Family caravan layouts.
Discussion
I'm looking to canvas the opinion of those with families and vans who can pass comment on what layouts work best.
It'll be for 2 adults a 4 year old and another which is yet to be sprung.
I can't see a fixed bed being a good option (a shame as there are so many) and a centre bathroom seems to restrict space however, it does mean that they're out of the way at night.
Side dinettes seem to be plentiful but not sure if they would be too close to us at night when we want to kick back in the evening?
I'm on a B licence at present with a max limit of 1400kg (car is 2100kg all up) which means I might need to upgrade my licence for the sake of 50kg.
We are seasoned campers and campervanners so know the camping scene well, we just need to get our heads around towing
It'll be for 2 adults a 4 year old and another which is yet to be sprung.
I can't see a fixed bed being a good option (a shame as there are so many) and a centre bathroom seems to restrict space however, it does mean that they're out of the way at night.
Side dinettes seem to be plentiful but not sure if they would be too close to us at night when we want to kick back in the evening?
I'm on a B licence at present with a max limit of 1400kg (car is 2100kg all up) which means I might need to upgrade my licence for the sake of 50kg.
We are seasoned campers and campervanners so know the camping scene well, we just need to get our heads around towing
After considerable research on just this area we ended up buying a six berth Swift (Ours is a couple of years old, the current version is a 590).
As much as a double fixed bed would be nice for sleeping on, we couldn't justify the space lost for daytimes.
Having fixed bunks for our two kids is good, they can turn in as soon as they like without our wrestling with a side dinette set up first. Also, having them sleeping at one end of the van with their screen over works well when my SWMBO and I relax up front with a drink and a movie on the sofas.
Side dinette/bunk bed layouts offer a perception of lots of interior space which is nice, but they tend to be the least practical for parents. As you rightly say, the kids are right beside you for the night.
If we were to drop in size/weight to a four berth I'd likely go for a front lounge/double bed, twin beds either side of central walkway through to an end bathroom, like the current Swift 565 version.
I'd be reluctant to go smaller though, with the bigger van comes much less reliance on awning space. We've a decent sized Dorema porch awning but it only goes up if we're away more than a week or two as we don't really need the extra space and I'd rather do without the putting up and taking down, drying out if its gotten wet etc.
A friend of mine has a fixed double bed four berth with end bathroom. He has his kids fall asleep on the fixed double before then moving them to the front sofas when he and his wife are ready to turn in for the night. This worked ok when the kids were really young but as they are getting older its becoming much less practical.
Ultimately, there will always have to be a compromise with the layout unless you want to drag something the size of a small static. For us, the compromise is making up the front double with a sofa cushion "mattress" with a foam topper we stash under one of the front sofas rather than having an actual mattress on a fixed double.
As much as a double fixed bed would be nice for sleeping on, we couldn't justify the space lost for daytimes.
Having fixed bunks for our two kids is good, they can turn in as soon as they like without our wrestling with a side dinette set up first. Also, having them sleeping at one end of the van with their screen over works well when my SWMBO and I relax up front with a drink and a movie on the sofas.
Side dinette/bunk bed layouts offer a perception of lots of interior space which is nice, but they tend to be the least practical for parents. As you rightly say, the kids are right beside you for the night.
If we were to drop in size/weight to a four berth I'd likely go for a front lounge/double bed, twin beds either side of central walkway through to an end bathroom, like the current Swift 565 version.
I'd be reluctant to go smaller though, with the bigger van comes much less reliance on awning space. We've a decent sized Dorema porch awning but it only goes up if we're away more than a week or two as we don't really need the extra space and I'd rather do without the putting up and taking down, drying out if its gotten wet etc.
A friend of mine has a fixed double bed four berth with end bathroom. He has his kids fall asleep on the fixed double before then moving them to the front sofas when he and his wife are ready to turn in for the night. This worked ok when the kids were really young but as they are getting older its becoming much less practical.
Ultimately, there will always have to be a compromise with the layout unless you want to drag something the size of a small static. For us, the compromise is making up the front double with a sofa cushion "mattress" with a foam topper we stash under one of the front sofas rather than having an actual mattress on a fixed double.
Thanks, a similar level of thinking by the sounds of things. Ive seen a Bailey Orion 460/5 which is end bathroom but a side dinette at the rear on one side and a single bunk which could be level up as a double bunk on the other side. It means walking thru the rear bedroom to get to the bathroom but at least there are options for seating and getting up without having to re-construct seating areas. Ideally I dont want an awning, just a pull out canopy and windbreaker. The whole point of moving to a van is for an easy up easy down camp, otherwise i'd just buy a big inflatable tent with a hook up heater all pulled in a trailer!
I was in a similar situation with regards to towing, kids (well 1) and trying to keep to 85% of what I can tow under the post 1997 rules, the below is similar to what ended up being our ideal (still leaves nearly 200kg to load up in the van before going over the 85% I was working too). Separate always ready made bed for the kid at 1 end, with another bunk for her stuff to go on, a side dinette which remained as a dinette and then our bed just to be made up at the front lounge each night. Although we have an inflatable awning, so keep the front bed made up most of the time during the day and sit in the awning of an evening.
