I agree with Jim above. We originally got a 4 berth for us and our 1yr old but have found the side dinette layout just didn't suit us. We have now upgraded to a 5 berth Bailey Provence and this gives us far more room and an end bedroom to shut any children away in! I think as long as the tow weight isn't an issue for you I would go for the 5 berth.
We used to have a 5 berth Avondale Ulysses, but the bunk bed really didn't feel strong enough to put anything more than a doll in so we never used it. We have sinse changed to a Fixed bed 4 berth coachman and find there is ample room for 4, but if you wanted to squeeze a 5th person in then it would be a very "friendly" experience in the double bed... Still I did read somewhere that a large portion of caravanners are swingers, so maybe that's an advantage
We have a five berth twin dinette layout with the 5th berth being a bunk at the back. My teenage girls are too tall to climb in and out of the bunk. When we take my young niece with us, we use the rear double, my girls use the front settees as singles, and we put the seat backs between them on the floor to make a 3rd single. We find this works best for us after my niece banged her head getting in and out of the bunk!!
I agree with comments above, I.e. we are a family of 4 but have gone for a 5 berth because the extra space is so nice to have if ypu can tow it comfortably.
Quote: Originally posted by floppitydoppity on 25/2/2012
We thinking of getting a coachman amara 5 berth for us to use. The family ( 2 adults a 12 year old and 2 teenagers -one small and one not.
Question is. Would a 4 berth do us? The eldest prob won't be coming with us for much longer and not every time.
Also., have any of you got a coachman amara? What you think of it?
We've got a 5 berth Amara for the 4 of us so we've never used the bunk over the rear bed. We use the back bed as a double and the lads use the front seats as 2 singles, they also make up into a large double which could probably sleep 3.
We're quite happy with the van, we bought it 3 years ago after having a trailer tent for 12 years. We chose it because many of the 6 berth models in our budget had a weight limit on the bunks that wouldn't have been much use to 2 growing teenagers. In bad weather if you're all inside the van all day it might be a bit tight for space so you'd probably be better with an awning as well or choose a 6 berth with beds at each end.
We thought our lads wouldn't want to come with us as they got older but they get on well and are still intersted in camping holidays, especially if we go to France - you could have yours around for a while yet :)
We have a coachman wanderer which is a dealer special, based on the amara. Would definately reccomend it. Our model would probably suit you too. It is a six berth called the 570/6. It has seats which make up a double at the front then a separate room At the back with two good and strong fixed bunks along with a side seating area and table which then makes a single or another pair of bunks. This room has a door accross to provide some privacy and peace.
Would be good for 5 but perfect for us with 4 of us. Gives the kids a place for themselves and ready made beds.
Only downside is making up the front double but it only takes minutes.
Really happy with the coachman. Seems very well built and everything is good quality. We loved our bailey ranger but this is in a different league.
Hope this helps.
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Topic: 4 or 5 berth
