I am a final year honours student studying Product Design Engineering and have been allocated the project, "Re-Inventing The Caravan" I am looking for some feedback on what would be desired in a new caravan or part caravan part tent design such as features, visual aspects and spacial issues. Perhaps there are features that are not really necessary in current designs that you think could be left out,ie I have had some feedback from other users that a shower is not always necessary.
New Caravan Design
- Thread starter robbie426
- Start date
some ideas for you
an awning that comes out of the side of the van that has all the framework built in
Built in caravan mover
LED lights
Better security
use of plastics instead of wood
Oh and it must be light enough to tow behind a normal family car (or a 4x4 if the owner wishes)
an awning that comes out of the side of the van that has all the framework built in
Built in caravan mover
LED lights
Better security
use of plastics instead of wood
Oh and it must be light enough to tow behind a normal family car (or a 4x4 if the owner wishes)
Agreed with regards to the Full Oven.
Built In or On Cycle Rack would be nice.
The awning that is built We would like to have one of these
Mover as Standard.
Gas bottle storage why does it have to be the front locker ?
Better Security + Safety Gas Alarm CO and Ether based Gases
best wishes for the Degree.
Val & Frank
Cheers for fast reply, I have been thinking about some kind of design for an awning like that of a convertable roof on a car. That you just press a button and the process takes care of itself. I believe it is possible! Where abouts would you want the LED lights?
And another vote to dump the oven - and my wife is in full agreement. Maybe offer it as an optional extra. Offer a reinforced cupboard to take a microwave insread. And lots more power points.
Electrical cooker or gas cooker in one.
Make up beds to be made better to sleep on.
Going with what Steve said with the awning and make it so you can had bit on as well such as annex and you can take one of the side off when it gets hot has well and if it cud be dune cud you come up with one that would go round the back of the caravan as well as the side.
Cud all the caravan be made of a one peace G, R, P.
This would make it a lot lighter.
Different colours as well
And would you let use now how you go on with it as well
Mark
Make up beds to be made better to sleep on.
Going with what Steve said with the awning and make it so you can had bit on as well such as annex and you can take one of the side off when it gets hot has well and if it cud be dune cud you come up with one that would go round the back of the caravan as well as the side.
Cud all the caravan be made of a one peace G, R, P.
This would make it a lot lighter.
Different colours as well
And would you let use now how you go on with it as well
Mark
What about some kind of folding caravan design that gives a footprint bigger then the trailer but does not use canvas walls or roof.
Hello Mark,
It is quite surprising that true GRP construction is actually quite heavy - in the form needed for a caravan shell, it is likley to be heavier than the conventional construction.
I would like to see more development of the raising roof idea. I am looking beyond the Eriba Hymer idea to something similar to the Aussie format, which has been slightly taken up by Hymer with the Freedon models. That is a full size elevating roof, so towing/stowage is much easier. I would like to see the roof sliding inside the side walls so the actual structure does not involve canvas.
I also agree with previous comments. The oven is an industry supplied nightmare. Fortunately, I don't have one.
I also agree with previous comments. The oven is an industry supplied nightmare. Fortunately, I don't have one.
The one thing that i think would revolutionise the caravan is if some one were to come up with a fixed bed which could be folded /hinged, into the wall ,thus giving space during the day and folding down when needed at bed time . bedding could be designed to stay put during the folding up and down process.
Most fixed beds today are hinged to give acces to storage under the bed and to the water heater .the storage is not very practical and the water heater could be sited in the space aprox 400mmx500mm which would be formed at the bed head .
As part of your designe project,just think about it ,visit some caravan showrooms and look at the fixed beds ,then think with a bit of clever designe that bed could be hinged up and store aganst the back wall giving aprox 1.500mm x 1.100 daytime space . Good luck in your project Coljac
Most fixed beds today are hinged to give acces to storage under the bed and to the water heater .the storage is not very practical and the water heater could be sited in the space aprox 400mmx500mm which would be formed at the bed head .
As part of your designe project,just think about it ,visit some caravan showrooms and look at the fixed beds ,then think with a bit of clever designe that bed could be hinged up and store aganst the back wall giving aprox 1.500mm x 1.100 daytime space . Good luck in your project Coljac
I like the idea of a raising roof but fitted onto a normal height caravan so when raised forms a solid walled bedroom say L6xW5xH4 with two single beds for the kids.
Brian
Brian
Mark and Sharon say..
`Cud all the caravan be made of a one peace G, R, P.`
Well so far as I can see only the Voyager Vector fits that requirement so far.
http://www.caravandeals.co.uk/voyager_vector.asp
It would seem to be a caravan you either love or hate.
