Last Updated on July 19, 2023 by Dean Anderson
If you own a truck, it makes sense that you would want to use the vehicle to its full potential. That could mean traveling around the country for work or personal purposes, perhaps a spot of Boondocking? Lots of truck owners decide to purchase a truck air mattress because they are convenient, comfortable and relatively cheap. Plus an inflatable bed for truck purposes can easily be stowed away when not in use.
Why would anyone pay for a night in a hotel when they can sleep in the back of their automobile for free with maximum comfort? With that in mind, we’ve reviewed some of the most popular truck bed mattresses. Combine with a decent truck bed tent and you have a home from home. Hopefully, the information will assist you in spending your money wisely on only the best truck bed mattress for your vehicle.
Below we’ve reviewed 2 Airbedz Truck Mattress options plus one from Rightline Gear which has a decent pedigree with truck-related camping gear.
1. AirBedz Lite (PPI PV202C) Full-Size Short and Long 6′-8′ Truck Bed Air Mattress with DC Corded Pump – On balance the best truck mattress with only a few minor quibbles
Many people who plan to spend a few nights in their SUV or truck will consider the AirBedz Lite. The product comes in several different sizes to suit almost any vehicle. There are cutouts at the side of the mattress unlike with a mattress that helps to ensure it fits over the wheel wells in your truck.
The Included Portable Pump Will Inflate This Truck Bed Air Mattress In No Time At All
The AirBedz also comes with a portable pump so you can quickly inflate the twelve-inch thick mattress. The only major issue with the design is that you have to keep the tailgate down to use it. If you want to keep your tailgate closed, it’s sensible to look for a different product.
It only takes around ten minutes to inflate the mattress and fix it in place. So, it’s perfect for people who haven’t got much time on their hands.
Only Minor Comfort Issues
Just a couple of minor quibbles with some people claim to wake up in awkward positions because the product doesn’t distribute the air inside evenly. That could become more of a problem for those who plan to sleep on a slope. Buyers also mention that sizes are often slightly out, and some say the dimensions advertised by the manufacturer are not entirely accurate so if you’re buying from Amazon or similar check the reviews.
Pros:
- Should suit most types or truck
- Comes with a portable inflate pump
- Good value for money
- Fast inflation time
Cons:
- Owners have to keep the tailgate down
- Uneven distribution of air causing potential comfort issues
- Advertised sizes aren’t always accurate – but they are under rather than over
Overall, the AirBedz Lite is an affordable and functional solution that’s ideal for unplanned overnight stays. While there are reports of some comfort problems, they shouldn’t cause too much hassle unless you plan to spend more than a couple of nights using the product. The fact that it fits almost any truck is a significant advantage for motorists. However, the manufacturer would benefit from accurately promoting the correct dimensions of the item.
Check out this video from Bob Elgin, it goes on a bit but you’ll get the idea and he explains the installation too.
2. AirBedz Pro3 (PPI 302) Truck Bed Air Mattress for 6′-6.5′ Full Sized Short Bed Trucks – Very comfortable but this SUV air mattress too easily deflates
The AirBedz Pro3 is built for adventure according to the manufacturer, and that certainly seems to be the case. Motocross riders and hunters often have to spend unplanned nights sleeping in their trucks. So, it’s good that the company tried to design a mattress that provides optimum comfort.
A Thick Mattress With A Luxury Fabric Surface
Like the AirBedz Lite, this product is twelve inches thick which is more than enough to stop you feeling any lumps or bumps of the truck bed. The model also uses luxury fabric rather than flocked PVC. Many people claim they can tell the difference straight away with increased comfort.
Like the AirBedz Lite, this design includes cutouts for the wheel wells in your truck. Orders also come complete with a pump that works from your cigarette lighter. So, it’s possible to inflate the product without working too hard.
Those Air Leaks Can’t Be Ignored
The primary issues with the Pro3 relate to air leaks. Many buyers complain that the product begins to leak air from the moment it’s inflated. That could cause significant problems for anyone who doesn’t place a regular mattress underneath. Also, some people say their item didn’t arrive with cutouts for the wheel wells, and it was impossible to fit it back in the bag after use. For that reason, it’s difficult to recommend this over the Airbedz Lite despite the increased comfort when it is inflated properly.
