
- BMW X7
- Cadillac Escalade ESV
- Honda CR-V (transport only)
- Honda Pilot
- Chevy Suburban
- Chevy Tahoe
- Chevy Traverse
- Chevy Equinox (transport only)
- Ford Explorer
- Ford Escape (transport only)
- Toyota 4Runner
- Toyota Rav4 (transport only)
- Toyota Sequoia
- Toyota Highlander (transport only)
- Toyota Land Cruiser
- Acura MDX
- Mazda CX-5 (transport only)
Compact and crossover SUVs are usually too small to hold a full-size mattress, but larger models such as full-size and midsize SUVs do have enough room for it.
Compact SUVs or crossovers are more likely to have just enough room for a twin mattress, while some of the large SUV models are so spacious that they even have enough room for a queen mattress.
A full-size mattress, aka double mattress, is 75 inches long and 54 inches wide. Both dimensions can be a problem, but it seems that the width is usually the biggest issue.
A lot of SUVs narrow down in the cargo area – they either have prominent wheel wells or the whole car narrows at the back for aerodynamics. This is why you may need to squish the mattress on the sides to fit properly.
Foam mattresses are way more conforming for this, while innerspring mattresses might give you a headache, or outright won’t fit.
As for length, you need room for a mattress a bit over 6 feet long.
You can only make it if you keep one or two rows of seats folded or if you take them out, but smaller SUVs are definitely out because the mattress will be sticking out way too much.
I mean, you can always fold up a mattress while traveling and then fold it out to sleep on it with the hatch open and your feet hanging out together with the mattress if that’s what rocks your boat, but today we’re only focusing on fitting a mattress into an SUV, and not having it stick out.
If a mattress can only fit into a specific SUV model folded and for transport, I’ll say so down below.
If you want to go camping and sleep in your SUV, I’d recommend at least considering an air mattress.
You can deflate it for the day and enjoy the extra space. Your options include regular air mattresses (note that air mattress sizes are the same as regular mattress sizes) and specialized car air mattresses which cover the door-to-door width – pretty awesome if you ask me.
In case you need to transport a mattress (and here are tips on how to move a mattress yourself without damaging it), your focus should still be on the mattress lying flat in the car.
It won’t hurt if you have to tilt, bend, or squish it on the side just a bit, as long as you don’t fold it to the point where it damages its internal structure.
Different SUV brands: Will a full-size mattress fit in them?
Here’s a list of many popular SUV models, and if yours isn’t on the list, you can surely find at least one model that’s similar enough to where you can at least have a ballpark estimate for your own vehicle.
Depending on the size of the hatch opening, you may need to tilt the mattress to about a 45-degree angle or fold it a bit just to get it through.
Once inside the vehicle, the mattress should lie flat or be minimally bent.
Jeep Wrangler
It depends on the model, but overall – a full-size mattress can be transported by most models, including the oldest ones, but only if you abuse the mattress.
You can ALMOST lie a full mattress flat in Unlimited models, but even they are too short.
It’s not hard to put the mattress inside width-wise, but the length from the back of the center armrest to the back door is only 67.5 inches for JL Unlimited, and JK Unlimited is only 2″ longer for the entire vehicle, so that can’t really help.
You need to bend the ~7 inches somehow and hope you’re short enough or that you sleep “fetal” enough to be able to get some shuteye.
YJ and TJ are not wide or long enough for a full mattress to lie flat, but at least they’re tall enough to where you can try to bend a mattress and stuff it in the cargo area.
It could fit a bit more easily into a JL or a JK, but still only if you really bend the mattress.
Jeep Cherokee
You can fit a full-sized mattress in a Cherokee, but it’s likely going to have to be bent on the sides a bit.
If you have one of the newer models, you’ll probably be able to get the mattress either completely flat or almost completely flat, which means you should be able to sleep properly.
The Trailhawk trim is a bit closer to the Grand Cherokee and is going to be a bit more comfortable.
Can you fit a full-size mattress into a Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Yes.
Grand Cherokee is your safest bet.
