Fixed bed 4 berth van recommendations for 2011-2013 year

[Jamesi1983]

Hi,

Im very interested in a 2011 Bailey Unicorn but im looking for alternatives to consider.

I like the bailey because
- alu-tech body
- wet heating
- fixed bed

The main thing we're after is a fixed bed and separate shower whereby your feet isn't in the shower tray when using the loo. I do like the idea of the wet heating too which is another plus for the unicorn.

The alutec body appears an excellent feature but it dosent cure any issues or potential issues for floor rot.

Are there any caravans that, dare i say, dont have rot issues by way of not using timber?

Thanks in advance

 

[Hutch]

Have a look at the Coachman 560/4 range for the 2010 years, blown air heating, but very effective, side bed and back shower separate toilet.
Coachman

 

[Mel]

Hi. Swift ( since about 2014/15) went to SMART construction and only used wood in the floor. Still a potential rot issue but less opportunity than using wood in the walls.
Mel

 

[Andy Norfolk]

Probably being stupid, but why is the year so specific? Isn't about the compromise between the features you like and the price?

We have a 2023 Adria Adora Seine. Ticks most of your boxes but maybe expensive. Not sure what the difference would be on an earlier model but we are very pleased with the quality.

 

[Hutch]

The difference might be about £10 k, and if your just starting out, it is quite a big deal.
I certainly wouldn't consider a newish caravan just now, the build quality is not as good as my 2013 Coachman. Especially for the cost of them.

 

[GaryB]

As Mel has said, also consider Swift Group 2014 onwards as that’s when SMART construction started. Great caravans, we’ve had several.

 

[Buckman]

As Mel has said, also consider Swift Group 2014 onwards as that’s when SMART construction started. Great caravans, we’ve had several.

Wow several caravans in the space of 10 years not exactly a glowing reference?

 

[GaryB]

Wow several caravans in the space of 10 years not exactly a glowing reference?

We change simply because we wanted to every 2 years, not because we had to due to faults. Apart from one which appeared to have been built by someone with a grudge.

 

[borderbilly]

Lunar 👍

 

[Beachball]

Have a look at a 2014 Sterling Continental 580 4 berth fixed bed end washroom this has the SMART HT construction . Alde heating system
Has a full width bathroom that includes a separate shower .

 

[Jamesi1983]

Perhaps i should have said a budget instead of a year; budget is £10k and those years seemed to align with my budget.

I'm intrigued by the SMART system. Whats the history or what year did it start? Did i read that early vans had a traditional floor with a bottom layer of grp?

 

[RogerL]

Whatever caravan you consider, check out the front seat/bed lengths - almost all are under the UK domestic bed standard of 6'3" and some are well under 6'0" - don't assume that each side is the same length.

 

[Jamesi1983]

Lunar 👍

i have a lunar at the minute and theres a couple of areas of damp appeared.

 

[Buckman]

i have a lunar at the minute and theres a couple of areas of damp appeared.

Which is why we traded in our 5 year old Lunar a couple of years ago. Within the two years 60% damp around front windows and amazingly also the floor. Second year damp around flush tank inlet resulting in severe internal corrosion of outer skin.