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Some caravan beds are comfortable where others are not!  You'll find out when you decide on which one lol.  You turn the cushions over and put the knee rolls at the head and foot of the bed.  We've got a huge front bed now so turning all the cushions over takes a little longer than on our old 'van but still not a bother.  Ours is still a little lumpy so we put a duvet (with cover on it - saves faffing with a bottom sheet cos we like a duvet instead of sleeping bags) over the bed or you could get a mattress topper.  But not all 'vans need one.  And the bunk beds stay made up all the time :) thats were we store the bedding during the day from our bed. 

We always use on site facilities so don't need a decent bathroom.  Our bathroom is not really designed for taking a shower in but it has one if we were desperate lol. 

Sorry it's not a postcard size reply :(

Have you looked on http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/caravans.html for help in choosing the layout that suits you?  And ebay for pictures of all the different 'vans?  I found both invaluable when looking for our 2nd 'van.  They really helped in narrowing down the 'vans i would like to go and view.  We looked around dealers too. 

hth and let us know if you need any more info or when you get a new 'van :)

Hiya

We werent in the market for a van new enough to have a fixed bed but if we had of been buying new I would personally never have a fixed bed as it just doesnt seem practical with the kids. As it is the layout we've gone for will allow us to put them to bed (and close the little sliding door) and be able to stay up the other end until were ready for bed.

Bathroom wise we went for small as where poss I prefer to use camp facilities but if there are none I can get away with a cats lick and a promise in the little bathroom!

Quote: Originally posted by mrshorsy on 05/5/2010

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We werent in the market for a van new enough to have a fixed bed but if we had of been buying new I would personally never have a fixed bed as it just doesnt seem practical with the kids. As it is the layout we've gone for will allow us to put them to bed (and close the little sliding door) and be able to stay up the other end until were ready for bed.

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Hmm Mrs Horsy Think you need to update your profile.  You still have your tent as your outfit and as far as i know no tent comes with a little sliding door lol...

Quote: Originally posted by ashwellgirl on 05/5/2010

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Quote: Originally posted by mrshorsy on 05/5/2010

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We werent in the market for a van new enough to have a fixed bed but if we had of been buying new I would personally never have a fixed bed as it just doesnt seem practical with the kids. As it is the layout we've gone for will allow us to put them to bed (and close the little sliding door) and be able to stay up the other end until were ready for bed.

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Hmm Mrs Horsy Think you need to update your profile.  You still have your tent as your outfit and as far as i know no tent comes with a little sliding door lol...

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Take into account that most fixed beds (if not all?) are much smaller than the doubles you make up out of your lounge. I looked at the one on the new Pegasus the other day - flipping tiny! I'm sure it's even smaller than a standard double...

The front bed in our van feels almost as big as our super kingsize bed at home...

I think a fixed bed might be for when the kids grow up and it's just the 2 of us but they waste too much space for now.

Hi

Replies to this will fall broadly into two categories - those who have never owned a fixed bed will remark that they take up valuable space, or that they are not large enough. 

The other category are those that have changed from seat/beds to fixed beds.  Like me, I think the majority of these people will tell you that it is an improvement and that the compromise on seat space is worth it.

Not many people who have used fixed beds will give negative feedback on them, only those people who haven't had them!

I was concerned about lack of living space, but to be honest the bed still has uses during the day - and the night-time comfort is way superior to seat/beds.  We had two seat/bed caravans before now - one with 'L' shaped lounge which was particularly uncomfortable as a bed and a traditional parallel seated one. Even with the parallel seats and fully sprung cushions over quality beech slats - and a mattress topper, we still had backache issues. (We don't normally have back problems).

After just a couple of weeks with a fixed bed van, I am completely convinced.  The space under the bed is massively useful and not difficult to get to.  During the day, coats can be laid on the bed and having the bed to lay our clothes holdall on when packing and unpacking clothes into the wardrobe is great.  The bed has a good soft headboard and with scatter cushions, can easily be used for lounging on during the day.  We still have a full width end-washroom, so haven't lost out there either.

Perhaps the only downsides I have noticed is that is not a great deal of seating if all occupants want to sit and watch TV together at the same time.  Luckily, there are only 3 of us and we don't watch the same programmes!  The kitchen area is not huge either, but we do put our oven to full use and there's just about enough room for us to do main meals.

Never had a fixed bed but we did consider them but instead opted for the front seat/bed layout with rear bathroom (2 berth) because :

More space in the rear bathroom. More space in the front seat area, Larger bed (although it has to be made up every day - but it not too much bother if you do away with fitted sheets !) More space in the kitchen esp. work surfaces. Overall shorter, lighter van.

Hope this helps,

Shirley

Quote: Originally posted by mrshorsy on 06/5/2010Am not disputing the comfort of a fixed bed and if it was just me and OH I'd prob want want but wonder how practical they are with kids? I imagine if we had one the kids would be in it as they go to bed about 9 even when were camping!

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