We are looking at buying an 4 berth Island Bed, does anyone have any opinions or pro's and con's before we jump in with both feet.
Any opinion will be greatly appreciated.
As this hasn't been posted in the Caravan section i thought i'd reply here.
We have an island bed and its fab. Hubby is 6'4" ish and after looking at side fixed beds decided that we wouldn't get a decent nights sleep if he couldn't lay out properly. The side fixed beds were not long enough and alos mean that you have to scrample over the bed to get in or out. There is not much room around our island bed but we manage and we think its the perect layout for us 2.
The kitchen and lounge areas are adequate for our use and we are really pleased with the layout.
We loved this layout when we were looking...however went against it as there was no flexibility within that space for us...so went with the end dining area that converts to a double that we leave assembled most the time if it's just the 2 of us but makes more seating area if required....this would not work as well if I was 6 foot 4 though
We find the island bed much better than the side fixed which we had before if you are on the wall side of side fixed you have to do the phosbury flop to get out and back in again add the dog and its impossable
you also get a wardrobe a piece with the island bed setup however there is less storage under an island bed because on ours the alde heating is under there
Quote: Originally posted by Jusy on 15/6/2011
Havent got a island bed van but would love one. Plus with the side beds you would have to climb over oh during the night, not for me .
Don't mean to hijack a thread how do you get on with your 510? I quite fancy that layout.
I've never been tempted by an ordinary fixed double don't like the cut off, but I saw a lunar with an island bed and liked that a lot
------------- "I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.
Quote: Originally posted by murano on 15/6/2011Don't mean to hijack a thread how do you get on with your 510? I quite fancy that layout.
I've never been tempted by an ordinary fixed double don't like the cut off, but I saw a lunar with an island bed and liked that a lot
We love the van, even though we have'nt slept the the twin beds. We got 2 tall lads nearly 6 foot so they have them, that was the reason for buying the van.
Also, they can lie in and we can still use the rest of the van.
One day we hope to use the beds
The only fault is, if 4 of you wanted to watch tv there isnt enough room.
Anything else just ask.
We love our Lunar Lexon 640 T/A with island bed the font lounge is also large , we average about 85 nights away a year , saves making the bed up , plus there is oodles of storage underneath , i normally get up in the morning and makes us a nice cuppa and we lay there and watch the news till about 8,30 am , we have been down to Spain 2 twice with the van , once we drove through france in thick snow , the snow was almost 4" thick on the front and roof of the van , the wheel arches were solid as well , god knows how much the van weighed , we bought it brand new in 2007 and really pleased with it
I think Bailey are now no longer making caravans with Island beds. The Pegasus 1 with the Island bed which pulled out a bit from the side wall was obviously not a great success - I can't find the layout in the Pegasus 2 version.
I think any van is a compromise. For us we really like a larger washroom that comes when the washroom/shower is across the back of the van. This cuts down the choice of island beds even further. If you add into that scenario this wish to remain with a single axle van, then that almost puts paid to an island bed for us.
Like some one already mentioned above, I thought I would not like a bed with a cut off corner. In practice, (and I sleep the cut off side,) I don't even notice it. I always thought I would like an island fixed bed, but we are now really happy with the side fixed bed.
We have recently changed from a side fixed bed to an island bed and love it......Agreed there are compromises to be made but being able to get out of bed in the middle of the night from both sides compensates for lots. The bathroom is obviously smaller but if we close the door between the bedroom and lounge area we have a lovely en-suite to shower and dress in.....This layout is a certainly more suitable as a 2 berth. Good luck with your search for your ideal layout
We have an Abbey GTS Vogue 420 with the fixed island bed at the back, previous to that we had a twin axle Elddis Crusader Cyclone with the fixed bed at the back. Wouldn't consider anything else other than an island bed but then there's only the two of us so we can afford to dedicate this much space in the 'van to our sleeping quarters!
We did look at the side mounted bed but cut off on one side meant a small and short bed, climbing over oh isn't really much fun and whoever sleeps on the wall side is going to be on the cold side...
new to caravaning, used to have many tents then to trailor tent now to a caravan only 2 trips out at present but would never go back now. Caravan is brill.
I have a burstner 2002 Ventana 470 with a fixed island bed. Alot more comfort than my trusty trailor tent, alot warmer as well.
Only downside as mentioned smaller living room area plus this has to be changed to the kids bedroom area. (Will ship them into the awning soon he he)
Plenty of storage around the overhead locker around the bed plus under it.
Go for this layout if you can compromise the living area. good luck
We always wanted an island bed but my parents bought one, hated it & swapped after one holiday.
They said it was just too cramped in there down the sides of the bed once the quilt & bedding was on & impossible to bend over & put your socks on in the morning without hitting your head on the wall. Plus most fixed beds have one cut corner but island beds have two.
We went to the caravan shop today for some rock pegs, anyway looked at some vans as you do, and laid on the fixed side bed and an island bed, and whilst the concept is really good , I just couldn't sleep in one I think, so I think I will stick to the make up bed at the front and have more living space, but I suppose it's horses for courses, unless you can have a huge twin axel or a fith wheeler there is always a compromise ,but for me I think I'd rather have more daytime space .
------------- "I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.
We have an island bed in our Caravel, and I difinitely would never go back to a side one. There is plenty of storage space underneath as among other things we put Aquaroll, Wastemaster, spare wheel and a coupler of chairs. The front seats are long enough to lay full length on them, it's got good sized seperate shower and toilet compartments, we actually call it a luxury 3 berth.
------------- Regards
Terry Birch
Our tourer days are over and we have moved on to a Hobby Motorhome
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Topic: Island Bed Caravan
