To all you caravanners who bought fixed bed designs, are you happy with your choice or had second thoughts as it was not up to expectations due to something you overlooked .
Fixed bed,excellant or disappointed
- Thread starter Robert_374242026
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- Dec 1, 2005
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Hi Robert
We recently sold our fixed bed van.
It was a dissapointment, rather cramped bed and not ideal for entertaining!
Good luck if you decide to get one, it may be the layout for you.
Lolly x
We recently sold our fixed bed van.
It was a dissapointment, rather cramped bed and not ideal for entertaining!
Good luck if you decide to get one, it may be the layout for you.
Lolly x
- Mar 14, 2005
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Hi Robert
We made a mistake with our first fixed bed, went for single axle corner washroom, part exchanged it after a year for a Bailey Wyoming, absolutely thrilled with it, it is not quite perfect,but is as close as we can get for our needs.Fixed bed, end washroom, huge fridge,L lounge.
We made a mistake with our first fixed bed, went for single axle corner washroom, part exchanged it after a year for a Bailey Wyoming, absolutely thrilled with it, it is not quite perfect,but is as close as we can get for our needs.Fixed bed, end washroom, huge fridge,L lounge.
We have now had our Compass Rallye 640 for 18 month and we are very pleased with it, it is virtually exactly what we wanted and meets those requirements, although we might now consider the 644 with the island bed. (it is our 5th van, last 4 were double dinnettes).
We particularly wanted a layout with a central washroom so that our son, guests or visitors could use the bathroom without having to go through our bedroom. Our son can (but very rarely does) fall asleep on our bed if we are entertaining, the parallel seating is adequate for 6 (or 8 at a squeeze).
We particularly wanted a layout with a central washroom so that our son, guests or visitors could use the bathroom without having to go through our bedroom. Our son can (but very rarely does) fall asleep on our bed if we are entertaining, the parallel seating is adequate for 6 (or 8 at a squeeze).
- Jan 7, 2007
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Hi Robert,
We have just bought a new van with fixed bed & fixed bunks as we have two small children and making beds has always been an issue with us.
Our layout has bunks at the back & the bed at the front as its a Burstner with a central seating/lounge area.
I can safely say that I LOVE IT!!! No more making beds for us.
It is by far the best layout van we have come across & the sheer bliss of not fighting with chinzy kneerolls morning & night is fantastic!
Of course as other forum users say what suits one will not suit another so take your time choosing and don't be swayed just by opinions on here as we will all tell you what we like but your family may have different preferences.
Our previous 3 vans have been double dinettes and were great at the time before children & when they were first born but now our needs have changed.
Good luck with your choice & happy vanning!
Caroline
We have just bought a new van with fixed bed & fixed bunks as we have two small children and making beds has always been an issue with us.
Our layout has bunks at the back & the bed at the front as its a Burstner with a central seating/lounge area.
I can safely say that I LOVE IT!!! No more making beds for us.
It is by far the best layout van we have come across & the sheer bliss of not fighting with chinzy kneerolls morning & night is fantastic!
Of course as other forum users say what suits one will not suit another so take your time choosing and don't be swayed just by opinions on here as we will all tell you what we like but your family may have different preferences.
Our previous 3 vans have been double dinettes and were great at the time before children & when they were first born but now our needs have changed.
Good luck with your choice & happy vanning!
Caroline
- Dec 27, 2006
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On our 2nd fixed bed van. 1st was a single axle lexon EB with side combined shower and toilet . Loved the van but wanted a larger wash room so we went for a Delta 640EW with full width end washroom. Excellent van plenty of space and a very comfy bed. We had intended to get a Lexon 640 with a walk round bed but preffered the large washroom of the Delta to the individual shower and toilet of the Lexon 640
- Feb 15, 2006
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hi, we are changing our 6 berth fixed end bunk, tiny side washroom, single axel for either a swift charisma 620 or the new bailey senator wyoming series 6 both twin axel. both the same layout side fixed bed, huge end bathroom and big front lounge with paralel seating. the senator has alot more in it but it is about 1800? more but well worth it i hope.
i cant wait to change the van i hate making the bed up at night it drives us mad.
jo-anne
i cant wait to change the van i hate making the bed up at night it drives us mad.
jo-anne
Robert, we changed our van for a fixed berth earlier this year and we find it excellent. The old van had double beds that we had to make up each night but since the children don't always go with us now, having the fixed bed is so much easier. We still have the facility to make up the front bed if needed.
