My partner and I are on the verge of getting our first caravan. At first we thought a 2 berth would be fine, then decided we'd like a 4 as this would give us the option of a separate dining table, now we're looking at one with a end bedroom which converts into a dining room!
My only worry with a 2 is that we'll have it for a while and then want a bigger one. Plus I thought at least with a 4 you have extra room if another couple want to come away with us...but then again we also want an awning so this could always double up as a sleeping area.
Does anyone have any advice or previous experience in terms of what size would bet better to go for? I don't want to regret our decision after we've bought the caravan so want to try and get it right first time if at all possible.
Hi Katianne, we're 2 + 3 pooches and have gone through an L shaped longe/end washroom, a traditional layout with side dinette and we're now on a fixed bed/end washroom. We're happy with this layout. If you read the thread 'how long did you have your first caravan', you'll see many people change their mind after a few months.
We have trained our pooches not to jump on the bed (unless by invitation when we're still in it having a lazy morning!) and when they're wet, they're trained to go on their special towel in the end washroom. I also have throws on the seats. I wasn't always this caravan proud, but this is a new one and will have to do us for many years to come!
My advice would be to go for as big a one as your car and wallet will take, not new, then you can sell it if you change your minds (we did and didn't lose money on it, either).
You will probably have as many opinions as there are poster here (well, almost!), but in the end, it's your decision. Whatever you get, enjoy it!
Hi Katianne, My wife is 6' 1" and I am 6' 4". we also have 2 dogs. Our van is a 2 berth and has 6' 6" single beds, cooker, fridge, loo, hot & cold water and all the usual requirements. When dining we have 3 tables up inside. (one each and one for serving onto).
Although we have more room when the awning is being used, 75% of the time we are using the van on its own.
A bigger van, for us, just means having to have a bigger tow car that uses more fuel, even when we are not towing.
We are 2 adults and 2 dogs. We went for a 4 berth. 1st van was end bathroom / mid diner and we used to leave the double bed made up. I think we'd have struggled for space with a smaller van.
Current van is a fixed bed end bathroom and again I don't think anything smaller would do. They do say 4 berths sell better than 2 berths also.
If it were just OH, me & the dogs I'd go for a 4 berth with fixed bed & end washroom. It'd be bliss not to have to make any beds up at night! Unfortunately, with a 14yr old & a 5yr old that layout just wouldn't work for us at the moment but our time will come...
For two, like us. we have a fixed bed. Ideal for us and the dog just stays at the lounge end on her blanket when we go to bed. She normally sleeps in a cage at home but heres no room for it in the van.
When we had the end washroom, side dinette 4 berth, she always ended up on our bed.
2 berths will be much cheaper, smaller/lighter, have more room for washroom & kitchen and better looked after than family 4 or 5 berths, and there will be more about. 2 berths are bought by couples with more money, many of whom will buy new. 4/5 berths are sought after 2nd hand by families who can't afford new.
The fixed bed is wonderful, much more comfy and convenient.
We are three humans and two dogs, we had a 2 berth first and it's was ok, but we now have a 4 berth, our little cav spaniel takes up no room and sleeps with me and hubby ( she does snore though lol) and the lab he sleeps mainly in the awning if it's really cold we have a heater for him or he sleeps on his bed in the van, our van has a dinette front and back, this works well for us.
One thing I will say perhaps buy an older van if you have dogs, as you won't feel to obsessed if it gets a bit dirty or a bit doggy, unless you cover everything up.
Of topic a bit when we started looking at van we viewed one, the ad did say they had dogs, by the look if it they must of kept 20 in there, I love dogs but I've never ever seen so much dog hair on seats in my life and the smell well it was breathtaking lol.
We were really tempted by this one as their is more room for the dogs. We could have opted for it as we have 3 kids who could all squeeze into the huge kingsize front bed if needed but ds sleeps in the awning anyway. But as dd likes to bring her bestfriend with her we thought we'd better be sensible and get the 6 berth.
As it's your 1st 'van have you thought about getting a real cheapie to learn what layout will suit you.
We came from a trailer tent and thought that we wouldn't need hot running water or a toilet. On our 1st night in our 1st 'van we soon realised that we would need a toilet and hot running water! I wasn't that bothered about a microwave either but in our current 'van i use it even if only for warming up my cooled down coffee lol
Quote: Originally posted by LobeyDosser on 09/6/2010
We dunno where you pair are sleeping but we're okay!!!!
<img style="WIDTH: 600px; HEIGHT: 450px" id=fullSizedImage class=media alt="boysinthevan.jpg The Boys in the van picture by tramcaur" src="https://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t253/tramcaur/boysinthevan.jpg?t=1276114492" GALLERYIMG="no">
oh my goodness they are adorable, and they look very comfy :)
I regetted a 2 berth even though there were only two of us. The hassle of making up the bed each night was too much. Sadly I'm selling my lovely 5 berth caravan now due to divorce but I would never get a 2 berth again.
There are two of us and three dogs, two are collie size and the other is a Springer. We have just sold our 2 berth with end bathroom and 'L' shaped lounge and bought a new 4 berth with fixed bed so that we have more floor room for the dogs. Ideally we would have liked a fixed bed and 'L' shaped lounge for optimum floor space but we couldn't find a new van with that layout. It would be easier to let the dogs have the awning but I'm always concerned that they will escape somehow.
We have just been to Black Knoll CC site and the van next to us had four dogs,big ones.They only had a two berth and their dogs slept in a covered area outside which was fenced off.We were woken up early every morning by the dogs barking. One morning it was 5am, then app once an hour after that. They sometimes barked at 11pm at night.Other mornings varied from 6am.The barking wasn't continuous but it woke us up. As we are ruled by the early alarm at home(6.30am) we were looking forward to not being woken up with a start.It spoilt our break away. If you have dogs then they should sleep with you inside where you can keep them quiet if neccessary.We have a dog and she sleeps in the caravan with us.
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Topic: 2 People and 2 dogs - how many berths?
