Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Caravans and Caravanning

Topic: Family caravan layouts.

robchester

19/7/2016 at 10:05pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 27/6/2005

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 24

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I'm currently in ownership of a T5 camper but due to a lack of space and growing family, it leads me to look at alternative options. We like to camp for periods but often spend time travelling about, walking or bike riding. For us, a van or tent is for cooking and sleeping and there's not a great deal of time spent in or around them during the day.

I started to look at potentially buying a caravan and after looking at several double dinette options with a rear washroom, I did think that if I was in the van on the evening with my toddler sleeping next to us in the side dinette, then she would be a bit close for us to enjoy a conversation and a bit of curtain didn't do much. I know caravanners are generally older couples so the fixed bed option works as it allows people to keep their living and sleeping separate.

Then I realised that there are very few vans, if any that offer a layout like a 4 berth fixed bed with an area to segregate at the back, keeping the end washroom but replacing the double bed with a double dinette. It would make sense for this double dinette to offer a bunk option too.

Friends of mine have a 5 berth with rear side bunks and rear washroom but it's a long van and I'd rather have to make beds up than have them fixed during the day.

Can anyone think of any models which offer this? It would be great to have the opportunity to let the kids sleep in the back while the adults could have a few drinks in peace in the front!

woodman2

19/7/2016 at 10:13pm
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 17/12/2014

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 735

Site Reviews Total:	13

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	1
Site Reviews 2019:	1
Site Reviews 2018:	6

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	7
Site Nights 2019:	5
Site Nights 2018:	6

Hello,
Having owned a t5 I can say they make a good tow vehicle.
Just a thought, but why not tow a two berth caravan with it?

Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off!

UKCampsite.co.uk users are rewarded with up to 12.5% off Caravan Guard touring caravan insurance, folding camper and trailer tent insurance, and 5% off motorhome and campervan insurance. Static caravan insurance is also available. Get an online quote now

robchester

19/7/2016 at 11:13pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 27/6/2005

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 24

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

It's been considered! Unfortunately due to age we all need to be in same van. Also it's sale would fund a combo. I do like the versatility of van ownership but it's an 85hp model so would need to be chipped with a potential brake upgrade.

sammymac

20/7/2016 at 11:16am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Bailey Pursuit 540-5

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 09/8/2013

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 257

Site Reviews Total:	3

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Have you considered side bathroom with bunks and double at the back? Not sure how many kids you have, but this option basically gives you the two sofas at the back that make a double bed, with a bunk over=3 beds. These mean all kids in bed at end of van often with dividing door and grown ups can sit up chat and have glass of wine - check out Bailey Pursuit 560-5 layout. Other makes offer similar layouts.

-------------
Sammymac

DianeDavey

20/7/2016 at 2:34pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 02/12/2012

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 21

Site Reviews Total:	5

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

We have a Bailey Bretagne 2010 6 berth. 3 fixed bunks at the back with a side dinette, mid washroom (very small) and front which converts to a double. As ours is an older 'van there is a solid sliding door seperating their section from us. It is quite a long 'van though.

We have owned a traditional 5 berth with dinettes both ends which both convert to doubles with a pull out bunk over the back dinette. This worked until the children were too big to sleep one on each "seat" of the dinette. Making up the beds for them each night and putting them away again in the morning became a real pain in the neck.

You say you would prefer to make up the beds each night, however after having both, for the kids, the ability to put them straight to bed without any fuss is a real bonus. Plus, having a small seating area first thing in the morning without having to make up the dinette again is a real plus point.

Good luck with your search

Baileyjake

21/7/2016 at 11:20pm
Location: West Midlands
Outfit: Coachman Amara 570 6 + Shogun SG4

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 06/1/2015

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 846

Site Reviews Total:	11

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	1
Site Reviews 2019:	1
Site Reviews 2018:	2

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	4
Site Nights 2019:	2
Site Nights 2018:	2

I have a coachman amara 570/6 it has a mid washroom,2 fixed bunks and dinette at the rear that makes 4 bunks, kitchen opposite washroom and lounge/double bed at the front. The kitchen/ washroom puts a good distance between us and our sons. And the end can be closed off with a concertena partition. The door is in the middle so once the guys are in bed (a task in its self) they are not disturbed by going outside. Our previous van was fixed bunks across rear next to the door.

85hp would struggle to tow my 1600kg single axel though. I have over 2x the power and I certainly know the van is behind although maintaining 60 on inclines is not a problem.

-------------
First van bailey ranger 550/6
Now the proud owner of a coachman amara

binka

22/7/2016 at 8:57pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 08/8/2005

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 136
Tent Reviews: 4

Site Reviews Total:	11

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Ive got a lunar 464 with a rear dinette and although it's a side washroom it's got a seperate shower cubicle which was a must for me.

Glamcamping

23/7/2016 at 12:23am
Location: Surrey
Outfit: Adria Adora Thames platinum 613 UT

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 16/6/2013

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 194

Site Reviews Total:	3

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Hi check the Pegasus Ancona 5 or 6 berth. With bunks, you can make a separate room and kids all asleep at middle and rear plus they have a play area to almost with the dinette opposite.

We close the slide door and sit up front of van and make bed up which is eat. Plus the door to the van is our end to.

Great daily van and very comfortable

Happy vanning !

-------------
Bailey Pegasus Ancona 2016
Adria adora Thames platinum 2018 👍
Happy vanning all 😎

sammymac

23/7/2016 at 9:04pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Bailey Pursuit 540-5

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 09/8/2013

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 257

Site Reviews Total:	3

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Glamcamping what happened to the bailey pursuit?

-------------
Sammymac

Wibsey

24/7/2016 at 2:51pm
Location: West Yorkshire
Outfit: Swift Challenger 570 kia Sportage

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 08/2/2014

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 446
Tent Reviews: 2

Site Reviews Total:	8

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

As a child Mum and Dad always bought caravans with a side washroom and lounge on both ends, the rear made up as double bed with bunk over for us kids, and front made a double bed for Mum and Dad so they could sit up later than us. There are 5 children in our family and the boys (the two eldest) always slept on camp beds in the awning.

Bossynix

24/7/2016 at 10:15pm
Location: South Wales
Outfit: Lunar Delta FB & Kia Sedona

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 30/3/2009

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 583

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Adria do a great family layout van and light to tow too. No frills vans that really look light and airy. Fixed bunks at the back with a double dinette at the front! We've had two and they have done us for 7 or so years, we've gone to completely the other end of the spectrum now though with a Lunar Delta FB! Heavy twin axle with fixed bunks but a wash room with a separate shower! Love it

Glamcamping

24/7/2016 at 11:32pm
Location: Surrey
Outfit: Adria Adora Thames platinum 613 UT

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 16/6/2013

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 194

Site Reviews Total:	3

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Sammymac,

Pursuit was great, just the Ancona is that next level up and we were lucky with trade in and price so went for it.

Happy vanning all hope you find the van for you ! Enjoy

-------------
Bailey Pegasus Ancona 2016
Adria adora Thames platinum 2018 👍
Happy vanning all 😎

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravans and Caravanning - Top of Page

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

5146 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Shop!]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Contact Us] [Tent Reviews]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024

UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder