Message Forums

Quote: Originally posted by tykey on 09/9/2008

---

We didn't like our fixed bed, it was one in the corner of the Bailey Ranger.I know it was a caravan, but the principles might apply to camervans

It took space off everything else, and most of the storage was under it. It was always difficult to make the bed, and everytime you went underneath for something, you had to remake it.

It made everything else poky, the shower, the bathroom, the bench seats and there was absolutely nowhere to prepare food.

If I ever considered a fixed bed again, it would only be an island one.

---

 

Hi speaking from having had both a caravan and a motorhome, probably the main difference there would be that you don't rely quite as much on the bench seats, as you spin around your drivers and passenger seats and then have the same comfort (more of less of armchairs at home) it was something I never thought about until we actually had our motorhome.........with just the two of us we tend to spin the seats and then put our feet up with lots of room to spare (plus two welsh terriers LOL) on the side benches.

I agree it would be nice to have access either side of the bed ( we did in our twin axle caravan) but we do love our bed in the Bolero and also find the storage space under the bed a bonus.

Just to give you an idea of a side bed in such as ours there is a Bolero FB on Ebay (from a dealer) you can see just what it looks like.

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-5232-2978-1/1?AID=9479574&PID=1428744&mpre=http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-5232-2978-1/1?AID=9479574&PID=1428744&mpre=http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-5232-2978-1/1?AID=9479574&PID=1428744&mpre=http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2007-Swift-Bolero-680-FB-2-Berth-Fixed-Bed-Motorhome_W0QQitemZ200247601101QQcmdZViewItem?IMSfp=TL080819123a28464

*Edit the link doesn't appear to be working but the item number is 200247601101

Hi Lindylou

Fixed beds v beds you make up, towing a car with a motorhome, motorhome v caravan - all these are questions that tend to have very firm 'for and against' arguments that only each individual can resolve according to his or her preferences.

Sue's and mine, for what they are worth, is that the convenience of a fixed bed comes at the expense of space for sitting and lounging around during the day and evening. Converting our huge rear lounge into either two singles or a king-sized double takes less than 30 seconds, and both options are equally comfortable. BUT we've never had a fixed bed so can't really compare.

My only suggestion would be to spend as much time as you can, at as many dealers as you can visit, trying our all manner of different layouts in as near as you can get to realistic circumstances, including making up beds from seats, trying out fixed beds for comfort, checking there's still enough comfortable space for living etc etc.

Hope you make the right choice first time, whichever layout you choose!

(PS Don't get me started on towing cars with motorhomes!)

Hi Briarose,

Here is a photograph of the one you are referring to for sale on eBay.

Looks like new - so must have been well looked after?

Very nice!

Sue

Hi,

I would just add that i would definitely go for a fixed bed or 2 single fixed beds, but what ever one of these i went for they would definitely have a garage underneath as without the garage i would think storage would become difficult as you would need to use the underside of the bed or beds and that would take the dairy off of it for me!!

Best of luck

Hi,

Just one other point, if you do go for a fixed bed/beds measure the length of them especially if there are cupboards etc at the end as some of them that we looked at were rather short especially if you like to stretch out, and are likely to want to use the MH for long periods.  so try them out before you buy ?

Thanks

Hi thanks Sue, one thing that puzzles me and I am sat looking at our fridge now.............I thought it looked different as the one in the piccie has a full fridge whereas we have a fridge/freezer with two seperate doors, I am wondering if that actual picture is a image taken from somewhere rather than the actual MH..........maybe before they decided to put in fridge freezers.

Thats another thing I love actually having a large fridge and seperate freezer, travelling down to Portugal last winter that was something we wouldn't have been without as we took the MH to the large supermarkets and stocked up for the week etc but again probably not so important to someone who eats out alot etc

If you do come on line Sue I think I have sussed the fridge, the Bolero for sale is a 2007 and although we got ours at the end of 2007 it was a 2008 model so that must have been one of the changes.

we have a rear lounge and mid dinette so if its just two of us the rear stays as a fixed bed and we use the front end but if theres more we have the option of more seating available              

 ps  compass avantgarde 180

Hi Lindylou

We currently have an Auto-Trail Cheyenne 660SE - fixed bed at rear - and we love it!

We've just come back from a week in Wales and had a day at the South West Motorhome Show at Shepton Mallett - specifiically looking at the island bed ranges.

Best one we came across was the Auto-Trail Delaware BUT it was £59K!!!!  Our fixed bed model was £44K 18 months ago so we cannot justify spending an awful lot more money just to have a different bed!!!! 

We also checked out the Oakmont that Val mentioned.  It was also very nice and a lot cheaper - £49K but for some reason it didn't feel quite right for us!

Chaussen also had one and Adria too but the quality wasn't as nice/good as the Auto Trail.

There aren't that many island beds around at the moment but I'm sure there will be in the future. 

Happy hunting.

Kernow Camper

Thanks just had a look at the delaware, looks good in pictures. That's another to keep in mind. Cant wait to get home and have a good look round them all.

Lin

Surely all island and fixed beds are a waste of day living space?  Why take up valuable space which will not be used during your conscious hours?

We had a fixed bed some years ago in our Laika 7.1g but apart from underbed storage it really was a waste of space. Our next Laika had an overcab bed which was a vast improvement - it was simply pushed up to the cab ceiling ready made (if you count straightening the duvet as making it) and there it remained taking up no day living space until it was needed that night. Climbing in and out was no problem even though we are both well past our primes - one foot on the lengthways seat and that was it;  no ladder to store or hurt ones feet!

The other advantage of an overcab bed is that you can end up with a smaller MH with greater day living space - easier to park, greater fuel economy and cheaper to buy!

Hi lin

As you already go camping, its a good idea to imagine how you would camp in the motorhome, and not get carried away with all the lovley van you'll see, I get very tired during the day and have to have a kip, so a fixed bed was the top of the list for us, and my OH can still sit in the dinning area, reading or on the computer, he also likes a lie in but I get up earlier so again its great to have different areas, I can have my brew and still be comfy and not disturb him.  we tend to watch films on the bed at night so can still sprawl out.

So go through your normal routines camping and think about where you'll put specific things, we have a gas bbq, chairs, camping gas bottle, ramps, leads, and lots other bits and pieces which all go in the underbed area and can be got from out side, another great reason for a fixed bed .

Another good idea if you see a van you like is take lots of photos and come away and talk about it at home looking at the photos and going through the pro's and cons and if you still like it in the morning go for it, just dont rush in there are lots of lovley vans out there.

Good luck with your search, its a really exciting time looking for a van.