What's The Best Layout For Me?
At first sight, the available options for the layout of the interior of a caravan
are bewildering. Here we’ll try to simplify the process, so you can make an informed
decision.
What size caravan would suit me?
First establish how many berths are needed. This is fairly straightforward. Simply
decide how many people you’re likely to take on holiday with you. Not just how many
children you may have, but perhaps you’ll want to take relatives or friends along
in the future.
Remember that you could sleep adults or children under an awning, so avoiding the
need for a larger caravan and possibly a bigger tow vehicle.
Of course, it is all very simple if you’re a couple who will always be touring on
your own. You simply need to decide if you prefer a double or two single beds.
In the world of caravanning, one of the options is to have beds that double as seating
during the day.
While seat-beds are still popular, there’s a move towards fixed beds these days
to avoid having to make beds up. Some people think permanent beds are a waste of
living space, but it can allow for a better quality of mattress as there’s no mechanism
to accommodate.
Bunk beds are great for the kids; they love them! They are a common sight in larger
caravans and an option well worth considering.
Make sure there’s enough wardrobe space for you all, too! A popular choice, available
in newer caravans, is a fixed double bed, often right at the back of the tourer,
and a dining area at the front which you can convert into sleeping quarters when
needed. This arrangement could suit a couple, who might have occasional guests,
or a family of four, equally well.
Use a tape measure to be certain each berth is long enough for your requirements
as some berths will not be long enough for adults. Cushion depth in seating, when
used as a mattress, is important if you want a good night’s sleep. The way that
the pieces fit together can make or mar a night’s rest so don’t be afraid to test
any bed for length or comfort.
Two dinettes in a 4 berth is ideal if you have children. A dinette has facing seats,
with a table between which lowers to make a bed base.
This creates both eating and play areas. At night, screened off, one dinette becomes
the children’s bedroom. This layout results in a centre kitchen, which is good for
balance on the road as most of the weight, fixed and portable, is carried over or
near the axle.
If there isn’t a double dinette, consider children reaching the toilet room from
their berths at night, and the possibility of lights shining on their faces when
asleep.
How many berths?
First establish how many berths are needed. This is fairly straightforward. Simply
decide how many people you’re likely to take on holiday with you. Not just how many
children you may have, but perhaps you’ll want to take relatives or friends along
in the future.
Remember that you could sleep adults or children under an awning, so avoiding the
need for a larger caravan and possibly a bigger tow vehicle.
Of course, it is all very simple if you’re a couple who will always be touring on
your own. You simply need to decide if you prefer a double or two single beds.
In the world of caravanning, one of the options is to have beds that double as seating
during the day.
While seat-beds are still popular, there’s a move towards fixed beds these days
to avoid having to make beds up. Some people think permanent beds are a waste of
living space, but it can allow for a better quality of mattress as there’s no mechanism
to accommodate.
Bunk beds are great for the kids; they love them! They are a common sight in larger
caravans and an option well worth considering.
Make sure there’s enough wardrobe space for you all, too! A popular choice, available
in newer caravans, is a fixed double bed, often right at the back of the tourer,
and a dining area at the front which you can convert into sleeping quarters when
needed. This arrangement could suit a couple, who might have occasional guests,
or a family of four, equally well.
Use a tape measure to be certain each berth is long enough for your requirements
as some berths will not be long enough for adults. Cushion depth in seating, when
used as a mattress, is important if you want a good night’s sleep. The way that
the pieces fit together can make or mar a night’s rest so don’t be afraid to test
any bed for length or comfort.
Two dinettes in a 4 berth is ideal if you have children. A dinette has facing seats,
with a table between which lowers to make a bed base. This creates both eating and
play areas. At night, screened off, one dinette becomes the children’s bedroom.
This layout results in a centre kitchen, which is good for balance on the road as
most of the weight, fixed and portable, is carried over or near the axle.
If there isn’t a double dinette, consider children reaching the toilet room from
their berths at night, and the possibility of lights shining on their faces when
asleep.
Kitchen Matters
Consider the location of the food preparation and cooking area. Check that the worktop
and sink are at a comfortable height and that people can get past easily without
bumping into the cook! Do the cupboard and toilet room doors open without interfering
with cooking? Is the doorway completely clear all the time for rapid exit in case
of fire and is there adequate ventilation near the cooker? The kitchen in a modern
caravan or motorhome is usually a masterpiece of space utilisation. You’d be staggered
by the amount of kit that can be fitted into them, and by how easy they are to use.
They can be arranged in one line, split across an aisle, or L-shaped. There will
be kitchen units above the work surfaces, a proper, sometimes dual fuel, cooker
with hob and oven, possibly a microwave as well as fridge, and a sink with a mixer
tap.
End kitchens allow more room to move around in the main living area, but the doorway
can be obstructed when the kitchen is in use. However, the main door will help with
ventilation and the rear window allows unobstructed vision when towing.
A kitchen at the rear can mean balance is worse, but a little thought when loading,
with particular attention to noseweight, is all that’s needed. Too much weight at
the back of the trailer can cause 'tail-wag’.
Corner kitchens offer loads of work surfaces and allow more space in the living
area.
Side kitchens are most popular but can create congestion from people trying to get
past the cook or when they’re getting to the washroom if it’s opposite the kitchen.
They also may not offer much work surface. Once more, your budget may dictate your
options.
Check if there’s enough storage space for your needs. Is there a shelf deep enough
to take a large packet of breakfast cereal? Do you have to stoop down to get at
food or crockery and are there enough drawers? Do all cupboard and drawer catches
really hold shut when travelling?
Headroom
Restricted headroom is a nuisance for tall people and some caravans offer only 1.8m
(6 ft) height or less. If the caravan has a sloping front to reduce drag, the reduced
height at the front should not affect easy access to a front dinette, but check
to be certain. The ease of getting into the seats around the table should also be
tested.
The toilet compartment will be to the side or at the end where the roof may slope
downwards, so sufficient height here for showering or shaving is important.
Showers and loos
Whilst on the subject of the toilet, where will it stand if it’s a self-contained
portable one rather than the fixed cassette type? Does it store under the basin?
Wherever it is, is there comfortable space to stand upright at the wash basin?
Quite often with centre kitchens the toilet is opposite the wheel arch, so this
could be in the way. Is the light near the mirror or, as is sometimes the case,
behind your head as you shave or make up?
Think about how you are going to use your caravan, and the others who may be using
the facilities.
Some layouts only provide access to the washing facilities through the main bedroom.
This may not be ideal for some, though for a couple it may suit them perfectly.
You’ll get more privacy, as you’re not stepping from the shower straight into the
living room.
Floor coverings
What sort of floor covering would you prefer? Deep pile
carpets are cosy, but vinyl flooring when you come in with
muddy boots is more practical. Some caravans have
removable carpeting – the best of both worlds!
Summing up
Have a look at some typical layouts at our dealership and try
to imagine yourself using them on a daily basis. You’ll soon
get a good idea of what’s practical for your lifestyle, while
suiting your budget.