When did caravans get so big?
Discussion
When I was a kid, in the early 80's, we had a couple of caravans and several very successful summer holidays.
One was an Abbey and one a Sprite, they weren't new even then, I recall them being 12ft vans, plus 3ft or so for the towbar. Maybe 15ft total? That 4.5mtrs and they were 4 berth.
Seems now 4 berth vans are a lot bigger? The smallest Swift Alpine 2 berth is 6 mtrs.
I'd like a 3 or 4 berth van at 4.5mtrs, who makes such a thing?
One was an Abbey and one a Sprite, they weren't new even then, I recall them being 12ft vans, plus 3ft or so for the towbar. Maybe 15ft total? That 4.5mtrs and they were 4 berth.
Seems now 4 berth vans are a lot bigger? The smallest Swift Alpine 2 berth is 6 mtrs.
I'd like a 3 or 4 berth van at 4.5mtrs, who makes such a thing?
You can now get 'vans that are 8ft wide too!
Realistically it's all the modern conveniences that are fitted to new caravans that makes them big. Our modest 4 berth (08 Coachman Pastiche 520/4) has an end washroom with a separate shower, side bunks for the kids, and a decent kitchen. All takes up space. It's 7.3m nose to tail and the weight is on the limit of what I should be towing with my BMW 535D estate according to the 85% guide anyway. Car manufacturers making their cars lighter doesn't help us caravanners!
My parents first caravan (Panther something or other) must have been tiny in comparison. Bunks at the back, double at the front, tiny washroom (no shower). Really wasn't anything to it.
Have you looked at Eribas? https://www.eriba.com/en/
Realistically it's all the modern conveniences that are fitted to new caravans that makes them big. Our modest 4 berth (08 Coachman Pastiche 520/4) has an end washroom with a separate shower, side bunks for the kids, and a decent kitchen. All takes up space. It's 7.3m nose to tail and the weight is on the limit of what I should be towing with my BMW 535D estate according to the 85% guide anyway. Car manufacturers making their cars lighter doesn't help us caravanners!
My parents first caravan (Panther something or other) must have been tiny in comparison. Bunks at the back, double at the front, tiny washroom (no shower). Really wasn't anything to it.
Have you looked at Eribas? https://www.eriba.com/en/
I've noticed that some four-berth vans have a fixed double bed, which to my mind is aimed at couples who don't want the hassle of putting the bed up every night - something I can see the attraction of! A four-berth van in which half the available space is permanently tied up all day isn't *really* aimed at families, is it?
The fixed double is too bloody small in any case, or so I keep telling Mrs H...
The fixed double is too bloody small in any case, or so I keep telling Mrs H...
C0ffin D0dger said:
You can now get 'vans that are 8ft wide too!
Realistically it's all the modern conveniences that are fitted to new caravans that makes them big. Our modest 4 berth (08 Coachman Pastiche 520/4) has an end washroom with a separate shower, side bunks for the kids, and a decent kitchen. All takes up space. It's 7.3m nose to tail and the weight is on the limit of what I should be towing with my BMW 535D estate according to the 85% guide anyway. Car manufacturers making their cars lighter doesn't help us caravanners!
My parents first caravan (Panther something or other) must have been tiny in comparison. Bunks at the back, double at the front, tiny washroom (no shower). Really wasn't anything to it.
Have you looked at Eribas? https://www.eriba.com/en/
Remember the slightly odd kid and school that suffered a bit of ribbing? He bought an Eriba.Realistically it's all the modern conveniences that are fitted to new caravans that makes them big. Our modest 4 berth (08 Coachman Pastiche 520/4) has an end washroom with a separate shower, side bunks for the kids, and a decent kitchen. All takes up space. It's 7.3m nose to tail and the weight is on the limit of what I should be towing with my BMW 535D estate according to the 85% guide anyway. Car manufacturers making their cars lighter doesn't help us caravanners!
My parents first caravan (Panther something or other) must have been tiny in comparison. Bunks at the back, double at the front, tiny washroom (no shower). Really wasn't anything to it.
Have you looked at Eribas? https://www.eriba.com/en/
I have an Eriba, they are much heavier than the size would indicate.
Something I have learned, is that it doesn't really matter how big the van is.
You tow it from point A to point B whether its 13 ft or 27ft , when its parked its parked,size doesn't matter.
