We have just swapped back from a fixed bed because we have a baby on the way and the layout didn't suit us any more,...
I always said I wouldn't switch back and was dreading having to make it up again but it really does take 5 minutes and that's if we're dawdling,....[
I don't think there's the 'perfect' caravan for anyone, they all have compromises in some department so you need to decide which one is the lesser compromise to suit your needs.
Thanks Esther for your comments and good point about making different compromises to suit changing circumstances. And congratulations on your great news re a baby on the way, lovely.
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
Only problem for fixed bed is length for tall people. Normally they are 1.9mtre length=under 6ft 3". It suprises me that there is no option for a longer one as it would not be difficult for this to be achieved in manufacture. German 'vans do often have 2mtre long fixed beds. Perhaps Germans are taller on average.
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we had a fixed bed then went back to making bed up again , lasted all of 3 months before we went back to a fixed bed.
all down to personal choice really
Thanks Esther for your comments and good point about making different compromises to suit changing circumstances. And congratulations on your great news re a baby on the way, lovely.
Not long moved to the fixed bed, bliss. Had a look a look a some of the new vans with the 'walk around' beds and the beds that go from the left side to the right side, awesome, maybe in the future the next van will be one of these.
We had one (Sterling Elite Overlander), it also had an L shaped lounge and we loved it. Unfortunately stolen in September, so we are getting a new Sterling Elite Explorer which has an island bed.
I love our fixed bed but can appreciate the point about the size, soon our teenagers won't want to holiday with us and the van is big to tow, will cross that bridge when it arrives. Making up the fixed bed can be a bit of a workout too but its not done every night.
Fixed beds are fine if there are 2 of you! There are 4 and sometimes 5 of us - double dinette all the way.
We find (based on visiting the cousins, who have a fixed bed van) that the fixed bed is an inefficient use of day time space. Maybe couples don't need this space anyway?
Fixed bed in its various guises is far and away the best selling layout, so I'm guessing I'm in a minority!!
Some good points made here. We will change to an island fixed bed when are children are older and no longer come with us. Although they sleep in their own tents at the moment, we all use the van when the weather is inclement, so need the lounge space more than a fixed bed. My husband is 6ft4 so we have the height problem as well.