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Subject Topic: Best family layout in a caravan
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Personscb2
07/7/2014 at 7:39pm
 Location: west yorkshire
 Outfit: Compass rambler 18 6 se View scb2's Profile View Profile   Reply to scb2 Reply   Quote scb2 Quote  
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We are new to caravanning after camping for the last few years. We have bought a 6 berth caravan with fixed bunks at the back. Now while this will do for now I am already on the lookout for our perfect layout (if it exists)
I like having bunks but find making the seats at the front into a double bed a pain every evening! Ideally a fixed double bed and bunks would be great, the only ones I have found searching are foreign caravans!
Any tips on choosing a caravan or what you have found works well or not for you would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance😊

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April-South Lea
May- deers glade
July- cawood holiday park
July-Ripley caravan park
August-Deers glade
Oct/nov-cawood holiday park


PersonHairywol
07/7/2014 at 7:48pm
 Location: Teesside
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Hi, also a brand-newbie so I've spent long evenings looking at websites on this issue as well as weekends viewing so many layouts my head ended up spinning.

I suspect you are correct when you say the perfect layout doesn't exist.

I initially fancied a fixed double bed but seriously couldn't find one that fitted anyone but stick insects. Many were way narrower that 4'6, even before you chopped off one or more corners.

Also, when caravan builders talk about bunks, they generally mean for children under 70Kg and 5'4 tall.

So my ideal caravan would be about 30 feet long and 12 wide

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PersonBabyfish
07/7/2014 at 9:40pm
 Location: Northants
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We are just aiming for the perfect layout when the kids leave home which will be fixed bed, back bathroom and seats at the front that can stay down and be a living room. Nothing works when you have kids!!!

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It's summer again, caravan time! Hurrah!


Personboff
07/7/2014 at 9:41pm
 Location: N Wales
 Outfit: Hymer Nova 590GL View boff's Profile View Profile   Reply to boff Reply   Quote boff Quote  
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I think that the perfect layout is always the next one. As for a caravan being 30x12. The truth is they a 7'6"" x 20' ish and obvious truth is that if you make something bigger something else gets smaller. This is why for me a fixed bed doesn't work for me because they take up to much space.


Personscb2
08/7/2014 at 6:36am
 Location: west yorkshire
 Outfit: Compass rambler 18 6 se View scb2's Profile View Profile   Reply to scb2 Reply   Quote scb2 Quote  
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Thanks for the replies, it will keep me busy searching😊

Quite like the cabby caravans.....layouts for everyone just not on sale in this country!!


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Personmawkwind
08/7/2014 at 8:39am
 Location: Aberdeen
 Outfit: Chrysler 300c Touring & Stealth Q58 View mawkwind's Profile View Profile   Reply to mawkwind Reply   Quote mawkwind Quote  
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One of the reasons why we bought our Stealth was the fixed full sized double bed. No cut off corners and a firm mattress - I sleep better on it then my bed at home. The comprimise is that the toilet area is restrictive !.



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Greetings from the frozen north !


Personsunshinetours
08/7/2014 at 9:15am
 Location: sunny south east!
 Outfit: Coachman View sunshinetours's Profile View Profile   Reply to sunshinetours Reply   Quote sunshinetours Quote  
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It is hard to find that perfect layout for famuilies I think

We love our Adria as bunks are large in length and width and will last the kids into their teens and we have a good size washroom and decent sized front double

Problem is if you have a fixed bed and bunks you will lose the lounge at front or back which would change the caravan significantly IMO.

Trick is to make the double bed setting up as easy and as painless as possible possibly using Duvalays or similar?
Our front bed only takes maybe two minutes to get out in full (OH likes to then faff around tucking sheets etc !)


Personscb2
08/7/2014 at 4:54pm
 Location: west yorkshire
 Outfit: Compass rambler 18 6 se View scb2's Profile View Profile   Reply to scb2 Reply   Quote scb2 Quote  
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Thanks sunshinetours, I will look at duvalays as it seems to take me ages at the min!

