Message Forums

Hi all

looking at selling our 2003 6 berth Pennine Pathfinder and get a caravan, trouble is we dont lnow whether to go for a 5 berth or 6 berth. Most of the 6 berth have fixed bunks at back with another 2 bunks on side which turn into 2 single seats with table. Where as the 5 berth have either the 'L' shaped or twin seats at back which turns into a double and a single bunk above. We have 3 kids aged 17, 14 and 12 and they dont mind sharing the beds etc. I know the 6 berth are generally a couple of feet longer but is there much difference in storage etc.

What are your views

Regards

Adam & Jacquie

As said, you'll probably find your teenagers getting too big for the bunks - my boys preferred to sleep outside in their own pup tent when they were about 11!  They'd happily shared a 'room' in our trailer tent, and the bunk beds in the caravan for the first year, but after that said there was not enough room.  I would canvas opinion from them first, and show them the models you're interested in, before you lay out a lot of money on a van which may only have minimum use - and if they agree then go for a layout which suits you and which may have a longer 'shelf-life'.  You may then save enough money to buy some quick-erect pup tents and keep everyone happy!

Have a look at some of the Adria models (they have a website) - which are just a bit different in layout.

We got our caravan last year and i wanted the one that gives the most versatility.  We have an Avondale Leda Malvern which has a double bed at the front near the door and at the back 2 long bench seats which convert to bunks.  Its about 22ft long so storage is not great for a 6 berth caravan but we manage.  The thing i miss most is a wider drawer in the kitchen for keeping bits and bobs in. 

All our clothes fit in the wardrobe and end bedroom drawers and all the kitchen stuff will fit in the cupboards though i leave some stuff in boxes in the awning if we are using that. 

We can take the kids friends with us and already ds likes to sleep in an inner tent in the awning so its very practical, though we could have got away with a 5 berth.

Just think about how you will use your caravan and buy the one that gives the most flexibility...

we have an adria 542uk,which fits our 3 kids now 15,14 and 8 although the middle one uses a pup tent mostly but its good to know that if the weather is bad he can fit in the van.

its a 5 berth, with longer wider fixed side bunks

When we were looking to change our 5 birth Eldis Tornado, we found most fixed births would be a bit small.

As our kids were growing rapidly and we wanted to caravan without an awning, we eventually found our Geist which suits us and the bunks seam a bit bigger than normal - depends on size and weight of kids as there is a weight restriction on top bunk. We also like having fixed bunks, as when on site we use to leave up the bunks on the five births to save the hassle of messing around making up beds at night.