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Subject Topic: 2 person caravan advice
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Personjackie h
26/10/2013 at 1:30pm
 Location: Tipton West Midlands
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 520 View jackie h's Profile View Profile   Reply to jackie h Reply   Quote jackie h Quote  
Joined: 20/2/2005

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Hi all
We currently have a Swift Challenger 2 berth for the two of us, but I've been thinking (dangerous I know), about getting a van with either a fixed bed, or the option of a double bed at each end, so I can put the bed up and leave it up.
Any thoughts, experience or advice would be gratefully received.
Thanks
Jackie

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See the beauty ..... know the creator


PersonBoycieb
26/10/2013 at 3:30pm
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit:  Unicorn Barcelona and a Discovery 3 View Boycieb's Profile View Profile   Reply to Boycieb Reply   Quote Boycieb Quote  
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We always promised ourselves that when the kids grow up and go to bed the same time as us that we would buy a fixed bed model and we have and absolutely love it, get out of bed and sit in the lounge area with a cuppa and then just fall into bed when you want to.

Regards


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Personmurano
26/10/2013 at 4:51pm
 Location: whitstable kent
 Outfit: sterling eccles sport 584 freelander 2 View murano's Profile View Profile   Reply to murano Reply   Quote murano Quote  
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When our DS no longer came with us we sold the side dinette van and bought a swift challenger 480 two berth, we soon realised it wasn't the van for us and went on to buy a swift challenger 540 fixed bed, it was the best decision we made its fantastic for two people, we are currently trading it in for another fixed bed caravan but with the bathroom at the back ( only because I like to use the vans shower and the 540 is a loo/shower thing) but for two people a fixed bed van I think is the way to go, I certainly wouldn't go back now.

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"I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.


Persondiesel steve
26/10/2013 at 6:21pm
 Location: fife
 Outfit: vw t5 adria isonzo View diesel steve's Profile View Profile   Reply to diesel steve Reply   Quote diesel steve Quote  
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we have a fixed bed swift charisma 535 and love it,big enough for 2 and small enough to store in garage at home


PersonOctavia4x4
26/10/2013 at 6:37pm
 Location: Harrogate Yorkshire.
 Outfit: Skoda Octavia 4x4 & Compass Omega 482 View Octavia4x4's Profile View Profile   Reply to Octavia4x4 Reply   Quote Octavia4x4 Quote  
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Just 2 of us, we have a Sprite Alpine 4 fixed bed. Plenty of room, no need to make up the bed and a proper mattress and with a memory foam topper on sheer comfort. You have said the rest.

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Skoda Octavia Estate 2.0TDi 4x4 (2012) towing a Compass Omega 482 (2014)


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Personbobmel
26/10/2013 at 7:18pm
 Location: Aberdeen
 Outfit: Coachman Pastiche 460 VW Tiguan Moti View bobmel's Profile View Profile   Reply to bobmel Reply   Quote bobmel Quote  
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Fixed bed way to go


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Robert (BoB)


Person115sharon
26/10/2013 at 8:05pm
 Location: Leeds
 Outfit: Adria Adiva 532 UP View 115sharon's Profile View Profile   Reply to 115sharon Reply   Quote 115sharon Quote  
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We also have a fixed bed and there is just the 2 of us - like not having to make the bed up, which means I can go to bed early if I want.

Sharon


Personp@ul
26/10/2013 at 8:13pm
 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands
 Outfit: Swift Freestyle SE S4FB View p@ul's Profile View Profile   Reply to p@ul Reply   Quote p@ul Quote  
Joined: 18/8/2011

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Quote: Originally posted by jackie h on 26/10/2013Hi all
We currently have a Swift Challenger 2 berth for the two of us, but I've been thinking (dangerous I know), about getting a van with either a fixed bed, or the option of a double bed at each end, so I can put the bed up and leave it up.
Any thoughts, experience or advice would be gratefully received.
Thanks
Jackie


Mmmmm my thoughts entirely.... We have a swift 2 berth the same layout as yours. It takes me no more than a couple of minutes to set the bed up as we use a double sleeping bag which we find very comfy. Me being 6'3" tall its long enough to sleep that way. At the show last week we were testing out fixed beds and found the swift and sprite models with the beds in the rear corner were long enough but the island beds across the width were to small. Plus I didn't like the idea of loosing 2 grand in one season just to upgrade to a fixed bed. Incidentally the swift 2 berth layout is voted the best 2014 caravan for couples in Practical Caravan magazine.



Post last edited on 26/10/2013 20:25:28


Personnavver
26/10/2013 at 8:32pm
 Location: West country
 Outfit: Mondeo View navver's Profile View Profile   Reply to navver Reply   Quote navver Quote  
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We went to a fixed bed and definitely the best way to go. They are much more comfy than a made up bed. I used to get terrible back ache after a week on the dinette.

