Hi - we are considering getting a 'van but one thing that concerns me is the bed length. Hubby is 6'4" and our two kids are catching him up very quickly. We were wanting to get a 4-5 berth van with 2 seating areas that would convert to a double and 2 singles. Before I start trawling around dealers I thought I'd ask you good folk on UKCS. Thanks in anticipation...
The age/budget/max weight will become important for specific advice, I suspect.
The current Lunar Lexon SB might fit your needs. The front double is 5'0" x 7'0" - the two rear singles being 6'6" and 6'1" respectively.
Unless you opt for caravans with a dinette at each end, once common but rare now, most current 4/5/6 berth caravans only have two berths at longer than 6'0" - the rest are often 5'10 or so.
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We had this problem when we were looking for a 2 berth caravan.
Also we wanted single beds as we were both fed up with having to climb over the other, consiquently wakening them up, when the inside one wanted the loo during the night.
In the end we found a British manufacturer who would give me a 6' 6" single bed and a 6' 3" one for the wife.
i know the problem as i am 6'4" myself, can get an okay night's doss in my van the beds are just over 6' long but i cant strech my feet out as they are size 14 due to the fridge, generally end up lying in a Z shape, nice when cold as i can cuddle in. as for headroom be prepared to go ouch a lot, never go into the van without banging my head on something
The majority of transverse beds (e.g. doubles made up from front dinettes) in "standard width" caravans are over 6' 6" long. However, beds that run front-to-back (e.g. front dinette singles, and many fixed beds) are a lot shorter. So you should have no problem finding beds that fit provided you don't need fixed beds.
As you will gather from the above letters, your double should not be a problem, provided you can put up with one of you having to climb over the other if they want to get up during the night.
The 2 singles for the kids may be a problem. Oh yes, you can get a bed and a bunk bed in the dinette area, but if the kids >>> Hubby is 6'4" and our two kids are catching him up very quickly. <<<, the dinette beds are neither all that long, nor are they all that strong. I feel that they are made more with toddlers in mind rather than teenagers.
So keep this in mind when you are viewing caravans and ask to see the dinette beds made up, so that you can judge for yourself whether they will do the job you intend for them.
We've been looking at vans with longer beds (my wife's 6'1")and there aren't many with singles that length.
I have found that Dethleffs vans all have really long beds (but are expensive and heavy). Also, I seem to remember Adria have some with longer beds too.
It seems to be all the foreign manufacturers who go for the longer beds - maybe because they sell to he Dutch market, and there seem to be a lot of taller people in the Netherlands??
>>> It seems to be all the foreign manufacturers who go for the longer beds - maybe because they sell to he Dutch market, and there seem to be a lot of taller people in the Netherlands?? <<<
That's in case the dykes burst, They have to keep their heads above water!
I'm 6'4 and have no problem with headrooom in our ranger 510/4, but did in the toilet/shower of our old van. Also couldn't bend down enough to wash my face in the washroom basin before my bum hit the wall.
The front bed at 6'6 long as a double is fine, longer than the bed at home.
Your boys will be a problem. Ours eventually gave up and slept in a pup tent, the side dinette bunks were only 5'10 long. I think they will only fit properly in transverse beds.
Our Adria Altea 502DK has bunk across the back and plenty of length, over 6' (i think they are about 6'3") and the front double made up gives hubby (abouth 6'4" tall) more length to stretch out than our normal double bed at home! He can also stand up straight inside the van.
Quote: Originally posted by navver on 31/8/2009
I'm 6'4 and have no problem with headrooom in our ranger 510/4, but did in the toilet/shower of our old van. Also couldn't bend down enough to wash my face in the washroom basin before my bum hit the wall.
That made me laugh because I have the same issue with my Pageant Champagne. Thankfully, it's now only the two of us and my wife has a sense of humour enough to chuckle each night at the sight of my derrière projecting through the open washroom door
Quote: Originally posted by navver on 31/8/2009
Your boys will be a problem. Ours eventually gave up and slept in a pup tent, the side dinette bunks were only 5'10 long. I think they will only fit properly in transverse beds.
I concur. My son is now as tall as me and doesn't fit in the bunks that make up from the centre dinette. The last time he camped with us, we put up the bedroom annex for the awning for him.
Possibly, the best layout for the OP would be a dinette each end with centre kitchen with washroom opposite. Examples are Bailey Pageant Provence and Swift Charisma 540
Thanks for all the really great tips. The 'crawling over one another to go to the loo' issue isn't; After several seasons on an airbed in a tent where going to the loo in the middle of night involves bouncing yourself to the end of the bed to unzip the door.... Nigh on impossible not to wake up your OH!
I hadn't given headroom and being able to use the whb much thought - something else to consider.
My ex husband was 6ft 8 and had to permanently sit down in our old tiny trophy caravan!! Dont think he has carried on with the vanning hobby lanky bugger!! LMAO
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