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Subject Topic: Thinking of a fixed bed next...
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Personaudicab26
27/4/2014 at 8:49pm
 Location: South
 Outfit:  Pageant Bordeaux S7 View audicab26's Profile View Profile   Reply to audicab26 Reply   Quote audicab26 Quote  
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Hi,

We are pondering a fixed bed to replace our much loved Elddis Avante. Our layout needs have changed, teenage son prefers the awning annexe, the rear 'double' in our Elddis is a bit cramped for two and the making up of front and rear beds in a confined space (Daughter still sleeps in the van) is becoming a faff. Daughter happy to use front sofa as a single for the time being but it won't be long before our son no longer wants to come with us and my daughter is already hinting at having the annexe.

Does anyone have any particular recommendations or models to avoid.

Will be used, probably a 2010 model, however must have a shipping length of under 7m due to storage. Total weight up to around 1400 KG preferred.

Any pointers much appreciated.


Personjeff juke
28/4/2014 at 1:13am
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Ive read and have met people with a fixed bed and,the number one complaint was making it up.They say its a big stretch to get the covers up not only that,unless its an island bed,the person on the inside has to clamber over the one on the outside to get out.

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Animals have feelings..

JEFF................


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Personold chap
28/4/2014 at 1:50am
 Location: Sitingbourne
 Outfit: baily champaign View old chap's Profile View Profile   Reply to old chap Reply   Quote old chap Quote  
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we had a 4 berth caravan that you had to make up the front benches for a double bed. we used the benches as singles though, when we bought a motorhome it had a fixed bed, but the we found it was
A,a waste of internal space.
B,very difficult to make up when bed lining needs changing.
C,a PIA when one wanted to go to loo & had to climb over the other
so we would say think carefully before you buy.
we as older folk prefer single beds when camping


Personscuba-doo
28/4/2014 at 6:13am
 Location: Northamptonshire
 Outfit: Bailey Ranger 500 5 View scuba-doo's Profile View Profile   Reply to scuba-doo Reply   Quote scuba-doo Quote  
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I agree with old chap, climbing over the other person in the night to use the loo is really annoying


Personbaileyman
28/4/2014 at 6:35am
 Location: Bristol
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I would be very careful.

We changed from a Bailey Imperial, a two berth with end bathroom, to a Senator Indiana with a fixed bed.

The problem for me was the poor bathroom. Fixed bed and 'proper' bathroom and shower would have been fine. The Senator has a very small shower and the washbasin is part of the bedroom.

So after two seasons we have just changed to a Bailey Pageant Monarch, two berth with end bathroom and its lovely. We sleep on two separate bunks at the front and it is fine, either one of us can get up in the night without disturbing the other!

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No good turn goes unpunished!


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Personmadasaman
28/4/2014 at 7:12am
 Location:  Wales
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Doesn't the clambering over the other person happen in caravans that have made up dinette style beds. It did with all our vans. Fixed bed is awkward to make up,as are the others, but at least it's not every night. Best thing we ever did was buying a fixed bed van. Ideal would be an island model with bathroom outside bedroom so accessable from both ends if required in the night. A bathroom in the bedroom is a pain if there are more than 2 using the van.

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73 going on 25
Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder


Personclbewi
28/4/2014 at 8:28am
 Location: Essex
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We have a fixed bed (island) and love it, the bathroom is in the middle not massive but how much do spend in there?
Caravaning is about compromise it will never be perfect but the little things can sometimes put up with.

Colin

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Claire and Colin


Person664DaveS
28/4/2014 at 8:54am
 Location: Shropshire
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We have had 3 fixed bed vans,now on 4th! Would not go back to fighting with large lumps of foam!

Our current Unicorn Vigo has the transverse bed which telescopes by about a foot for daytime use.(so you can get to bathroom more easily).

It is very comfortable and just long enough for me ( Iam 6' 1" tall). No climbing over each other! That was a problem with the previous vans as all had a side or end bed.

It has a good size end bathroom, front makes into a double but there are only 2 of us.



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DS-There's more to life than football!!!


PersonBERTIE
28/4/2014 at 10:33am
 Location: Plymouth
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We have a transverse bed with end bathroom - love it!!

Our daughter 12 sleeps uses the front sofa as her bed and when we go to France has a pop up tent in the awning :-)


Personp@ul
28/4/2014 at 1:49pm
 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands
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We've just upgraded to a 4 berth fixed bed. Collecting it at the end of May.
I am still young enough to enjoy climbing over my missus


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Personpenguin73
28/4/2014 at 1:55pm
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: lunar quaser ultima & Merc E Class View penguin73's Profile View Profile   Reply to penguin73 Reply   Quote penguin73 Quote  
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weve just got our second fixed bed.....love it...lunar ultima ....comfy bed and decent bathroom...our son no longer comes with us and daughter who is nearly 15 is getting to the stage of not wanting to come....will be sad when theres just me and the ugly one but the van will stop tidy!!!

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Oct 2013- south lytchett manor dorset
Feb 2014- Lady Heyes
April 2014- Jasmine Park
May 2014 - Jasmine Park Again....
July 2014 - Gwithian
Oct 2014 - Beverley Park

and hopefully many more..esp Jasmine Park..


PersonBarbie Girl
28/4/2014 at 5:29pm
 Location: Essex
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Fixed bed for us doesnt bother me the night time clamber love making the bed before we leave home so is all set and ready when we arrive. Perhaps I have long arms as I don't find it too difficult making the bed a lot easier than faffing with cushions and bed making every night. Each to their own what's good for one someone else doesn't like

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Live life to the full you are a long time dead


PersonAndy Higham
28/4/2014 at 7:38pm
 Location: Bolton Lancs
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I would not go back to making beds up every night.
1) It is no more difficult to reach over a fixed bed than a bed made of seat cushions to put bedding on
2) Bed only needs making up once each trip
3) Proper sprung mattress with no humps and gaps
5) No storage space needed to hide the bedding during the day
6) Easy to fall into after a few beers


PersonKevo66
28/4/2014 at 8:13pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Andy Higham on 28/4/2014
I would not go back to making beds up every night.
1) It is no more difficult to reach over a fixed bed than a bed made of seat cushions to put bedding on
2) Bed only needs making up once each trip
3) Proper sprung mattress with no humps and gaps
5) No storage space needed to hide the bedding during the day
6) Easy to fall into after a few beers


Totally agree! I can lie in bed and watch tv while OH sits in the lounge reading.


Personaudicab26
28/4/2014 at 9:37pm
 Location: South
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Think we are sold on the fixed bed, would probably make the bed at home so not really a drama. Not worried about climbing over the missus to get out of bed, no different when using the front double at the moment.

Not worried about having the hand basin in the bedroom either.

Which sub 7m (shipping length) vans are worth seeking out?

Thanks for all the replies.


Personp@ul
29/4/2014 at 1:52pm
 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands
 Outfit: Swift Freestyle SE S4FB View p@ul's Profile View Profile   Reply to p@ul Reply   Quote p@ul Quote  
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We just bought a dealer special from Lowdhams. A Swift Freestyle S4 FB(fixed bed). Entry level van but more than adequate for our needs. The Swift range has to be worth a look. The Caravan Channel reviewed the Bailey Ranger 4 berth fixed bed last week and it looked very nice, not sure on the model though.



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