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 Any experiences with the caravan layout with the separate large rear bathroom with the round shower cabin , mid kitchen and the 2 parallel beds/coaches in front?

I like to ask some Q’s about it:

1. how is your experience with the bathroom?
2. does the shower really works (water pressure, warm water quantity) ?
3. any problems with cracks in floor shower basin around the waste outlet? Or elsewhere?
4. is this bathroom worth the square meters of space in relation to the total van?
5. are you positive about the two separate beds in the front? Does it do the trick or is it ......?
6. main reason to go for to 2 berths model is that a French bed of 1.40 m width (in 470 model) looks so damned small; certainly when it's hot in the summer.
7. any advises or remarks where or what to look at when buying a model like this one ( I have seen a 2005 model Stirling Europa 460 of the Swift Group )

I'm almost retired and like to travel with my wife a lot in Europe using a not to big -but with a lot of comfort- caravan behind my classic Jag S type.

I value your opinions and experiences.

Our Sterling has the large bathroom and the 2 parallel beds, but we also have the 2 seat dinette opposite the kitchen.  I like the layout you are considering, very spacious in the kitchen area.

We love the big bathroom with the separate shower, we specifically wanted this as we frequently use our on-board facilities.   The shower pressure on ours is good.  There are about 9 litres of hot water, so the trick is to get wet then turn off the water while soaping, then rinse off.  If you put on the gas as well as the electric water heating just before you get in the shower, you get the maximum amount of hot water as it reheats quite well while you are soaping.  There is plenty of water for shower/hairwash even if you have long hair.

We always refill and reheat between showers, but many people say they can get 2 showers from a tank plus 40l of cold water in the Aquaroll.  Probably correct if you have little hair and are very quick, but I like a leisurely shower!  For us the reheating of the hot tank takes about 20 minutes or so.

If you like to use your own facilities then the space for the bathroom is well worth it.

There are plenty of cupboards, indeed we rarely fill them all, and the cooker and fridge are good, the heating too.

We like the 2 long beds, good for stretching out after dinner, but we do make them into a double for sleeping.  It is easily done, just takes time, and the cushions are quite heavy, ours are sprung rather than foam.   For this reason we are going for a bigger twin axle van next time, with fixed bed and large rear bathroom.  Otherwise we would go for the layout you are considering.

We too are soon to retire (July) and are off on a 3 month trip to Scandinavia to visit my husband's family in Norway.

Both our previous Europa 460 and current Eccles Topaz have the two long berths arrangement with the good size bathroom at the rear. We like the arrangement especially as it gives a large double bed. However we where looking at the Europa 495 the other day which is very spacious inside but has a much smaller toilet/shower room so we will have to think about that!

David

i have a motorhome, the shower room + loo is quite small, enough for what i need as i only shower once a day. i have extra room in the lounge as i sit for much longer than taking a shower.

my question would be, do you need a big shower and loose out on room in other places, or can you make do with a "small shower room" for the time spent in it. hope that helps.

floppy

David,

Good to read positive replies about the bathroom. Both 470 and 495 have the French bed of approx. 140 cm width what I do find rather small to sleep comfortable on a hot summer night. That troubles me to look for this kind of arrangments, or has other vanners good experiences?

When we first got our van we had our teenage daughter holidaying with us, so the large bathroom was great for getting dressed etc.  And of course part of it is taken up by the wardrobe, so it is not all bathroom.  While I could manage with a bit less space, I would never have one of those "water everywhere" bathrooms with the clingy shower curtain. 

We have had no problems with our shower tray, no cracks anywhere.  I would worry with the bathroom on the 470 and 495 that the constant walking over the shower tray to reach the toilet could damage it.

The bed width in them, and in the Sterling Searcher we are considering, is certainly a good bit less than our bed at home, but I would have OH on the wall side anyway,  so I would just push him over a bit!  We are not tall so the length would be ok.

On balance, for us, the big bathroom is not wasted space, but essential.  And even more so when we are off on our extended trips.  And ideal once we get allowed to take our grandson away!

Hi, Dutch Traveller.  Our 2006 460/2 2-berth Coachman has exactly the layout you describe.  We use the separate twin bunk arrangement.  At night, we stand the two backrests in the shower to allow maximum width for the beds.  The kitchen is midships, opposite the entrance door.

The shower is the round type, with sliding door. This is ideal, as it prevents condensation running off open door and onto floor.  We get two good hot showers without having to fill 40 litre aquaroll in between.  The van has blown air heating, and we can get the end washroom really warm.  The shower/washroom is spacious, and as good as any en suite at home.

The washroom is certainly worth the space it occupies.  We never use the on site facilities.  We shower daily, and being able to go from bed to shower, then dress, is very convenient, especially if weather is not too good.

We are retired. Our next outing is for 8 weeks, and we can hardly wait to go.

Best wishes in your search.

Bertie.

That is another point, Cockerspadgers.  The curtains do not have to be kept drawn until everyone has washed and dressed.

Bertie.