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Subject Topic: Bathrooms, showers, wardrobes, etc...
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06/10/2018 at 8:24pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Xplore 422
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After a year of gentlish persuasion I think I might be bringing the other half round to thinking getting a caravan isnt too awful an idea.

We went round a large dealership today for the first time and are going to the show at the nec in a few weeks.

He's nervous about towing - we're doing the demo at the nec and will be going on a course but he wants the shortest 2 berth caravan that also fits our needs.

We had a look at the xplore 422 which looks like a good layout. I liked the side bathroom though that left the kitchen a little cramped.

We also looked at some that had wetrooms - previously I had thought these were for us as they are the most compact and so are in the smallest vans. However looking at them in the flesh they seem cramped and I worry we'll actually want to use the shower more than we think. Also I wondered how quickly the cubicles dried off after a shower and is someone using the toilet after someone has showered faced with a wet toilet seat ??!

We saw some vans with end bathrooms - but these seemed a little wasteful of space and I thought it was odd having a wardrobe in the washroom - do clothes etc. that are kept in there not get damp ??

I would appreciate some thoughts and opinions - have people bought a layout and regretted it - is the convenience of the shower in the van offset from taking clean and waste water to and from the van??


06/10/2018 at 8:33pm
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View moorlander999's Profile View Profile   Reply to moorlander999 Reply   Quote moorlander999 Quote  
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we have a Bailey monarch with a large end bathroom....great big double door shower and a big wardrobe ..The shower has a skylight in it so the bathroom is well vented...The clothes don't get damp....we use the shower both morning and night and have never had any issues.


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06/10/2018 at 8:40pm
 Location: Bolton Lancs
 Outfit: Bailey Orion 430-4 & Mitsubishi PHEV
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My Orion has an end washroom (behind the fixed bed headboard). In the morning it's out of bed-2 steps wee-1 step brush teeth-2 steps shower.


06/10/2018 at 9:11pm
 Location: S Wales The Badland
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 530
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One of the perennial topics caravanners talk about is

"Do you use the van's shower or the site's facilities?"

I don't know what the percentages are, but I suspect that well over 70% of people don't use the built-in shower - and many others only use it when there's little choice.
(If you've paid for the site's facilities, why not use them?)

The van's shower isn't going to be exactly 'powerful' and it's easy to run out of hot water part way through.

Someone has to lug all that water to the van & then take it (waste water) away again.

We started with a small 2 berth (6 metres long) & now have a side dinette van which is one metre longer. That extra metre in length hasn't caused me any problems whilst towing.

As always, don't forget to check the match between your car and any van you're considering. There's no use looking at a huge Bessacarr if your towcar can't handle it.

-------------
SamP


06/10/2018 at 9:13pm
 Location: Tidbury Green
 Outfit: Swift Fairway SE 442
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We were in the same position last year. Moving from a tent to a caravan. I'd never towed anything with a footprint bigger than a small table before. To be honest, I was pretty nervous about that aspect. But, I'm a fairly competent person, and I decided that if all these other people can do, why on earth can't I? So I did.

I've towed our 'van on just four trips so far and already I'm feeling far more relaxed and confident. Learn the routine of hitching up etc and choose a site that's not down a tiny lane and just trust yourself.

As for the layout, we have a Swift 2 berth with a big end bathroom. To be honest, as former tenters I thought we'd not be too bothered about the shower. But we do use it and it's actually pretty good. We have a huge wardrobe in the bathroom and have not encountered any dampness in the clothes. It's nice to have space to get dressed without bashing elbows in those tiny side bathrooms (neither of us are particularly large) The only downside for us is having to make up the bed every night, but I do that and it only takes a few minutes.

-------------
2022 Skoda Karoq 2.0 Tdi


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06/10/2018 at 9:31pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
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We were also nervous about towing, but once we went on the Caravan Club towing course (before buying a caravan), we realised that it really isn't difficult, just take care when driving & take it steady ( i.e. the same as when not towing).
We went for a 2 berth end bathroom model & later replaced it with another of the same layout (Elddis Affinity 482, but Elddis don't do that layout now, although other manufacturers do) & have never regretted it. Plenty of living space, a few minutes to make up the beds, more kitchen worktop area than many bigger vans & plenty of room in the bathroom. We always use the on-board shower, making sure we open the roof vent beforehand & also the window after; no damp. Clothes are always dry & also toasty warm in the cooler months because the Alde heating header tank & pump is in the wardrobe (so not noisy when you're sleeping).
There'll be lots of different opinions as to best layouts, just enjoy your day at the Show & ask customers, more so than sales people, about anything you want to know. We also did this & learned loads, everyone seemed happy to offer advice and opinions, but at the end of the day just think carefully about what will best suit your needs (& make sure you've got room for the dog(s))!
We're in our 60s, both of us a bit on the small & slightly built side, but have no problems rolling the water & waste carriers. Really don't find it a bother, just something that needs to be done once a day.
As for caravanning, one of the best decisions that we've ever made, just wish we'd taken the plunge earlier.
Good hunting!

