Beginner’s Guide to Sleeping in a Caravan: Mistakes to Avoid

So you took the plunge and bought yourself a caravan. Or, maybe you didn’t, but you’ve rented one for a long weekend or been invited to stay in one as a guest. You may be super excited or hesitant. Or, at least those of us who enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep might be reluctant. But have no fear. This guide covers everything you need to know about sleeping in a caravan and why it doesn’t have to be so bad. Discover the common mistakes to avoid for first-timers—learn from caravanners who have made all the mistakes before, so you don’t have to relinquish a restful night’s sleep.

Mistakes to avoid when sleeping in a caravan

Don’t park on a slope

Where you park at night matters. Parking your caravan on an incline could affect your blood supply. If your feet are positioned lower than your head, less blood will reach your brain. You’re also more likely to breathe through your mouth if you sleep tilted, which poses its own complications, including waking up with a dry mouth. This also reduces your oxygen intake. So, the key takeaway here is to find a flat spot to sleep in your caravan. 

Don’t sleep in a noisy environment

Relating to our previous point, where you stop for the night is important. Most people on a caravan holiday are looking to get away from it all with a rural escape. But if you’re on a road trip and find yourself stuck in a more urban area, choose a safe and quiet place to rest—your morning self will thank you for it.

Don’t forget to prepare for the climate

Sleep experts recommend temperatures between 15.6 and 20 degrees Celsius for optimum sleeping conditions. 

If you’re travelling in an older caravan, the insulation may be lacking. So, if you’re planning a winter escape in the Scottish Highlands or a summer coastal trip in Spain, it’s worth checking you’ve got the right attire, equipment, and insulation for optimum sleep comfort! 

For winter trips in older caravans, you can add insulation material to the wall, roof, and even the floor. Throw in an electric blanket and portable heater for good measure, and you’re good to go! For summer holidays and those dreaded highs of between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius, ventilation and bedding with cooling technology will be your new best friends when sleeping in a caravan.

If it’s hot enough, you may even prefer to sleep under the stars!  

Don’t choose a subpar mattress

You deserve better than a subpar mattress. With a travel mattress topper, you can sleep on a layer of supportive memory foam without taking up too much space or costing too much money! 

Don’t forget emergency supplies

As well as preparing for the weather, you’ll want to add emergency supplies. Stock up on tinned food, a first aid kit, plenty of drinking water, a torch, and a toolkit. If you get stuck somewhere or your trip doesn't go to plan, this will help you. These won’t necessarily directly contribute to a good night’s sleep, but will give you peace of mind and cover plenty of eventualities—and no doubt will help the more anxious travellers sleep that little bit better.

Can you put a normal mattress in a caravan bed?

Yes, you can put a normal mattress in a caravan bed. You’ll need to size up to check there’s enough room for the mattress you want. For extra comfort, you can also layer on a caravan mattress topper, ideal for it’s compact yet super supportive design. 

What is the difference between a normal mattress and a caravan mattress?

A normal mattress is one you’d have at home on your double or single bed. As mentioned above, you can still use a normal mattress in your caravan. Meanwhile, caravan mattresses, like the ones at Slothie, are thinner than a regular mattress and designed to be compact for your travels. These mattress toppers can be used on their own or layered on top of a normal mattress, depending on how much comfort and support you’re looking for. 

Buy your Slothie caravan mattress topper online today. They’re made in the UK with high-density memory foam—the ideal set up for a restful night in a caravan.