Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Caravans and Caravanning
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: 3berth or bathroom? Post Reply Post New Topic
17/5/2022 at 9:54pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: None Entered
View Bivviola's Profile View Profile   Reply to Bivviola Reply   Quote Bivviola Quote  
Joined: 17/5/2022

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   1

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 looking at buying my first caravan. I'm looking at the Freedom micro lite and wanted to know whether people think it would be best to go for the 3 Berth layout over the 2 berth with bathroom. 3 berth means I could keep the bed up and have a seating area. Bathroom would be handy but how usable would the shower would be? I am of an age where a toilet would save a trek to the loo in the dark🙂 but a 3 berth would give me the option to invite a friend to join me.


17/5/2022 at 11:41pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View trog100's Profile View Profile   Reply to trog100 Reply   Quote trog100 Quote  
Joined: 27/6/2014

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1746

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 would go for the bathroom..

trog


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

18/5/2022 at 8:30am
 Location: South Northamptonshi
 Outfit: Delta-Freelander
View JoannaLesley's Profile View Profile   Reply to JoannaLesley Reply   Quote JoannaLesley Quote  
Joined: 31/8/2015

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1198

Site Reviews Total: 51
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 8  
Site Reviews 2021: 2  
Site Reviews 2020: 1  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 8  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 29
Site Nights 2021: 18
Site Nights 2020: 4
Site Nights 2019: 16
Site Nights 2018: 31

It really depends where you are planning on going, although we do find a loo handy (useful when on the road too!).

In the UK you could find yourself quite some way form the facilities. Our experience on the continent is that there are usually more wash blocks per site and you will probably be closer to one.

-------------
Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.


18/5/2022 at 8:45am
 Location: Devizes Wiltshire
 Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
View dk168's Profile View Profile   Reply to dk168 Reply   Quote dk168 Quote  
Joined: 19/6/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   9596
Tent Reviews:   6

Site Reviews Total: 56
Site Reviews 2024: 9  
Site Reviews 2023: 9  
Site Reviews 2022: 8  
Site Reviews 2021: 9  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 45
Site Nights 2023: 47
Site Nights 2022: 46
Site Nights 2021: 34
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

When I was a tenter, I found I had to walk quite a distance from my pitch to the facilities block at times, which was no fun in the middle of the night when it was raining cats and dogs outside.

Hence I bought a Kampa Khazi in case I needed it.

Having a toilet was a "must have" feature when I started to plan to get a van, and I now have my own onboard facilities in my custom-converted MWB VW Crafter.

Each to their own - only you can decide what suits you.

DK

-------------
* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *


via mobile 18/5/2022 at 9:53am
 Location: Ayrshire
 Outfit: Auto-Sleeper MHs
View Fiona W's Profile View Profile   Reply to Fiona W Reply   Quote Fiona W Quote  
Joined: 10/4/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   5144
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 234
Site Reviews 2024: 18 
Site Reviews 2023: 8  
Site Reviews 2022: 12 
Site Reviews 2021: 10 
Site Reviews 2020: 4  
Site Reviews 2019: 9  
Site Reviews 2018: 18 
Site Nights 2024: 37
Site Nights 2023: 25
Site Nights 2022: 32
Site Nights 2021: 25
Site Nights 2020: 20
Site Nights 2019: 28
Site Nights 2018: 30

Welcome to UKCS. There are some great Certificated Locations (CAMC) without toilets, just 5 pitches with EHU, CDP & water. (The CCC equivalent Certificated Sites tend to have toilets, as there are more tent campers in that club.)
Getting half dressed to go out in the dark to the site facilities with a torch when it’s raining is a faff.
Emptying the toilet certainly isn’t one of life’s pleasures, but needs must. We have a “liquid only” rule as the toilet fairy is a bit squeamish.

-------------
2024 = 20 sites / 41 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.


Advertisement



via mobile 18/5/2022 at 10:25am
 Location: south shields
 Outfit: freedom
View geowyn's Profile View Profile   Reply to geowyn Reply   Quote geowyn Quote  
Joined: 14/4/2012

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   28

Site Reviews Total: 7
Site Reviews 2024: 3  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 3  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 14
Site Nights 2023: 5
Site Nights 2022: 15
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Had out freedom for 10yrs now and find the toilet a bonus, but we live in the awning and leave the bed made up, plus we keep our tables and water and waste containers while on the road


18/5/2022 at 10:32am
 Location: Devizes Wiltshire
 Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
View dk168's Profile View Profile   Reply to dk168 Reply   Quote dk168 Quote  
Joined: 19/6/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   9596
Tent Reviews:   6

Site Reviews Total: 56
Site Reviews 2024: 9  
Site Reviews 2023: 9  
Site Reviews 2022: 8  
Site Reviews 2021: 9  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 45
Site Nights 2023: 47
Site Nights 2022: 46
Site Nights 2021: 34
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 18/5/2022

Emptying the toilet certainly isn’t one of life’s pleasures, but needs must. We have a “liquid only” rule as the toilet fairy is a bit squeamish.



