Lunar Clubman SB family of 4? (layout conundrum)
Hi All
After rejecting a Sterling Eccles 590 last year we are now ready to place an order for a new van. At the time (last year) we felt the 590 with the end dinette and fixed bunks was the best layout as we have 2 kids (8 and 3) but I felt I was compromising space
with that layout because of the central washroom.
However we had a look at the new Lunar Clubman SB (fixed beds) and we fell in love with it however I’m not sure if it would be suitable for a family of 4. My thinking is the kids would have the fixed beds and me and the other half would use the lounge double
@ 6'11" x 5'0" which is slightly smaller than the Eccles.
My question really has anyone got experience with this layout and is it suitable for a young family? Also is the front double size suitable for adults? I’m 5’10” she’s smaller than me! Also, this is our first caravan so be gentle!! J
Comments
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6'11" x 5'. Thats bigger than many domestic beds!
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Appearance can be so deceptive! I feel you have not yet reached the stage of looking at specific models and should think through how you will use the layout. Fixed beds use up a lot of space volume in a 'van.
The children are young and small and would easily use bunk beds for many years to come. Children also usually thorougly enjoy the play factor of bunks. Either fixed bunks or the traditional two seater dinette with folding bunk above would release a great
deal of space inside.If the bunks are located at the rear with a mid washroom you get the late night adult TV with the kids pretending to sleep at the other end. Another condsideration is whether children or adults rise first in the morning, so a door to the outside world between
the sleeping spaces is a good plan.0 -
Our last caravan was a Lunar Lexon SB, in that model we had 2 fixed singles at the rear of the van the toilet/wash hand basin, one side, the shower the other side in the middle of the van, there was a pull across door at the end of the beds and the toilet
door also opened across the middle of the van. With this layout it was possinle to close off the kids at night and give access to the toilet for us or close off the front section giving the kids easy access to the toilet, the third option was used if we had
family/friends with us was to close off both doors giving both parties privacy. We took our grandkids away with us a number of times, them using the fixed singles at the rear and us the front make up double. There was plenty of space in the van for all, the
kids like going to their end to play and we liked that we still had lots of lounge space. If this is still the same layout you shouldn't have a problem, but if they have moved the bathroom to the rear then it will mean you having to go through the kids bedroom
everytime you need to use the loo. In the end only you can say if that would be an issue. If it were me I would prefer the central bathroom version.0 -
It's an end bathroom but I don't see that being a problem. We have looked extensively at all possible layouts and features but the Clubman is much more cosy, TV’s are better located (especially for the kids) the only gripe is the lack of a dinette which
the Eccles has at the rear. Oh decisions decisions!0 -
When you have a family I think you will always have to compromise on something, either space in the bathroom, kitchen space, wardrobe space, or dinette. I would be asking myself how I planned to use the van - surely the amount of time you'll all spend in
the bathroom won't be anything like the amount of time 'living' in the rest of the van. I think I'd be looking for something more like the original layout that you seemed happy with.To me the Lunar layout would be more suited to a mature couple, who will 'live' in the lounge, sleep in the rear beds, and use the rear bathroom.
There are other radically different layouts - have you checked the European vans offered such as Adria, Hymer, Burstner, Caravalaire, etc.
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Our last caravan was a Lunar Lexon SB, in that model we had 2 fixed singles at the rear of the van the toilet/wash hand basin, one side, the shower the other side in the middle of the van, there was a pull across door at the end of the beds and the toilet door also opened across the middle of the van. With this layout it was possinle to close off the kids at night and give access to the toilet for us or close off the front section giving the kids easy access to the toilet, the third option was used if we had family/friends with us was to close off both doors giving both parties privacy. We took our grandkids away with us a number of times, them using the fixed singles at the rear and us the front make up double. There was plenty of space in the van for all, the kids like going to their end to play and we liked that we still had lots of lounge space. If this is still the same layout you shouldn't have a problem, but if they have moved the bathroom to the rear then it will mean you having to go through the kids bedroom everytime you need to use the loo. In the end only you can say if that would be an issue. If it were me I would prefer the central bathroom version.
