We are new to caravaning and bought an old 2 birth to try and loved it. So much we decided to buy a much newer van this year. We can't decide between a 2 birth with end washroom or a conventional 2 birth. My question is how often do people use their on board washroom, how practical are the showers. Or do most people use the onsite facilities. We are using the caravan to enjoy our retirement.
End Washrooms
- Thread starter Mike_374344004
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Damian
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- Mar 14, 2005
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Mike, you will get a whole load of differing replies, or should do!!
Basically it all comes down to personal choice, do YOU want to use an end bathroom a lot, or is it a waste of valuable space?
If you do use it, are you prepared to either use fully serviced pitches every time, or are you willing to fill the aquaroll several times when having a shower, and , more importantly, empty the waste water several times?
Another thought, it will be costing you extra, in terms of time and wear and tear to use on board stuff, whereas the site facilities are already paid for, and certainly on CC sites, extrememly high quality, and you dont run out of water half way through a shower.
A further point is the extra dampness introduced into the van, maybe not a problem in summer, but can be in winter.
Lots to think about.
Basically it all comes down to personal choice, do YOU want to use an end bathroom a lot, or is it a waste of valuable space?
If you do use it, are you prepared to either use fully serviced pitches every time, or are you willing to fill the aquaroll several times when having a shower, and , more importantly, empty the waste water several times?
Another thought, it will be costing you extra, in terms of time and wear and tear to use on board stuff, whereas the site facilities are already paid for, and certainly on CC sites, extrememly high quality, and you dont run out of water half way through a shower.
A further point is the extra dampness introduced into the van, maybe not a problem in summer, but can be in winter.
Lots to think about.
Hi Mike
This is a very personal subject in that people either prefer end bathrooms or don't. We have been caravanners for 28 years after starting in a tent and working upwards. When our children were young we had an old caravan and always had to use site showers etc. Now we have a new van with an end bathroom with separate loo, shower etc., and for us there is no other choice.
The question to ask yourself is how much do YOU enjoy sharing toilet and shower facilities, especially first thing in the morning? On the question of water we have two aquarolls which we fill once a day and this gives us enough for two showers morning and evening. You do use a different method, i.e. soap up then rinse off rather than keeping the water running, but for us, a nice shower when we want is a lovely part of our holidays and especially knowing that only the two of us use it.
This is a very personal subject in that people either prefer end bathrooms or don't. We have been caravanners for 28 years after starting in a tent and working upwards. When our children were young we had an old caravan and always had to use site showers etc. Now we have a new van with an end bathroom with separate loo, shower etc., and for us there is no other choice.
The question to ask yourself is how much do YOU enjoy sharing toilet and shower facilities, especially first thing in the morning? On the question of water we have two aquarolls which we fill once a day and this gives us enough for two showers morning and evening. You do use a different method, i.e. soap up then rinse off rather than keeping the water running, but for us, a nice shower when we want is a lovely part of our holidays and especially knowing that only the two of us use it.
No contest. Out of bed, toilet, hot shower, dressed, all in a lovely private closed off end bathroom or tracksuit on, trapse through the cold and rain to queue for a shower in a less than clean wash block with wet/muddy floor, tracksuit back on (with now damp trouser legs bottoms), back through the rain to get changed into dry clothes in the middle of the caravan! Guess which type I have??????????
There is just the 2 of us usually in the van, but whilst we mainly use the sites facilities it is nice to have a full sized toilet and shower. I remember when we had a 2 berth Lunar mercury lovely van but it was a bit cramped trying to get washed in the morning with the small combined shower and toilet.
An alternative is a single axle fixed bed model with the sink in the bed room and a side shower and toilet, That way you have an en suite in the bedroom , a permanent bed and a sizeable living area. Plus the added benefit of the potential of 2 beds at the front for guests if needed.
An alternative is a single axle fixed bed model with the sink in the bed room and a side shower and toilet, That way you have an en suite in the bedroom , a permanent bed and a sizeable living area. Plus the added benefit of the potential of 2 beds at the front for guests if needed.
