best option for family of 4?

[Alun_5115487]

Hi, we are new to caravanning and are looking to buy our first van but can't decide on the best layout. We are a family of 2 adults and 2 kids under 3 years old. What we would like to know is - are we better off going for a 4 berth single axle like the Baileys pageant / coachman etc or will we wish we had the space of a twin axle like the sprite quattro.

Is the twin axle too long for a first time tower? We are a bit clueless(!) but we have a towcar able to cope with either.

Thanks for any advice from the experts out there!!

 

[BrianC_5111810]

We got into caravanning through using sister inlaws and friends vans.

On our first trip we had a nasty experience with the single axle van and a tyre damaged by road debris. We borrowed a twin axle from friends a few weeks later and have now been twin axle owners for many years.

I like some friends would only ever tow a twin, being new to caravanning should make no difference to you.

Manouvering by hand can be a little more difficult, but for towing and ride stability T/A's have it for me.

Brian C

 

[john_5040735]

Hi Alun

We got many years service (2 adults/2 growing kids) from Avondale. Our most recent was Avondale Rialto 550L which had a superb bathroom and plenty of space for 4 (especially with awning) Weight was 1340 max, and it was a delight to tow. Have seen several on the second hand market. Avondale Argent do a similar, if not exact model as new.

John

 

[Gill_5117884]

Hi,

I have two children too - a three year old and 7 month old. When I was expecting last year, we changed to a Dethleffs 520 and think the layout is perfect with young children.

It has two bunk beds and also space to make up another single bed (possibly to put a travel cot on) at the end of the van and is seperated from the rest of the van at nighttime by a solid sliding door so that noise is less of a problem for sleeping babes. It is a single axle van.

We bought it from Campbells in Preston. I don't think that Dethleffs are yet available at many dealers.

I hope this helps.

Gill

 

[Denise4]

Hi. I think our Lunar Quasar has the same layout as Gill's van. Bunks at the back with a dinette that converts to a single bed. Then a sliding door across the back. We have three children under four and have only been out twice in the van but really like this layout. Once they are asleep you don't have to worry about walking past them to go to the loo or out to the awning. It is a twin axle van and even though my husband had not towed before he was determined to get a twin as a friend of his who tows for a living in the recovery business said that they are more stable and easier to tow. My other half has nothing to compare to but he says the towing is fine. He did go on a CC course for 1 1/2 days and said it was very useful. Hope this helps. Denise

 

[Bigpow_5039962]

Try a Lunar Lexon Eb if you can find one that is at the right price. Fixed bed and everything you want and we have 3 kids so 3 beds can be made up in the front