Hence I do not envisage I would allow anyone else to use my toilet in the van, as it is bad enough emptying my own mess!

I don't mind emptying my own mess, however, I dread seeing the mess other people have left behind at the CDPs after having encountered some unpleasant sights in the past!!!

DK

-------------
* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *


18/5/2022 at 6:50pm
 Location: West country
 Outfit: Mondeo
View navver's Profile View Profile   Reply to navver Reply   Quote navver Quote  
Joined: 23/8/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4663

Site Reviews Total: 1
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 think a little freedom microlight will appear cramped with a toilet compartment. Maybe set up a toilet in an awning or toilet tent.

On board showers do work well but will require a water heater which takes up space under beds.

The 3 berth will have the kitchen in the middle where head room is better.
A toilet will probably mean kitchen at one end where roof is lower. OK if you're not too tall.


19/5/2022 at 9:26am
 Location: London
 Outfit: Lunar Cosmos 524
View Monty15's Profile View Profile   Reply to Monty15 Reply   Quote Monty15 Quote  
Joined: 17/9/2015

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2328

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

Purchasing any caravan is a compromise, and we all will compromise on different things to our own tastes. My van is much bigger than a Freedom, but the same questions arose before purchase.

An onboard loo/shower saves the trek to the toilet block (which can be quite a distance - seemingly MUCH further when desperate or weather foul!) in the dark/rain etc., which is a priority for me over whether or not I can leave a bed made up! It also opens up a host of Club CL/CS 5 pitch sites to you which often don't have loo/shower facilities, they are often lovely locations and very reasonable pitch fees, also you find them in areas often devoid of full blown campsites, so widens your horizons.

The loo/shower room is not big on a Freedom so visit a dealer and ensure that you can fit in it in a usable way, step in it, sit, wave arms around as if showering, don't just look in it!

I don't find making up my bed daily a great hardship, move a few cushions and chuck a sleeping bag and pillow down, takes a minute! If you want to go sheets, duvets, mattress toppers etc. then it become a bit of a faff! ... with your potential limited storage space, I doubt the elaborate bedding would be an option!

As to emptying the loo cassette, if you use the right chemicals, it's not the least bit 'smelly' (the chemicals STOP odours, not just bury them under strong perfumes!), and it's just a sterile (correct chems kill bacteria too) brown liquid that you empty, as 'solids' are broken down. Can't say it's pretty, but no where as grim as it could be! .... and many reserve onboard loo for No 1s only!

If you fit an awning, you can use a inner sleeping tent to accommodate guests, and an awning makes for quite a nice airy living space anyway.

My thoughts on a caravan grew as I researched what was available, in fact they changed quite a bit, I came to the conclusion (I looked at a lot from Micro Vans upwards) that if I was going to spend the money, and have the inconvenience of towing, storing and maintaining one, then it might as well be as all inclusive, comfortable and flexible as possible otherwise I'd just be swapping canvas tent walls for aluminium ones and would still be in effect camping at a basic level!


23/5/2022 at 1:49pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Mick S.'s Profile View Profile   Reply to Mick S. Reply   Quote Mick S. Quote  
Joined: 18/8/2004

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3499

Site Reviews Total: 37
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 1  
Site Reviews 2021: 4  
Site Reviews 2020: 4  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 3
Site Nights 2022: 6
Site Nights 2021: 16
Site Nights 2020: 17
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Toilet option every time. Shower very close behind it.(wouldnt personally buy a van without either). Especially if the other option is only for the off-chance someone comes with you.


Advertisement



via mobile 23/5/2022 at 10:22pm
 Location: Cumbria
 Outfit: Coachman VIP 520
View bofs's Profile View Profile   Reply to bofs Reply   Quote bofs Quote  
Joined: 10/1/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2671

Site Reviews Total: 102
Site Reviews 2024: 5  
Site Reviews 2023: 4  
Site Reviews 2022: 11 
Site Reviews 2021: 6  
Site Reviews 2020: 9  
Site Reviews 2019: 10 
Site Reviews 2018: 8  
Site Nights 2024: 22
Site Nights 2023: 25
Site Nights 2022: 54
Site Nights 2021: 24
Site Nights 2020: 36
Site Nights 2019: 55
Site Nights 2018: 47

Definitely toilet!



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

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...














9273 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


Advertisement


Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar


Advent Calendar

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

Request a Reminder