Hello

[jtrott1977]

Hello Guys,

i'm James, im new to Caravaning, I hired a Sprite Major 6TD van from Tilshead last year and me, the wife and kids (8years and 18mts) really enjoyed it, So now looking to buying, with the idea of take it to lake garda/South of france for 3 weeks plus in the Summer and touring UK in the half terms.

Any advise welcome either on buying/layout for young families to Touring stopover sites in france.

thank you in advance.

 

[Craigyoung]

Hi James
We've got 2 kids , 9 and 5 , we've got a Baileys with the 3 bunks in the rear , front and rear sitting , good layout for us as the spare bunk is storage area , which could work for a cot in a way if sectioned off safely . we've done 2 trips at 3 weeks each time to France and loved it , and away every other weekend in this country, no doubt you'll get loads off suggestions off other people soon

good luck

Craig . B)

 

[swpostie]

First of all, find out how much weight you can tow then look at as many different 'vans up to that weight as you can.

You'll get plenty of ideas on how to accommodate your family, this way, and you'll soon have a shortlist of potential 'vans.

 

[jtrott1977]

I currently have a Honda CR-V 2.2 diesel but I will changing it to a vw toureg or Audi Q7. So weight won't be an issue.

What the pros and cons or have a end washroom via a side washroom?

These are the two van I'm considering a Bailey Palermo or the Swift/Sterling challenger sport 586/Eccles 586, hence my question.

James

 

[swpostie]

The pros and cons of an end washroom are pretty much the same - space!

End washrooms tend to be spacious, but the space has to come from somewhere!

A roomy washroom may be very important to you or you might prefer something smaller. You might not be too bothered about the washroom as you're only ever going to use site facilities.

Space in the kitchen may be more important....

Or a good size lounge....

Or two separate living areas....

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

I currently have a Honda CR-V 2.2 diesel but I will changing it to a vw toureg or Audi Q7. So weight won't be an issue.

Weight is ALWAYS an issue, so please be careful.

 

[Hutch]

Welcome, James, lot of info for you on here, stopovers in France are so many, we almost never book anywhere, unless wanting some where deliberate during high season. Start a thred in the overseas section with a rough area, and I am sure you will get responses.
Hutch.

 

[Mel]

Hi James. Welcome to the forum. If you plan to shower the children in the van as opposed to site facilities then it is a major squeeze in a side washroom. They tend to be wet rooms rather than separate shower and toilet so washing hair and drying and dressing a wet child is trickier. However it is not impossible and you need to decide how much you value living and sleeping space over washing space. Also depends on your touring habits, cls versus full facility sites.
Mel

 

[Gagakev]

Welcome to the forum, pop along to your nearest biggish dealer and take a look at all the vans on offer, take a note pad and jot down the pro's and con's of each one, you may find the ones you have chosen you dont like at all!!
good luck

 

[brian_c]

Welcome to the Forum James
Best wishes Brian

 

[Raywood]

Layouts are very much a matter of opinion but in general I would think most parents would like a decent gap between the children and parents at night which would suggest a caravan with a centre kitchen and washroom and possibly bunks at the back. Most eight year olds love the upper bunk which they find an adventure. This does however mean a smaller washroom which you may not want.
If weight is not a problem the Sprite Major TD or a more upmarket version of that layout might be useful as you get the two bunks and an area for the eight year old to play while you do other things up front. You can get this on the Eccles and Challenger 590. A different layout can be found on a Lunar Quasar 586 and 640 with the 640 being particularly spacious. Another alternative with fixed beds might be the Eldiss Avante 566 or if you want a larger rear toilet the 636.
Their are a lot of layouts though and a good look round dealers to see what you like and if you want once you have decided you an come back and I am sure someone will be able to comment on it or them.