The actual width is narrower than the ends of the bed, but it is easy to put together and take apart. It helps to push the bars out, rather than pulling them out when you pack up. I use an extra wide mattress on top (similar to Nemo or Thermarest, on top, which nicely fits between the top and bottom bars, but allows you to use the entire width of the mattress and it doesn't slide sideways. Since I camp for a month at a time while volunteering, it is a wonderful cot for longterm camping outfits, so if you need to set it up every day in a new campsite, it isn't as handy as some of the other ones on the market that quickly fold up and out. Good quality. I am not using it as a double, and would caution that it might not be as stable when two beds are attached above each other, but as a single it is nice and sturdy
