Caravan recommendations with a specific layout
Discussion
I've spent time today at a large caravan sales place and I've come away wondering how I'm going to sell the idea of a £20K spend to my wife - who isn't interested in caravanning (for some reason).
The Coachman Amara 640/6 has everything I want - specifically an end bathroom with separate shower (big enough for me), two fixed bunks for the kids, and a convertible breakfast bar for the occasions when Nanny comes too.
They have it for a good price, but some of the extras like a "mover", gas bottles, and some sort of awning will take it all up to ~£20K.
Still seems a bargain to me. I love it. In fact I don't remember being this excited about a potential purchase since I went to buy my Cerbera (long gone). It could be that I'm even more excited about this because it represents my "getting away from it all" more often than a 2-week holiday each year. I would go every second weekend in the warmer months.
Anyway, are there any other manufacturers that offer this configuration? I haven't been able to find any.
The Coachman Amara 640/6 has everything I want - specifically an end bathroom with separate shower (big enough for me), two fixed bunks for the kids, and a convertible breakfast bar for the occasions when Nanny comes too.
They have it for a good price, but some of the extras like a "mover", gas bottles, and some sort of awning will take it all up to ~£20K.
Still seems a bargain to me. I love it. In fact I don't remember being this excited about a potential purchase since I went to buy my Cerbera (long gone). It could be that I'm even more excited about this because it represents my "getting away from it all" more often than a 2-week holiday each year. I would go every second weekend in the warmer months.
Anyway, are there any other manufacturers that offer this configuration? I haven't been able to find any.
I've dug around a bit more. Apparently there's an Elddis Crusader Tempest that fits this bill, albeit at about £5K more (but probably with a high spec interior), and a Sterling Eccles Sport 636 at about the same price as the Coachman.
I'm going to have a look-see at these two too.
If you come up with any others, I'll add them to the list. Thanks.
I'm going to have a look-see at these two too.
If you come up with any others, I'll add them to the list. Thanks.
Have had a word with the tugging dept and they have come up with a Swift Kudos 636 which is our dealer special version of the Sterling and we have a special Elddis offer on the go at the moment so we've one of the ones you mentioned with a big lump off the rrp.
They cant come up with any other alternatives so I think you've found them all.
Dont think its allowed to mention the company I work for on here so p.m me or google Swift Kudos to figure it out.
Best of luck, whatever you go for they're all decent vans.
They cant come up with any other alternatives so I think you've found them all.
Dont think its allowed to mention the company I work for on here so p.m me or google Swift Kudos to figure it out.
Best of luck, whatever you go for they're all decent vans.
nagsheadwarrior said:
Have had a word with the tugging dept and they have come up with a Swift Kudos 636 which is our dealer special version of the Sterling and we have a special Elddis offer on the go at the moment so we've one of the ones you mentioned with a big lump off the rrp.
They cant come up with any other alternatives so I think you've found them all.
Dont think its allowed to mention the company I work for on here so p.m me or google Swift Kudos to figure it out.
Best of luck, whatever you go for they're all decent vans.
Wow, thanks - I'm really not in a position to buy at the moment but I really appreciate the effort.They cant come up with any other alternatives so I think you've found them all.
Dont think its allowed to mention the company I work for on here so p.m me or google Swift Kudos to figure it out.
Best of luck, whatever you go for they're all decent vans.
I'm trying to line myself up with "all the knowledge" prior to taking Mrs Watchman to the caravan show at the NEC towards the end of the year. She's decided caravans are not for her (or any of the camping life) but I think once she sees modern caravans, I might be able to change her mind.
But, I need to know what we're looking for, and then we need to go and have a look at a few all at the same time.
I haven't been the caravan show before - I wonder whether I'll actually have opportunity to look inside any? Would the crowds prevent this?
Thats a good plan, lots of women folk wont buy the idea in theory but once they have a look at them they see things differently!
Knowing what you're going to see before the show is the only way to survive the NEC as its hoooge and completely bewildering for the first timer.
The show is a s
te enviroment to look at vans in as it can be mobbed and you dont get a great opportunity to spend enough time in the vans but on the plus side you will see them all in one place however you can sometimes achieve this at a dealership, we sell Elddis,Swift group and Coachman so have all the options in stock and if we're not local you might find a local dealer who does too, you cant beat the NEC for quite such an eye opening selection though.
