How to Peacefully
Co-Exist in an RV
Hitting the road with your friends or loved ones is what owning an RV is all about. Not only do you get to experience the wonders of the great outdoors together, but also the sometimes not-so-great time of sharing the same, unfamiliar sleeping space.
Following are our tips for a good night’s rest in an RV—ensuring you and your travel companions will be ready for all the fun and adventures your trip may bring.
AGREE ON A SLEEP SCHEDULE
Good sleep benefits from consistency. Keeping a regular schedule of going to bed and waking up at similar times keeps one's internal clock synced to a steady schedule. Some of your fellow RV mates may like to stay up late, while others would rather hit the sack early. A bit of compromise may \be in order. But hey, you already like each other enough to want to travel together—there’s no reason you can’t figure out a bedtime you’ll all be happy with.
The real point of sleep and waking up around the same time is to get the same amount of slumber. With everyone feeling rested, you'll approach the day bright-eyed and energized instead of tired and grouchy.
TURN OFF ELECTRONICS
RVs give you the best of both worlds: all the amenities of civilization, along with the experience of being in the outdoors.
Whether you’re camping in a camper, or lounging in an RV, it’s still a chance to disconnect from the distractions of regular life. Taking a break from the buzz of the internet is good for your well-being, and it can also help improve your sleep.
The synthetic light from the electronic screens of tablets, smartphones, and laptops can mess with your circadian rhythm. It can even inhibit the production of the drowse inducing hormone melatonin. Putting electronics away at least an hour or so before bedtime gives you a better chance for a pleasant slumber.
TAKE EXTRA BLANKETS
Some of us enjoy the crisp cool air of the night on our skin. Others shiver beneath their sheets. We all have different temperatures that we find comfortable. Make sure to have extra blankets and sheets on hand to accommodate those more sensitive to the cold.
BRING EARPLUGS
The great outdoors also comes with a great number of unfamiliar sounds. Whether it's noisy neighbors, wildlife tramping around, or a chorus of snoring coming from within, there's plenty to disrupt your sleep.
One of you gets up to go to the bathroom five times a night? No problem. Earplugs dampen nighttime noise. Not everyone remembers to bring them on a trip, so buy (and share) a pack of them.
KEEP THINGS DARK
Pulling into a campground can be a journey into uncertainty. There are things that are beyond our control, like light. There may be a light pole close by your campsite, or even a natural light source like the full moon that can fill an RV with its brightness. Blackout curtains and sleep masks can help make for a better sleep for everybody.
MAKE SURE YOU’RE ON THE LEVEL
Literally. We know that after you set things up you’re ready to kick back in a fold out chair and enjoy nature, but before you do take care of those stabilizers, making sure that nothing is out of whack. When your camper is set up at a wonky angle, you’re going to feel it when people get up to use the bathroom or otherwise move around.
REPLACE THOSE STOCK MATTRESSES
The mattresses that come with an RV generally aren't great. Unless your idea of comfort is lying on a rigid, wafer of a mattress, sleep is not going to come easy. Tossing and turning makes for a long night and drowsy daytime driving.
While the interior of an RV is limited in space, you can and should try to maximize your comfort. Besides the unique size of the mattress, what should you look for?
Comfort. Take one hybrid mattress for the home and one for the road. Individually encased coils, combined with foam, deliver the ultimate pressure point relief.
Cooling. If you tend to overheat while sleeping, look for advanced cooling technology—often infused in the foam layers. Mattresses with coil systems at their core will also offer greater airflow.
Support. Mattresses with varying degrees of firmness may be your best bet in choosing just the right amount of support. You should also look for either a high-density foam base or coil system to deliver a quality sleep over time. Always ensure that you have plenty of foundational support in your RV or camper sleep space to avoid unnecessary dipping, wear or tear over the life of your mattress.
Decreased Motion Transfer. Foam layers with enhanced contouring (think memory foam and alternative foams that offer a “just right” feel) tend to absorb motion transfer better. That’s important when sharing a bed and crucial in a confined space. Individually encased coils, commonly found in hybrid mattress, also react independently to each sleeper, minimizing disturbances between partners.
One company that offers their most popular mattresses in RV sizes is Brooklyn Bedding. Because they custom craft each mattress in their own factory in Arizona, they have the ability to adapt their top sleep solutions to your specifications—including the number one selling Brooklyn Signature Hybrid and their most popular hybrid with advanced cooling, the Brooklyn Aurora. You really can take the luxury with you while traveling.
With just a few minor adjustments you can absolutely create an environment inside of an RV conducive to catching your best ZZZs. And, while we may not agree with our friends and family all the time, we can all align on an exceptional night’s sleep when the lights go out.
