Swift Sprite Major 6TD - Any experience of brand or model?
Discussion
OK, so having seen a layout of a van which we prefer to our current one, we are now looking at finalising last details etc.
Having googled a few reviews, some people are complaining of build issues with Swift and damp problems. I appreciate fully people will complain when something is wrong, but many don't write positive stuff when things are good, they just enjoy the experience.
Initially our interest in this layout was sparked by a 2 year old Sterling Eccles Sport 586, but I can see we can secure the exact same layout, albeit with slightly less spec in a new Swift Sprite Major 6TD.
Because we only use the van for around 7 -8 weekends per year (main holiday is normally a long haul destination ) spec isn't massively important, but reliability and the ability not to leak in British weather would be!
We currently own a Bailey which is 5 years old, and so far it has been faultless and also dry, despite many owners having issues with them according to forums.
So, do you own a Swift/Sprite, ideally under 3 years old and has it proven to be a dissapointment or a delight?
Having googled a few reviews, some people are complaining of build issues with Swift and damp problems. I appreciate fully people will complain when something is wrong, but many don't write positive stuff when things are good, they just enjoy the experience.
Initially our interest in this layout was sparked by a 2 year old Sterling Eccles Sport 586, but I can see we can secure the exact same layout, albeit with slightly less spec in a new Swift Sprite Major 6TD.
Because we only use the van for around 7 -8 weekends per year (main holiday is normally a long haul destination ) spec isn't massively important, but reliability and the ability not to leak in British weather would be!
We currently own a Bailey which is 5 years old, and so far it has been faultless and also dry, despite many owners having issues with them according to forums.
So, do you own a Swift/Sprite, ideally under 3 years old and has it proven to be a dissapointment or a delight?
Our 6 berth twin axle has rear wash room, 2 fixed bunks, side dinette (2 bunks) and large double bed from the main seating area at the front.
After nearly 3 years of ownership and numerous trips/holidays, I wish I had bought a different layout.
The fixed bunks for the kids are great, as is the large end bathroom, etc. But making your bed every night is a frigging pain in the rear.
If I were to rewind and do it again, I'd go for a fixed bed, side dinette (which gives 2 bunks that we'd leave made up) and then a permanent large seating area.
So, if looking at the Sprite range I'd go for either the Sprite Quattro FB or Sprite Quattro EW. I'd probably go for the EW and have a bigger toilet/shower area.
Don't get me wrong, I love our caravan and we have great holidays in it. Just wish we didn't have to make the bed every night!
Like this one:
http://www.blackcountrycaravans.co.uk/stocklist/12...
After nearly 3 years of ownership and numerous trips/holidays, I wish I had bought a different layout.
The fixed bunks for the kids are great, as is the large end bathroom, etc. But making your bed every night is a frigging pain in the rear.
If I were to rewind and do it again, I'd go for a fixed bed, side dinette (which gives 2 bunks that we'd leave made up) and then a permanent large seating area.
So, if looking at the Sprite range I'd go for either the Sprite Quattro FB or Sprite Quattro EW. I'd probably go for the EW and have a bigger toilet/shower area.
Don't get me wrong, I love our caravan and we have great holidays in it. Just wish we didn't have to make the bed every night!
Like this one:
http://www.blackcountrycaravans.co.uk/stocklist/12...
Chicken Chaser said:
Can't give you an answer but is this the rear bunk, rear washroom and double dinette layout? If so it's the same layout I'm interested in as I think it works best for a family with young kids.
2 rears bunks, with smaller rear dinette (which makes into another bed with bunk above if required), but a side washroom with separate fully lined shower. Our current van has a side washroom but not a separate shower, so its a wet room.The current layout works really for us, as we have 2 kids so leave the bunks made up, but they can eat/play at the back dinnette if they wish, plus lounge on their bunks.(we have triple bunks currently and the headroom is now starting to cause issue, which is one of the reasons to change along with a seperate shower.
Making up the front bed for us is literally pulling out slats and re-arranging 2 cushions in this new van. We use Duvalays, which are fabulous for a quick and very comfortable bedding solution
Edited by MattS5 on Wednesday 11th May 13:48
MattS5 said:
2 rears bunks, with smaller rear dinette (which makes into another bed with bunk above if required), but a side washroom with separate fully lined shower. Our current van has a side washroom but not a separate shower, so its a wet room.
The current layout works really for us, as we have 2 kids so leave the bunks made up, but they can eat/play at the back dinnette if they wish, plus lounge on their bunks.(we have triple bunks currently and the headroom is now starting to cause issue, which is one of the reasons to change along with a seperate shower.
Making up the front bed for us is literally pulling out slats and re-arranging 2 cushions in this new van. We use Duvalays, which are fabulous for a quick and very comfortable bedding solution
We've just invested in 2 of the 77cm wide Duvalay's for this year - it was cheaper than changing the caravan The current layout works really for us, as we have 2 kids so leave the bunks made up, but they can eat/play at the back dinnette if they wish, plus lounge on their bunks.(we have triple bunks currently and the headroom is now starting to cause issue, which is one of the reasons to change along with a seperate shower.
Making up the front bed for us is literally pulling out slats and re-arranging 2 cushions in this new van. We use Duvalays, which are fabulous for a quick and very comfortable bedding solution
Edited by MattS5 on Wednesday 11th May 13:48
We have a Sterling that in theory sleeps 6. 2 bunks across the rear, single on one side with pull out bunk above, side bathroom, and table and front cabin that converts into a double.
There are 3 of us, daughter and wife go in the bunks, then dont need to make up the double, so dog and I have one each as a single!
There are 3 of us, daughter and wife go in the bunks, then dont need to make up the double, so dog and I have one each as a single!