If you do go the N.E.C come and say hello, I'll be hungover wearing a stupid Tartan wastecoat on the Elddis Motorhome stand!
Knowing what you're going to see before the show is the only way to survive the NEC as its hoooge and completely bewildering for the first timer.
The show is a s
te enviroment to look at vans in as it can be mobbed and you dont get a great opportunity to spend enough time in the vans but on the plus side you will see them all in one place however you can sometimes achieve this at a dealership, we sell Elddis,Swift group and Coachman so have all the options in stock and if we're not local you might find a local dealer who does too, you cant beat the NEC for quite such an eye opening selection though.If you do go the N.E.C come and say hello, I'll be hungover wearing a stupid Tartan wastecoat on the Elddis Motorhome stand!
nagsheadwarrior said:
Thats a good plan, lots of women folk wont buy the idea in theory but once they have a look at them they see things differently!
Knowing what you're going to see before the show is the only way to survive the NEC as its hoooge and completely bewildering for the first timer.
The show is a ste enviroment to look at vans in as it can be mobbed and you dont get a great opportunity to spend enough time in the vans but on the plus side you will see them all in one place however you can sometimes achieve this at a dealership, we sell Elddis,Swift group and Coachman so have all the options in stock and if we're not local you might find a local dealer who does too, you cant beat the NEC for quite such an eye opening selection though.
If you do go the N.E.C come and say hello, I'll be hungover wearing a stupid Tartan wastecoat on the Elddis Motorhome stand!
I will have seen all of the models with this configuration before the show, and I'll go armed with the most recent brochures, but to have them all in one place would be good, however you're right about the NEC not being the bext place to view. A dealer is definitely a better place to view and to talk.Knowing what you're going to see before the show is the only way to survive the NEC as its hoooge and completely bewildering for the first timer.
The show is a s
te enviroment to look at vans in as it can be mobbed and you dont get a great opportunity to spend enough time in the vans but on the plus side you will see them all in one place however you can sometimes achieve this at a dealership, we sell Elddis,Swift group and Coachman so have all the options in stock and if we're not local you might find a local dealer who does too, you cant beat the NEC for quite such an eye opening selection though.If you do go the N.E.C come and say hello, I'll be hungover wearing a stupid Tartan wastecoat on the Elddis Motorhome stand!
Well, the kids enjoyed Broad Lane Caravans (Alcester, Warwickshire), and not just because of this:
... in fact the kids were fascinated by the normal-sized caravans - in particular the bathrooms and the fixed bunks where they had their own windows and lighting. They were planning what toys they would take with them (which is definitely going to help with the argument with Mommy).
An interesting thread, as we looked at some new to us vans recently. Having a young child we like the idea of being able to seperate her off to an extent when she is asleep, but relatively few vans allow that. Not her own bedroom but at least so she is away from the main sitting area.
Best way does seem to be bunk beds.
Best way does seem to be bunk beds.
Chrisgr31 said:
An interesting thread, as we looked at some new to us vans recently. Having a young child we like the idea of being able to seperate her off to an extent when she is asleep, but relatively few vans allow that. Not her own bedroom but at least so she is away from the main sitting area.
Best way does seem to be bunk beds.
You can get vans with the kids' beds at the end, and a concertina door (or a more conventional door in some) to close them off. The problem with these is you then have to make do with a bathroom on the side, which limits the room considerably.Best way does seem to be bunk beds.
In the vans that my parents used to have, we were at the end but they were considerably shorter vans than those I'm looking at, and yet my parents watching TV up the other end didn't bother us. These days, if we wanted to watch TV, we could use head/earphones if it was a problem, or just sit in the awning and play cards until the kids had drifted off.
Our current van is a Dethleff bought 2nd (3rd, 4th?) for £400 a couple of years ago. Has bunk beds at the rear end with a sliding door. Yes bathroom is tiny, but the reality is we are mainly on sites with loo blocks so hardly use the bathroom anyway.
Do like this style of layout, but havent seen it in the larger vans. Will look at the makes you suggest.
Do like this style of layout, but havent seen it in the larger vans. Will look at the makes you suggest.
Sounds like this is your first van, is that so? If it is, then I can promise you one thing. After the first four or five times away in it, you'll realise it's the wrong layout for you. So I'd STRONGLY recommend not wasting huge sums on a new van, instead buy a good secondhand one with the layout you think you want and then decide what you really want for your second van. You can trade it in and end up with the right van for you.
