Will A King Size Bed Fit In The Back Of A Truck?

Not sure if that king size mattress you’ve been dreaming of will fit in the back of your truck? Or maybe you’re moving and need a way to transport your favorite bed. Let’s see if your truck can handle your king size mattress!

All types of trucks except those with short beds will be able to fit the length of a regular king-size bed, but won’t be able to fit the width of the mattress. The typical size of a king mattress is 76″X80″ and though the 76″ will easily fit in a standard or long bed truck, the 80″ width won’t fit.

Listed below are some great tips and information about transporting your mattress in a truck!

Preparing The Mattress For Transport

For any mattress you are transporting, whether it’s a smaller twin-sized, or your great big California king bed, you need to protect your mattress. You wouldn’t want any sharp objects or corners ripping your mattress, or the dirt and muck in your truck bed staining the material in transportation. To prepare your mattress, you will need either a mattress bag, a tarp, or a thick, moving blanket.

If you have a mattress bag, simply slip your mattress into the bag, seal it closed, or tape it shut, and voila! You’re ready to move it. If you have a tarp or moving blankets, wrap them around the mattress and secure them with rope, straps, or bungee cords. Whether you choose to use a mattress bag, tarp, or moving blankets, these coverings are going to keep your mattress in ideal condition. They will prevent tears and stains on your mattress. Though the coverings might tear or stain, that’s what they’re there for! They are meant to protect your mattress from all sorts of damage that could occur in transportation.

Long Bed Trucks

Long bed trucks are increasing in popularity, especially since they can carry more. Depending on the brand of your truck, the long bed could have dimensions anywhere from 96 5/8″X63 5/8″ (Chevy Silverado/Sierra Long Bed), to 88 3/8″X56 5/8″ (S10/GMC Sonoma Long Bed), to 96 1/2″X65 1/2″ (Dodge Ram Long Bed), and more! If you would like to look at a comparison of all the different types of trucks with long beds, click here to see a simple graph with all the available information.

If you would like to know which truck has the longest bed, here is another article with all the available comparisons of different brands and types of trucks.

All long bed trucks will be great for your king-size mattress because of the roomier area, though the wheel wells will not allow the mattress to rest fully in the bed of the truck. If you have a long bed truck, it will be simple to lay the mattress across the bed with it resting on the bedrail, as shown below.

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Slide your covered mattress lengthwise into the left side of the long bed of your truck and rest it on the opposite bedrail. DO NOT place it widthwise as that will leave more of your mattress hanging outside your truck, making it more likely to fly up and out of your truck. Be sure to tie down your mattress before driving off. Mattresses may be heavy and a pain to carry upstairs, but your mattress will easily be lifted by the air and wind of driving on a freeway. Please tie down your mattress before leaving!

Standard Bed Trucks

Standard bed trucks are great trucks for their regularity and simplicity. They can be easier to park because of their regular-sized bed and still be able to haul a lot. The dimensions of a standard bed will range from 79 1/2″X63 1/4″ (Chevy Silverado/Sierra Standard Bed) to 63″X57 3/8″ (Dodge Quad Cab (5′ Box)). If you would like to compare the standard beds to long beds, or the different types of trucks, click here to see a side-by-side comparison of many great trucks and brands.

Some of these standard beds are going to be a bit short of the king-size mattress length. Remember, the average king-size mattress is 76″X80″. That means that for those beds that are shorter than 76″, you may need to leave the tailgate down to accommodate the length of your mattress. With the proper preparation and ropes, your mattress should be safe resting in the bed and on the tailgate of your truck.

Like with the long beds, for a standard bed truck, you will need to slide your mattress in lengthwise on the left side of the bed and rest it against the opposite bedrail. As stated before, laying your mattress widthwise would be terrible for your mattress as it could result in your mattress flying up and out of your truck.

Be sure to tie down your mattress tight before driving off. Though it may seem like your mattress will be heavy enough, it’s not. Mattresses have flown out of truck beds countless times without the proper, secure fastenings. You must be sure to tie down your mattress or you may be considering getting a new mattress in the near future.

More Tips

Are you still unsure about traveling with your mattress in the back of your truck? Are you worried you haven’t prepared or know the best way to transport your mattress? Below are more tips to help!

Grab A Friend

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Hauling a mattress anywhere is going to require help. Grab a friend or two to help you cover the mattress with a mattress bag, tarp, or moving blanket. Then carry your mattress out to your truck and slide it into the bed. Each of you can then pick a side and tie-down the mattress with ropes, straps, or bungee cords. Be sure to check each others’ work to ensure that your mattress is not going to fly away. A couple of extra hands will go a long way in helping you get your mattress ready for transport. Plus, it wouldn’t be fun, or easy to do it all alone!

Box Spring

If you are transporting a box spring with your mattress, tie them together! Not only will tying them together save you another trip, but the added weight of the box spring will help secure your mattress so that it doesn’t fly away during transport. Place the mattress on top of the box spring, tie the mattress and box spring together using rope, straps, or bungee cords, and slide them into the bed of your truck. The solid box spring underneath your mattress will also prevent any stains or tears to the mattress caused by the bed of your truck.

Angled VS Vertical

Although you could pack your truck with the mattress placed vertically, that could open up a whole host of other problems. Packing your mattress vertically in your truck, just by itself, could make it more susceptible to being buffeted by winds as you drive, causing it to fly out. You will also have a harder time seeing out your back window with a mattress standing straight up. If you were to place other items around your mattresses, such as the bed frame, box spring, and a dresser, it’s highly probable that your mattress would receive damages.

It’s much better to put your mattress into the bed of your truck at an angle, just as the picture above showed. It is easier to secure your mattress that way and you will be better able to see out your back window. Additionally, angling your mattress so that one side is in the bed of the truck, up against the wheel well, and the other side resting on the opposite bedrail makes loading and unloading the mattress in and out of your truck much easier.

Tailgate Protection

If you are using a standard bed truck to transport your mattress, you may need to leave the tailgate open to accommodate the king-size mattress. This is perfectly normal and safe. However, you may need to worry about your mattress sliding out of your truck. You’ve probably tied down your mattress to the bedrails of your truck, but you will also need ropes or straps at the end of the mattress. Place two ropes across the width of the back of your truck to prevent the mattress from sliding out the back. You can never be too careful!

Other Helpful Resources

Different Cars

If you are looking to transport your mattress with a different car, here are some more articles! These articles explore the capabilities of Nissan Pathfinders, Nissan Rogues, Toyota Highlanders, and Honda Pilots.

Weight Limits

If you are worried about the weight limit of your truck, here are some great articles that explore the different weights that trucks can withstand.

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