I personally would not like to go back to making up a bed when there is just the two of us.
Graeme.
I personally would not like to go back to making up a bed when there is just the two of us.
Graeme.
Robert,
We changed to a Bailey Senator Indiana, personally it's the best thing we ever did caravaning, apart from having a powrtouch mover fitted!
Having said that, a fixed bed isn't everyones cup of tea, but as it's now only the two of us it ticks all our boxes.
As for entertaining, usually we do ours outside around the barbie, or in the awning, so, so far so good, would we change back to making up the bed..........................NO
We changed to a Bailey Senator Indiana, personally it's the best thing we ever did caravaning, apart from having a powrtouch mover fitted!
Having said that, a fixed bed isn't everyones cup of tea, but as it's now only the two of us it ticks all our boxes.
As for entertaining, usually we do ours outside around the barbie, or in the awning, so, so far so good, would we change back to making up the bed..........................NO
Hi Robert,
Same as George but we have the Bailey S6 Pageant Burgendy, The best thing we did.Like George the kid does not want to be with boring mum and dad any more and sleeping on a really comfortable bed that does not need making up each night is fantastic,plenty of room for two and also entertain in the awning or outside. Go back to making beds NO WAY! All you have to do now is decide on O/S or N/S fixed bed or even central, do you want a single or twin axle, a end bath room or not? My self I would go a N/S fixed bed with end bathroom on a twin axle, but just had a motor mover fitted and the van is only 6 months old so the other half would not be too pleased.
Rob
Same as George but we have the Bailey S6 Pageant Burgendy, The best thing we did.Like George the kid does not want to be with boring mum and dad any more and sleeping on a really comfortable bed that does not need making up each night is fantastic,plenty of room for two and also entertain in the awning or outside. Go back to making beds NO WAY! All you have to do now is decide on O/S or N/S fixed bed or even central, do you want a single or twin axle, a end bath room or not? My self I would go a N/S fixed bed with end bathroom on a twin axle, but just had a motor mover fitted and the van is only 6 months old so the other half would not be too pleased.
Rob
- Jul 3, 2006
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Hi Robert
We also have a Bailey Senator Indiana, and love it to bits.
We like the fact that the bedroom has a nice wooden door that seals off the bedroom and the kids sleep in there - one in a travel cot. So we do still have to make up the bed at the front for ourselves.
Ideally we'd have the same van but with bundbeds fixed where the double bed is but we haven't seen that layout anywhere - they are often right next to the door - we like the fact that the bedroom is at the back of the van away from the door so they are safely tucked away.
We spend most of our time outside and certainly do all entertaining out there so it hasn't cramped our style. Mind you this weekend we did have 7 people in the front of the van having a drink whilst the kids slept peacefully in the back so it is possible to entertain inside.
We also have a Bailey Senator Indiana, and love it to bits.
We like the fact that the bedroom has a nice wooden door that seals off the bedroom and the kids sleep in there - one in a travel cot. So we do still have to make up the bed at the front for ourselves.
Ideally we'd have the same van but with bundbeds fixed where the double bed is but we haven't seen that layout anywhere - they are often right next to the door - we like the fact that the bedroom is at the back of the van away from the door so they are safely tucked away.
We spend most of our time outside and certainly do all entertaining out there so it hasn't cramped our style. Mind you this weekend we did have 7 people in the front of the van having a drink whilst the kids slept peacefully in the back so it is possible to entertain inside.
