I'm new to caravanning and I would prefer to buy something quite small. As there's only going to be the 2 of us I was wondering if a 2 berth is actually feasible for a week or two at a time or should I be looking at a r4 berth for the extra space.
I'm thinking a 2 berth with a full awning outside would do the job. What do you think.
Thanks
We have kids so have a van where we have to make up our bed, if it was just the two of us we would definitely go for a fixed bed, so a 4 berth unless you intend to leave bed up and use the awning for living space. Personally I like to be able to sit snug in the van at cooler times of the year.
We have used a two berth for the last 22 years. We started off with an 11ft van, quickly moved up to a 3.9m ( 13ft ) then a few years later moved up again to a 4.3m van then in 2003 we bought our current 4.6m end bathroom van. We have spent over 800 nights in this van and the 2 berths are no limitation to the length of stay. If I could fit a van with good sized twin beds and an end bathroom in my garden I would think about it, but the extra size makes other demands and I do not want to have to go into Tractor territory.
------------- Bill
For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013
The more I think of it the more an end bed makes sense. The wife always goes to bed before me so it wouldn't be practical to make up a bed every night.I'd have nowhere to sit and read otherwise.
Can you get 2 berth end bedroom vans?
You have to decide what you want. (We have had both)
1. Will you be sleeping on the benches - as separate beds ?
2. Are they long enough for you both to do that. (If you are sleeping separately then remove the back cushion and stand it up on the floor in front of the seat. It makes the bed wider.)
3. If you intend to make up the bed every night - how much space will it leave to get dressed etc.
4. If you intend to buy one with a fixed bed - make sure it is long enough for you both (I don't know how tall you are - but add 6 inches to your height for the ideal bed length)
I stretch out when in bed so I need that room. - Don't forget - your head is never right up to the headboard.
(PS. I would never go back to a 2 berth - I would rather buy a tent)
Going to bed at separate times is a definite for fixed bed or the front seats used as singles.
Fixed bed is comfy and easy to live with, but: Have to climb over each other to get out for a wee in the night. Also a bit narrow. Also means a more cramped lounge and bathroom areas.
There are 2 berth vans that are much bigger than some 5 berth vans.
The number of berths does not dictate the van size.
You can get 2 berth vans with rear bathroom and you can get 4 berth vans with a rear bathroom.
If you dont want to make the front beds up or need somewhere to sit consider one with a side dinette?
I remember looking at some 4 berth vans many years ago and thinking how can you fit 4 people into that. The answer was cosily.
Double at the front and either a double at the rear or bunks and a bathroom in the corner with the kitchen on the side.
Amazing use of space when you think about it, similar size to some pod carabans but without having to crawl in through a porthole and room to stand.
Similar issue with weight also, just because a van is a 2 berth or shorter does not mean it will weigh less than a longer van or one with more berths.
I have to keep pointing this out to the wife, she points to a van and says thats smaller. I have to point out it usually weighs 200kg more than our current van.
We looked at a Buccaneer? many years ago, 2 or 3 berth? it was massive. You could have a game of skittles or 10 pin bowling in it.
We started with a 4 berth with side dinette,old Bailey Beachcomber. Had the front benchs made up permanently as the bed. Very comfortable as it confirmed that caravanning was for us, 2 adults 2 dogs. so glad that we had advice that if in doubt go for more space, just aim for a lighter weight van.
We have recently stopped touring but had a 2 berth Swift, using the seats as 2 single fixed beds. We spent 6 weeks in it earlier this year in Holland. With a full awning it was plenty big enough for the two of us.
Our main van has a fixed island bed, which we love. It is on a seasonal pitch as that suits us at this time in our lives. I wouldn't want to tour in it though - especially if I was going to put up the awning which is huge!
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Topic: is it big enough :-)