I think layout (saw it in 2012) was good for kids/family as the kids had there own end of the van.
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It is not a layout we would have chosen when we had children with us but we are all different. I cannot see why it would not work but it does mean when they are in bed you have to pass them to get to the toilet. This might not be a problem if they sleep
well but if not I would accept the limitations of a layout with a central toilet. It all depends where you compromise though as you are trying to make the best use of limited space.0 -
why does a central toilet (and persumably, shower) cause 'limitations'?
from the OPs perspective, the layout described by TG would allow access to kids and parents from each end of the van, negating one party from passing the other occupying the rear bed.
for a four berth, isnt this desitable?
cant 'across the centre' washrooms be as workable and as spacious as those at the rear, and can also be divided off, from noth ends, as described?
unless its a weight/balance thing, i dont see the issue, but im not a caravanner...
these layouts seem to be all the rage in MH, but that might be to do with the desire for the rear to beds with storage underneath.
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I do agree the accross the centre washrooms seem to be the best compromise to me but they are very new to the market. Not sure there are any with the two rear beds wanted here though.
A Sprite Major from the 1960s that I used had a centre washroom. A dinette at each end with centre kitchen was a very common and popular layout.
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I found the 'toilet/shower/ opposite the kitchen quite restricting when we had a 'family van' with rear bunks and front double dinette/double bed. Everytime I was cooking someone wanted to use the loo, and there was just not enough room.
I'd like to see a washroom which goes all the way across the van, dividing the caravan in two, with a central door from each 'area' (kids at the back) parents at the front. Shower at one side, loo and small basin at the other side. That way there wouldn't
be the 'nip point' of the kitchen and bathroom being opposite each other.Perhaps a suggestion for a new design?
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I do agree the accross the centre washrooms seem to be the best compromise to me but they are very new to the market. Not sure there are any with the two rear beds wanted here though.
A 2012 Lunar had fixed rear single beds, chest of drawers at both ends and washroom in centre. The washroom had a seperate shower cpmpartment that you stepped into from the washroom. It would have provided a seperate area where the kids could have a table
up.0 -
I found the 'toilet/shower/ opposite the kitchen quite restricting when we had a 'family van' with rear bunks and front double dinette/double bed. Everytime I was cooking someone wanted to use the loo, and there was just not enough room.
I'd like to see a washroom which goes all the way across the van, dividing the caravan in two, with a central door from each 'area' (kids at the back) parents at the front. Shower at one side, loo and small basin at the other side. That way there wouldn't
be the 'nip point' of the kitchen and bathroom being opposite each other.Perhaps a suggestion for a new design?
Given the number of new models with a centre toilet and a doublr at the back I think most firms will add twin beds soon if the doubles sell enough. The problem with the layout tends to be it needs a fairly long caravan given the need to then fit the kitchen
ahead of the toilet but there are probably plenty of people who would go for it.0 -
I found the 'toilet/shower/ opposite the kitchen quite restricting when we had a 'family van' with rear bunks and front double dinette/double bed. Everytime I was cooking someone wanted to use the loo, and there was just not enough room.
I'd like to see a washroom which goes all the way across the van, dividing the caravan in two, with a central door from each 'area' (kids at the back) parents at the front. Shower at one side, loo and small basin at the other side. That way there wouldn't be the 'nip point' of the kitchen and bathroom being opposite each other.
Perhaps a suggestion for a new design?
Given the number of new models with a centre toilet and a doublr at the back I think most firms will add twin beds soon if the doubles sell enough. The problem with the layout tends to be it needs a fairly long caravan given the need to then fit the kitchen ahead of the toilet but there are probably plenty of people who would go for it.
