Fixed beds obsession
As an occasional visitor to the Club Together feature I assume this subject has probably already been done to death but the issue is the current obsession that manufacturers (presumably bowing to customer demand) having this obsession with putting fixed
beds (either as a double, bunks or singles) in new caravans.
Now, although personally not for my taste, I can get my head around having a fixed double bed depneding on how you use your van and the type of touring you do. I know of at least two couples who have mobility issues for which it allows them to stil enjoy
caravanning. That said, in the research that I have done these fixed doubles tend to be just that - a double. In fact it's not even that by the time corner(s) are chopped off depending on layout type. So, if you're used to having a King or Super-King at home
to me it feels like the luxury of having a fixed bed is offset by the fact that you have much smaller bed! Hardly luxury!
I can also get my head around the fixed bunk concept too (and to be fair, am giving it serious consideration for our next 'van as and when the time comes to replace our existing one and child age dependant too) although, ideally I'd prefer a layout which
gives the option of putting up a double on a dinette or over a sofa and give the owner the option of having a "fixed" bunk during their touring days. Why not have two dinette areas in a layout?
However, I just cannot fathom out why on earth people chose fixed single beds. What is the point? If someone wants a sinlge bed then you have the front lounge area to sleep on as singles. It seems such a waste of space. Perhaps someone can enlighten me?
Surely a significant anount of fun of caravanning is the flexibility of space and versatility of it! Fixed beds, of any variety, impact significantly the usage area of the van. Personally I would like to see more interaction by manufacturers to potential
customers in terms of layout design. for example, with the risk of sounding contradictory, why is there no fixed double bed and fixed bunk combination anywhere on the market? Given current fixed bed trends I'm sure it would be popular with young families.