what would you decide is more important

[nicola2]

An end bedroom for a toddler or a seperate shower from the toilet.

I really can't decide and my budget wont stretch to both.

What are the pros and cons for each?

 

[Nicola_374323910]

The swift/sterling 5 berths have both. We got a 5 berth for this exact reason last year and is handy to have kids at one end and us at the other. Also bath our toddler in the shower in a plastering bucket lol and i am able to be in the bathroom with them. hth

 

[nicola2]

Thanks.where could I get one of these? I can't find that model anywhere.

 

[Andrew_5105555]

We bought a sterling van with large rear bathroom and seperate shower in 2003,this worked quite well with our 10yr old son who slept in the side dinnette bunk,then we had our daughter and it was difficult to get her settled at night in the side bunks with the tv on or us chatting,especially if we had friends caravaning with us.Also we never used the shower.

We decided to change to a 5 berth layout and bought a Eldiss Avante before we went to France last july,it works far better for us my daughter goes to bed at the same'ish time as she does at home and we can shut the door to the end bedroom knowing she won't be disturbed,so we can relax more.And we have a side bathroom which is more than adequate,Hope this helps you make a decision Andrew.

 

[RogerP]

We've changed this year to a Elddis Avante Club 505. Its got the double diner layout.

Whilst the bathroom in not the biggest is it certainly adequate for us , we tend to use site showers so not a big issue , but it is useable.

Having the two lounge / diner / bed areas is very flexible. My wife has MS so it allows us at times to leave the end bed made up for her to rest in the day. Or we can leave it as a dining area so we dont have to keep moving the table. Finally we can use it as a lounge area as well as the seats easily seat 4 in comfort.

I'd certainly recomend this layout as it does give you a lot of options , but as with any caravan you have to make some compromise.

 

[Andy_374377792]

We would always go for an end dinner/bed. It took us about a month to find the right one. We have a near three year old and a 7month old. The three year old goes out like a light but the youngest is a bit of a light sleeper (teething) so having a door that shuts the two areas off is a must for us.

We find the toilet shower ok for all that we use it for - 3 year old is ok in the shower and the 7 month old just fitted in the sink!! Hopefully next year he will be in the shower as well. As adults we take it in turns to use site toilet blocks as having kids we never would go anywhere without them.

Hope this helps

andy

 

[ShadySadie]

During the summer holidays I caravan with my sister and my neices. Shower and toilet wise we can cope with anything.

Two young girls lacking sleep is another issue. Having a seperate bedroom area that can be closed off with a door is worth its weight in gold and well worth the minor inconvenience of a smaller toilet and shower area.

 

[nicola2]

Ok thanks, I think you are right that a child lacking sleep is worse than anything!

I will try to find one with an end bedroom as most important.

 

[Parksy]

http://www.practicalcaravan.com/forsale/
Copy and paste the link into your browser or go to this website home page and follow the links. This site lets you enter your requirements and should come up with a suitable caravan.

This might give you an idea of which caravans to concentrate on when you are looking to buy.

You will also find tips on buying a caravan as well as an explanation of towing law and weight requirements which are most important.

 

[LMH]

I know you can't have everything but I do agree that if you have small children, an end bedroom must be a godsend.

We go away without the child now (17), so we can please ourselves. However, we do get calls from her asking us 'why are you two up so late?' 'what are you doing? and who are you with?'

Absolutely amazing. LOL!

Lisa

 

[smiley]

we went for an end bathroom and side seats 12 years ago. Bought the daughter a tent. Now I take the grandchildren on holiday to France 9 and 3 years. First time for the 3 year old, it worked wonders. they thought it was great in the tent.

Mind you we put the tent under the awning and didn't lock the door just in case any problems arose.