Hi, we are a a family of four, with two girls aged 9 and 13. We are looking at buying our first caravan and wondering what type of layout you find works with this size of family.
We have looked at some this weekend, and like one with fixed bunks located at the rear on the side and with a side dinette ( so a 6 berth)
Hi
Having camped for years as a family with 3 children i would recommend going slightly larger than you think you need.
We always opted for 6 berth as caravans seem to 'shrink' once you move in.
Regards.
What navver said above, but once that's sorted I would second what others have said. Go 5 or 6 berth. Our Olympus 540-5 has side bunks. The new version is the Pegasus Ancona on a single wheel axel. But lots of makes now do a similar layout. Go and have a look at as many as you can . We like the fact our bathroom is at the back as vans with a side bathroom can be a bit narrow imo. Happy hunting
Quote: Originally posted by Fee Fi Fo on 04/7/2016
What navver said above, but once that's sorted I would second what others have said. Go 5 or 6 berth. Our Olympus 540-5 has side bunks. The new version is the Pegasus Ancona on a single wheel axel. But lots of makes now do a similar layout. Go and have a look at as many as you can . We like the fact our bathroom is at the back as vans with a side bathroom can be a bit narrow imo. Happy hunting
Agree with you on the side bathroom making it feel narrow, we went into a couple that were like that and didn't like them
Having owned one I wouldn't go for bunks at all. I would go for something with a layout like our Bailey Bologna. Our girls didn't like the bunks as they felt claustrophobic and couldn't sit up in their bed to play or read, we had a triple bunk.
Fixed bed for me and the wife, large seating area used as two single beds for girls. Important to get twin axle version as single axles don't have long enough seats and you have to make into a double bed. We have making beds up every day.
Full size bathroom so privacy to get dressed. When kids got to bed we either sit in awning or lay on bed and watch tv.
Quote: Originally posted by checkley1973 on 05/7/2016
Having owned one I wouldn't go for bunks at all. I would go for something with a layout like our Bailey Bologna. Our girls didn't like the bunks as they felt claustrophobic and couldn't sit up in their bed to play or read, we had a triple bunk.
Fixed bed for me and the wife, large seating area used as two single beds for girls. Important to get twin axle version as single axles don't have long enough seats and you have to make into a double bed. We have making beds up every day.
Full size bathroom so privacy to get dressed. When kids got to bed we either sit in awning or lay on bed and watch tv.
Yes this is teh alternative to bunks really.
We have now gone this route with near 12 and near 9 years old, neither of which are particularly big.
We however did find a Coachman 530/4 or 535/4 did have on enough front seats on a single axle (at 5ft 6 long) with rear fixed bed and large double sided kitchen. only compromise is corner bathroom which whilst nicely fitted doesn't have space that seems to be the fashion these days.
Really its hard when you start out as you don;t know how you will operate on long and short breaks with all the family and so maybe working out if kids stay up similar time to you on holiday for insatcne may drive you towards the fixed bed route which will always be more comfy
Also as mentioned you need to know what car you have and can tow. the Adrias mentioned above are great vans and we started with one a 542DT which did us very well indeed and I highly recommend them BUT the bunks whilst long and wide, won't suit all as headroom is restricted massively. Our two both prefer the front benches of the Coachman an it works for us as a family of 4
Quote: Originally posted by sunshinetours on 05/7/2016
Quote: Originally posted by checkley1973 on 05/7/2016
Having owned one I wouldn't go for bunks at all. I would go for something with a layout like our Bailey Bologna. Our girls didn't like the bunks as they felt claustrophobic and couldn't sit up in their bed to play or read, we had a triple bunk.
Fixed bed for me and the wife, large seating area used as two single beds for girls. Important to get twin axle version as single axles don't have long enough seats and you have to make into a double bed. We have making beds up every day.
Full size bathroom so privacy to get dressed. When kids got to bed we either sit in awning or lay on bed and watch tv.
Yes this is teh alternative to bunks really.
We have now gone this route with near 12 and near 9 years old, neither of which are particularly big.
We however did find a Coachman 530/4 or 535/4 did have on enough front seats on a single axle (at 5ft 6 long) with rear fixed bed and large double sided kitchen. only compromise is corner bathroom which whilst nicely fitted doesn't have space that seems to be the fashion these days.
Really its hard when you start out as you don;t know how you will operate on long and short breaks with all the family and so maybe working out if kids stay up similar time to you on holiday for insatcne may drive you towards the fixed bed route which will always be more comfy
Also as mentioned you need to know what car you have and can tow. the Adrias mentioned above are great vans and we started with one a 542DT which did us very well indeed and I highly recommend them BUT the bunks whilst long and wide, won't suit all as headroom is restricted massively. Our two both prefer the front benches of the Coachman an it works for us as a family of 4
good luck whatever you choose
We won't be towing so weight really isn't an issue other than it has to be single axle.
Hadn't thought of letting the girls sleep on the sofa part of the caravan. We generally all go to bed at the same time.
we have a 6 berth with bunks at the side, a dinette opposite and middle bathroom.
this layout suits us well and far better than our previous 6 berth with fixed rear bunks across the back and next to the door.
the best part is that you can close off the rear end with a partition. then when going in and out after the boys are in bed you dont disturb them.
they also like to have their own area with a table and a TV to watch their own DVDs and tv shows. it is not much bigger than our previous caravan but the ability to close of the rear end and the higher comfort level than our bailey has mad our trips so much more enjoyable and less stressful trying to get the children to go to bed.
with 2 bunks my children can sit up in bed but don't need to as they can sit in the dinette to play games or read.
in our case it wouldn't be practical to leave the front lounge made up as a bed but i am 6'4" and can lie along the lounge seats if we didnt make it up into a double bed.
we have a Coachman Amara 570/6 but there are plenty of other vans with the same layout. i like to tour so suitability for my car is quite essential. however there were a few twin axle vans with the same layout that were actually lighter than our coachman.
having a seasonal pitch though would allow you to look at hobbies, knaus, hymer etc which most of us mere mortals cant tow but would allow a much larger caravan.
------------- First van bailey ranger 550/6
Now the proud owner of a coachman amara
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: Layout advice, family of 4
