Can we talk about beds?

[TerriSpirit]

You have all been super helpful with the pitfalls of buying a Motorhome for the first time. I've now joined the site as a paid up member so hope to get to know you guys better over the next year.
This question to you all is; what sort of bed type do you prefer and why? We will probably get a 4-6 berth and please bear in mind we are in our late 50's. We intend to use the camper the majority of the time with just the two of us but intend to take a couple of little grandchildren [under 8's] with us occasionally too. We like the idea of a fixed double but equally would be happy to be in bunks if they take 80-85kgs? We have heard that the beds above the Cab are a little small and hard to use so would really like to know your experiences and what works best for you? Many thanks in advance

 

[138go]

A Class would be my recommendation.

Better view through the front window for taller people
More room in the cab area
Better insulated up front
Ours has double blinds on the front window and heating to keep the cold out
Two large double beds so we have one each really comfortable in hot weather
Central toilet with TWO doors so can be used without disturbing other half
Don't need to make beds up

Electric beds IMO are one of the worst inventions. Our Pilote had one and
you never knew from one day to the next if it was going to come down. You
then spent all night worrying in case it didn't go back up.

Automatic gearbox is a great idea saves an awful lot of gear changing
Decent sized garage for bikes makes them safe and out of sight
MH with 16" wheels with heavy duty chassis then you are not constantly worrying about
how much everything weighs. Rear axle should be 2400kg loading.

 

[Mr Chrysalis]

We have a fixed Island bed, which we love. It is always made up and ready to fall into. Mrs C insists on making and "dressing" it each day so it always looks inviting too. As there is floor space either side, either of us can get up at night without disturbing the other, and at my age that is important! The bed is over the garage so can be raised up higher if we want to increase storage space, but we have never needed to do that as the garage is big enough with the bed at the lower setting. We each have a permanent side table in which I have fitted USB and 240v sockets so this is permanently set up with clock, phone chargers and the Mifi. It is aso somewhere to put a glass of water and any morning medication needed. Mrs C found some non-slip trays that fit perfectly so all of this ( except the water) can also stay there whilst driving around. The bed has the bottom corners trimmed at 45 deg, to ease access, but we don't even notice the missing bit, as we don't sleep wth legs fully extended. Our layout means we can have the toilet and shower as en-suite or outside the bedroom, because of the doors positions. We also have a double over cab pull down for occasional use by grown up children and grandchildren ( and we have 4 seat belts). Previously we had a French bed, but that made me feel a bit claustrophobic when I was wall side, and disturbed when I was on the open side. Neither of us would entertain the idea of single beds ( we like to be together!), however we have seen some MoHos with a high level single either side and staircase ( not ladder) access up the middle, which just leaves a missing chunk from the middle of the matttress at feet end. This also has a "fill in" piece, which folds down. This arrangement effectively gives a 7 ft wide bed and looks like it might work, though we would miss the side tables.

 

[mjltigger]

We struggled with converting a lounge into a bed for a few years before realising how much we hated it. We just went bigger and got a French bed. I would have liked an island but OH felt the lounges were too small in those.

The main reason we switched was to not have the dogs on our bed. In reality though the extra space and the luxury of having a bed made up whenever you want it is why we probably won't ever go back.

 

[cranky]

A fixed island bed is a must for us. We wouldn't look at any other configuration. We generally go to bed and get up at different times so an island bed lets us do this without disturbing each other.

We slept in an over cab bed once and that will be the only time we ever do. Enough said.

I don't go away in the van to move furniture around so converting a U shaped lounge is not happening. I don't care if it takes 5 minutes or 5 seconds, I won't be doing it.

Our A class now has a drop down bed as well which we treat as the second bed if we have anyone with us. I drops down far enough so there's plenty of space and it's actually bigger than the island bed but we've never slept in it so I can't comment on how comfortable or otherwise it is.

Ditto exactly (saved me typing all that out)

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[busby]

Just shows that one size/type does not suit all..We started out with 7.5 m with French bed,,had a lwb van conversion,,then a 6m coach built,,,Nqw have a 5.1 m van conversion with 2 singles that we have to make up,,,We are really happy with this van,,it suits us for long term touring and have no plans to change again in the near future,,BUSBY..