You don’t even have to worry about fitting a queen mattress into a Grand Cherokee, let alone a full-sized mattress.
GMC Yukon XL
Yes, full-size mattresses fit well into a GMC Yukon XL SUV.
If you want to sleep inside, it’ll be easier to get a foam mattress to lay flat inside because the trunk area is a bit tighter and you’ll have to squeeze the mattress a bit.
As for transportation purposes, you can still fit an innerspring full mattress into Yukon XL, but you’ll need to tilt it a bit.
BMW X7
A full-size mattress does fit into a BMW X7.
You just need to squish it on the sides, and the length might be a minor (2″) problem.
I’m just saying this because the air mattress made specifically for the BMW X7 is 73″ long, whereas the size of a full mattress is 75″ long.
A twin mattress will fit better, but the full should also be fine.
Cadillac Escalade ESV
Yes.
You can even comfortably fit a queen mattress inside a Cadillac Escalade ESV.
This vehicle is exceptionally long and its dimensions allow most mattresses to fit comfortably. Collapse the second and third rows and you’ll get lots and lots of cargo space + sleep space.
Can you fit a full mattress into a Honda CR-V?
You could fit a full mattress into a CR-V, but only for transportation – not for sleeping.
When you remove the rear seats, you’ll have just enough room for a twin-size mattress, actually.
This is because the wheel wells take up some of the space on the sides – if it wasn’t for them, you’d be able to fit a full mattress.
If you build a platform, you can fit a bigger mattress.
Honda Pilot
Yes.
Pilot is Honda’s largest SUV, and when you fold the back seats – second and third-row seats, you can fit a full mattress.
There’s a bit of adjustment you need to do with regards to width, but if it’s a mattress with a firmer structure, such as traditional springs, you can still fit the mattress in, but only if you tilt it.
This might make it unusable for sleeping but is good enough if you only need to transport it.
Will a full-size mattress fit into a Chevy Suburban?
Yes, but the mattress won’t lie flat, you either have to tilt it or bend it.
Chevy Suburban’s cargo area is about 4-5 inches narrower than the standard full-sized mattress.
However, if you raise the mattress up above the wheel wells (it’s about 48-49 inches in between them), you’ll reach the level at which you have about 51-52 inches of space, which means you could squeeze a thin mattress in there, but it wouldn’t leave much room for you because you’d get very close to the roof.
Chevy Tahoe
Yes, Chevy Tahoe is wide enough and long enough for a full mattress when the seats are folded.
No worries, there’s just enough room to enjoy your camping trip!
Can a full-size mattress fit into a Chevy Traverse?
Yes, the Chevy Traverse interior is longer and wider than what you need to lay a full mattress flat.
It has 98.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, which gives you plenty of space for the mattress and lots and lots of luggage.
Chevy Equinox
Yes, but if you really bend it and use it for transport.
With 63.9″ in length (after folding the back seats) and 40-ish inches in width, Chevy Equinox cargo space isn’t large enough for a full mattress to lie flat.
Ford Explorer
Yes, and you’ll have a few extra inches on each side.
Ford Explorer cargo space is large enough to have a queen mattress fit like a glove.
Ford Escape
It’s easier to use a Ford Escape for transporting a full mattress than to try and sleep in it.
There are only 40 inches between the wheel wells, which is not enough.
The mattress is 56″ wide.
But if you build a platform that is going to raise the mattress above the wheel wells, you could make it.
Ford Escape cargo space is almost as long as a full mattress, but you’ll need to squeeze it by a couple of inches.
Can you fit a full-size mattress into a Toyota 4Runner?
You can, especially when you remove the back seats; but it’s not comfortable for sleeping.
The wheel wells are 41-44″ apart, which makes it slightly better than the Ford Escape, but it would still be much better to make adjustments.
For example, if you buy a cheap memory foam mattress, you could cut it around to the shape you need it to be.
The length of the cargo space is just 2 inches shorter than the mattress if you remove the back seats.