Mike
We have a two berth end washroom,cassette and basin at one side wardrobe in the middle and sep shower,never used the shower as always use onsite facilities or stripwash in van but the shower is fantastic extra storage whilst on site especially as hubby fishes and we have all his gear which would fill awning if we only have the porch up so wouldnt do without it
Horses for courses
Gill
We have a two berth end washroom,cassette and basin at one side wardrobe in the middle and sep shower,never used the shower as always use onsite facilities or stripwash in van but the shower is fantastic extra storage whilst on site especially as hubby fishes and we have all his gear which would fill awning if we only have the porch up so wouldnt do without it
Horses for courses
Gill
hi, i would rather have a side fixed bed than an end washroom. we spend more time in bed being comfortable than in the showers. the van we have just purchased does have a side washroom with a toilet but its bigger than our last one and i would shower in it and then dry off in the bedroom.
i always go on cc sites so the facilities are second to none and ive been on cc sites in there showers at midnight it doesnt bother me. i would rather have a fixed bed than to make one up.
my answer is i would rather have a fixed bed over a end washroom anyday.
jo-anne
i always go on cc sites so the facilities are second to none and ive been on cc sites in there showers at midnight it doesnt bother me. i would rather have a fixed bed than to make one up.
my answer is i would rather have a fixed bed over a end washroom anyday.
jo-anne
- Jun 20, 2005
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Hi Mike
SWo far no one has mentioned the transverse end bed layout. This gives you a full size luxury bed and a decent size bathroom on the side where the shower is separate from the basin and toilet. We had this layout in our previous Pageant Vendee and loved it. Other manufacturers do similar models eg, Coachman Pastiche 540-4; Elldis Crusader Aurora; Lunar Lexon CS etc.
We often stay on sites where there are no shower facilities and the luxury of your own is great. I never fancied the rear end bathroom where the shower splashes all over the toilet or the plastic curtain sticks to you.
I do agree with the others that a double fixed bed in whatever configuration is a must for us.
Let us know what you finally choose.
Cheers
Alan
SWo far no one has mentioned the transverse end bed layout. This gives you a full size luxury bed and a decent size bathroom on the side where the shower is separate from the basin and toilet. We had this layout in our previous Pageant Vendee and loved it. Other manufacturers do similar models eg, Coachman Pastiche 540-4; Elldis Crusader Aurora; Lunar Lexon CS etc.
We often stay on sites where there are no shower facilities and the luxury of your own is great. I never fancied the rear end bathroom where the shower splashes all over the toilet or the plastic curtain sticks to you.
I do agree with the others that a double fixed bed in whatever configuration is a must for us.
Let us know what you finally choose.
Cheers
Alan
Hi Mike,
We used to have a end washroom, My wife used the shower on odd occasions,The shower was great but the time taken to wipe all the walls down and dry the area out was a pain.
Also occupied a lot of space, we swopped for a fixed bed model, managed to keep the same shipping lenght as our previous van ( important van kept at home)and the towing weight was the same so we kept our car.
We used to have a end washroom, My wife used the shower on odd occasions,The shower was great but the time taken to wipe all the walls down and dry the area out was a pain.
Also occupied a lot of space, we swopped for a fixed bed model, managed to keep the same shipping lenght as our previous van ( important van kept at home)and the towing weight was the same so we kept our car.
Hi mike, we have and will always have end bathroom i just cannot imagine having a shower in with the toilet ,shower curtain sticking to you, limited space ,no thanks we have a fixed bed van with a end bathroom and always use our bathroom ,perhaps the only time that i don't use it is when we go to spain but the wife always uses the bathroom regardless of where we are ,what ever you choose it's all down to personnel preference in the end.
Anthony
Anthony
We have had both layouts and I must admit I do like the end bathroom much more. Although we don't use the shower (like many others) it is an ideal place to hang wet gear. The washroom itself is sizeable and has a large wardrobe with 3 drawers underneath, sink and toilet and we basically use it as a dressing room. A wasted luxury I can hear some saying! You also have to bear in mind that 'vans with end washrooms do tend to be a couple of foot longer.
Ann
Ann
- Jun 20, 2005
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My inlaws have a Pageant Monarch and love the end washroom.
We went the whole hog and got a Wyoming Senator with both fixed double bed and end washroom.
We tour a lot and felt the extra expense was worth it. However there are only the two of us plus dogs so space allocation is not quite so critical as people with kids.
I have noticed a large amount of couples who have opted for a "4 berth " to gain the comfort for 2. You pays your money and takes your choice.
Cheers
Alan
We went the whole hog and got a Wyoming Senator with both fixed double bed and end washroom.
We tour a lot and felt the extra expense was worth it. However there are only the two of us plus dogs so space allocation is not quite so critical as people with kids.
I have noticed a large amount of couples who have opted for a "4 berth " to gain the comfort for 2. You pays your money and takes your choice.
Cheers
Alan
As Damiam said in his original comment,it boils down to personal choice.But this is easier said than done.The majority of sites have good facilities.However there will probably be the odd occasion where you may use a cl site.These are very limited with their facilities therefore you will need your own toilet & shower.
