Fixed island bed caravans

[Mikaroony]

Which are the best fixed island bed caravans on the market

can be transverse or normal island

thanks

 

[RayS]

Actually none are technically 'islands' as they all have at least one side in contact with the 'land' or main structure. The only answer to your question is 'it all depends' on your personal requirements.

 

[Mel]

Island beds take up a lot of space. Longer Twin axle vans obviously have less of a space compromise. Some vans have a transverse bed that slide up during the day or have a removable cusion. This makes it easier to get around them in the day, but you have to make them up for the night which some people would say removes the advantage of a fixed bed. Most manufacturers do an island bed of some sort. Your question is rather hard to answer, what do you mean by "best"?
mel

 

[Mikaroony]

My question is is transverse mounted or island bed right at the back , which one is best

 

[Damian]

As Ray has said, it all depends on the owners perception of which is best for his or her needs.
There is no simple "one answer fits all" as far as beds go.

 

[Surfer]

My question is is transverse mounted or island bed right at the back , which one is best

We have had both and the island bed at the rear is by far the best as it is easier to walk around. The transverse bed at the end can be difficult to walk past due to lack of space and additonally there is no much room down the one side between the bathroom wall and the side of the bed.
However with the transverse bed you can leave stuff under the bed as it is closer to the wheels so no noseweight issues. With the rear bed you have to be careful what you stack under it and how as it will affect the noseweight.

 

[Raywood]

I would say neither is best it depends on what you want from it. As pointed out the transverse bed is better for weight distribution but the rear mounted bed is more convenient to get round or need the end pulling out at night. The bathroom on some rear mounted beds can also end up midships and some of the designs of these are to me a bit too much of a compromise but it depends on how you use these.

 

[mealsonwheels]

End Island bed. Very easy to make, as you can walk round both sides and much easier for either of you to get out of bed without having to disturb the other person by clambering over them, especially in the middle of the night. You both also usually get a full length wardrobe each side too. See the Swift Challenger version.

 

[Mikaroony]

Is it the challenger 580 and 584 because they are transverse island beds, are these what you are talking about?

 

[DeliDave_]

Thats right,just had a look through the swift brochure and dont seem to be any end beds now.
http://www.elddis.co.uk/buccaneer/specification is an example(bit pricey tho) of an end island bed for you to drool over lol

Happy New Year

 

[Mikaroony]

Are transverse better than fixed end or are side beds better?
Happy new year

 

[DeliDave_]

we've got a side bed as we dont want a longer van,we go to France and some pitches are tight with a big van.Personally I'd like an end bed with a center shower toilet but this layout is only on a long van as far as I know.A transverse side bed gives you the option of walking around the bed with a shorter van but there is not much space to get round as the vans are usually 7'6" and the bed is 6'3" plus the thickness of the walls .Some manufacturers make the bed with a removeable pice of mattress so you can shorten the bed in the day .Its not really a thing where there is a best but more what suits you,we live with the nuisance of getting out of bed for the other person to make tea use toilet etc to keep a short van,if I had to have a big van for a family I think I'd go for the end bed.
Hope this helps you
Best wishes

 

[woodsieboy]

Hi Deli Dave
Single axle island beds are available,but the compromise seems to be that the bathroom is split with toilet and washbasin on one side of the van and the shower on the opposite side,this means the washroom is usually quite a bit tighter than an end washroom side bed arrangement. The split shower/ washroom does allow for one person to shower while another uses the washroom. I think Eldiss and Coachman make this layout in single axle.

 

[Mikaroony]

Coachman does a pastiche 545-4 and a VIP 545-4. Elddis does a crusader cyclone