The dt was the one for us as we have 3 kids and it meant their beds made up all the time and the side table is always free. Eldest just turned 15 and manages fine on the middle bunk as they are quite roomy (another reason we picked it). Yes the bottom one is on the floor so the dog often goes in there we my youngest daughter! Bathroom space is handy to get changed in and was useful when we went without an awning to put shoes and other stuff in. Not used the shower yet though! You have to assess what layout suits your needs best.
Quote: Originally posted by andyfisher on 20/5/2013
The dt was the one for us as we have 3 kids and it meant their beds made up all the time and the side table is always free. Eldest just turned 15 and manages fine on the middle bunk as they are quite roomy (another reason we picked it). Yes the bottom one is on the floor so the dog often goes in there we my youngest daughter! Bathroom space is handy to get changed in and was useful when we went without an awning to put shoes and other stuff in. Not used the shower yet though! You have to assess what layout suits your needs best.
Absolutely, you have to choose the layout that you think best suits your family as said in previous post. Very important as what's good for one family might not be whats best for yours. That's what makes it great on forums like these as you get other people's points of view and thoughts on each model. A lot of the time other posts gives inputs that we never thought of hence why we have been reading up on everything Adria LOL. And better to do so before we do buy heehee!! I think my main bugbear with the Adria altea/sportline is the lack of worktop space that could of easily been helped out by a glass cover over the sink just like the cooker. Might ask about having one fitted as it would make a big difference as the sink is quite big. Not sure if its possible though. Luckily the 2 bunks is sufficient for us, so means that the side table will also be always up. We also like the storage unit in the centre, perfect for the kids TV and DVD and games in the cupboard below lol. I always try to put myself living in the van and even ask myself questions like, where will the food go, where will we put the cutlery, the plates etc. Is there ample space for things in their right areas...i.e by the kitchen etc etc. Is there space to add a tv to the living area. Is there ample sockets....and so fourth. I drive my hubby mad, but he knows its a good thing. I even do the same with all the sites we are looking into for our seasonal pitch heehee. We will no doubt go look again at the Sportline DT as well as the one we are interested in....and we will also look again at the Bailey orion 5 birth which is also lovely, but thought that the fixings were not as robust as the Adria....they have however dropped in price to being cheaper than the sportlines, so will be an interesting weekend no doubt.
We did think about the coats, shoes etc if we didn't use our awning so the bigger bathroom suits. I know it's a really silly thing but on the DT, if you have a tv on either of the tables on the ends of the front dinette, you can put your feet up and you've something to lean on either end. In the DK, the tv will only go on the front of the van and the sofa nearest the door is open ended with nothing to relax against. Did think about the bottom bunk being too close to the floor but our 2 year old loved it! He keeps talking about the elephants as a previous poster pointed out about cooking prep room, that also came in to it with us as we cook in the van as we do at home. The dinette being next to the kitchen is great for that.
Gosh, I really do feel sorry for caravan manufacturers! No wonder there are so many layouts on the market, we all look for so many different things amazing we each find one that suits really
Quote: Originally posted by shelleybobs on 20/5/2013
We did think about the coats, shoes etc if we didn't use our awning so the bigger bathroom suits. I know it's a really silly thing but on the DT, if you have a tv on either of the tables on the ends of the front dinette, you can put your feet up and you've something to lean on either end. In the DK, the tv will only go on the front of the van and the sofa nearest the door is open ended with nothing to relax against. Did think about the bottom bunk being too close to the floor but our 2 year old loved it! He keeps talking about the elephants as a previous poster pointed out about cooking prep room, that also came in to it with us as we cook in the van as we do at home. The dinette being next to the kitchen is great for that.
Gosh, I really do feel sorry for caravan manufacturers! No wonder there are so many layouts on the market, we all look for so many different things amazing we each find one that suits really
Oh its not silly at all...you've obviously done like i have, put yourself in the caravan...literally lol. I've already told hubby that my place in the caravan is by the front window...door side...feet up lounging on the extra middle cushion across TV in lounge will be mounted on the wall on the side of the wardrobe...opposite the seating so that problem is solved. Also read other DK owners doing this and having the arm on the mount on an extension that can be pulled out and turned to face the kitchen....so we can watch and cook at the same time lol. Thats assuming we don't pop the electrics haahaaa. Hubby has even got on to each bunk and says that you can watch the TV in there from both the bunks and the seating area so that's nice to. I think both the DK and DT have some fantastic features and trying to choose which one is hard graft. They seem really robust including the table legs....I am in awe of them lol. The Baileys is a cheap nasty pole which doesn't look like it would last very long!
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