We did the same, When the kids became teenagers and at their request we allowed them to sleep in a 'pup' tent this also included taking the family dog in with them.
We then changed our caravan for a large 2 berth which had wrap around seating and a bigger toilet area!.
We have 4 kids and had an Elddis avante 636 2005 model with twin axle.it had twin dinettes.the back had a really flexible layout.it could make 4 single beds all a good size or 1 king size and 2 bunks or just the king size.all separated from us with a divider ,with their own TV point and sockets.we still had to make up our bed at front but kids beds stayed up,made up and they could be sent off to bed.we liked this layout so much that we bought the smaller version,an avante 515 when our eldest decided he didn't want to come with us and we have embraced the kids in the awning idea.
We don't sleep with the kids in the same room at home and certainly don't,want to on holiday.good luck with your search
It's really very personal. We are on our 3rd caravan and have only just found our "perfect" layout. We have 1 thirteen year old. We have a pegasus 534 with a fixed double, rear full length bathroom and U shaped seating are which is perfect for us all to sit and chill with our feet up and the seats are long enough for us to throw a sleeping bag down for the boy. And we only have to remove a few of the back cushions.
Good luck in finding your perfect van. It only took us 5 years but we got there in the end,
Watching this thread with interest, as my family are about to embark on our first 'van purchase.
Looking for sub-1500kg to suit a family of 4 (two young children - 3 and <1yr). Tempted by a number of layouts - classic fixed side-double, rear bathroom with make-up double/small twin beds up front might work, but as the kids will be in bed from 7pm, means we'd be restricted to the bed for evening TV etc.
Actually quite like the 6-berth, rear-bunks, side-dinette, front make-up double idea (Bailey Pegasus GT65 Ancona/ Adria Altea Tamar et al), as would provide fixed bunks for the kids, plus the ability (once eldest can go on top-bunk), to have the front bed made up and use the side-dinette as a lounge for evening reading/TV/board games or breakfast area for little early-risers!
Ideally, we'd have both a fixed double PLUS bunks, but as has been mentioned, only seems to appear in foreign vans. The closest of the big UK brands is the Swift Challenger SE 625/630, but too pricey, big (TA) and heavy (1800kg) for us!
A little more compromise required, on our part, I think!
Smax the rear bunk, side dinette works really well for younger families and we have same with our Adria (kids are older than yours but we will keep this layout until oldest is maybe 13 or so I reckon)
Don't forget you will have an awning I guess, for evenings in main season to sit outside in so other layouts could also work?
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Topic: Best family layout in a caravan
