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About 18 months ago we changed to a fixed bed design and had many of the same concerns. We initially ordered a van with a side bathroom but due to circumstances at the dealer in question we had to cancel that order which as it turned out was a bit of serendipity because a few months later Swift introduced a fixed bed design with  a rear bathroom and we are now the proud owners of a Charisma 550 dealer special. It is true that you get a bit less space everywhere but it is a boon not haveing to make up a bed everyday and there is a massive amount of storage under the fixed bed, albeit not so easily accessable. In the summer you spend a lot of time outside the van so space is not such an issue but, as with everything, you get used to what you have.

David

We have a fixed bed with a corner bathroom, it is a compromise I know, but we spend longer in the lounge than the loo so that was the winner!!!

I find centre washrooms make the caravan gloomier than a fixed bed layout.

We looked at all the designs when we changed our Van. Wanted a full bathroom when on CS\CL's and as now use year-round wanted internal lounge space as we don't use an awning for winter weekend trips. Also a decent kitchen area.

Concusion, no fixed bed as a quart wont go in a pint pot!

I absolutely love the look of the fixed bed end bathroom lay outs, but one problem Kids, they would need to sleep at the front then in most vans, so no good if you like to sit up and watch the box, though there is always the option on watching from bed with some models.  However, if your anything like me, if I try to watch anything from bed, Im snoring in under 30 seconds much to the anoyance of the boss.

So, allthough I would definately have one, it won't until the kids a bored of comming with us, I suspect at the current rate though, this might be when they are in their 30's.

Tony B

My parents bought a fixed island bed & swapped back to a 2 berth "make up bed" layout, there just wasn't enough room around the sides & as it was a single axle they had short front bunks & no worktop.

It does depend on layout though, we've got a fixed bed which is across the back of the van so we still have a lot of workspace & long front bunks, I personally would never go back to the 2 berth as this layout is so convenient, I regularly go to bed before hubby & like the odd afternoon nap in comfort.

We had a fixed bed with a corner bathroom /toilet. We did not like having no rear window and it felt very claustrophobic and also having to climb on to the bed to get to the overhoad lockers, the OH could not get to them at all owing to dodgy knees.

Went away in it once and then changed it.

Making up a bed is a pain but does not take that long.

It never took us long to make the bed up on our old van, but then we had to fetch and unpack our memory foam topper and quilt.  With the fixed bed we can just leave the bed made up.

It didn't bother me having to make up the bed because the wife did it while I walked the dog.