Hi, we have ordered a 2010 model of the above and wondered if anyone with a 2009 or 2010 model could help us with a couple of questions to help us plan our first trip whilst we are waiting to take delivery...
1 - The table in the rear dinette; where do you store it when not in use as a table or for the bed?
2 - We are thinking of getting a lightweight porch awning, can anyone recommend one they use? We fancy a Kampa Rally 260 but haven't actually seen one in the flesh/in use yet and don't know if this size would fit well with the window arrangement on the 546.
3 - Has anyone used additional guards for the middle bunk? We have a one year old and whilst I don't really want him on the floor bunk (we intend to use this as storage space until we get our awning sorted) we are worried that he may fall out of the middle bunk. In our last caravan, we used a Babydan bed rail however this was much lower and a third of his bed was blocked by the wardrobe anyway so it felt quite safe.
I have been out in ours 3 times so far...a couple of weekend trips and a long break over Easter.
I usually store the rear table on the top bunk or stand it on its end by the door. The rear table looks like it should go in the small cupboard at the side of the kitchen unit(with the other dining table) as there is a guider in the cupboard for more then one table..but it is too long to fit in.
I have a Kampa Rally 390 awning and it fits well. It will fit nicely from the rear of the van and the front of the awning doesn't affect any windows. Not sure about the 260 you might have to check the width as I feel it might affect windows. The size of the 390 is good. Problem is that an extension lead is needed to use the external power socket (as you would need to for any porch awning).
Scooby, we have a 2009 546. The table is stored in an opening between the end of the bunks and the washroom (slides in,secured by a strap). We got bunk rails from our dealer as they weren't supplied with it.
We have a kampa 260 it fits great. Make sure if you do get one it's the 2010 version as you can get storm straps as an extra. I'd recommend them.
In all great caravan. We don't need the 3rd bottom bunk, it's great for storage.
Thanks very much for the replies. Your advice is much appreciated.
I'll check for the strap between the washroom and the bunks and if it's not in the 2010 model, perhaps I'll do the same as Andrew suggests.
It's good to know that both the 260 and 390 fit well with the caravan. We're used to a full awning but we needed it as our last caravan was only a 440. We're hoping that the storage in the Lunar will allow us to use a smaller awning which is quick and easy to put up (even on the windiest or wettest of days!?!) so that's why we were considering the 260.
Nicky, does the 260 cover or affect any of the windows? Also, the bunk rails you got from your dealer, were they model specific or generic? Did the dealer fit them for you or just supply them?
Am so excited about getting our new caravan, I can hardly wait! Only one more week to go!
The awning covers the kitchen window only and there is plenty of space between the door and rear seating window.
The bed bunks must be generic as the dealer took them off a completly different model. If you email lunar direct they'll tell you what the 2010 model comes with. (quite quick response unlike kampa!). We don't use them as Its our eldest that uses this bunk, if your dealer does supply them, get them to fit them as it looks like a fiddly job.
Good luck, hope your handover goes smoothly.
Nicky
Scooby,
I'm reading this with interest as I'm also picking up a brand new Quaser 546 hopefully within the next couple of days.
Really liked the layout (particularly the washroom) and have only heard positive things about it so far.
Really can't wait to pick it up:-)
Our dealer is Halleys in North Ayrshire - a bit far away from us, I know, but we have been really impressed with their customer service so far and that they seem to be quite a small and friendly dealership. Who did you use?
Any tips for the handover? This is my first time getting a new caravan so not sure what to expect...
Hi Scooby, We got ours from our local dealer, only 10 mins away - glad it was so near as we were back and forth with ours for a while. We weren't going to buy from them but the day we went in for a last look before going round the other dealers, they had a big sales weekend which ment we got a free mover & masses of other things thrown in and a hefty discount.
To be fair any problems have been sorted out (eventually!) I'm sure your dealers will be much more on the ball.
One of our problems was the edging was coming away from the centre chest, so they fixed this.....with a different coloured top!! When you slid out the chest table it didn't match! Numpties. They couldn't believe it when we took it back, "who would of done that?" eh, We went in at the weekend to look at the new 546 and our old chest is in one, complete with mis-matched tops.
I'm pretty sure your dealer won't be as bad.
Just go over the caravan carefully and don't be rushed, I'm sure it'll all go smoothly. We had a 'dink' on the outside of ours, I wasn't sure about it but it was fixed as good as new and you couldn't see where it was.
That's hilarious about the table - if only it weren't true!!!
We initially looked at the 546 in Kirkcaldy, but like you, you go where the deal is and we have managed to get a mover and lots of extras too. This caravan is a lot bigger than our old one so I am thrilled about the mover. Should make getting onto awkward pitches a lot easier. I'm not that great at reversing onto pitches so my husband and I used to just push the old one around ourselves!
We had our first weekend away in the new caravan last week and it was superb! We found the caravan to be very spacious, bright and airy. I loved the good-sized fridge and having the rear dinette next to the bunks. We didn't take an awning and still had plenty of room for all our things.
We used electric hook-up on site and only used gas for cooking. All heating, water, electrics etc worked fine and were really easy to operate. However, we did discover one slight unexpected problem; The outside locker door to the bottom bunk let in some water which gathered in the lower seal when it rained. This is obviously a worry which our dealer is now looking into so hopefully fixed before next trip.
Our son slept fine on the bottom bunk with a double mattress and guard rail however we are trying to get a safe sleeping arrangement sorted for the middle bunk in time for our next trip as I think it will be warmer up there for him.
How is your caravan looking? I'm sorry to hear your wife has had an Op and hope she is recovering well. I bet you both can't wait to get away! Do you have any trips planned?
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Lunar Quasar 546
