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Hi Everyone

We are thinking of selling our caravan and buying a motorhome, we have looked a a few and like the idea of fixed double or bunks across the back but have seen a few on the net with rear lounge and just wondered what your thoughts were on these layouts. I think the fixed beds and garage is great but seems to leave a small seating area were as rear lounge seems to me to have a good bit more room but know garage. We are hoping to get one that beds dont need to be made up all the time so if rear lounge we would leave mid lounge made up as a bed all day and also overcab bed.

Any ideas or tip would be great.

Gerry

Hiya Gerry

We had the same dilema as you a few years ago!!!

We originally had an L-shaped lounge caravan as we found this to be the easiest layout when bed building!

We then sold that and progressed to our first motorhome.  Thinking the L-shaped would be best for us again, but with a sleeping area over the cab, we bought a Swift Sundance 590RL.  Lovely motorhome but the overcab sleeping was just not for us and we didn't want the pain of making up the bed daily.  So last year we bought a fixed bed model Auto-Trail (Cheyenne 660SE) and we love her.  There is a small/social/lounge area at the front which we have found plenty big enough for us and the dog!  The fixed bed is brilliant. We don't have a garage area but there is loads of inside and outside storage, certainly enough for our needs. 

Next move would be a island fixed bed version but not for a few years yet!!

Hope this helps and good luck with whatever you decide.  Just enjoy it.

Kernow Camper

Hi Gerry,

We are now on our second Motorhome in less than two years!

We bought a smaller one to start with with a lounge area that made up the only bed and although we loved it we found it a little on the small side with a Labrador demanding most of the bed!

The bed making also became a chore every night,especially after several drinks!

We changed it for a fixed bed model with a low level garage so that the bed is not too high but the garage space is still quite large and ample.

We find that the two bench seats,which also make up into a bed,give us plenty of room along with the cab seats which swivel.

We are very pleased with this Motorhome (even though it has had it's teething problems,all solved now Sharon!) and it gives us all the space and storage we need and the dog claims the bench seats as his bed so we all have our own bedtime space!

Hope you soon find the right layout for you.

Val

Hi Val

Good news she'll all sorted.  Finally you can enjoy her without the niggles!

11 working days and counting till our next trip!!!

Sharon x

PS Sorry for hi-jacking your post Gerry but wanted to reply to Val - hope you don't mind?!

Sorry Gerry,just want a quick word with Sharon!

The air rides have made a huge difference,no more saggy bum!

Everything sorted,thank god!

We are away to Sandfield at Sandsend,nr Whitby this weekend,Penny has booked in there so I will post some photos next week on the campsite section to give her an idea of what it is like.

Right Gerry,back to your post! Sorry but us gals are always catching up with each other!

Val

Thanks for the replys and kernow we must be coping you as we have L shape lounge just now.

Gerry

hi gerry

we are new to the game as well, looked at loads of vans and changed our minds many times we wanted a fixed bed with a decent lounge, cab seats that swizzled without leg restrictions plus a garage and under 7 metres all we could find in our price bracket was a neisman & bischoff arto 69 its A class with a stunning view

regards

keith

Hi we changed from a fixed bed caravan (twin axle) to a Swift Bolero and we love it, we have a fixed bed as that was a definite thing we had to have. I was worried that we might find the lounge area lacking on space but as others have said swivel the driving and passenger seats round and you have loads of space, in fact far more comfy than our prev caravan ever was...............we have just had a month in Portugal and to be honest we didn't ever feel cramped.

My friend (Sooh on here) had a Kon Tiki with a end lounge area and they had to make up beds, she has recently changed to a Autotrail with fixed single beds and said she wouldn't now consider changing back to a bed that had to be made up.

Its horses for courses I am sure you will love the freedom of a MH we can't wait to go back abroad with ours,

Hiya Val

Good to hear your saggy bum problem is well and truly sorted now!!!

We're meeting up with Penny at Tretham Mill over Whitsun.  We had booked to arrive on the Saturday but have added the Friday now and she'll still be there so gotta buy the wine in bulk!!!  Looking forward to it.  Have a great weekend away.

Sharon x

PS Gerry - another L-shaped fan eh?  The fixed bed model seems to be very popular these day.  We're certainly really satisfied with ours Gerry.  Good luck with your search.  Sharon

Quote: Originally posted by shortcircuit on 17/4/2008

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We have a Kontiki 660 with a fixed bed.  SWMBO goes on about this bed and the problems making it.  For me I would get two sleeping bags and the problems solved.  Its more about appearance than practicalities.

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Its a woman thing the bed has to look right doesn't it ? I like me posh pillow shams etc too ROFL