How big a caravan do you need with 2 primary aged kids with enough space for a weekend without an awning? This would be our first caravan if we do decide to go for it and 85% kerbweight is 1330kg. I'm compiling a list of lightweight 5 and 6 berth 'vans. I know with tents 4 berths is not suitable for a family of 4, just wondering what people's experience with caravans is?
------------- From tents to trailer tents to a tin tent to an air tent to trailer tent and back to tin tent!
A 4 berth is usually good for four people easily. A 5 berth can sometimes involve a fiddly bunk over a double that is a bit small for anything more than a toddler. Normally people are asking if they can squeeze an extra one in, not if the caravan is big enough for what it says.
The caravan has its own beds, so if it says 4 berth, it must have 4 beds, though it may be in the form of two doubles or one double and two bunks.
A 10ft 4 berth van is plenty big enough. They sold thousands of them in the old days.
Not sure why a 4 berth tent is not suitable for 4 people? Someone of them could sleep a whole extended family with ease.
Our experience is that out 1st perfect van, Turned out not to be so perfect when you start spending 2 weeks living in it.
The layout just wasnt quite right.
But our current van is perfect, So perfect we have had it many years.
we had a small 4 berth when our kids were the same age and it was fine. However we now have a 7ft longer 5 berth and it is loads better. We have an L shape front and mid bathroom so the kids have there own bedroom at the end (and can be shut in at bedtime!).
Personaly I would go as big as possible as they will grow and my 13 and 11 yr old take up loads more room now!
Plus when they get older they start to bring friends etc. which is limited with a 4 berth.
We started out with a small lightweight four berth which coped very well until the kids reached about 5ft 7 and the bunks became too small. We had a side dinette model which gave us plenty of circulation space and a good sized washroom. Double dinette models work well for some families but the van is definitely divided into two sections and we needed more space to sit together as they got older.
We thought that we were buying a layout that would last at the time but were proved wrong Looking back I think that your family needs will change every 3-5 years or so. There's those awkward years ahead when the kids still to come away with you but will take up the space of a full grown adult
Thanks, that's useful to hear other people's experience. We think we need to do a lot more looking round different layouts. We love the space in the 6 berth fixed bunk models but they are v long and this would be our first caravan. Our car's manual says it has a braked towing limit of 1800kg but yet it's kerbweight is only 1545 so we've ended up looking at lighter 'vans than we had initially thought. My current favourite is Sprite Musketeer td and we're going to look round one (and many other models) tomorrow its just a shame as its a new layout the prices are still at the top end of what we were looking to spend. We shall see....
------------- From tents to trailer tents to a tin tent to an air tent to trailer tent and back to tin tent!
have you tried the German market the Hobby is well built roomy and light I have a Hobby prestige had it since 2006 it has fixed enclosed bedroom twin bunk and all the things you need fridge cooker shower loo microwave, they have to be seen to believe.
------------- We are now an independent site and Licenced to take 15 Vans and 8 Tents, I have just installed 8 extra hook-ups a Shower and looking to the near future to install 1or 2 6 berth Static vans, which will be open to holiday letting the washing up point is in and running
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Family of 4
Looking back I think that your family needs will change every 3-5 years or so. There's those awkward years ahead when the kids still to come away with you but will take up the space of a full grown adult