Hi all,
We had a centre dinnette end washroom which was a good layout, we used it only as a two berth, the washroom was excellent but we got fed up with making the bed up, caravans of a similar size [5.5m] with a fixed bed now seem small and cramped after having the space open and we dont like tiny washrooms as we use the shower etc all the time so we went for a bigger van, a Fleetwood Heritage 640es, it has an unusual layout with a standard domestic size fixed bed accross the back with no corners missing, a seperate shower on one side and washroom on the other, a door seperates the caravan from the washroom and shower and a further door seperates the bedroom, with both doors closed the full width becomes a bathroom/shower similar to an end bathroom, or with the back door open the bedroom is open to the shower and washroom but seperate to the rest of the van, at night the toilet can be accessed without entering either end, so privicy all round. It also has a large fridge freezer, Alde central heating and will seat 6 adults in comfort around the table. Until you have spent a few nights in a caravan it is difficult to see what you need or like, we like ours very much and would not go back to making beds but some people dont mind and prefer large kitchens [which ours doesnt have] or large end washrooms which is fair enough, peoples needs and tastes are all different.
spj
We had a centre dinnette end washroom which was a good layout, we used it only as a two berth, the washroom was excellent but we got fed up with making the bed up, caravans of a similar size [5.5m] with a fixed bed now seem small and cramped after having the space open and we dont like tiny washrooms as we use the shower etc all the time so we went for a bigger van, a Fleetwood Heritage 640es, it has an unusual layout with a standard domestic size fixed bed accross the back with no corners missing, a seperate shower on one side and washroom on the other, a door seperates the caravan from the washroom and shower and a further door seperates the bedroom, with both doors closed the full width becomes a bathroom/shower similar to an end bathroom, or with the back door open the bedroom is open to the shower and washroom but seperate to the rest of the van, at night the toilet can be accessed without entering either end, so privicy all round. It also has a large fridge freezer, Alde central heating and will seat 6 adults in comfort around the table. Until you have spent a few nights in a caravan it is difficult to see what you need or like, we like ours very much and would not go back to making beds but some people dont mind and prefer large kitchens [which ours doesnt have] or large end washrooms which is fair enough, peoples needs and tastes are all different.
spj
- Apr 17, 2007
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Fixed bed caravans are great but unless you go for a twin axle you will have to compromise on something. WE bought a Swift Challenger 500 fixed bed last year, we loved the fixed bed but found the shower/toilet very cramped.We changed to the new Swift Carisma 620 twin axle fixed bed with the full width rear washroom which we find brilliant and it has excellent build quality in comparison with the Bailey.
We really like the fixed bed in our Series 5 Bailey Senator Oklahoma which is a single axle 'van. It also has a solid door between the bedroom and kitchen which keeps the dogs in their place. The wider body means that the loo/shower is more spacious and avoids the necessity for a twin axle with end washroom.Fixed bed caravans are great but unless you go for a twin axle you will have to compromise on something. WE bought a Swift Challenger 500 fixed bed last year, we loved the fixed bed but found the shower/toilet very cramped.We changed to the new Swift Carisma 620 twin axle fixed bed with the full width rear washroom which we find brilliant and it has excellent build quality in comparison with the Bailey.
For comfort and convenience, I can certainly recommend a fixed bed - current Oklahoma is our third.
- Feb 15, 2006
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john any chance you could reply to my question about the swift charisma 620 on buyers guide love to here your views. we cant choose between the swift charisma 620 (waiting for a special edition from broad lane) or the new bailey senator series 6 wyoming.
jo-anne
jo-anne
From comments posted it is clear that we all want something slightly different to the next person. Thats good!
We have caravanned for many years and now there are just the two of us we decided to get a fixed bed van. Our needs are such that I don't need much sleep (5/6 hours is usually enough) but the wife can happily sleep the clock round. I can therefore use the front area to read and have a coffee while she happily sleeps on.
So we went for an island bed layout (less disturbance to your partner). I agree with other posters that to make this layout work we had to go up to a twin axle van and of course a big tow car is needed, higher insurance and of course more expensive but we caravan for aroud 150 days a year so we actually sleep in the van nearly as much as we do at home. The shower and wash area, when turns into an en-suite area but it is not overgenerous in size but we mainly use the club site facilities so it is ok for us.
We did find the bed to be very firm which is a personal opinion (Abbey Spectrum 535) so we had a mattress topper made to measure by a local upholsterer....mal
We have caravanned for many years and now there are just the two of us we decided to get a fixed bed van. Our needs are such that I don't need much sleep (5/6 hours is usually enough) but the wife can happily sleep the clock round. I can therefore use the front area to read and have a coffee while she happily sleeps on.
