Best caravan layout for 2 adults and 2 children

[WH40smama]

What is the best caravan layout for 2 adults and 2 children? They are currently 3 and 7. We’re looking to buy a second hand caravan, single axle, no fixed bed. I’ve seen some with fixed end bunks, others with a side dinette that converts into a bed. Any recommendations welcome, thanks.

You say no fixed bed but this is ideal for the children. You can put them to bed, close the door/divider and get on with your evening. Make up the lounge area double, or use as 2 singles.

Thanks for your reply. I don’t think my children would sleep well in together in the fixed double. And it would be too small for DH and I as he is very tall.

A layout with end bunks gives you the chance to put the kids down at night in their own space as it were, a little further out of everything than a side dinette. The bunks will be bigger and more comfortable, especially the top bunk, and often even adults can sleep in them if need be. That would let you keep the caravan longer as your kids grow.

A side dinette will have a fold down bunk above and they often have quite a low weight limit and a very thin mattress because of the need to fold away. Depending on the layout the ladder might be in the way at night.

Unfortunately there is a total obsession with fixed beds in caravans now and choice of family friendly 4 berth layouts is getting ever more limited. I think most 4 berth vans with fixed beds are really aimed at couples. I would have hated to share a bed with my brother on holiday and he would have felt the same. In a single axle caravan with a modest MTPLM (within the towing limits for our tow car) we found that all the fixed bed vans had tiny lounge areas and the fixed beds were narrow and cramped. It takes us 5 minutes to make up the massive double in the front of our van and we use the side dinette for meal times.

Sadly I don’t think any of the major manufacturers make a 4 berth with fixed bunks any more and used examples are getting more scarce. The Adria Altea DK Avon looks like a great layout to me but it is a 6 berth. It’s not too heavy though and the rear space looks great for kids.

There is a site called Caravan Finder where you can search by layout for both new and used vans. You might find some inspiration there, although you might need to search for a 6 berth to get fixed bunks. Good luck in the hunt!

I also know you said no fixed beds BUT bunk beds at the far end were amazing. I made the beds up at home before we left which saved a lot of messing in a tight space. They had a little cubby for bits and pieces, somewhere to chill during the day and a cupboard for clothes. It made it so much easier. Ours had a blackout curtain that pulled across rather than a fixed door which we also all liked (thy were ‘there’ but ‘not there’ if that makes sense and slept so well). It was a really good use of space too.

We knew we didn’t want a fixed double because it seemed neither here nor there and was too small really. We also knew we wanted the option of me and (my then)DH being able to have a single each instead of making up the double - on heavy snoring nights this extra bit of space was a god-send!

Ahhh, happy days! Best of luck finding one that has exactly what you’d like, but try and look at a lot of different layouts. Also consider going for the biggest awning you can as the extra space is amazing, especially in UK weather!

Sorry I should have said that we don’t want a fixed double but I’m happy to consider fixed bunks.

Also we are happy to consider a 5 or 6 berth caravan (although no more DC planned).

Current single axle 6 berth vans on Caravan Finder with Bunk beds….there are some interesting layouts here.

https://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/caravan_search_results.html?be=6&ma=all&mo=&pm=any&px=any&t=all&sx=1&bb=1&mi=any&mx=any&lm=any&lx=any&eft=any&pc=&di=any&sbc=1