The advantages of fixed bed layouts are obvious and huge ie no twice daily bed (de)construction and a proper mattress.
But I am also trying to get a grip on the downsides ie
- less living or kitchen or shower room space
- central door across van shut, van seems smaller and darker
- central door left open, all visitors are in your bedroom iyswim
- bedlinen goes stale more quickly because of proximity to kitchen
- hard to keep the dog off the bed during the day
- often the handbasin is away from the toilet (could keep some hand sanitiser gel in the loo I suppose) and in the bedroom area (splashing, tootpaste?)
Anything else I should be thinking about?
The fixed bed layout does seem like the obvious one to go for but I am trying to make sure that I've weighed everything up so I can come to the best compromise for me. Cheers
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
About 18 months ago we changed to a fixed bed design and had many of the same concerns. We initially ordered a van with a side bathroom but due to circumstances at the dealer in question we had to cancel that order which as it turned out was a bit of serendipity because a few months later Swift introduced a fixed bed design with a rear bathroom and we are now the proud owners of a Charisma 550 dealer special. It is true that you get a bit less space everywhere but it is a boon not haveing to make up a bed everyday and there is a massive amount of storage under the fixed bed, albeit not so easily accessable. In the summer you spend a lot of time outside the van so space is not such an issue but, as with everything, you get used to what you have.
If you are 6 foot 3 like me, then you need at least 6 foot 6 in a bed and one that doesn't end up against a "wall" at the foot end. And that is a lot of unused space taken up 24/7.
I feel the same about end "bathrooms." We only ever use it for a wee in the night. Otherwise we use the site facilities that we have paid for already. So why take up all that unused space.
We had several chats along those lines with reps at the Manchester Caravan Show ------- "Did not compute. Fatal internal error."
depends on your usage in terms of time away and sites used. if you are on expensive all singing / dancing sites then you can get away with a small washroom.we use alot of basic sites and cl`s so a full size washroom suits our needs as does a fixed bed.. the lounge is ample for us to get laid out if we want to , the kitchen is big enough for our needs also.its entirely what each individual needs from a particular layout , not which is best
We looked at all the designs when we changed our Van. Wanted a full bathroom when on CS\CL's and as now use year-round wanted internal lounge space as we don't use an awning for winter weekend trips. Also a decent kitchen area.
Concusion, no fixed bed as a quart wont go in a pint pot!
We love our fixed bed and corner washroom. Ours is a 2001 Elddis Avante 534 and we don't feel the lounge is compromised at all. Yes, the washroom is small, with the washbasin in the bedroom area but it's never caused us any issues.
When we come to replace the 'van, it'll be with another fixed bed though we may go for one with an end washroom.
------------- Best Wishes and Happy Travels,
Feecamp
I absolutely love the look of the fixed bed end bathroom lay outs, but one problem Kids, they would need to sleep at the front then in most vans, so no good if you like to sit up and watch the box, though there is always the option on watching from bed with some models. However, if your anything like me, if I try to watch anything from bed, Im snoring in under 30 seconds much to the anoyance of the boss.
So, allthough I would definately have one, it won't until the kids a bored of comming with us, I suspect at the current rate though, this might be when they are in their 30's.
My parents bought a fixed island bed & swapped back to a 2 berth "make up bed" layout, there just wasn't enough room around the sides & as it was a single axle they had short front bunks & no worktop.
It does depend on layout though, we've got a fixed bed which is across the back of the van so we still have a lot of workspace & long front bunks, I personally would never go back to the 2 berth as this layout is so convenient, I regularly go to bed before hubby & like the odd afternoon nap in comfort.
We had a fixed bed with a corner bathroom /toilet. We did not like having no rear window and it felt very claustrophobic and also having to climb on to the bed to get to the overhoad lockers, the OH could not get to them at all owing to dodgy knees.
Went away in it once and then changed it.
Making up a bed is a pain but does not take that long.
It never took us long to make the bed up on our old van, but then we had to fetch and unpack our memory foam topper and quilt. With the fixed bed we can just leave the bed made up.
It didn't bother me having to make up the bed because the wife did it while I walked the dog.
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Topic: Fixed beds: disadvantages
