We’ve owned an Adria 542DK with fixed bunks since new and although ideal when our boys were little they are now 16 & 13, with the 16 yr old over 6ft.
We’ve just returned from a weekend away and our 16 yr old is now too heavy for the top bunk and struggled for comfortable space in the bottom bunk.
I’m just wondering whether we should consider a change of van (bearing in mind time is probably limited for family holidays 😢) or just make do. Caravan would be used for weekend breaks in the UK and 2 weeks in France.
Has anyone found a manufacturer with a suitable layout? Needs to be suitable for a 2L diesel Ford Kuga to tow.
For short breaks we use the van without an awning so the layout is key.
Any suggestions would be welcome from any families in a similar position.
I'd be tempted to get a pup tent. They don't go caravanning with Mum and Dad much past 16 and tend to want their own space which a pup tent will give them.
I very much agree that kids into their teens need their own space.
Therefore, awning annexes or own tents are IMO a far better short term option than buying into a different van for what can't but now be a very limited "life span" need.
Quote: Originally posted by navver on 29/5/2019
I'd be tempted to get a pup tent. They don't go caravanning with Mum and Dad much past 16 and tend to want their own space which a pup tent will give them.
I agree 100%, another year at the most and you'll probably find there's only 3 of you. They'll probably enjoy having their own space and privacy as well. Quechua pop ups from Decathlon are excellent tents.
------------- La Plage Blanche
Camping Solitaire Du lac
Camping Les Bouleaux
Val de Vesle
We’re in a similar position ourselves. We can’t rely on using a pup tent as we caravan all year so need an option for the winter too.
We’re thinking of going down the fixed twin route, because that’s essentially what we have now at nighttime (having decommissioned the top bunk) but we’re still unsure about the practicalities of losing the dinette option during the day.
We have found that the bunk sizes are getting bigger now though and our tallest benefits from wider bunks rather than length, so our current van will work ok for another year at least.
Ideally the caravan manufacturers will cotton on that the twin sofa option was a good one and make those again. We’d be very happy with sofas at both end, with the back set long enough for 2 singles, but used as a living space during the day.
I know this is an old thread but does anyone know of a suitable layout? Our eldest teenager has grown out of the bunk and the younger won't be far behind.