Just bought a brand new caravan

[LeadFarmer]

Never had a brand new caravan (or car) before, but we've just struck a deal on an outgoing 2019 model to replace our 15yr old van.

Due to the timings, we are doing a part ex with our current caravan, but only getting half its £4k private sale value, but thats life.

Really looking forward to picking it up in a ew days. It's a dealer special with a few extras.

2019 Swift Aventura M4SB

[MattS5]

Great value vans I reckon.
We just sold our 2016 Swift Major 6TD (which we’d had from new) and replaced it with another Swift, but this time a new 4EB (end bed, as opposed to your side bed) and we’ve been very happy with the first 2 trips we’ve had.
Touchwood we’ll have the same amount (zero) problems which we had with the past one.

Enjoy!

[Poppiecock]

Disappointed it's not periwinkle blue.

[LeadFarmer]

MattS5 said:

Great value vans I reckon.
We just sold our 2016 Swift Major 6TD (which we’d had from new) and replaced it with another Swift, but this time a new 4EB (end bed, as opposed to your side bed) and we’ve been very happy with the first 2 trips we’ve had.
Touchwood we’ll have the same amount (zero) problems which we had with the past one.

Enjoy!

Mine is based on the Sprite, but with a few changes such as different upholstery & exterior graphics, solar panel, outdoor electric & BBQ points etc,
We considered the EB, but really wanted an end bathroom as thats what we are used to. They seem to be moving away from the French beds with the corner cut off, new models all seem to be the island beds.

[Wacky Racer]

Very nice. Hope you enjoy it.

[task]

Poppiecock said:

Disappointed it's not periwinkle blue.

It's not for his ma though...


Nice van, the modern colours in the newer vans really make them appealing over the caravans we've had in the past, hope you have many adventures

[velocemitch]

LeadFarmer said:

MattS5 said:

Great value vans I reckon.
We just sold our 2016 Swift Major 6TD (which we’d had from new) and replaced it with another Swift, but this time a new 4EB (end bed, as opposed to your side bed) and we’ve been very happy with the first 2 trips we’ve had.
Touchwood we’ll have the same amount (zero) problems which we had with the past one.

Enjoy!

Mine is based on the Sprite, but with a few changes such as different upholstery & exterior graphics, solar panel, outdoor electric & BBQ points etc,
We considered the EB, but really wanted an end bathroom as thats what we are used to. They seem to be moving away from the French beds with the corner cut off, new models all seem to be the island beds.

As far as I can see only Bailey seem to do the fixed double side bed arrangement now. I'm not convinced that is the right move, the other options appear to cut down the front living space. By my calculations the only single axle van you can get with enough room to sleep on the front seats (without making up the bed) is the Bailey Unicorn Valencia (or perhaps a Pegasus).

[LeadFarmer]

velocemitch said:

As far as I can see only Bailey seem to do the fixed double side bed arrangement now. I'm not convinced that is the right move, the other options appear to cut down the front living space.

Yeh, we chose the fixed side bad for this reason. With the fixed end bad the bathroom is in the centre of the caravan making it feel enclosed in the living area, kind of feeling trapped in. I experienced this I'm mu mates van, he has just changed his van for this very reason and gone instead for a Bailey Pegasus with fixed twin beds and end bathroom, giving an open plan feel.

velocemitch said:

By my calculations the only single axle van you can get with enough room to sleep on the front seats (without making up the bed) is the Bailey Unicorn Valencia (or perhaps a Pegasus).

Well Mrs LF is only 5'2" tall so she can sleep on the front seats with the back cushion removed, leaving the fixed double bed all to myself

[denzilpc]

we have a van with similar layout only problem i find is using end bathroom when the other half is in bed having to squeeze past the narrow gap when bed is in use

[LeadFarmer]

Mrs LF will be on the bathroom side of the bed, and thankfully i don’t get up in the night. But you make a fair point.

[MattS5]

LeadFarmer said:

velocemitch said:

As far as I can see only Bailey seem to do the fixed double side bed arrangement now. I'm not convinced that is the right move, the other options appear to cut down the front living space.

Yeh, we chose the fixed side bad for this reason. With the fixed end bad the bathroom is in the centre of the caravan making it feel enclosed in the living area, kind of feeling trapped in. I experienced this I'm mu mates van, he has just changed his van for this very reason and gone instead for a Bailey Pegasus with fixed twin beds and end bathroom, giving an open plan feel.

velocemitch said:

By my calculations the only single axle van you can get with enough room to sleep on the front seats (without making up the bed) is the Bailey Unicorn Valencia (or perhaps a Pegasus).

Well Mrs LF is only 5'2" tall so she can sleep on the front seats with the back cushion removed, leaving the fixed double bed all to myself

We’ve got 2 kids (13 and 10) so having the central washroom, which in effect creates 3 rooms, was ideal for us. Privacy at night time with a sense of separation from the kids was what won us over, likewise access to the washroom and toilet area means no one gets disturbed.
We get the double (which is also wider and slightly longer than the side bed model) and the kids get either the 2 front sofas (for now) or can convert to a double when they get taller. (Or we”ll shove them in the awning as we only only use the van 5 or 6 weekends per year, so no hardship for them)

They’ve just had 3 weeks in hotels in the USA so it’s good to ground them on occasion