Val, centre 'split' washrooms have been around in MH for ages....
however, there is one bariation on this layout which is currently in vogue for MH...usually with a longitudinal island bed at the rear, which can be lowish with storage locker right across underneath, or set higher with full bike garage under.
ahead is the washroom, with toilet on one side, wash basin placed behind a panel set at the foot of the bed, and the shower on the oppositeside to the toilet. showers can be square/square to suite the flow/design of the van...
with sliding doors, the whole washroom can be closed/open to those in the rear bedroom or those in the front of the van.
ahead of the shower will be the van door and a tall fridge freezer, on the opposite side the L-shaped kitchen.
further forward, a lounge/dinette incl the two cab seats.
all this, including engine etc will fit easily into 7.5m, so sould be doable with room to spare in a 7m (internal) caravan.
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All caravan layouts are a compromise, whether end or central toilet layout . As far as the OP is concerned our 2012 clubman SB is fine. We use it as Valda says (being an older couple ). However if using with 4 people I would get the option of cushions instead of the centre cabinet to create a wrap around seating arrangement . It would allow for a wider bed & provide more seating room for the kids (they seem to need more room than an adult) .
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As stated in my earlier post we had a Lunar Lexon SB 2010 model. For us it was the perfect van in layout. Rear of van twin singles beds with 4 drawer cabinet between them, 8 overhead lockers, 3 each side and 2 at the rear above the headboards, plenty of
headroom for sitting up in bed.Forward of the beds was on one side a shower cubicle, on the otherside a toilet and sink. The toilet door could open across the van giving a huge en suite bathroom/bedroom and of course deviding the van from the front. Forward again from this was kitchen
on one side and wardrobe on the otherside, there was no narrowing of the centre of the van so no pinch points, the front lounge was, well at the front of the van.This type of layout is great for families of 4, couples who like to take friends away with them or couples who just like having lots of space, fixed beds etc. all in 7.4m van.
I believe the model was changed later to an end bathroom with the beds being central in the van IMHO this was a mistake, the vans are now IMO no longer a true 4 berth as there is no privacy for anyone.
I forgot to say that the front chest could be easily lifted out at nightime and put in the car or awning should you want to make up the front bed into a huge kingsize.
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Very much the layout we looked at in 2012. The washroom however was alongside th shower and entered from the wash area and seperate from the shower. Not what we wanted then but thought it would be good for a family. I think that there may well have been
bunks available over the rear beds?0 -
the only thing i could think of, TG, would be that some wouldnt want the toilet next to the kitchen...however, we have this type of layout and i ca. say with confidence that OH'scooking has no effect on my time in the small room....
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We have a rear washroom with our Lunar and If kiddies were using the side dinnette for sleeping it would not be a problem. The problem comes though in vans that have fixed singles and toilet beyond as it stops the use of a table for kids to use for games
etc.0 -
We've ordered a new Bailey Pegasus which has fixed bunks, a family area at the front which turns into a double bed and then a separate single dinette at the back with a rear bathroom. we looked at so many different vans and decided this was the best layout
for us. it means the kids' beds came be left made up yet they have their own seating area too and we still maintain our main family area. You can only choose what suits your family needs best. Good luck!0 -
Thanks for all your comments however we are none the wiser lol, i guess thats how it is buying a first caravan. we are going to the NEC so will have a better idea (hopefully) from there. The Sterling seems logical but the Luner is desirable
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The show will let you look at what layouts the manufacturers favour at the moment, and some will be seriously barmey. These are by no means all the layouts that have been produced in the past and you may be surprised at good layouts now "abandoned".
Remember, the driver for manufacturers is to produce something new and different from their competitors - not something that caravaners will find practical for their needs. You may be concerned at older vans being damp - but according to the hushed up CC
survey it is factory fitted on most vans now.0 -
You could always go for an older van made before damp was part of the spec.
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Are you saying all new caravans suffer from damp?
..If you read some of the posts that appear on here you would think so , but as most UK manufacturers now offer a ten year warranty against water ingress, then you read into it what you want?
What I will advise that is very important is ,when looking at c/vans or even motor caravans,(any make) do not be swayed by a "better"deal from a dealer that that is a long way from where you live, because you will probably not have much assistance from a local dealer if you need warranty work,, the dealers do not get the "going rate" for remedial"warranty " work
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