Everyone's different, that's why there's so many different configurations and layouts, and what you think you want or don't want now, you'll change your mind about when you've got the expoerience to do so.
For example, you say you want a large end bathroom but are only going to be staying on good sites with facilities for the kids. So when will you use the bathroom? Maybe one or two wees in the night and that'll be it. So the shower will almost never be used. Ask any dealer how many trade-ins they've taken with unused showers. Betcha they'll say dozens.
Alternatively there's a few people who hire caravans, check out Ebay and do a Google search. We just hired a small 2 berth one for a fortnight and today bought a 4 berth with a totally different layout to what we thought we wanted before our holiday
IMHO, buy secondhand now and get SWMBO converted and enthusiastic and then let her "choose the new one" later. Of course with a lot of guidance and help from you.
More fun too
Everyone's different, that's why there's so many different configurations and layouts, and what you think you want or don't want now, you'll change your mind about when you've got the expoerience to do so.
For example, you say you want a large end bathroom but are only going to be staying on good sites with facilities for the kids. So when will you use the bathroom? Maybe one or two wees in the night and that'll be it. So the shower will almost never be used. Ask any dealer how many trade-ins they've taken with unused showers. Betcha they'll say dozens.
Alternatively there's a few people who hire caravans, check out Ebay and do a Google search. We just hired a small 2 berth one for a fortnight and today bought a 4 berth with a totally different layout to what we thought we wanted before our holiday
IMHO, buy secondhand now and get SWMBO converted and enthusiastic and then let her "choose the new one" later. Of course with a lot of guidance and help from you.
More fun tooMy first caravan yes but I spent most of my youth holidaying in one, and I've stayed in enough statics and chalets to know what I want and why. The end (big) bathroom is to try and pursuade my wife to come with us - no matter how good the site facilities, she will not use communal toilets of showers so a big end bathroom is essential. Fixed bunks for the kids - obvious reasons.
Interested in why you think this is the wrong layout when the three manufacturers have this layout listed specifically for families.
Interested in why you think this is the wrong layout when the three manufacturers have this layout listed specifically for families.
Watchman said:
My first caravan yes but I spent most of my youth holidaying in one, and I've stayed in enough statics and chalets to know what I want and why. The end (big) bathroom is to try and pursuade my wife to come with us - no matter how good the site facilities, she will not use communal toilets of showers so a big end bathroom is essential. Fixed bunks for the kids - obvious reasons.
Interested in why you think this is the wrong layout when the three manufacturers have this layout listed specifically for families.
A neighbour of ours bought a brand new van, and then a year later swapped it for the exact same model but slightly different layout so it does happen.Interested in why you think this is the wrong layout when the three manufacturers have this layout listed specifically for families.
Incidentally saw an advert for this site http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/caravan_layouts.htm... earlier which apparently allows you to find a caravan by layout. (I haven't looked at it yet!)
I'm not saying that the layout is wrong, what I'm saying is in the light of your experience, you'll decide that your priorites will have changed and a you'll decide a different layout would suit you better. Of course the big manufacturers know more than me, that's why they offer the layouts they do, but in the same vein, why do they offer countless variations and layouts? Because all folk are different and as any salesman will tell you, people don't really know what they want that's why salesman are there, to tell them what they want.
You say your wife won't use site toilets and showers and I can well understand that grotty loos make for a poor expereince of a a site. My wife certainly wouldn;t accept below standard loos either.
Before our holiday two weeks ago we hadn't stayed on a caravan site for fifteen years and were pleasantly surprised at how good they are now. We stayed on several five star sites and the standard of loo blocks was stunning. Most really good sites have separate en-suite type cubicles. Centrally heated and with a shower, toilet and basin in it's own self contained room, just like a first class hotel.
Out of interest, find a five star site near where you live and go and have a look. Just out of interest. Loo blocks have come a long long way in the last few years, it's not bucket and chuck it any more.
You say your wife won't use site toilets and showers and I can well understand that grotty loos make for a poor expereince of a a site. My wife certainly wouldn;t accept below standard loos either.
