Who has gone from fixed bed back to bed making?
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Our last caravan was a Compass Rallye with a fixed end bed we had it for 8 years and loved it. The van was quite large so we had a decent sized lounge and kitchen. When we changed to a motorhome we did look at many fixed bed layouts but ended up getting
one with a large rear lounge and a front dinette our motohome is 7.2 mts long so is pretty big but in general the layout suits us. One thing I would say is that we do get a bit fed up of having to make the rear lounge in to a bed each night so when we come
to change our motorhome we are going to go for a fixed bed option. Our current favourite would be the Autotrail Delaware which has a rear Island bed but we will have to save up a bit more before we could get one lol.0 -
, but when i was talking to a caravan dealer he said sale's of two births had gone down as more people wanted a fixed bed,
Write your comments here... It just goes to show how salesmen differ in their tales. At the NEC last year two separate salesmen from different companies told me that sales of fixed bed caravans were down considerably - " the fad has been and gone" as one
put it. Who knows who is correct ? Perhaps those that are saying that fixed beds are still very popular have a lot of fixed bed stocks that they can't sell.0 -
It is all a matter of personal preference. This year my wife and I reach 50 years of sleeping in the same bed. We just cannot get the hang of sleeping on our own. On the other hand we are now at an age when my wife cannot climb across the bed made up
from the two singles in our 2 berth Xplore. So, last week we placed an order for a new Venus 570/4 with a transverse island bed. It is plenty big enough for us both, with lots of room at the end for getting past to the bathroom. We will love not having
to go through the five minute hassle late at night - out with the mattress toppers, sleeping bags and moving mattresses.0 -
Wouldn't ever dream of going back to making up beds every night. Plenty of room in our 'lounge' area for 2 to watch TV, read, play cards etc and plenty of room to crash out on the bed at any time of day. My OH often goes to bed before me and leaves me to
watch TV while she's comfortably on a 'proper' bed. Apparently most 4 berth, fixed bed layouts are used by couples anyway so what extra space is wanted - unless weight/size a consideration for the towcar?0 -
Wouldn't ever dream of going back to making up beds every night. Plenty of room in our 'lounge' area for 2 to watch TV, read, play cards etc and plenty of room to crash out on the bed at any time of day. My OH often goes to bed before me and leaves me to
watch TV while she's comfortably on a 'proper' bed. Apparently most 4 berth, fixed bed layouts are used by couples anyway so what extra space is wanted - unless weight/size a consideration for the towcar?Write your comments here...In fact many models struggle with regard to weight. We have found that the Venus 570/4 (made by Lunar) is the only van with a transverse bed which is within the weight limit for towing wiht our Nissan Qashqai 4x4 Auto. We really
wanted the new van but cannot afford to change car as well at present.0 -
Another vote here for fixed bed. We bought our Lunar 640 ten years ago and wouldn't go back to bed making. It is a big van and makes an ideal 2 berth with island bed (so no climbing over) separate shower and bathroom and will seat 6 easily at the front end.
The only time it's tricky is when we take our grandchildren because we all have to go to bed at the same time. Mind you we are usually more tired than they are.We would give up caravanning rather than go back to bed making.
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Another vote here for fixed bed. We bought our Lunar 640 ten years ago and wouldn't go back to bed making. It is a big van and makes an ideal 2 berth with island bed (so no climbing over) separate shower and bathroom and will seat 6 easily at the front end.
The only time it's tricky is when we take our grandchildren because we all have to go to bed at the same time. Mind you we are usually more tired than they are.We would give up caravanning rather than go back to bed making.
Write your comments here...That final paragraph convinces me that we have done the right thing in ordering our new van with fixed transverse bed.
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Did'nt realize they dropped down as low as 30", but would not match our bed for size. What would be the headroom directly under the dropdown?.
if you have a fixed one piece ready made up bed thats larger than 1.95m long by 1.60 wide (6'5" x 5'3") i would be surprised.
what van has this and how big is this huge fixed bed?
of course,a pull together lounge bed can be almost 2m x 1.75m (sterling continental 530, which is about as big as a swift bed gets).....although these arent fixed, the subject of this thread.
our fixed rear single beds can be joined with an inset to become one large double at 2.0 (6'7") square, so even larger...but this was about fixed (one piece) beds.....
our dropdown requires the cab seats to be folded and then the bed swings down and forward into the cab, leaving the lounge seating available and with full standing headroom.
others that come straight down over the lounge can have a number of height settings to suit....
Write your comments here...It is not fixed,we don't want a fixed bed we enjoy the space it is 6'-8"x 7'-0 approx the van is a Luner Delta 520/2,too us that is a big bed, bigger than our kingsize we have at home.The subject was fixed beds or people who reverted,so on topic and my explanation like other posts.