 

[tonyidle]

I must be one of the 0.001% who do not want a fixed bed - judging by the lack of choice. We have a Hymer B584 that we love - a huge lounge area. The layout is perfect for us but it lacks storage so we're looking for something similar but rather longer. So far the only equivalent seems to be the latest 584 which at 100k+ is a little out of reach. Looking round a few dealerships recently I'm amazed that every new MH had a fixed bed. Is it me?

 

[MC 55 FUN]

Fixed / French / Island beds just aren't wide enough for us.

 

[magicsurfbus]

Another thing to consider about Lutons - they make the vehicle taller, less aerodynamic, more prone to wind or slipstream buffeting, less stable when cornering, and can make the interior dark. A huge bonus we've got on the latest MH (no Luton) is the skylight above the cab. We didn't realise how gloomy the interior of our last MH was until we got the new one. Obviously different Lutons have different skylight arrangements, but our last one just had a small side window near our heads and nothing else.

 

[MichaelT]

We have a fixed French style bed ( think that means a slice is removed to allow for the bathroom door to open.....that's where my disabled husband sleeps. I get the drop down double bed over the cab. I was determined not to have to make up any beds on a daily basis.

Your disabled husband sleeps in the bathroom?

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[TerriSpirit]

Your disabled husband sleeps in the bathroom?

I knew what she meant!

 

[two]

If you want to mess with sleeping bags or ‘Duvalays’, making a bed is straightforward but I’d still avoid one where I’m sleeping across different cushions. This arrangement will give you much more daytime space.

If you want to make a bed up with sheets and a duvet, it’s not always that easy (try it), so you don’t want that every day, especially when you’re tired. Fixed beds are much better to sleep on because that’s what they’re designed for (not a compromise) and always ready when you are.

As you get older you’ll need to get up during the night, so you won’t want to be clambering about. I think the best solution is two singles (takes less space and easier access).

I’d not buy for the odd occasion when guests might come because it doesn’t happen that often and compromises space and payload. Grandchildren might enjoy a tent or awning more, anyway.

What kind of budget do you have in mind?

 

[DangerMousy]

I must be one of the 0.001% who do not want a fixed bed - judging by the lack of choice.

Its not just you
I've no objection to a fixed bed itself....but I don't like the small lounge that tends to be the trade-off. Even if you increase the MH size I still find the lounges disappointing - we each want a full length sofa to stretch out on on cold or wet days. The lounge is just as important as the bed for us.

 

[Mr B]

Love our transverse bed, and the drop down bed is huge as it takes 3 grandrats with ease.
Twin singles for us next though

 

[MichaelT]

Being 6'6" the twin singles are a tad too short for me. We have had French caravan beds but the crawling over each other at night put us off. Last 2 vans have been Island type but may look again at twin singles next time as we want a larger garage to get bikes into.

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[Cat53]

Your disabled husband sleeps in the bathroom?

Yep! Where else?

 

[Dan and Jan]

View attachment 181430

Love our transverse bed, and the drop down bed is huge as it takes 3 grandrats with ease.
Twin singles for us next though

You can't beat single beds. Lounge is ok for us as well.

 

[Dan and Jan]

Being 6'6" the twin singles are a tad too short for me. We have had French caravan beds but the crawling over each other at night put us off. Last 2 vans have been Island type but may look again at twin singles next time as we want a larger garage to get bikes into.

Large garage for bikes and the rest of the gear, keeps it out of the living area.

 

[MichaelT]

View attachment 181463
Large garage for bikes and the rest of the gear, keeps it out of the living area.

We have a largish garage at present but not high enough to stand bikes up in.

 

[TerriSpirit]

Ideally we don't want to spend more than about £35,000 and would like to buy second hand privately. Going by what you have all said I think either an island bed or fixed twins will work best for us then making up the extra bed/beds when grandchildren stay over. They are too little to stay in tents etc at the mo but I'm sure in a few years time that might be a fun thing to do.
We are not so bothered about a large lounge as we intend to spend most time outside and if we want to "lounge" and read books would probably be quite happy to do that in the bedroom.
I guess a 4-5 berth one would be ok but would like a mid way toilet rather than an end one. Any suggestions for models that fit that criteria?
By the way.... you are all amazing people, thanks for all your comments, they are really helping!

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[John Stanton]

Ditto exactly (saved me typing all that out)

Ditto your ditto - island bed every time - also handy for siestas

 

[two]

We have a largish garage at present but not high enough to stand bikes up in.