Before our holiday two weeks ago we hadn't stayed on a caravan site for fifteen years and were pleasantly surprised at how good they are now. We stayed on several five star sites and the standard of loo blocks was stunning. Most really good sites have separate en-suite type cubicles. Centrally heated and with a shower, toilet and basin in it's own self contained room, just like a first class hotel.
Out of interest, find a five star site near where you live and go and have a look. Just out of interest. Loo blocks have come a long long way in the last few years, it's not bucket and chuck it any more.
Watchman said:
*I* know what modern sites are like but there's no way I will encourange my wife into site loos, no matter the quality. It's the deal breaker. I either get a van with something totally self-contained or I'll be going alone (with the kids).
Could try changing the wife? 
Does she never use public loos then?
Chrisgr31 said:
Watchman said:
*I* know what modern sites are like but there's no way I will encourange my wife into site loos, no matter the quality. It's the deal breaker. I either get a van with something totally self-contained or I'll be going alone (with the kids).
Could try changing the wife? Does she never use public loos then?
Not sure how helpful this is but we have a 2011 model Elddis Tempest which we have had from new.
Our previous van was a Burstner 540TK which had a fixed double bed and 2 "adult" size fixed bunks arcoss the rear of the van on a single axle van weighing 1500kg's! Still had a small seating area and table and small kitchen, great for summer but so good if raining or a bit chilly.
As you mentioned in your first post we use it for long weekends and getting away from it, last year we spent 34 nights in it once we counted all the weekends, easter + summer etc, this year 30 nights so far.
Overall the Elddis has been great although I do miss the German build quality. However, the latest 2013 model of the same van has a changed layout with 2 bigger bunks rather than 3 and a bit later than ours. Any specifics I can help with let me know.
Our previous van was a Burstner 540TK which had a fixed double bed and 2 "adult" size fixed bunks arcoss the rear of the van on a single axle van weighing 1500kg's! Still had a small seating area and table and small kitchen, great for summer but so good if raining or a bit chilly.
As you mentioned in your first post we use it for long weekends and getting away from it, last year we spent 34 nights in it once we counted all the weekends, easter + summer etc, this year 30 nights so far.
Overall the Elddis has been great although I do miss the German build quality. However, the latest 2013 model of the same van has a changed layout with 2 bigger bunks rather than 3 and a bit later than ours. Any specifics I can help with let me know.
Watchman, can't believe I am reading this, we have exactly the same issues of family bunks and facilities.
And yes, my wife will only use a public loo as an absolute last resort, and site facilities are definate no no.
Anyway talked her into it, on the proviso we didn't spend a fortune, got something respectable, and we still get at least one decent holiday in the sun each year.
Anyway bought an inexpensive old van as an experiment.
A 2003 Elddis Avante for £4k in mint condition with all the essentials, service and warranty.
£500 for a mover to get it tucked away behind the garage.
Looked at loads of 5m vans, with exactly the criteria as Watchman (but not a £20k budget)
Not too long for a first timer, bunks in the end and a tight but workable little bathroom to the side
It does not have the chintzy interior and to be honest looks really respectable.
Never towed in my life, but the everday Merc pulls it without issue.
Yes I will not be "making progress" or enjoying the drive particularly.
But on your average congested A road, don't anticipate being slower than the unwashed mass's either.
My 4 year old has sorted out her toys in her own locker, has her Tinkerbell sleeping bag, and she can't wait.
And that is what it's all about.
Roll on next weekend
Emley
And yes, my wife will only use a public loo as an absolute last resort, and site facilities are definate no no.
Anyway talked her into it, on the proviso we didn't spend a fortune, got something respectable, and we still get at least one decent holiday in the sun each year.
Anyway bought an inexpensive old van as an experiment.
A 2003 Elddis Avante for £4k in mint condition with all the essentials, service and warranty.
£500 for a mover to get it tucked away behind the garage.
Looked at loads of 5m vans, with exactly the criteria as Watchman (but not a £20k budget)
Not too long for a first timer, bunks in the end and a tight but workable little bathroom to the side
It does not have the chintzy interior and to be honest looks really respectable.
Never towed in my life, but the everday Merc pulls it without issue.
Yes I will not be "making progress" or enjoying the drive particularly.
But on your average congested A road, don't anticipate being slower than the unwashed mass's either.
My 4 year old has sorted out her toys in her own locker, has her Tinkerbell sleeping bag, and she can't wait.
And that is what it's all about.
Roll on next weekend
Emley
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