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We have just last week collected our new Sprite Alpine 4 with a fixed bed after 8yrs and 4 x 2 berth caravans. 15 months ago we bought a brand new Lunar Ultima 470 2 Berth with a lovely big bathroom. Loved the caravan and used the seating as 2 single beds
with the Duvalay sleeping bags but it was still a faff with no where to put the back cushions and arm rests which were bulky so we decided enough was enough and changed it for the Sprite. We tried it out last weekend and I have to say we love the bed and the
seating is ok but I really do not like the small cupboard sized bathroom. I hate it and the lack of upper locker storage but have made the sacrifice as we can't get anything bigger than 21ft on our drive.Only time will tell wether we stick with the fixed bed or change back to a 2 berth.
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I am i the same position as Cariad, being also constrained to 21ft. Our upper locker storage is OK but we don't have one of them thar new-fangled skylights.
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Lounge space is slightly compromised because of the fixed bed but is entirely adequate for two of us.0 -
I think there may be more space in the Venus 570/4 we are getting though the transverse bed means a shipping length of more than 24'. There seem to be plenty of lockers and one of the reasons we like it is that it does not have one of those front skylights
but a generous locker instead which is much more useful. Who needs a huge skylight? Surely the windows are adequate.0 -
Had a fixed bed (a side double). Great storage underneath but behind the axle meant could not be used to its full advantage. Took up a lot of space and made the front small. Also climbing out in the night meant both had to be awake. Gone for a 2 berth (no
need for the extra berths as daughter doesn't want to come away any more ) and now make up beds (usually we go for 2 singles). Much more room in the van, also lighter to tow.Peter
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we have had both,but having back problems ,and knee replacement its a fixed bed for us.Loved the washroom in our old vermont,but after one trip when hubby was ill( hes diabetic) and had to go to bed went back to fixedbed.Got fed up with the mornings when
unless we had the awning up,it was where to put the bedding while trying to find the kettle.Just changing to island bed which we eliminate the climbing over each other to use the loo.As we do a lot of rallys on sites with no fascilites the end washroom will
suite our needs better.0 -
Interesting range of replies! We are struggling a bit with the bed length issue with most transverse beds a bit short. I am 5'10 and my wife not much shorter so a 6'0" bed doesn't give much tolerance unless you sleep with your head touching the headboard. The longest transverse bed on a UK made van that is in the region of 7.5 long seems to be Elddis With a 1.9m bed.
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Our last caravan a Lunar SB had 2 single beds, one was 6'6" the other 6'1" they sat at the rear of the van with the shower on one side and toilet/washroom on the otherside towards the middle of the van, the benifit of this layout is that the door of the
washroom closes across the van and gives you a very generous ensuite. the galley was further forward and then the lounge, it was a 7.4m never felt cramped at the front end the sofas were I think 5'4" very nice van and lightweight.0 -
Yes, I meant transverse island bed. The bed at the rear option is something we are now considering however 2 singles is simply not an option.
Write your comments here...Two singles not an option for us, after 50 years of sharing a bed we cannot sleep properly in singles.
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Yes, I meant transverse island bed. The bed at the rear option is something we are now considering however 2 singles is simply not an option.
Write your comments here...Two singles not an option for us, after 50 years of sharing a bed we cannot sleep properly in singles.
Not quite your 50 years but 44 years,
we quite like singles in the van as it gives us much more space for dressing and making the beds is
much easier, also in the heat its more comfortable. The bed does make up into a kingsize which we sometimes do when its cold in winter0 -
So getting back to the OP, we haven't gone back to sleeping on twin front beds yet, but are considering it For our next van as we want something same size or smaller next time. Friends who have taken this step recommend Duvalay Luxury Sleeping Bags which
you can roll up for storage during the day and incorporate a memory foam base which makes your settee cushions more comfy. Pricey but worth it, they say. The duvet top, pillow and foam base zip out for washing the sheet bit.Helps the transition from fixed bed!
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We have the Duvalay toppers which we have used to make the 2 berth made up double more comfortable. We have been so pleased with them that we have bought their shaped topper for the fixed transverse bed in the new caravan. We are so looking forward to being
without the evening task of putting the bed together.0 -
Each to their own but we personally cannot see what all the fuss is about when making the bed up. We use a double sleeping bag, with a blanket underneath, it takes us less than 5 minutes to assemble the bed and mabe a little longer to put it away
Yep, me too. If I'll be coming back late from the concert/folk club/opera/beer tent/custody cells, I make it up before I go out. Bliss!
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And we have said and thought the same for years. What could be better than a 2 berth? Now we are both into our 70's and a bit my wife can no longer climb across the bunk to get into bed. Her 9 year old hip replacement is brilliant but now is the time to
make life a bit easier to manage.0