Pros:
- Suits most truck types
- Affordable
- Comes with a pump
- Uses heavy-duty construction-grade fabric
Cons:
- Might not come with the wheel well cutouts as advertised
- Air leaks happen regularly
- Hard to fit the mattress back in the bag
We have to be honest here and say the negative points about the Airbedz Pro3 are slightly worrying. If you’re going to spend a couple of hundred dollars on a truck bed mattress, the last thing you want is for it to deflate during the night. If that happens and you don’t notice, you could wake up cold. Also, it’s important that you can always fit the product back inside its bag. Otherwise, it’s going to become damaged much sooner than it should.
3. Rightline Gear 110M10 Full Size Truck Bed Air Mattress – Cheap but doesn’t stay inflated through the night
Weighing just over 10.4 lbs, the Rightline Gear 110M10 comes in three sizes to suit most trucks. It doesn’t feature cutouts for wheel wells, and instead, the item fits nearly between them. The manufacturers claim that provides side storage space for clothing and other camping gear. Buyers will benefit from a pump, patch kit, and setup guide when opting for this product.
Yet More Air Leaks With The Rightline Gear
Heavy-duty PVC should ensure the mattress doesn’t get punctured too easily. However, lots of people have complained about air leaks yet again. Thankfully, the product folds away neatly into its bag without too many issues, unlike the Airbedz Pro.
After sleeping on the mattress for a couple of hours, it can deflate to almost 50%. That is a major problem for people who plan to use it often. It’s virtually impossible to stay comfortable when that happens because you will feel the truck bed underneath. Especially if you’re a side sleeper.
The Air Valve Just Isn’t Up To Par
Most leaks tend to occur from the valve, and so it’s not a puncture-related issue. That means the patch kit isn’t going to make much difference to anyone. However, the price is much lower than the other items mentioned on this page. So, it all comes down to how you plan to use the product and how much you can afford to spend.
Pros:
- Lowest price
- Creates storage space
- Uses heavy-duty durable PVC
Cons:
- Known to deflate after only a couple of hours
- Leaks come from the valve
- On balance doesn’t provide much comfort
All in all, there are much better products on the market compared to the Rightline Gear 110M10. Nobody who buys a truck mattress wants it to deflate before they’ve had time to fall asleep. That fact alone makes this product unfit for purpose, and it’s no wonder the item gets consistently bad reviews online. Sure, it’s affordable, and so some people might want to take the risk. However, if money isn’t your deciding factor, look elsewhere.
Which is the Best Truck Bed Mattress of these 3?
So, now we have to compare the three truck bed air mattress options in the hope of declaring a clear winner. You can probably gather that the Rightline Gear 110M10 comes in at last place. A deflated mattress is like a chocolate kettle – utterly pointless. It’s hard to work out why the manufacturer doesn’t switch to better valves. That said, you could probably change the valve yourself if you wanted to get something cheap and improve it. Still, that seems like too much hard work.
Our winner today is the AirBedz Lite because it’s a mid-range product that doesn’t leak often. Sure, the advertised sizes aren’t always accurate. However, they’re usually slightly on the small side rather than too big. That means you can still use the mattress to get a decent night’s sleep in your truck. Also, orders come complete with a pump that can inflate the product in less than ten minutes. So, it’s ideal for anyone who just needs an inflatable bed for truck camping that’s reliable and isn’t going to require too much time or effort.
Eight years ago, I took a risk and left a miserable office job to follow a lifestyle career that involved my love for the great outdoors. I’ve taken my love for camping, hiking and travel to the next level by running my small campground with a friend near Portland, Oregon. It’s for way less money but this has truly been a dream come true and the running involves lots of family and friends.
The next evolution of that was to get online and start allcampingstuff.com. At our campground, I spend a lot of time setting up camping equipment for customers and disposing of the garbage products they leave behind. If I can help just a few people with advice on good camping gear, then this website venture will be worth it.
So, if you want to avoid the duds and spend your money wisely you’ve hopefully come to the right place.