See i've gone for a 4 berth for me, the wife to be and her two.
7ft front singles (can be a double), kitchen, fixed bed, end bathroom. We never have to make our bed ever, the diner is perfectly sized for us all, and the kids sleep perfectly on the singles in their sleeping bags. We put them to sleep on the double, and move them when we go to bed if we don't have the awning up. Works well, more interior space not taken up with extra diner's etc
7ft front singles (can be a double), kitchen, fixed bed, end bathroom. We never have to make our bed ever, the diner is perfectly sized for us all, and the kids sleep perfectly on the singles in their sleeping bags. We put them to sleep on the double, and move them when we go to bed if we don't have the awning up. Works well, more interior space not taken up with extra diner's etc
Rosscow said:
Our 6 berth twin axle has rear wash room, 2 fixed bunks, side dinette (2 bunks) and large double bed from the main seating area at the front.
After nearly 3 years of ownership and numerous trips/holidays, I wish I had bought a different layout.
The fixed bunks for the kids are great, as is the large end bathroom, etc. But making your bed every night is a frigging pain in the rear.
If I were to rewind and do it again, I'd go for a fixed bed, side dinette (which gives 2 bunks that we'd leave made up) and then a permanent large seating area.
So, if looking at the Sprite range I'd go for either the Sprite Quattro FB or Sprite Quattro EW. I'd probably go for the EW and have a bigger toilet/shower area.
Don't get me wrong, I love our caravan and we have great holidays in it. Just wish we didn't have to make the bed every night!
Like this one:
http://www.blackcountrycaravans.co.uk/stocklist/12...
We have the same layout and have the same regret. To add insult to injury this weekend my wfie jammed too many shoes in the cupboard under the roller, which then jammed on one side with all the slats falling out. grrrAfter nearly 3 years of ownership and numerous trips/holidays, I wish I had bought a different layout.
The fixed bunks for the kids are great, as is the large end bathroom, etc. But making your bed every night is a frigging pain in the rear.
If I were to rewind and do it again, I'd go for a fixed bed, side dinette (which gives 2 bunks that we'd leave made up) and then a permanent large seating area.
So, if looking at the Sprite range I'd go for either the Sprite Quattro FB or Sprite Quattro EW. I'd probably go for the EW and have a bigger toilet/shower area.
Don't get me wrong, I love our caravan and we have great holidays in it. Just wish we didn't have to make the bed every night!
Like this one:
http://www.blackcountrycaravans.co.uk/stocklist/12...
Chicken Chaser said:
So would the fixed bed side dinette still be a 6 berth? Are they twin axle? I'm creeping ever closer to buying a caravan over the winter for next year. Camper van is getting too small
Pretty much any side dinette in my experience will be a folding bunk.PS our van is a Sprite - but an older one so not much help. Still I like it
As I'm sure you know it's a Swift brand so not much different to any of their vans.My preference is for a layout which includes a fixed bed at the back, and toilet / shower either side forward of the bed. I like that you can effectively create a large bedroom/dressing area.
I think I've seen single axle side dinette models, but personally I think the extra space and stability of twin axle is worthwhile.
I can't recall any fixed bed, with side dinette single axle models.
Pretty sure you'll need to go twin axle for sure, not a problem so long as you have the vehicle to pull it and a motor mover if you need to manually move it around and have space to store it.
I had the space (and the vehicle up until Christmas) but just couldn't live with the 4x4 so stuck with single axle and a car more suited to my liking in regards performance and handling.
Pretty sure you'll need to go twin axle for sure, not a problem so long as you have the vehicle to pull it and a motor mover if you need to manually move it around and have space to store it.
I had the space (and the vehicle up until Christmas) but just couldn't live with the 4x4 so stuck with single axle and a car more suited to my liking in regards performance and handling.
Chicken Chaser said:
So would the fixed bed side dinette still be a 6 berth? Are they twin axle? I'm creeping ever closer to buying a caravan over the winter for next year. Camper van is getting too small
Yes, still a 6 berth. Fixed double bed, 2 bunks from the side dinette and then a large double from the main front seating area.MattS5 said:
I can't recall any fixed bed, with side dinette single axle models.
Pretty sure you'll need to go twin axle for sure, not a problem so long as you have the vehicle to pull it and a motor mover if you need to manually move it around and have space to store it.
I had the space (and the vehicle up until Christmas) but just couldn't live with the 4x4 so stuck with single axle and a car more suited to my liking in regards performance and handling.
Adria do a nice 6 berth with fixed bed and a side dinette to make into 2 bunks. Single axle. It's called the 612 DT Rhine:Pretty sure you'll need to go twin axle for sure, not a problem so long as you have the vehicle to pull it and a motor mover if you need to manually move it around and have space to store it.
I had the space (and the vehicle up until Christmas) but just couldn't live with the 4x4 so stuck with single axle and a car more suited to my liking in regards performance and handling.
http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/touring-caravans-fo...
Rosscow said:
Adria do a nice 6 berth with fixed bed and a side dinette to make into 2 bunks. Single axle. It's called the 612 DT Rhine:
http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/touring-caravans-fo...
Looks good all bar the wetroom. I never like the amount of foot traffic the shower tray gets in this sort of arrangement. Much prefer a separate shower/toilet http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/touring-caravans-fo...
MattS5 said:
Rosscow said:
Adria do a nice 6 berth with fixed bed and a side dinette to make into 2 bunks. Single axle. It's called the 612 DT Rhine:
http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/touring-caravans-fo...
Looks good all bar the wetroom. I never like the amount of foot traffic the shower tray gets in this sort of arrangement. Much prefer a separate shower/toilet http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/touring-caravans-fo...
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