When it comes to RV life, you must make use of every square foot of your camper’s floorspace. So, when you shop for RV furniture, it’s advantageous to purchase RV seating that is multifunctional. And an RV sofa bed is the best of both worlds! You get a comfy couch and the ability to instantly sleep two or more people. And, depending on the model, you have extra reclining seats with cupholders for movie nights and additional compartments for storage. Keep reading to see which types of RV sofa beds for sale are available at Bradd and Hall, and which one is best for you.

RV Sofa Bed Types, Sizes and More

RV Sleeper Sofas

A sleeper sofa is a couch that is designed with a foldable frame and mattress that can be pulled out to form a bed. They usually hide the mattress, which can either slide out or unfold from inside the sofa. Compared to jackknifes, RV sleeper sofas are normally heavier and take up more space when converted to a bed. However, sleepers have a mattress with a support frame, which can provide a more comfortable sleep. We recommend our Lambright Sleeper sofas if you are looking for a quality couch and comfortable bed in one.

RV Jackknife Sofa Beds

A jackknife sofa is a couch that flattens out as you pull the seat. When fully extended, both the seat and back cushions are level, which leaves a flat surface to sleep on. Jackknife sofas don’t include a heavy or external mattress. Instead, they transition to a bed like a futon. As a result, this makes them very light and a great space-saver in your RV. If you tried to install it yourself, you’d be able to move it around much easier than other RV sofas or recliners.

With these benefits, jackknife sleepers are popular with those looking for an affordable option that transitions easily. The jackknife sofa size ranges from 52 to 76 inches in width, which can comfortably sleep one or two guests. We recommend the Lambright EZ Sleeper or RV Harrison Jackknife if you are looking for RV jackknife sofas for sale. These sofas include features like varied sofa lengths, removable arm rests and slide-under storage.

RV Tri-fold Sofa Beds

If you combined a traditional sleeper sofa with a jackknife, you’d get a tri-fold bed. To transition a RV trifold sofa to a bed, you begin by removing the back cushions. Then, lift the seat upward until it locks with the mid-section. Next, lower the seat and mid-section to the ground with the legs extended.

Depending on the model, you may need to push or pull the sofa down to close the opening from the seat being pulled out. Finally, you replace the back cushions for additional support or to fill in any gaps.  Some models allow you to store bedding, pillows, or other items under the seat. A great example of this sofa type is the Lambright RV Harrison Trifold Easy Bed. RV tri-fold sofas usually run between 68 to 72 inches in width.

Black Harrison RV sofa bed ready for sleep.

Tri-fold Sofa vs. Jackknife Sofa

Tri-fold sofas are bigger than jackknife sofas. Although they can sleep more guests, they also require more room. Depending on the floorplan, this may not be ideal for smaller campers. However, larger jackknife sofas can sleep up to two guests comfortably.

Neither uses a mattress like a traditional sofa bed. Instead, they use the seat cushions for padding. Jackknife sofas are slimmer, lighter, and are simpler to transition between sofa and bed. Additionally, jackknifes commonly include nice features like arm rests and accessible storage. When it comes down to it, the type of sofa bed you choose will be determined by your floorspace and how many people you wish to sleep.

Happy mature woman and her husband relaxing on bed in their motorhome during camping vacation.

RV Sofa Bed Mattress Sizes

Conversations about RV sofas can’t be complete without RV mattresses. Can any mattress work for RV beds? Traditional RV beds usually don’t match the regular mattress sizes found on your beds at home. An RV mattress may be shorter or have rounded corners to compensate for the limited space inside your camper. RV short queen mattresses typically measure about 60×74 inches. However, there are no standards sizes for RV mattresses.

This is in part due to the variety of floorplans and the way RVs are engineered to make the best use of space. Consequently, things like RV dinettes and sleeper sofas may have varied widths which standard mattresses couldn’t fit or store easily. You can check out our RV mattresses for sale at our RV furniture store in person or online.

Do All RV Sofas Convert to Beds?

The interior of your camper is limited. As a result, you’ll notice that most quality RV furniture makes the most of the floorspace or has a secondary function. Despite sofa beds being popular amongst the RV community, regular reclining sofas or loveseats are also an option. RV furniture that converts into a bad is usually installed for RV owners who need to accommodate a larger family or who desire the ability to sleep more guests. However, if sleeping more people is not a problem, then you can go with any quality RV sofa for sale that fits your camper.

Where Can I Find RV Sofa Beds for Sale?

At Bradd and Hall, we carry the best RV furniture for sale, including a variety of seating options. We offer RV sofas, recliners, theater seating, captain’s chairs and more! You can purchase our furniture online and at our RV furniture store in Elkhart, Indiana. We also upholster our RV seating with the highest quality fabrics like Ultraleather which last years without fading or cracking. Contact us today, and let us help you find the right furniture for your RV!

Get RV Repairs and Upgrades!

When the interior of your RV needs an upgrade, Bradd and Hall is here to help! We carry custom wood furniture products, and we’ll perform services from complete coach reflooring to simple wood window valence installation. We also carry RV furniture, including theater seating, sofas, captain’s chairs and more. Call Bradd and Hall for a custom RV interior renovation by our professionals!