Take the front wheels off.

 

[two]

An island bed may seem nice but no easier to make, gives less space to move around, and takes more length off the van. Twins are more practical.

European vans tend to be better constructed but have the habitation door on the ‘wrong’ side (not a big issue).

 

[busby]

View attachment 181463
Large garage for bikes and the rest of the gear, keeps it out of the living area.

View attachment 181463
Large garage for bikes and the rest of the gear, keeps it out of the living area.

My van is only 5 .2 m and the only equipment that gets in our way is my watering can that we keep in the loo when travelling,,cycles on the back and all other equipment is either under a seat base or in rear storage lockers,,no clutter at all in the van because i can't stand it,,,,,BUSBY ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,w

 

[Dan and Jan]

My van is only 5 .2 m and the only equipment that gets in our way is my watering can that we keep in the loo when travelling,,cycles on the back and all other equipment is either under a seat base or in rear storage lockers,,no clutter at all in the van because i can't stand it,,,,,BUSBY ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,w

You must be like me, I hate clutter. Everything packed away. This van is 7.39 with loads of cubby holes, I just have to stop Jan filling them.

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[busby]

I

You must be like me, I hate clutter. Everything packed away. This van is 7.39 with loads of cubby holes, I just have to stop Jan filling them.

I like to park up,,level t the van,, spin the front seat and put the kettle on or whip a cold beer out of the fridge,,,Could not enjoy it if van was full of gear,,like deck chairs,,wind breaks etc,,all my gear is stowed away,,,BUSBY,,,

 

[John Stanton]

An island bed may seem nice but no easier to make, gives less space to move around, and takes more length off the van. Twins are more practical.

Well "her indoors" disagrees (who am I to question her).

We've had island bed then switched to two singles and then back to island bed (Auto Trail -> Hymer -> Rapido). The island bed is easier to make as you only have one bed rather than two to worry about and you can get to both sides of the bed to make it up (again her point not mine), and to us the two island bed vans we've had feel so much roomier than the twin bed (Hymer) we had.

From our experience it doesn't add to the length of the van when compared with the equivalent twin bed offering - for example we looked at Carthago c-Tourer 144LE (twin beds) and 144QB (island bed), both are 7m, same goes with Rapidos of a similar model with twin / island bed layouts.

Each to their own of course, but that's our view on them !

 

[two]

We have an island bed and like it, but I still think twins are more practical. There needs to be some extra space to get around the bottom of an island bed, so extra length needs to be taken from the van one way or the other. Sometimes one of the singles is a little shorter to provide a bit more space elsewhere. Also the space, widthways, has to be split between either side of an island bed, rather than being a larger common area between twin beds. The island bed may be slightly easier to make than singles and allows 'lanky' folk to dangle their toes over the end, so there is a mix of benefits with each.

 

[glenn2926]

I would recommend that you (like we did) hire a few differing layouts. We hired transverse, French and over cab bed layouts. Which did we buy? An island bed. Neither of us wants to make up/put away the bed every night and morning. But and it is a big but, we are all different and use our vans differently. There are even different island bed layouts. Ours is a transverse island bed. There you go that's made it all so easy for you haha. It is a big decision to make and an expensive one to get wrong. So do consider hiring.

 

[TerriSpirit]

I would recommend that you (like we did) hire a few differing layouts. We hired transverse, French and over cab bed layouts. Which did we buy? An island bed. Neither of us wants to make up/put away the bed every night and morning. But and it is a big but, we are all different and use our vans differently. There are even different island bed layouts. Ours is a transverse island bed. There you go that's made it all so easy for you haha. It is a big decision to make and an expensive one to get wrong. So do consider hiring.

Sounds like we can just take your word for it Glenn and save ourselves the hire fee's Seriously though thanks for your input. I think we have pretty much decided on the fixed bed, either island or twin that makes one large if we want that. Might hire one just to try, but to be honest the worse thing is trying to find any for sale with that configuration!

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[glenn2926]

Sounds like we can just take your word for it Glenn and save ourselves the hire fee's Seriously though thanks for your input. I think we have pretty much decided on the fixed bed, either island or twin that makes one large if we want that. Might hire one just to try, but to be honest the worse thing is trying to find any for sale with that configuration!

Ha, you're correct, finding one is the problem. It took us two years to find the right layout. Good luck trying. When you find the one, you'll know.