The convenience of just going to bed and getting up in the morning is brilliant. 


Personclbewi
26/10/2013 at 8:40pm
 Location: Essex
 Outfit: Lunar Delta TS 2017 View clbewi's Profile View Profile   Reply to clbewi Reply   Quote clbewi Quote  
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we've just bought Swift challenger 580 fixed island bed, waiting to collect it, so excited. we did look at quite a few, and decided we didn't like the side beds as someone has to crawl over the other to go to the loo at night, and have experience of this with our folding camper.

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Claire and Colin


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PersonIainM
26/10/2013 at 9:52pm
 Location: West Lothian
 Outfit: 20 XC60 B5 18 Elegance 580 View IainM's Profile View Profile   Reply to IainM Reply   Quote IainM Quote  
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We currently have a fixed bed with a corner washroom ... love the bed but miss our full width washroom ... so have a new van on order (Swift Challenger 570SE) which has a fixed bed and end washroom so best of both worlds.

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2020 Volvo XC60 B5 R Design Geartronic / 2018 Swift Elegance 580

Best Wishes

Iain


Personnora
26/10/2013 at 10:26pm
 Location:  Whitchurch shrops
 Outfit: Swift conqueror 480 View nora's Profile View Profile   Reply to nora Reply   Quote nora Quote  
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We have the fixed singles at the back with   the seats at the front to be made up at the front if wished.
I never wanted a fixed bed but love the comfort of it. As said no back ache and going to bed and getting up is lovely.
My son came with us for a weekend and used the made up double at the front he liked it very much.
There are just the two of us but the comfort must make it more appealing .
There is a lot of choice and different makes just look for one that you like .


PersonAl+Mel
26/10/2013 at 11:07pm
 Location: Hants
 Outfit: Fleetwood Heritage 640 EB & ML270 View Al+Mel's Profile View Profile   Reply to Al+Mel Reply   Quote Al+Mel Quote  
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Our 'van has a larger than usual side dinette, with a TV/Sat/DVD/Radio point, drinks cabinet and 6ft of worktop opposite. This provides extra flexibility in the living and sleeping arrangements, so we can use the front seats as two full length singles, a normal double, or a king size double. The front bed/beds can stay made up, as there is plenty of living space besides them. Having the front of the 'van as a permanent bed has the advantage that it is as far from the large end washroom as is possible, so although some care must be taken whilst getting out of bed, the sound and light disturbance is minimal. When the front bed/beds are put away there is the maximum amount of room for socialising (meals for 7 or 8 - no prob).

For us, this beats any other arrangement. Its just more adaptable. We use Duvalays, and Mel timed me at putting the fully made up bed away and restoring the 'van to seating only status. 97 seconds! We can crash out on one or both of the front singles any time (another TV point at the front, surround speakers too!), or just sprawl on the dinette seats. The kitchen has a fridge, separate freezer, microwave and gas/240V cooker. The washroom has a full domestic type radiator (Alde heating) so no cold toes when showering!

Complete luxury for two, what's not to like?


Personrobin54
26/10/2013 at 11:33pm
 Location: sunderland
 Outfit: terrano compass omega 505 View robin54's Profile View Profile   Reply to robin54 Reply   Quote robin54 Quote  
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We have a twin diner and tend to leave the back double bed up unless we are getting visitors then we put that bed away and there's plenty of seating for everyone this works well for us.


PersonAndy Higham
27/10/2013 at 1:27am
 Location: Bolton Lancs
 Outfit: Bailey Orion 430-4 & Mitsubishi PHEV View Andy Higham's Profile View Profile   Reply to Andy Higham Reply   Quote Andy Higham Quote  
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My first van (perle argos) was a front dinette converting to a double and bunks at the side. Next was a ABI Award Transtar a front dinette converted to a huge double bed. 3rd was a Swift challenger double dinette, left the rear dinette made up as a bed permanently. then along came a Lunar lexon EB, fixed bed, about as big a van as you can get on a single axle. Then I bit the bullet and bought a brand new Bailey orion 430-4 fixed bed.
NO WAY would I go back to making up a bed every night, especially with a head full of beer


Personissym
27/10/2013 at 9:17am
 Location: Cambridgeshire
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We also have a fixed bed. I can't see how making a bed with cushions can provde the same support as a mattress. And the cushions do "give" after a while where you sit and you still need to use them as a mattress.

Also with a fixed bed you have a huge storage area below, this is where we transport our waste master, aquaroll, chairs, windbreak, wellies, Cobb bbq, hiking boots........



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Started with a motorbike and tent.......my gallery, my life.



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