Bed Size

[metcapa]

Hello, we are looking to purchase a new touring caravan and "double bed size" is important. Why is it that caravan manufacturers cannot get their heads around providing a bed that is 6' 6" long? Is there not a call for long double beds? The island bed layout with headboard against the rear bulkhead seems an ideal opportunity to provide a longer bed but the max we can see is 6' 2"!!! We have looked through many caravan magazine back issues to see if bed size is an issue but have come to the conclusion that I am the only person looking for a touring caravan that needs a double bed longer than 6' 4"!!!

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Why is it that caravan makers cannot get their heads around providing a bed that is 6' 6" long?

Because the manufacturers are always trying to squeeze a quart into a pint pot. End users want everything but there isn't the space to put everything in. Designs will cater for about 90 % of the population and will ignore the top and bottom 5%. The only way you will get a long bed is to use the front made-up bed across the van which will give you nearly 7 feet.

 

[Sproket]

I suppose some of it also comes down to the make and style / model of van....

This bed looks big ...... Must be as the van is 8' wide hmy:

 

[LizziePope]

Hi metcapa and welcome to the Practical Caravan forum! No, you're definitely not alone in wanting a large bed – our Group Editor is well over 6ft tall and is always on the look out for longer beds! But, as others have said, caravan manufacturers have a lot to squeeze into a relatively compact space and depending on the layout, certain compromises have to be made.

A few with long(er) beds that spring to mind are the Buccaneer Cruiser, the Swift Elegance 630, the Hymer Nova GL 590 and the Coachman VIP 575/4.

I hope that helps!