I explored the side dinette converting to a single or bunk bed layouts, but felt the same as you, it was too close for sleeping, kids at one end and adults at another works best I think.
http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/touring-caravans-fo...
I explored the side dinette converting to a single or bunk bed layouts, but felt the same as you, it was too close for sleeping, kids at one end and adults at another works best I think.
http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/touring-caravans-fo...
5 berth double dinette the obvious choice, we have a Lunar Quasar 525 which is quite light as well.
Get one where the other end has a solid wooden divider and voila the kids bedroom.
Because the lower bed is a small double then when they invariably fall out of the top bunk either accidentally or on purpose, its a soft landing.
The main double we took the cushions out and put in a proper foam mattress so we have a proper bed to sleep in and also functions as a dossing/family cuddle area during the day.
Interesting the DD layout seems less popular these days, don't know why as it's the perfect layout for young families.
Get one where the other end has a solid wooden divider and voila the kids bedroom.
Because the lower bed is a small double then when they invariably fall out of the top bunk either accidentally or on purpose, its a soft landing.
The main double we took the cushions out and put in a proper foam mattress so we have a proper bed to sleep in and also functions as a dossing/family cuddle area during the day.
Interesting the DD layout seems less popular these days, don't know why as it's the perfect layout for young families.
We love the L-shaped seating area at he front of our caravan, gives plenty of room lo lay with legs up watching TV.
Theres a 2 seater side dinette area that can convert into bunk beds, or single bed, but we leave the table up mostly.
Wife sleeps in the caravan on the bench seating (with back rest cushion removed), my son and myself sleep in the awning. Saves having to make up any beds in the caravan. Works perfectly for us, as I prefer sleeping out in the fresh air.
Theres a 2 seater side dinette area that can convert into bunk beds, or single bed, but we leave the table up mostly.
Wife sleeps in the caravan on the bench seating (with back rest cushion removed), my son and myself sleep in the awning. Saves having to make up any beds in the caravan. Works perfectly for us, as I prefer sleeping out in the fresh air.
We've a 2011 Swift Charisma fixed bed layout. Daughters are 4 and 2 and it seems to work for us
We put them into the fixed bed (eldest on the outside of the bed stops the 2 year old rolling out :-) and we can then roll across the shutter whilst we watch tv or have drinks etc. We sleep in the front double berth
We put them into the fixed bed (eldest on the outside of the bed stops the 2 year old rolling out :-) and we can then roll across the shutter whilst we watch tv or have drinks etc. We sleep in the front double berth
Rear bunks was the option we went with too.
Lots more space in the daytime, even I've gone and laid on the lower bunk during the day to read a book, leaving the lounge free for TV watching etc.
The rear dinette is also really helpful for serving the 2 boys snack/sandwiches/breakfast if needs be.
This is the model we have:
http://www.blackcountrycaravans.co.uk/stocklist/11...
Whatever option/layout you choose, for the best and easiest adult sleep solution, go with Duvalays. So easy and practical. Turn the cushions over, roll the Duvalay out. Job jobbed.
http://www.duvalay.co.uk/Caravans/caravan-luxury-s...
Lots more space in the daytime, even I've gone and laid on the lower bunk during the day to read a book, leaving the lounge free for TV watching etc.
The rear dinette is also really helpful for serving the 2 boys snack/sandwiches/breakfast if needs be.
This is the model we have:
http://www.blackcountrycaravans.co.uk/stocklist/11...
Whatever option/layout you choose, for the best and easiest adult sleep solution, go with Duvalays. So easy and practical. Turn the cushions over, roll the Duvalay out. Job jobbed.
http://www.duvalay.co.uk/Caravans/caravan-luxury-s...
We went for the twin axle, side bunks, with a single dinette opposite. Decent size bathroom behind worked well for us, and the van is lightweight for its size (1,500 MTPLM). Making our bed up is a real pain, although we have a memory foam topper with the sheet on which makes it easier.
Sorry about the pic, only one showing the layout.
Our daughter is 11 and has now outgrown the bunks. So we are in the process of making a change.. Need to sell old as have bought this with a fixed bed.
Sorry about the pic, only one showing the layout.
Our daughter is 11 and has now outgrown the bunks. So we are in the process of making a change.. Need to sell old as have bought this with a fixed bed.
We have the same issue with daughter having outgrown top bunk. She now sleeps on the bottom bunk, and top bunk is used during day to store our bedding. Dog sleeps on the single berth opposite the bathroom, which is left set up as a table. Wife and I sleep on the double at the front although dont actually make it up.
We are thinking about getting an awning bedroom for daughter for next year, but its a bit dependent on whether she brings a friend with her.
We are thinking about getting an awning bedroom for daughter for next year, but its a bit dependent on whether she brings a friend with her.
Gassing Station | Tents, Caravans & Motorhomes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff