Help me choose our next caravan

PDS
PDS Forum Participant Posts: 9
edited December 2015 in Caravans #1

i am looking for the help of all you knowledgable people out there.  In the spring we shall be looking to replace out Giest Xclusiv 485. We need  a second hand 4 adult berth caravan. The big handicap is we must have the beds (at least) 6'6" long. I have
found new so called "luxury" vans with 5'6" singles !  At a push I can just about manage 6'3" providing there is no barrier at the foot (so I can put a board and cushion to lengthen it at night) as even with the full 6'6" my feet hang over the end. 

I do need quality build. Towcar Kia Sorento so up to 1800 kg. 

Who knows what we should look at?  

Comments

  • artyboo
    artyboo Forum Participant Posts: 457
    edited December 2015 #2

    Hi, we are just about to take delivery of an Adria Astella. Longer and wider than normal bed sizes (especially for me at 6ft), have a look

  • artyboo
    artyboo Forum Participant Posts: 457
    edited December 2015 #3

    You WOULD need to up-grade your tow car however

  • PDS
    PDS Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited December 2015 #4

    Thanks for that.  Tow car OK as that is 90% (tow limit 3500 kg on my older model).

    van does need to be second had, how long has this model been available Please ? I see that the singles, one has furniture at the end, the other has the make up double, can you tell me how long the beds actually are and how long and wide the double, it looks
    tiny in the plan and Adria do not mention bed dimensions anywhere on their website, however the Adora  longest fixed single  is described as 6'2" by a reviewer . 

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,585 ✭
    1000 Comments 250 Likes Photogenic
    edited December 2015 #5

    There are a number of models that have a second dinette accross the back. If left down as a double given all models are over 7 ft wide you should have a long enough bed. The catch is most are on lower spec models though.

    If you do not mind making up the bed each night almost any two berth would work.

  • PDS
    PDS Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited December 2015 #6

    Thanks Wildwood, but when you start actually looking they are not that big, I did not mention I only look at vans with 6' 5" headroom as I am an expert at knocking lights as I try to negotiate the van !

  • Firedragon
    Firedragon Forum Participant Posts: 509
    100 Comments
    edited December 2015 #7

    Hi PDS, very few 4 berth vans are aimed at 4 adults, hence two of the beds are usually childrens size, they are often also narrower. My OH is 6' 5" so I understand your predicament only too well. The best vans we have had are all lunars, the bed sizes may
    be shorter in the given measurements but they are usually flat into the front window so the pillow can be pushed further up making the bed long enough as a single. the best option for four adults though was our last van which was an Elddis Odyssey five berth
    with L shaped front, which made up into a double width-wise across the van and the rear dinette did the same with a width-wise bunk above, so all beds were 7ft+. Any five berth would give the beds across the width of the van if you make both doubles up + one
    single bunk, if you want four single beds then look at five berths with the longer front beds then you only have to use the back double as a single and the bunk too. Good luck

    Alison

  • PDS
    PDS Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited December 2015 #8

    Thanks Alison, looked at so many but the fixed beds of 5' 11" long, very narrow and the side angled seem to have taken over. Will re-visit some second hand Lunars. All our vans (since a 60's model in 1978) have been chosen with a make up double of good proportion,
    hence we have rarely toured but preferred to stay at one or two sites. Now I am retired we want to tour so would like to avoid making up at least one (pair) bed every night. Not that they would be with us often, my son is taller than me as well  but his wife
    would not sleep in the awning bedroom tent (like he used to). Bunks are not suitable for large adults ;-)

  • PDS
    PDS Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited December 2015 #9

    Wildwood, forgot to say in my reply, no we need a secondhand four adult berths, we have a good quality build two berth with awnings and bedroom tent... 

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited December 2015 #10
    This content has been removed.
  • PDS
    PDS Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited December 2015 #11

    Thanks BoleroBoy, we will visit the Adria dealer, I expect these models might be more affordable in about 5 years time. will go and look for the older second hand models in the spring.

  • artyboo
    artyboo Forum Participant Posts: 457
    edited December 2015 #12

    PDS, look online. We have bagged a bargain. A few bits and pieces to put right but in all, compared to usual used price we have been very very lucky with a 2015 model way way below usual resale price. if you are handy like OH is, it is really worth having
    a look. Good luck

  • artyboo
    artyboo Forum Participant Posts: 457
    edited December 2015 #13

    And yes, we have done all the checks

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004 ✭✭
    500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited December 2015 #14

    What budget are you looking at?   Your budget is likely to be the crucial factor in what people can recommend.

    The Burstner (European versions) caravans have a good internal height (2.12 metres) and long beds - but may be too expensive for you.  If not, they are well built, and I think prices are reasonable, but they dont have all the frills of British caravans,
    and you may have to travel to Europe to buy one.

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