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April-South Lea
May- deers glade
July- cawood holiday park
July-Ripley caravan park
August-Deers glade
Oct/nov-cawood holiday park


Personmilly123
08/7/2014 at 5:07pm
 Location: None Entered
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When the children were young we had 6 berth with fixed bunks at rear. This was for a family of 5.
After many years of putting up front bed and single on side got fed up. Not so much of actually making them up, but more a case of when other half wants to get up or go to bed, partner has to get up/ go to bed too.
Have since moved onto 6 berth fixed double. Long beds at front and single bunks on side. Compromise small bathroom and twin axle.
Love it. No more making beds except single on side if all 3 children come ( very occassionaly as now late teens).
I can go to bed whenever and get up late, as other half has still got lounge area to sit in. Youngest son still sleeps on side bed.
Best for us at moment as ideal for couples or when kids choose to come.
Regards


Persongilb29
08/7/2014 at 10:32pm
 Location: Northants
 Outfit: Sterling Eccles Sport 585 View gilb29's Profile View Profile   Reply to gilb29 Reply   Quote gilb29 Quote  
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We have 3 children age 5,10,12 and the layout I have got is a sterling eccles 585 sport, we got it new last year and was are 1st caravan.
it has fixed bunks on 1 side, seating area with table on the other for the kids that turns into another double bunk, lounge at the front what you turn into double bed.
At back you have separate shower and toilet. To get what you want you will need a winnebago!.
like other posts takes 2 mins to make up bed.

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Loads of CC sites to many to mention.


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Personnavver
08/7/2014 at 10:46pm
 Location: West country
 Outfit: Mondeo View navver's Profile View Profile   Reply to navver Reply   Quote navver Quote  
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Look at a bailey ranger 620/6. Fixed bed, side dinette and dinette at front. Twin axle.


Personbigstu99
08/7/2014 at 10:47pm
 Location: Reading
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Adria have done in the past a fixed rear bunks with a double bed next to it in the back , then in there wisdom they changed the double for a single and put in more storage . But for the life of me I can't remember what the model was

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2007 Santa Fe cdx+


PersonCarma
08/7/2014 at 11:17pm
 Location: Dawlish Devon
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Depends on how old your kids are. I,ve got 2 and when they were younger, I found the side dinette end bathroom was fantastic except for the making up of the front lounge bed (which of course I never actually had to do because hubby did it but I eventually got fed up of his whinging about it!)For the last 2 years kids(now 12 and 15)have been in a pup tent. We've found that putting up a smaller porch awning and a pup tent has worked brilliantly. We still sit in the van and play cards or board games but the kids then go out to the tent for bed. Now they've got used to that, we have changed the van to a fixed bed end bathroom model (pick up at the end of the month, can't wait :-)). Should the weather turn really bad, we still have the option of turning the front lounge into a bed for them, but they are old enough now to do it themselves!


Personmrs p
08/7/2014 at 11:18pm
 Location: staffordshire
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There is 4 in our family 2 adults and children age 7 and 9, we have a lunar freelander ( its modelled on a Solaris ) island bed of the back wall, coming forward the bathroom is split shower one side and toilet /sink opposite and the 2 front seats become the kids beds they have sleeping bags so very easy.


PersonAnniemacxx
09/7/2014 at 6:56am
 Location: Yorkshire
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We found our front double is actually a lot more comfortable as two singles! And doesn't take as long to make up that way either.

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Im no cactus expert, but I know a prick when I see one!


PersonJTQU
09/7/2014 at 7:43am
 Location: Hampshire
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We found that sleeping kids outside the van either in "their" pup tent(s) or "their" awning annexe(s) was by far the best solution, than within the van. I would suggest from about 6 onwards they need their own "personal" space for a harmonious family holiday.



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