Much as I love our caravan, I'm starting to investigate the possibility of trading it in for a different one as the layout is not quite working for us. Our daughter doesn't like using the top bunk as there's no space to sit up in bed due to the cupboards above it, and there's no way I'm putting Harry-Houdini-the-18month-old-chaos-wreaker up there instead!
We need a van with two long front seats to make single beds then either fixed bunks for the kids or a dinette that will make into bunks with no cupboards above, plus I would like to keep the separate shower cubicle that we have in our end bathroom van (I'm really not keen on the wetroom idea). I've looked on caravanfinder at layouts but it's impossible to tell on there whether the shower is separate from the sink and whether there's any head clearance above the bunks.
Can anyone suggest possible vans for me to look at? I'd be looking second hand and fairly elderly - our current one is around 15 years old and I suspect we'd still be looking at something pre 2005.
Swift Charisma maybe? we had a Swift Lifestyle which was based on the Charisma, had long front seats which made a good double bed and a dinette which you could make up into 2 bunks, plus a good washroom with separate shower.
Anne
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look at the bailey 500/5,two long seats at the front or a double bed.two seats at the rear or a double bed also a small bunk across if required.the shower and toilet is separate.you can also shut off the rear bedroom at night with the folding door.
Thank you! Mrs Bonce - that looks like a good shout as the upper cupboard doesn't stick out as far over the top bunk, do you know what model number yours was?
Michael - I've had a quick google for Bailey 500/5 and the ones I've found seem to have combined shower/sink/toilet spaces. Am I on the wrong model?
coachman amara 570/6 has two fixed bunks at the back with a separated diner which converts into two more bunks plus two long seats which are two singles or a double. No cupboards above the bunks and the shower is separate.
coachman amara 570/6 has two fixed bunks at the back with a separated diner which converts into two more bunks plus two long seats which are two singles or a double. No cupboards above the bunks and the shower is separate.
Quote: Originally posted by Jane+Daz on 25/3/2013
coachman amara 570/6 has two fixed bunks at the back with a separated diner which converts into two more bunks plus two long seats which are two singles or a double. No cupboards above the bunks and the shower is separate.
Gorgeous caravan, absolutely perfect layout - just a shame it's too new to be going cheap yet!!
We find the twin dinette model suits our needs but not many manufacturers still make this layout. We have 2 girls so they use the back double and we use the front double. The front settees also make good singles so would suit your children. As you are looking at around 2005 this layout will be around from most manufacturers. You can search by layout on caravan finder website.
Thanks Jaqugra - the twin dinette model would definitely work if we could have two lots of two singles (with a girl and a (very wriggly) boy they'll not sleep together for long).
Four singles would take up a lot of space though, which I guess will make the separate shower less likely. The problem with caravan finder is not being able to distinguish the ones with an all-in-one bathroom cubicle from those in which the shower is separate - have you found any when you have looked?
Just bumping this up to see if anyone else can suggest a caravan that would fit the bill.
I guess the basic boxes I'm hoping to tick are
* Two long singles at the front
* Bathroom with separate shower cubicle, not a wetroom
* Bunks with no cupboards above them (or enough head clearance to sit up in to top bunk) or two more singles.
in a van that's probably at least 7 or 8 years old so coming in below 7K