Now here is a choice.What type of toilet/shower arrangement do you want.My personnal choice is an end washroom consisting of a toilet, washbasin,seperate shower and a wardrobe with drawers.The advantage of this arrangement is that 1 person can do their ablutions/shower and dry off in comfort and also get dressed.In the meantime person no 2 can put the bed away/or put up and put the kettle on.
Our caravan is an Coachman Amara 520/4 and it perfectly suits the 2 of us.
This is purely our preference.Good luck,keep us informed
Now here is a choice.What type of toilet/shower arrangement do you want.My personnal choice is an end washroom consisting of a toilet, washbasin,seperate shower and a wardrobe with drawers.The advantage of this arrangement is that 1 person can do their ablutions/shower and dry off in comfort and also get dressed.In the meantime person no 2 can put the bed away/or put up and put the kettle on.
Our caravan is an Coachman Amara 520/4 and it perfectly suits the 2 of us.
This is purely our preference.Good luck,keep us informed
Mike,
My husband and I like our Swift Charisma 230 end washroom for the very reasons Chris mentioned. BUT....we found having to make the bed up every night was becoming a chore for us. So we started looking for a van with a fixed island bed. (Island bed because with a side fixed bed, the person on the inside still disturbs the other when getting out of bed).
Single axle Caravans with a fixed bed all come with side washrooms and shorter front seats. Then we saw a 2008 Swift Challenger 560, which has slightly longer front seats than the other makes we had looked at and it also had an adequate washroom with shower, sink and wc. We also wanted the chest with a table flap at the front too, which is something that can be installed, so we went ahead and ordered one, which we pick up early in March.
My husband and I like our Swift Charisma 230 end washroom for the very reasons Chris mentioned. BUT....we found having to make the bed up every night was becoming a chore for us. So we started looking for a van with a fixed island bed. (Island bed because with a side fixed bed, the person on the inside still disturbs the other when getting out of bed).
Single axle Caravans with a fixed bed all come with side washrooms and shorter front seats. Then we saw a 2008 Swift Challenger 560, which has slightly longer front seats than the other makes we had looked at and it also had an adequate washroom with shower, sink and wc. We also wanted the chest with a table flap at the front too, which is something that can be installed, so we went ahead and ordered one, which we pick up early in March.
We had a near side fixed bed caravan and are now switching back to end washroom(Sterling Elite Emerald). Delivery couple of weeks and I am so happy about it.
Thanks everyone for your thoughts we've bought a Eccles Amber end washroom and L shaped lounge. It Got down as much to space and being able to get changed in privercy as much as to the shower. We've joined the CC and the CCC and if all the sites are as well looked after and clean as those we visited in Scotland we wont be using the shower much, but it will be nice to have the choice. Thanks once again
Mike
Well done Mike,
I hope you have as many good times in your new van as we have in ours.You did the right thing joining both clubs as you now have a fantastic choice of sites.
Hope to bump into you sometime!
I hope you have as many good times in your new van as we have in ours.You did the right thing joining both clubs as you now have a fantastic choice of sites.
Hope to bump into you sometime!
Hi Mike
It all depends on what you feel are the most important features.
Our first 'van was a new Bailey Pageant Monarch with a lovely rear washroom. It was beautiful. We however use our 'van for weekends/breaks when we are out for up to fourteenish hours a day, coming back exhausted. We decided a fixed bed was more critical, so bought an Abbey 317 with a fixed bed but could still be towed with a family car. This was good in the bed department, but the wet room, which we used worried us because of the wallboard lining. We have now bought our third 'van, which is a Bailey Senator Virginia. We have a fixed bed AND a proper washroom which suits us down to the ground.
Hope this info is of use. We are largely outdoor people involve in long distance walking and endurance cycling although I also love creative cooking and couldn't do without a well equiped and spacious kitchen. Others who are stay at home people who would rather watch TV etc may have a different recommendation.
Hope you find YOUR ideal caravan.
Denise
It all depends on what you feel are the most important features.
Our first 'van was a new Bailey Pageant Monarch with a lovely rear washroom. It was beautiful. We however use our 'van for weekends/breaks when we are out for up to fourteenish hours a day, coming back exhausted. We decided a fixed bed was more critical, so bought an Abbey 317 with a fixed bed but could still be towed with a family car. This was good in the bed department, but the wet room, which we used worried us because of the wallboard lining. We have now bought our third 'van, which is a Bailey Senator Virginia. We have a fixed bed AND a proper washroom which suits us down to the ground.
Hope this info is of use. We are largely outdoor people involve in long distance walking and endurance cycling although I also love creative cooking and couldn't do without a well equiped and spacious kitchen. Others who are stay at home people who would rather watch TV etc may have a different recommendation.
Hope you find YOUR ideal caravan.
Denise
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