We bought a fixed bed brand new in 2008. We had a 2 berth end washroom before that.Just before Christmas for various reasons we decided to sell our fixed bed and we bought an end washroom 2 berth again.Although we loved just falling into bed at night that was all that was going for it. The end washroom seems so much more spacious. There is more room at the front and more room to change in the end washroom.We did look at the new ones with the end washroom but we found that there was even less room at the front.Has anybody else felt disillusioned with their fixed bed caravan or is it just us?
Some will argue but I don't think you will ever find the perfect layout. We have an end bathroom which is great for bathrooming, decent shower, plenty of loo space and somewhere to put stuff too out of the way but every bedtime a fixed bed would be great and then during the day i think what a waste of space.
Have just gone from end washroom to fixed bed; trying it out for the first time this weekend.
We found the wardrobe next to useless in the end washroom. Its awkward to get to, and being at the back you can't put any weight in it. We found the side dinette collected clutter, which we hope to put on the shelves in the wardrobe. My wife likes to go to bed early & I prefer to go a little later.
We went for the Ranger 520-4 which has a larger, more open living space than the shorter 460-4 in which we both felt claustrophobic in the front end.
We got rid of our fixed bed caravan. It was large to tow, and we like touring in the UK and abroad. It was very draughty, and the bathroom was so small that it was difficult to close the door.
Now we have gone to the other extreme, our van is small, very light, and even has a larger bed when made up. No we never bother what the roads are like, if the car can get through, so can the caravan.
Making our bed up is easy. Move the cushions, lift the end locker lid up, and the bed is all rolled up in the memory foam mattress. Takes two minutes to get out and to put away again.
We got rid of our fixed bed caravan. It was large to tow, and we like touring in the UK and abroad. It was very draughty, and the bathroom was so small that it was difficult to close the door.
Now we have gone to the other extreme, our van is small, very light, and even has a larger bed when made up. No we never bother what the roads are like, if the car can get through, so can the caravan.
Making our bed up is easy. Move the cushions, lift the end locker lid up, and the bed is all rolled up in the memory foam mattress. Takes two minutes to get out and to put away again.
We have had two fixed bed vans, the transverse type at the end of the van, with a side washroom.The last had an L-shape lounge as our big dog found it easier to turn round. When he went to the 'big kennel in the sky' we decided to change the van for one with an end washroom as we were fed up of pushing open the washroom door with our bum when bending over the sink to brush your teeth!
So we got Mooney, an end washroom, side dinette Sterling. Now I love her dearly, but I DO miss my ready made up bed, although the space available in the lounge is great, and the kitchen area vast. Sooooo- we will be changing again when Mooney is three to an end washroom, side fixed bed like the Ruby model that was not available when we ordered Mooney. I know the lounge will be small, but there is always a compromise somewhere.
We've got end washroom and fixed bed.....best of both worlds as bought with my folks and they wanted a fixed bed, and EW with a separate shower. Mind you...not picked it up yet....towing it may prove otherwise!
------------- It always rains on tents. Rainstorms will travel thousands of miles, against prevailing winds for the opportunity to rain on a tent.
we are in the same position with our daughters - the eldest doesn't want to come caravanning anymore and when the youngest is 16 (next year) she doesn't want to either. So although i'm sad that they won't be holidaying with us anymore it does mean we can think about getting our dream caravan. A fixed bed Adria Adora 612DP - its a metre longer than we have now which worries be slightly but hubby isn't bothered and he will be towing it! Yes i know the lounge and bathroom will be small (our bathroom is small now and we manage with four of us) but having a luxurious bed ready made will be so fab! I can't wait - just hope we have the money to get it!
I agree about having the bed there ready to fall into but it was just wasted space. I will miss it for the afternoon forty winksbut still you can't have everything.
We have just gone from end washroom to fixed bed, end washroom and it is brilliant.
We've just come back from our first weekend away and it worked a treat, yes the space is slightly less at the front and the washroom is'nt as big but as in EVERY caravan I've looked at there is a compromise to be made somewhere, it just depends on each persons individual needs and requirements from their van.
Its not so easy to have a cat nap in the afternoon on the shorter front seats but believe me it can and has been done (last sat afternoon 2-3.30 pm).
The best part is being able to fall into bed at night with no battles with seat cushions to make a bed.
We love the lay out it works well for us.
Trev.
------------- Trev and Sandy on tour in
2010 Swift Archway, Enduro mover and a baby German Shepherd
Its all compromise isn't it? We love our fixed bed Odyssey 540 and we just didn't want our schnauser sleeping in the same room as us...would have wanted to play all night!!!!
Been reading about the two berth Osyssey in the Practical Caravan this month. Seems the same as the 540 but without the fixed bed and yet the price given is what we paid for the fixed bed version. So it seems a bit pricey for what you are getting. Still horses of courses. Its what suits what you for you want out of caravananning
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
we are in the same position with our daughters - the eldest doesn't want to come caravanning anymore and when the youngest is 16 (next year) she doesn't want to either. So although i'm sad that they won't be holidaying with us anymore it does mean we can think about getting our dream caravan. A fixed bed Adria Adora 612DP - its a metre longer than we have now which worries be slightly but hubby isn't bothered and he will be towing it! Yes i know the lounge and bathroom will be small (our bathroom is small now and we manage with four of us) but having a luxurious bed ready made will be so fab! I can't wait - just hope we have the money to get it!
Ours has an end washroom, fixed single beds and L shaped lounge, almost perfect except the main wardrobe is opposite the kitchen and could be deeper. We have a small wardrobe in the washroom but would prefer the other way around, and more cupboards/drawers rather than lots of lockers, and more hooks.
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Topic: Fixed bed...Has anybody changed back?