Since the OP 'were a lad' caravans have far better towing abilities,stabilisers,braking systems,better chassis etc, and the comfort in them has increased from gas mantle lamps and a bucket to pee in, to bathrooms with hot water,showers,flushing toilets, heating, lights,microwaves, ovens,permanent beds, Usb sockets and so on. Hence the size.
The cars we tow with are also far better,turbo diesel engines,better tyres for traction, anti lock brakes and so on.
I cant imagine an old Cortina pulling along a modern day van!
Like our cars the caravan evolved, My Eriba is probably the same size as a1970s sprite musketeer.
Something I have learned, is that it doesn't really matter how big the van is.
You tow it from point A to point B whether its 13 ft or 27ft , when its parked its parked,size doesn't matter.
Since the OP 'were a lad' caravans have far better towing abilities,stabilisers,braking systems,better chassis etc, and the comfort in them has increased from gas mantle lamps and a bucket to pee in, to bathrooms with hot water,showers,flushing toilets, heating, lights,microwaves, ovens,permanent beds, Usb sockets and so on. Hence the size.
The cars we tow with are also far better,turbo diesel engines,better tyres for traction, anti lock brakes and so on.
I cant imagine an old Cortina pulling along a modern day van!
Like our cars the caravan evolved, My Eriba is probably the same size as a1970s sprite musketeer.
bristolracer said:
I have an Eriba, they are much heavier than the size would indicate.
Something I have learned, is that it doesn't really matter how big the van is.
You tow it from point A to point B whether its 13 ft or 27ft , when its parked its parked,size doesn't matter.
Since the OP 'were a lad' caravans have far better towing abilities,stabilisers,braking systems,better chassis etc, and the comfort in them has increased from gas mantle lamps and a bucket to pee in, to bathrooms with hot water,showers,flushing toilets, heating, lights,microwaves, ovens,permanent beds, Usb sockets and so on. Hence the size.
The cars we tow with are also far better,turbo diesel engines,better tyres for traction, anti lock brakes and so on.
I cant imagine an old Cortina pulling along a modern day van!
Like our cars the caravan evolved, My Eriba is probably the same size as a1970s sprite musketeer.
Thanks. Its amazing how times change, in 1971, when i was a baby, my folks towed a caravan from Southampton to Scotchland with a Opel Kadett!Something I have learned, is that it doesn't really matter how big the van is.
You tow it from point A to point B whether its 13 ft or 27ft , when its parked its parked,size doesn't matter.
Since the OP 'were a lad' caravans have far better towing abilities,stabilisers,braking systems,better chassis etc, and the comfort in them has increased from gas mantle lamps and a bucket to pee in, to bathrooms with hot water,showers,flushing toilets, heating, lights,microwaves, ovens,permanent beds, Usb sockets and so on. Hence the size.
The cars we tow with are also far better,turbo diesel engines,better tyres for traction, anti lock brakes and so on.
I cant imagine an old Cortina pulling along a modern day van!
Like our cars the caravan evolved, My Eriba is probably the same size as a1970s sprite musketeer.
We bought a 1992 Eriba last summer, we plumped for one because we are only a family of three (me, wife and toddler) and our primary use will be music festivals, so we really just need it as a bed on wheels when we will be out all day. It saves us all the aggro of trekking miles from car park to festival campsite with loads of gear, I just pull up, handbrake on, legs down, crack a cold beer from the fridge. Leisure battery takes care of charging phones and powering Mrs PT's hair dryer (a must-have for her) via an inverter, we can pretty much go off grid if we need.
It's actually somewhat Tardis-like inside, being a Triton GT it has a long bed that can easily accomodate my 6ft frame. Whilst all the accoutrements of a modern 'van are nice to have, we enjoy the more simplistic life that it imposes. A portaloo and a separate toilent tent look after the facilities side of things, and although it has a gas hob I tend to cook outside in the awning because I enjoy the 'camping' aspect of camping.
The thing I love most is that it is only a few inches wider than our family hatchback, I was towing it last week down some B-roads in Sussex that would have been pretty hairy with a modern van on the back, but I was able to maintain a steady pace and not hold up other traffic.
