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We think ( hmmm finally made up our minds ?!??! )
That we have found the ideal layout for us BUT ( big but ) It has way too may beds .
We like the idea  of having a separate 'bedroom ' for youngest son and eldest if he comes (not likely ) And like the fact the shower is separate so you're not sat on the loo to get a shower ,and finally its lightweight but still seems roomy .
~
Does anyone have one of these ? can you remove a bunk ? Do you use all the bunks ? are they foldable or what it be realistic to use them as storage?

thanks

Hi,  we have a 2010 Altea 542DT and have 2 children (9 + 11yrs old).  we use one of the bunks as storage for our bedding, chairs etc normally bottom bunk when travelling and then top bunk when set up.  they are not removeable.  we never have the dinette as a bed and keep for dining.  We have had the van for 18months and absolutely love it.   We chose it because of layout, weight & price. 

Have you looked at Coachman Amara 570/6 - 2 bunks, with end dinette, side bathroom with seperate shower cubicle. downside - price & weight. 

or Lunar Quasar - think it is the 546. again price and weight might be restrictive but if there is 3 bunks I think one of them can be removed or used as storage cupboard.

Hope that helps. any more questions re Adria just ask.

Thank you .
I cannot find another van that that weight ,even with less bunks ,so think this could be the one .
Is the Adria practical for use on non EHU pitches ?
How do you find the shower ?

sorry , you may regret the offer of advice after 101 stupid questions

we looked around - or rather I researched for months and then told husband what we needed and convinced him!  We couldn't find an alternative that compared and have been really pleased with our decision.   We camped with tent for years and it took a lot of persuading to move to a caravan and also which one but we don't regret our decision at all.

There are a few people on this forum with 542DT's that may be better placed to answer re non EHU & shower, as we tend to go to sites with EHU and use site facilities (shower).  I have only used shower head over sink once to wash kids hair and that was fine.  we upgraded to 110 leisure battery from 85 because we had a mover fitted.

Don't mind if I can help at all.   I had loads of questions when we were looking and all the answers I got were really helpful. It's a lot of money to spend on the wrong decision.   I don't know where you are in country but we ordered our van at Caravan Show at NEC Birmingham having done research and then walked all round show looking at all options before ordering. It is good being able to see all the vans in one place.

Thanks again :)

And thanks George ,I will have a look at those ,have a feeling they are heavier than we are after though .We dont need it to be future proof really as we change as soon as the van nears 5yrs old ( usually the age when problems arise )
I just wish they had invented the van I want, so no need to compromise
My ideal van would be the Lunar Quasar 525 but 100kg lighter

I have the 542DT and it's a great van. It is very robust and you very rarely hear of a damp one as it is built the continental way. The sidewalls and roof are polyester so are ding resistant. It is light and very easy to tow given it's long drawbar.

The bunks are great and are adult sized in both length and width. They have a weight limit of 70 KG on the middle and top bunks. This is generally the max throught the industry but as the bunks are also supported in part by the washroom wall along along 50% of it length I was sure it would hold more and I slept in the middle bunk (no one below for the test). I am 100 KG and it passed with flying colours.

The washroom shower is very usable and doesn't spray the toilet(with water a least) and can also be used as a dressing room. It does have a shower curtain that keeps the rest of the washroom dry but a downside is the floor is combined so you still have to dry the floor. We have found a solution to this and we now use a builders trug in the shower area and the shower curtain remains in the trug and we then empty it down the washroom sink. It also doubles as a bath for my 4 and 9 year old(saves on water too,two baths for the price of one). My 12 year old uses the shower block.

We have three kids so use all the bunks but if not fully occupied I would use the bottom one for storage, we store the front lounge duvet etc on the top bunk and close of the curtain during the day. The side dinette stays up all the time and is very wide. It will take 2 adults and 2 young kids without having to get out the front table.

It is very good without EHU. It doesn't have all the fancy gizmo's that zap power on 12v. The fridge ,heating and water heater will run of gas. It has LED lights in the lounge and all the others use the G10 bulbs so can be converted cheaply to smd's LED's. I use a 100A elecsol but I understand it will take a 110A battery.

It is full UK spec and has an oven etc and has blown air gas heating but no 240V heating. I bought a kit for around £160 and fitted it myself.You don't need to take out the fire or mess with the gas fittings. You do need to handy at DIY otherwise you will need to get a dealer to fit it if i's essential.

Some say they are a bit Ikea but I think that is a plus. They are clean and simple. What is the point of paying for fancy bits that never get used. I have fitted numerous extra's that I DID WANT inc ie LCD arm for front lounge, 9 inch lcd pictureframe Tv's for each bunk,240 V electric towel rail and and an extra 240v socket where I wanted it.

They are very good family van

My friends have the Coachman Amara 570/6 and it's a very nice van and layout but it's very heavy and they are looking so sell it because the bunks are not big enough for their 12 year old. 

I used to say that their shape was unique but now Bailey, Coachman and Swift have started to copy the style and even the plastic sidewalls. The new Bailey Ancona has copied the layout down to a T.Bailey have managed to include a shower enclosure which was an excellent idea. Why didn't Adria think of that?