A bit 'clinical' looking inside but scope for the softness of wood to be used.
The price may be a big put off of course
..........As for me...... MMMMMMMMM I think it looks fantastic
`Cud all the caravan be made of a one peace G, R, P.`
Well so far as I can see only the Voyager Vector fits that requirement so far.
http://www.caravandeals.co.uk/voyager_vector.asp
It would seem to be a caravan you either love or hate.
A bit 'clinical' looking inside but scope for the softness of wood to be used.
The price may be a big put off of course
..........As for me...... MMMMMMMMM I think it looks fantastic
Hello Craig, If you could design a caravan on a single axle, with a fixed bed but also with a decent sized washroom with space to change in and a separate shower cubicle, I would certainly buy your design!
We use our oven and shower on a regualr basis so no issue there. Our only gripe is width. We have an island bed fitted however it would be nice if the bedroom walls could expadn outwards. A revolutuion would be better built British caravans with heaters etc that work properly from new! How about basins that keep the water in and don't drain or waste pipes without ribbing?
Our needs are....
fixed bed of generous size with comfy mattress
2 long 6' sofas
full cooker and oven (we use it regularly)
wc & YES! we use our shower every day!!!
wooden separation doors - not flimsy concertina ones
exterior gas BBQ points x 2 (one for patio heater!!)
exterior heating from van heater for awning
exterior shower (dog and sandy feet!)
ready fixed awning points to stop pole damage to side of van
low power reading lights that don't drain the battery but give good light
awning lights on both sides of van (for winter dark nights!)
a pullout canopy somehow fixed in the van that also allows awning use
automatic leveller
fitted motor mover
fitted CD, TV & DVD (Low power!)
fitted step
some big motor homes expand width ways - be nice if caravans could too to give more living space
exterior walls that are dent proof (ours dents if you breathe on it!)
a fitted dirty clothes container
all the drainage holes facing the same way (ours are either on the left, right or rear so only one drains well!) with one outlet to waste carrier
more choice in fabrics and carpets
and finally.... we saw an old caravan that had the 2 long seats... but you could move them around to have a L shaped or even a long sofa and mini dinette... plenty of choice
Oh!! We can all dream can't we?!!!!
fixed bed of generous size with comfy mattress
2 long 6' sofas
full cooker and oven (we use it regularly)
wc & YES! we use our shower every day!!!
wooden separation doors - not flimsy concertina ones
exterior gas BBQ points x 2 (one for patio heater!!)
exterior heating from van heater for awning
exterior shower (dog and sandy feet!)
ready fixed awning points to stop pole damage to side of van
low power reading lights that don't drain the battery but give good light
awning lights on both sides of van (for winter dark nights!)
a pullout canopy somehow fixed in the van that also allows awning use
automatic leveller
fitted motor mover
fitted CD, TV & DVD (Low power!)
fitted step
some big motor homes expand width ways - be nice if caravans could too to give more living space
exterior walls that are dent proof (ours dents if you breathe on it!)
a fitted dirty clothes container
all the drainage holes facing the same way (ours are either on the left, right or rear so only one drains well!) with one outlet to waste carrier
more choice in fabrics and carpets
and finally.... we saw an old caravan that had the 2 long seats... but you could move them around to have a L shaped or even a long sofa and mini dinette... plenty of choice
Oh!! We can all dream can't we?!!!!
Some little guy in a cupboard to set up the 'van, fetch and carry the water, waste etc etc. oh hold on that's me!
my van beleive it or not has 2 showers!! the salesman proudly stated this when getting me to by it. I said that I had never used the inside shower so what benefit would the outside one be to me. he said it would be handy for washing the dog, I said I have never had a dog.
Seriously is their any need for 2 showers.
Popup Juhn
Yes but I do not like that one wonder if they are going to come up with so different ones.
Mark
John L
I ham surprised that GRP construction is heave.
I used to work in a GRP shop that made things for curtain side trailer such as air flows and front panels and side skirts. A lot of thing that we made were big but they seemed to be light in wait and GRP is used in a lot of sports cars.
I only work in this shop for a year so I do not now a lot a bout it but as you can see it puzzled me how you can say it heavier in construction.
Mark
Yes but I do not like that one wonder if they are going to come up with so different ones.
Mark
John L
I ham surprised that GRP construction is heave.
I used to work in a GRP shop that made things for curtain side trailer such as air flows and front panels and side skirts. A lot of thing that we made were big but they seemed to be light in wait and GRP is used in a lot of sports cars.
I only work in this shop for a year so I do not now a lot a bout it but as you can see it puzzled me how you can say it heavier in construction.
Mark
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