Family Caravan Layouts - A bit of a moan!

[jerry4]

Having decided recently that it was time to change our ageing Bailey Scorpio we have started looking for a new caravan. Actually, when I say new I mean second hand (looking for one no more than 5 years old).

I was immediately taken aback when we started looking, that nearly all the vans were either fixed bed/fixed bunks, or had huge end washrooms. Am I alone in thinking that when you have a family in a caravan you need to maximise living space. I really can't see the point of taking up a third of the caravan floor area with a washroom that most of the time won't get used as most people use site facilities.

We looked at one van with an end washroom and side dinette berth. When we measured the length of the bed it was bearly long enough for my nine year old son. In contrast, there was about 2 feet (sorry 60cms) unused space around the toilet in the washroom which, had the partitian wall been moved back slightly, would have allowed space for a more sensible sized bunk.

Perhaps mine is a voice in the wilderness but I would rather spend 10 minutes puting up and taking down bunks but have plenty of space to use during the day rather than just having a "mobile bedroom".

Although we are a family of only 4 it seems that our only option is to look at 5 berth vans as there seems to be more of these that have the traditional end bunk arrangement.

 

[Pat_374304630]

Hi Jerry,

When our kids were smaller (before teenagehood) we had a van with what we called a double double. Table both ends of the van with the front one larger than the rear one. Maximised the space and the kids thought it was the bees knees. These vans are still available.

Only 2 of us now so we have changed to an end washroom.

 

[chrissie2]

No, you are not alone in this, Jerry. Our children are grownup now, but we still look for a family friendly layout, as we either lend our 'van to the family or take grandchildren away with us a few times each year. When we went to the Caravan show at the NEC last year, I was quite shocked at how few models were available with the sort of layout that we find practical. We certainly didn't feel tempted to look at changing our 13 year-old 'double-dinette' caravan. The extra length and weight of a huge rear washroom, which we might use for perhaps 20 minutes a day (we always stay on full-facilty sites), would simply not seem to be an 'improvement' to us.

 

[Lutz]

We're in the process of selling our caravan with 2 bunk beds arranged lengthwise on one side and dinette for the children on the other. Here's a pic out of our ad: [PHOTO]. Although too far away from where you are, there are plenty of similar layouts, at least among Continental makes.

 

[JulieT1]

Totally agree with you Jerry, we had the same problem. We wanted the option of more living space rather than a fixed bed or big washroom. We found a lovely 6 berth Sterling that had bunks across the back wall but the top one had a weight limit of 10 stone, not enough for teenage lads. We eventually found a 5 berth twin dinette which has front seats that the lads use as singles and a slightly smaller double at the back for us. There is a rear bunk over but we dont need to use it. This layout works for us, especially in the summer when we just left all the beds made up because we'd taken a full awning. If its bad weather we can use both ends for sitting if we want a bit more space. We thought 5 berths seemed harder to find and sell quite quickly. Good luck!

 

[Guest]

Many of the current crop of caravans or layout trends really suit family useage as far as we can see. Fixed beds and end bathrooms are just a wast of space and lead to cramped living.

Fixed beds to small and single beds also far to short in many cases.

 

[Del_374232870]

for me caravaning has always been a compromise , which adds to the fun. Designs are (and always will) change. Disagree agree that fixed beds and end washrooms are a waste of space, they just dont suit everyone. Each time we have changed the van we have had to compromise on somethings then found the new van was better. If the layout you want is no longer available you have to rethink your wequirements. Dont give up I am sure you will find the van that suits you.

 

[jaffasdad]

I fully agree with the points Jerry has made. Three years ago we wanted to change our Bailey Ranger with 2 single beds/1 doble at the front and optional bunks at the rear. The only layout we could find was the Lunar Zenith 4, which we bought. This model has since been discontinued.

When we were touring the dealerships to find the layout we wanted, we were constantly told, 'There's no demand for that any more. Everybody wants a fixed bed and/or a large bathroom.'

I cannot see the logic of having a huge bed taking up about one third of the caravan space or a spacious bathroom which is almost exclusively used for nocturnal visits. In 20 years of caravanning I have never needed to use the shower in the caravan as we always go on sites with facilities.

We have, on occasions, left the bed made up when the weather has been set fair and we can spend the whole day outside; in poor weather it gets put away for the day, which is a 3 minute job.

The flexibity of this layout gives us options which the fixed bed/large bathroom cannot.

I am not suggesting that the layout I have described would suit everybody, but it does suit us and is becoming very hard to find.

 

[AndyR]

Funny how opinions differ! We have an end bathroom and with our 8 and 6 year olds in the van, would never want anything different. Having an end washroom makes everything so much easier, as we use it all the time and never use site facilities.

It's a pain making up the front double and side bunks every night, but there are plenty of layouts available with an end bathroom and loads of living space. Granted, these are bigger vans, but it's all about compromise and what's important to you and what's not.

 

[jerry4]

Thanks for all the comments, nice to know I'm not alone, but I do take the point that you have a choice when you buy a van and likely as not you will have to make some compromises.

Ron- since writing the post I have seen a Lunar Zenith for sale at a local dealer and I'm planning to go and have a look at it at the weekend. It seems on the face of it to fit the bill. Is this van a good bet?

I'm not in any great hurry to change so I'll just keep looking till I find what I want.... actually I quite enjoy nosing round dealerships looking at what's on offer (even those I can't afford) - What better way to spend a sunday afternoon (my kids would probably argue this point!)

 

[jaffasdad]

Thanks for all the comments, nice to know I'm not alone, but I do take the point that you have a choice when you buy a van and likely as not you will have to make some compromises.

Ron- since writing the post I have seen a Lunar Zenith for sale at a local dealer and I'm planning to go and have a look at it at the weekend. It seems on the face of it to fit the bill. Is this van a good bet?

I'm not in any great hurry to change so I'll just keep looking till I find what I want.... actually I quite enjoy nosing round dealerships looking at what's on offer (even those I can't afford) - What better way to spend a sunday afternoon (my kids would probably argue this point!)

We find the Zenith ideal for our needs. The front double bed is very comfortable and the rear bunks arrangement can be used as a small diner, somewhere to put the dog or (of course) sleeping accommodation. We have only ever used the bottom bunk for sleeping, in fact the top bunk is up in the loft still in its original wrapping! My daughter said that the bunk was perfecly comfortable. (She's tall and slim.)

The van is very light for its size and I tow with a Renault Scenic 1.9dcl. Absolutely no problem.

The van was purchased new and we've had very little trouble with it and nothing major. If you get one, check the weght plate and if it hasn't been upgraded to 1300kg MLW, have it done. It just means buying a new plate from a dealer. (

 

[S-MaxJon]

We had a twin dinette 5 berther with the added living space but towards the end of ownership we would keep the bunk down meaning less living space.It was such a hassle to erect the tranverse bunk every night TBH.

With the arrival of our second child we opted for the end fix bunks and side dinette which we find to be more practical.

Each to their own - you will struggle to find the ideal layout that staifies all your needs.

 

[Martin_374319553]

Jonathon - we did exactly the same. 5 berth twin dinette to 6 berth with triple fixed bunks and twin dinette. So much better.

Also a seperate shower which is great.