8 Surprising Sleep Tips to Enrich Your RV Life

Sleeping in your RV bed should be what dreams are made of—but some nights, you may find yourself tossing and turning. 

Maybe your RV shakes whenever another sleeper moves (there’s a solution!) or the outside noises are keeping you awake (what’s that buzzing?!)—whatever your situation, we’ve compiled a list of eight helpful tips to keep you asleep from first yawn to late dawn—so that you awake ready for the road ahead.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• Tips for getting a restful sleep in your RV bed, including addressing shaking and outside noises.
• Suggestions for stabilizing the RV to prevent excessive movement while sleeping.
• Strategies for dealing with noise, such as using earplugs or a white noise machine.
• The importance of managing light exposure at night with blackout curtains or eye masks.
• Consideration of the ideal sleep temperature and options like cooling mattress upgrades or breathable sheets.
• Recommendations to replace uncomfortable standard RV mattresses with ones designed for life on the road.
• The impact of  cleanliness, routines, naps have in helping you sleep better on the road.

Safety on the RV trail

Outdoor camping and RV living has seen a boom in interest and popularity—with businesses taking note. This means that wineries are setting up docking stations on their land (picture fairy lights and sparkling wine) and RV resorts are getting bigger and better (think spas and water parks)—in other words, there are many safe, regulated, and even free options waiting for you.

Feeling safe and secure is the first step in getting a restful snooze—and access to Wi-Fi and cell phone service provided at these parks keeps you connected. (And a nightcap at a winery sounds lovely, too.) 

Stop the rock and roll

It’s an all too common problem. One sleeper on another bunk turns over and the whole RV is moving, waking up everyone on board. If you’re parked outside, chances are the ground is uneven. 

With a little research and planning, you’ll soon be using your front and rear stabilizers and setting up stabilizing blocks like a pro—and then everyone will sleep through the night. (But remember to retract the stabilizers before moving your RV! Save yourself the hassle of a broken leveling  jack.) 

Shhh, shhh, sleep.

When it comes to noise, everyone is different. Some people could sleep through a hurricane, and other people can hear crickets ten miles away. Just know that noise is a common problem on park grounds, so it’s good to come prepared. 

An inexpensive pair of earplugs from a drugstore or a white noise machine are two great options. Experiment, and soon you’ll be drifting into a deep sleep.

 

Embrace the dark side.

Your circadian rhythm can be thrown out of whack by too much light at night. Although window treatments are a standard fixture in RVs and campers, not all of them are created equal. 

Consider investing in blackout curtains or opt for an inexpensive eye mask. Some people say that blue light blocking glasses at night helps them use their phone without the usual wakefulness. 

 

The ideal sleep temperature

Scientists and doctors have long studied sleep (it’s an important health concern!) and they’ve discovered the ideal sleep temperature. Or, more specifically, they’ve discovered that the ideal skin temperature for sleep is 88 degrees. Basically, not too hot and not too cold. 

Sleep innovations include cooling upgrades in mattress foams and materials—which can be a game changer on hot summer nights. Or, switch to sheets made from Tencel or bamboo that breathe well and prevent heat retention. Heating and cooling units are another great consideration depending on your price point.

 

Go to the mattresses (in comfort)

RVs and campers are getting more advanced—but the standard-issue RV mattress that you’ll find on your bunk are just plain uncomfortable. RV campers always complain of these flimsy, poor quality foam mattresses—which you’ll need to replace before anyone can get a good night’s sleep.

Luckily, rvmattress.com offers mattresses in many heights and sizes that are designed and engineered for life on the road. The mattresses are made in Brooklyn Bedding’s factory in Phoenix, sold factory-direct, and affordably priced. These mattresses are shipped to your door as a bed-in-a-box, meaning you can easily maneuver them and then watch them expand in your sleep space.

Cleanliness is next to sleepiness.

Your skin knows when you’re climbing into a fresh and clean bed. You get a waft of the scent of dryer sheets but your skin also just feels the difference. If you had a housekeeper, you’d get clean sheets every day—but in RV living, you can instead opt for weekly laundering services or scope out coin laundromats. 

The upfront cost can convert to a wonderfully refreshing sleep—and get you ready for any and every adventure. (Pro tip: If you suffer from allergies, consider natural, antimicrobial materials for your bedsheets, like Tencel and bamboo cotton.)

 

Lights on, lights off

With all the chaos of life on the open road, a set bedtime and wake up schedule can provide some much-needed structure. Taking quick 10 to 20 minute naps during a pit stop can also help you power through the last leg of the journey.

But whatever new sleep habits you decide to incorporate into your RV life—we wish you strong stomachs and smooth roads on each new adventure.