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Subject Topic: Which bed layout? Help! Post Reply Post New Topic
14/8/2015 at 11:24am
 Location: Liverpool
 Outfit: Sterling Europa 570
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Looking for a bit of advice. After a few years of camping, we're seriously considering moving up to a 'van. There are 3 of us, daughter is only 3, but OH's daughter (14 and tall!) will occasionally be coming away with us (how long this will continue for is unknown! Teenagers!).

A dealer recommended moving away from a fixed double, as we'd need to make up the lounge for the little one each night and then go to bed. So I was thinking bunk beds? Or would people recommend fixed singles instead? I don't mind us sleeping on the double at the front. A 6 berth with fixed bunks and a table for the kids also appeals, but is it worth compromising on the size of the bathroom?

And would you recommend a new entry level van, or a 2nd hand slightly better model?

Tow car is a 2 litre Audi a4 avant diesel, so decent enough but too small for twin axles (I think!).

Many questions!! Thanks in advance.


14/8/2015 at 11:37am
 Location: TEESSIDE
 Outfit: SWIFT FAIRWAY 530
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We moved from a 4 berth fixed double to a 6 berth with bunks, this really works for us when we have up to 4 grandchildren with us as the van has the rear dinette which provides a separate area for them. The previous van with fixed double and rear washroom left very little space in the van for daytime use, and as the dealer has said, we had to use the front seats as single beds at night. Check around local dealers to find a layout that works for you and then find a good deal as most places will soon be clearing stock for the new models.


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14/8/2015 at 12:16pm
 Location: Liverpool
 Outfit: Sterling Europa 570
View GingerFiFi's Profile View Profile   Reply to GingerFiFi Reply   Quote GingerFiFi Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by ENOCH on 14/8/2015
We moved from a 4 berth fixed double to a 6 berth with bunks, this really works for us when we have up to 4 grandchildren with us as the van has the rear dinette which provides a separate area for them. The previous van with fixed double and rear washroom left very little space in the van for daytime use, and as the dealer has said, we had to use the front seats as single beds at night. Check around local dealers to find a layout that works for you and then find a good deal as most places will soon be clearing stock for the new models.



Thanks Enoch. Your van is one that has caught my eye - are you happy with it then? Any problems to report?


14/8/2015 at 1:12pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
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We have a fixed bunk 'van (Bailey Bregatne) and love the seperate area for the children.  We have a triple bunk and I would say as the children get older (ours are 7 & 9) we can see problems occuring with the gap between the bunks as there isn't a lot of space.  The later models of this layout and the newer versions with the corner bathrooms have 2 bunks and I would think this would be better for a 14 year old.

Happy hunting



14/8/2015 at 2:28pm
 Location: TEESSIDE
 Outfit: SWIFT FAIRWAY 530
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Hi Ginger FiFi, we have had the van for a year and apart from a couple of minor faults on collection and having the heating system altered, (various threads on Swift talk), the van has been trouble free all year. The previous van, an Eldis 540 spent more time with the dealer than with us.
The van layout really works for us and the grandchildren love the bunk beds and the fact that they have their own area. Take your time to decide on your van choice, visit as many dealers as you can and try to get a package including everything you'll need to get you started.
We had camped for years until 2011, decided to try a caravan and now we use it all year round.

Good luck.


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14/8/2015 at 6:20pm
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Sterling Eccles Sport 636
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take a look at Adria if you go with a bunk layout. Their bunks are much wider and longer than all other uk brands. Also i would avoid triple bunks, our kids hated them. Cant sit up in bed to read, can't play on bed, bang head every time they wake for the loo....


14/8/2015 at 7:59pm
 Location: West country
 Outfit: Mondeo
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the side dinette end washroom would be pretty good. The washroom will give you all somewhere private to dress and wash etc.

The side dinette will make a decent single and a bunk and be a useful place for kids to sit and do kiddy things.

It will still be good for 2 people as well and useful extra kitchen space.

The bunks system will use not allow them to be used for anything else by day.

It produces a nice big open space which is not claustrophobic.



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