If you don’t, the mattress can’t fit. You could bend the mattress to make it work with the seats if you only need transport, but you will likely not be able to sleep on it like so.
Will a full mattress fit in the back of a Toyota RAV4?
Toyota Rav4 is very close to the 4Runner, but just an inch longer and the wheel wells are 44 inches apart.
So, yes, you can transport the full mattress in a Rav4, but not sleep on it.
Toyota Sequoia
Yes, pretty much.
The length of 75″ with the rear seats folded (but not up) makes it just right, but the width is 50″, so you’ll need a full-size foam mattress that can be squished two inches left and two inches right.
So, technically, it fits. You just need to decide if this will be comfortable enough for you.
Toyota Highlander
Toyota Highlander is too narrow for a full mattress. You can fold it or tilt the mattress for transport, though.
It’s long enough, but being 12 inches narrower than the actual mattress is too much. So, that’s a no for sleeping on a full mattress in a Highlander, unless you make a bed platform to raise the mattress up.
Toyota Land Cruiser
You can fit a full mattress in a Toyota Land Cruiser.
You can either tilt/fold it for transportation only, or raise it up above the wheel wells and squeeze it an inch on left and right to make it lie flat for camping.
The length can go above 75″ if you push the front seats all the way forward and fold the back seats.
But, if you push the front seats back, the length available for the mattress will be smaller and maybe make it hard to fit.
Acura MDX
A full-size mattress does fit into Acura MDX with the second row folded down.
The width is 47″ – so far so good, and the length is good enough if you remove the back seats. When they are folded, they are raised up a bit and will therefore raise the upper part of your mattress.
If you like the feeling of an adjustable base, you’ll be good.
It’s very rare to use an MDX for camper conversion, but some people do it and still have enough space for their belongings and for the mattress.
Mazda CX-5
Yes, a full size will fit in a Mazda CX-5 but only when folded/bent and for transport.
A full mattress can’t fit comfortably into a Mazda CX-5. It’s approximately 42-43″ wide and about 63″ long.
Can you tie a mattress to an SUV roof rack?
Yes, you can.
Tying a mattress to an SUV roof rack is better and more secure than tying it directly onto the car roof, but both options can damage the mattress and we generally don’t recommend this method of transporting mattresses.
Make sure the mattress is well-protected in a mattress bag. Then lay the wrapped mattress on top of the rack and use something secure to fasten it; nylon rope or ratchet straps would do great. You should fasten it horizontally and secure the straps onto the roof rack.
Do this on at least three points – one strap at the front, one in the center of the mattress, and one at the back. If you’re using ropes, make sure you know how to tie a secure knot.
Try to do a test drive before the actual move.
You need to have the mattress tied just tight enough to where it won’t fly off, but not so tight to damage its internal structure.
Any damage to the mattress will void the mattress warranty.
FAQs
Just because your new mattress-in-a-box arrived folded in half and rolled up doesn’t mean you should attempt to do anything like that. Folding a mattress in half can result in damage, get it to start sagging sooner, void the warranty, and make it uncomfortable. You can fold it just a little (into a wide U shape) if you really have to but don’t attempt to get it literally folded in half – it’s not a comforter!
Yes, but it won’t lie flat or be useful for sleeping. A full-size mattress will only fit into a regular car if you fold or remove the back seats and fold the mattress as well.
Conclusion
You can transport a full mattress in pretty much any SUV.
You need to remove or fold the back seats to make it lie flat, and with many models, you’ll have to make additional adjustments and build a platform to raise the mattress above the wheel wells up to a level where there’s more width available.
Next step: Read our list of the best full XL mattresses. If a queen mattress is too big and a full mattress is too small for your needs, then a full XL is the perfect compromise. We tested out all of the leading brands and came up with a list of the best so you can make your own decision.
With over 5 years experience writing about sleep and mattresses, she's considered one of the go-to experts on the topic.
She likes cycling, nature, art, and languages. She pays special attention to providing you with accurate and useful information when it comes to your sleep quality.
After solving her personal sleep and tiredness problems, she is on to help others by sharing this invaluable information.
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