It's actually somewhat Tardis-like inside, being a Triton GT it has a long bed that can easily accomodate my 6ft frame. Whilst all the accoutrements of a modern 'van are nice to have, we enjoy the more simplistic life that it imposes. A portaloo and a separate toilent tent look after the facilities side of things, and although it has a gas hob I tend to cook outside in the awning because I enjoy the 'camping' aspect of camping.
The thing I love most is that it is only a few inches wider than our family hatchback, I was towing it last week down some B-roads in Sussex that would have been pretty hairy with a modern van on the back, but I was able to maintain a steady pace and not hold up other traffic.
Now seems a good time to mention the enormous Scandinavian caravans. They go in for permanent pitches in a big way often with attached cabins, so their caravans are somewhat bigger than ours.
Like this, 11.6m hitch to tail.
https://www.kabe.se/se/husvagnar/hacienda/hacienda...
Like this, 11.6m hitch to tail.
https://www.kabe.se/se/husvagnar/hacienda/hacienda...
Halmyre said:
I've noticed that some four-berth vans have a fixed double bed, which to my mind is aimed at couples who don't want the hassle of putting the bed up every night - something I can see the attraction of! A four-berth van in which half the available space is permanently tied up all day isn't *really* aimed at families, is it?
The fixed double is too bloody small in any case, or so I keep telling Mrs H...
We switched caravans late last year to one with a fixed double bed. Our old one was 6 berth with fixed bunks, which my daughter had outgrown. My wife has complained quite a lot about the lack of working space in the kitchen, but we have now learnt to use the awning more than we have done in the past.The fixed double is too bloody small in any case, or so I keep telling Mrs H...
I love not fighting with the bed at nighttime. The dog is less than impressed though - he used to curl up in the space beside the cabinet on the front bed. Now he is relegated to the floor (or on top of our daughter..).
Halmyre said:
I've noticed that some four-berth vans have a fixed double bed, which to my mind is aimed at couples who don't want the hassle of putting the bed up every night - something I can see the attraction of! A four-berth van in which half the available space is permanently tied up all day isn't *really* aimed at families, is it?
The fixed double is too bloody small in any case, or so I keep telling Mrs H...
We have a fixed bed 4 berth for the two of us. Yes it’s wasted space but I much prefer the trade off of not having to sort the bed at night which we had to do in our old 2 berth. The bed area has cupboards all round it so there is good storage and the frame and mattress lift up for more storage. So while you can’t go in the space as such it’s not “wasted”. The trade off is less kitchen space as others have mentioned. The bed is fine, I’m a smidge over 6ft and can just touch the bottom if I stretch but sleeping it’s ok. The bit I struggle with is sleeping next to the wall. The latest layouts are an island bed across the van I think but ours is coming up to 10 years old now so is sideways on with a corner cut off. Width is fine for the two of us.The fixed double is too bloody small in any case, or so I keep telling Mrs H...
OP are you looking for 4.5m including or not including a-frame? I think you’ll struggle. Our “old” 2 berth (1996) was 4.7m not inc a-frame I think.
Edited by chrisga on Tuesday 17th July 21:47
chrisga said:
We have a fixed bed 4 berth for the two of us. Yes it’s wasted space but I much prefer the trade off of not having to sort the bed at night which we had to do in our old 2 berth. The bed area has cupboards all round it so there is good storage and the frame and mattress lift up for more storage. So while you can’t go in the space as such it’s not “wasted”. The trade off is less kitchen space as others have mentioned. The bed is fine, I’m a smidge over 6ft and can just touch the bottom if I stretch but sleeping it’s ok. The bit I struggle with is sleeping next to the wall. The latest layouts are an island bed across the van I think but ours is coming up to 10 years old now so is sideways on with a corner cut off. Width is fine for the two of us.
OP are you looking for 4.5m including or not including a-frame?
Getting up for a pee in the night is always funOP are you looking for 4.5m including or not including a-frame?
[quote]
I'd like a 3 or 4 berth van at 4.5mtrs, who makes such a thing?
[/quote]
Here it is (just don't expect a bathroom) https://freedomcaravans.com/caravan-sales/new-cara...
I'd like a 3 or 4 berth van at 4.5mtrs, who makes such a thing?
[/quote]
Here it is (just don't expect a bathroom) https://freedomcaravans.com/caravan-sales/new-cara...
Gassing Station | Tents, Caravans & Motorhomes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff