Hey folks, ok decision is made, gas guzzling towcar is earmarked now we need to decide on a layout, id love to get peoples opinions as I cant decide what to look at...heres our scenario...
hubby and wife plus two large dogs
one slightly anti social bed loving teenage girl of 14
one outdoor and tv loving 9 yr old boy
both of above to be kept apart as much as possible !!)
one 18 month old toddler ( i know I know what were we thinking!!)
so, how do we fit all that lot into one caravan...
we used to have a 6 berth abbey vogue, fixed bunks at one end and king sized sofa/bed at front. worked well and could work again if we used the extra dinette bunk for the tiddler.
BUT....our kids are getting pretty big and prefer lounging about watching telly nowadays so im wondering about a 2 lounge model, king at one end, 2 singles at other, could seperate the singles with a curtain for privacy but the where do you put the tiddler, do any come with a side dinette too?
towing weight isnt a problem as we looking at a nissan terrano. so we could go for a twin axle. budget is in the region of 5 1/2k.
helllllp!
alternatively we cd get a baby sitter and leave the kids at home and just take the dogs...... ;)
lol! I like that, Ive been searching thru all the various layouts again this morning and I think you maybe right,its going to be a case of go and look. I just wondered if people had a preference for teenage kids etc...except that is for leaving them at home!!
If you're looking at mainly summer camping & your son is the outdoors type you could use an awning with annexe for him to camp in his own little bedroom. Bit of a faff just for weekends tho unless you used a small pup tent next to the van?
How about having the twin dinette layout & sleeping the two eldest in the awning or pup tent?
Regarding the gas guzzler I drive a Terrano and it's horrendous on fuel, luckily I work from home & only use it to ferry the dogs to the common and shopping on a Sunday but my last £20 only got me 64 miles.
We've got 3 kids too (but only 1 dog!) and went for separate rear bedroom and extra dinette at the back. Kids can be shut away, leaving main lounge (also your double bed) at the front free. For us, it's been an excellent option. We went for Adria Altea 542 dk as good price and really good sized bunks. Oldest goes on the double bed at the back, younger ones on the 2 bunks. Plenty of room at the front for us and the dog.
Hello we have a 14 year old son, ,,,,,,getting to the point of not wanting to come, when he does and brings a mate they like the annexe or a pup tent however we do have a fixed bed so have managed,,,,,i know where you are coming from its soooo hard to find the right layout as children grow and change !!!! haha
------------- wishing everyone,,,,what you would wish for yourselves x
when we were looking at the caravans at the nec, I was surprised with the amount of choice their was, when it came to layouts. We looked at loads and kept coming back to one, it was like a magnet to us. we went for a twin dinette, we have to make the beds up but when we are all together their is six of us, we plan to but little tent in awning for the eldest. but most of the time it be me and the other half when the kids are at their other parents. or one of us having time with our own kids. anyway we liked the idea where if the kids wanted to sit opposite sides to each other they could in the day.
------------- 08/4/11 - 10.04.11 grantham
11/4/11 - 15/04/11 bala
28/4/11 - 02/05/11 kingsbury water park
Its really something you can only decide for yourself, we have 2 dogs, 2 kids, 14 and 13. Our Ranger 620/6 suits us, fixed bed for adults and the kids sleep on the front seats as singles, so no real bed making required. We use the side dinette for breakfast when the kids are still lazing in their beds. For longer holidays we use the awning with 2 annexes, one either end for the kids to sleep seperately, but it does make for a big footprint. Tow with a Kia Sedona but its a bit of a heap now and just cant afford to replace it with what I really want ( a new Sorrento) so it will have to live to tow a bit longer. You will find something that suits you it just takes some negotiation.
still have to say my caravan is the best layout Ihave seen todate. the problem I have allways had is the traffic jam and loitering around the entrance esp with children. and the in and out to and throw. cant see why the design is not seen more. I know its a tad long (21ft inc A frame) for many cars and homes. but never the less. when there is four or more its great to have the space and room. and at under 1300kg fully laoded light also.
always used a two man tent for the boys. inside the awning so no need for the fly sheet. once they are up and awake just let the top down leave air bed inside and slide the lot under the van. height allowing.
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Topic: which layout is best...opinions please...
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