So we went for an island bed layout (less disturbance to your partner). I agree with other posters that to make this layout work we had to go up to a twin axle van and of course a big tow car is needed, higher insurance and of course more expensive but we caravan for aroud 150 days a year so we actually sleep in the van nearly as much as we do at home. The shower and wash area, when turns into an en-suite area but it is not overgenerous in size but we mainly use the club site facilities so it is ok for us.
We did find the bed to be very firm which is a personal opinion (Abbey Spectrum 535) so we had a mattress topper made to measure by a local upholsterer....mal
Robert,
We are retired and of an age when cuddling isn`t as important as it was.
We went for the fixed twin bed LMC 520HTE end bathroom (loads of space) twin beds 2ft 10inch X 6ft 4inch, U shaped lounge, suits us fine, beds are really comfy, and the van which was bought new from continental caravans S/Wales came with all british sockets, cooker battery box etc,the only things different from a british van are the build quality and the door is on the other side, it is on a single axle without any compromises,
Tony A.
We are retired and of an age when cuddling isn`t as important as it was.
We went for the fixed twin bed LMC 520HTE end bathroom (loads of space) twin beds 2ft 10inch X 6ft 4inch, U shaped lounge, suits us fine, beds are really comfy, and the van which was bought new from continental caravans S/Wales came with all british sockets, cooker battery box etc,the only things different from a british van are the build quality and the door is on the other side, it is on a single axle without any compromises,
Tony A.
At the Caravan Show at the NEC I saw a fixed bed, single axle, with a rear bathroom behind the bedroom - I think it was a Cristal. It struck me as an ideal layout, one that's only usually available with a twin axle - and I'd love to see one of the British manufacturers see if they can come up with the same layout. I think it was 520 - so not enormous, but there seemed to be plenty of space for everything, compared to our Swift 490 fixed bed model, and the bathroom was roomy enough.
Hi, took delivery of our abbey 495 in April (nearside fixed bed). Superb. The bed is plenty big enough and very comfy. People keep on about the lack of proper bathroom but it has a good shower, separated from toilet by glass door. I'm a 16 stone 6 footer and its big enough for me. My wife and I use it mainly as a roomy 2 berth but our daughter has stayed with us with no problems. Wouldn't go back to bed making if you paid me. Chris
Were on our 2nd fixed bed, like Cris the Abbey 495 near side bed. Since we had the fixed bed have never looked back. We dont use the shower and never had an end bathroom so cant comment on how it differs but the bathroom/toilet is plenty big enough for what we use it for
Kevin H
Kevin H
- Mar 14, 2005
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- Jan 2, 2007
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Hi Robert
we had an Abbey Aventura 320, end washroom, midships dinette, and front double, which we started to leave "made up" as we were out late from early doors. Idea was to use dinette to eat/relax in, but its too cramped. Bought Bailey Senator Indiana with nearside fixed rear bed; really miss the end bathroom, but not all the cushion shuffling which was a p.i.t.a. Watch out as fixed bed sizes vary, as does amount of cut-off on outer edge. Indiana's is 6'3" long - some are only 6'. And for some, sleeping against a wall may be a problem (claustrophobia ? unable to "hang out" the side ?). Other compromise was smaller lounge, but no issue for us. If we upgrade the towcar it would have to be able to cope with a fixed bed/end washroom, like the Senator Wyoming. Ann
we had an Abbey Aventura 320, end washroom, midships dinette, and front double, which we started to leave "made up" as we were out late from early doors. Idea was to use dinette to eat/relax in, but its too cramped. Bought Bailey Senator Indiana with nearside fixed rear bed; really miss the end bathroom, but not all the cushion shuffling which was a p.i.t.a. Watch out as fixed bed sizes vary, as does amount of cut-off on outer edge. Indiana's is 6'3" long - some are only 6'. And for some, sleeping against a wall may be a problem (claustrophobia ? unable to "hang out" the side ?). Other compromise was smaller lounge, but no issue for us. If we upgrade the towcar it would have to be able to cope with a fixed bed/end washroom, like the Senator Wyoming. Ann
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