Pterodactyl

Post last edited on 06/10/2018 21:54:27


06/10/2018 at 10:26pm
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View marg6's Profile View Profile   Reply to marg6 Reply   Quote marg6 Quote  
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it is as misconception that if you get the shortest van it will somehow be easier to tow, that's not the case, esp when it comes to reversing


07/10/2018 at 8:25am
 Location: Northamptonshire
 Outfit: Lunar SB + Volvo XC70
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I also took a towing course before collecting our van, with the C&CC and thought it get value and very helpful.

The length of a caravan is not a problem, in fact the longer the trailer the easier it is to reverse. When going forward one has to leave room when overtaking or passing parked vehicles, but ground shadows help with that.

Both our caravans have had end bathrooms, currently a Lunar Clubman SB, the shower is very good and providing one ensures that the Aquaroll is near full before starting and we shower "navy fashion" we don't run out of water.

I wipe down the shower cubical after use just as I do our shower at home. The bathroom is well ventilated (and heated) so doesn't get damp. I regard collecting and disposing of water, and toilet emptying as part of my dose of daily exercise and not a chore, just caravanning.

When we first toured we did try to use site facilities but weren't enamoured with what we found, so we no longer bother with them.

One great benefit of having decent facilities of your own is that you can stay on, and enjoy the many small sites that don't have on-site facilities.

The important thing is that you explore all options and examine as many caravans as you can before making your decision, and enjoy the journey.


07/10/2018 at 9:21am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Xplore 422
View Katieep's Profile View Profile   Reply to Katieep Reply   Quote Katieep Quote  
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Thanks guys - really useful.

Going to take a look at some more caravans today on the way home from the mother-in-laws .

Im starting to think that we probably will use the shower on occasion- its just how often and how much space we'll need. The xplore did seem a good compromise - it has a side bathroom with a separate reasonably sized shower cubicle.


07/10/2018 at 12:23pm
 Location: Staffordshire
 Outfit: None Entered
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have a look at this for inspiration http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/caravan_layouts.html?berth=2

Also, at the show have a good look around the 2 and 4 berth ones to compare, as others say bigger doesn't necessarily mean harder to tow. And also, I presume you've already sorted out that you can tow with your current licence?


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07/10/2018 at 12:43pm
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i think its wrong to say a large caravan is just as easy to tow as a smaller one.. in a straight line it is but round-a-bouts and narrow roads will present more problems for a larger van than a small one..

i personally hate large fast moving round a bouts when towing.. more so when you are not entirely sure which lane to be in..

trog



07/10/2018 at 12:49pm
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A1 Newark turn off - that roundabout is like Mad Max !!!!


07/10/2018 at 3:07pm
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Quote: Originally posted by trog100 on 07/10/2018
i think its wrong to say a large caravan is just as easy to tow as a smaller one.. in a straight line it is but round-a-bouts and narrow roads will present more problems for a larger van than a small one..

i personally hate large fast moving round a bouts when towing.. more so when you are not entirely sure which lane to be in..

trog







what difference on narrow roads does the le3ngth of a caravan make? none, its still the same width, and personally I hate the tiny roundabouts that even in a car you have to go over the center of, the bigger roundabouts if you have read the signs before starting the roundabout you shouldn't have any difficulty with



07/10/2018 at 3:16pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Xplore 422
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We've both got an older style driving licence and we have an s-max for towing so we have plenty of choice.

Just had a look at the eriba touring range -
really lovely but compromised washroom. Need to take a closer look at the CL sites and decide if not using them is a deal breaker.


07/10/2018 at 3:52pm
 Location: Bucks
 Outfit: Sun Living S70SC
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Look at space, are you going to use a shower etc to make it worth the sacrifice in space?
We don't have a shower we use the facilities on site.
My view, every thing is a compromise , if you want to camp n a 2 bedroom flat , get a fifth wheel or something similar.
I appreciate people want all the home comforts but at the end of the day you are camping and you are only going to be away a short period!


07/10/2018 at 4:01pm
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Personally we would not have a caravan without an end bathroom. 😀👍



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