How to Drive With a Mattress on the Roof

Improperly attached mattresses can be dangerous.

Whether you are moving to a new home or bringing a mattress home from the store, the prospect can be a daunting task without the help of a large truck or moving van. Although it is tricky, a mattress can safely be transported with a smaller vehicle by securing it to the roof, but you should take safety precautions to ensure that no mishaps occur that could endanger you or your fellow drivers.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic mattress bag or tarp
• Rope (non-elastic)

Instructions

1. Cover your mattress in a plastic sheeting or covering (such as a tarp) before attempting to attach it to your car roof. If your mattress has just been purchased, it will likely come in a plastic mattress bag or box. This will help protect the mattress from inclement weather as well as dirt and debris that it will come in contact with on your car and during the drive.

2. Lay the box springs flat on top of the car and place the mattress on top of that. Be sure that the mattress is evenly lined up in the middle of the car, so there is less of a chance that it will slip off on one side or the other.

3. Open all of the car windows except for the driver's door. Once you have secured the rope around the mattress, the doors will be unable to open until you have reached your final destination.

4. Secure the stack to your vehicle with a long length of rope. You can also use nylon ratcheting straps (available at moving and car supply stores) to save yourself from tying knots. If your car already has a rack in place, simply attach the ropes to that. If there is no rack, loop the ropes through the open car windows (passenger and rear) and up and over the mattress to provide points of pressure at several places on the mattress. Start by looping through the back doors and pass the rope back to the passenger door to give a more secure, crisscross pattern. Tie a secure knot once you have finished securing the mattress.

5. Use any extra rope or tie on new pieces to further secure the mattress if it does not feel stable. Securing a length of rope from the mattress to both the front and back bumpers. Be sure to place this rope so it not block your visibility when driving.

6. Drive carefully and slowly with the mattress on top of your car to minimize the amount of shift during transport. There will be an air drift under the mattresses lifting them up, especially when driving fast on the highway, so it is best to take slower back roads if possible.

Tips & Warnings

• Use your hazard lights or attach a brightly colored flag to the back of your vehicle if you are nervous about the drive and plan on driving much below the speed limit. This is a courtesy to other drivers so they know your situation and can move around you if necessary.

References

• How to Clean a Mattress: How to Transport a Mattress
• Ideal Self Storage: Moving Tips for Moving Your Mattress to a Self Storage Unit