Am I alone in thinking that the manufacturers are missing a market?

[Manxcat]

We to looked at a 6m van today which is lovely and luxurious but is let down by having a drop down bed which obscures 2 good skylights. The bed is there so it can sleep 4 (at a push). We are at a stage in life where we would like total luxury for just 2. If the designers were to concentrate on a van for 2 there would be much less 'waste'. I genuinely believe that almost no potential purchaser would buy this van with four in mind but the option to not have the unnecessary bed is not available.

 

[L' Hobo]

We to looked at a 6m van today which is lovely and luxurious but is let down by having a drop down bed which obscures 2 good skylights. The bed is there so it can sleep 4 (at a push). We are at a stage in life where we would like total luxury for just 2. If the designers were to concentrate on a van for 2 there would be much less 'waste'. I genuinely believe that almost no potential purchaser would buy this van with four in mind but the option to not have the unnecessary bed is not available.

If its the van you want and the bed is not used, why not remove it. (you might be able to sell it on Ebay?)

 

[XxAnthxX]

It’s a conspiracy by your children to make sure you have no excuse not to take the grand kids

 

[Sue and Rick]

We removed the two passenger seats under the bench seats. We cannot take the grandchildren now.

 

[Otter Spotter]

There are plenty of 2 bed 2 seaters about if you look. Better still design and build your own, cheaper and it suits you then.

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[Two on Tour]

Our van is designed just for two, two belted travel seats and just two beds.

 

[GMLS]

We to looked at a 6m van today which is lovely and luxurious but is let down by having a drop down bed which obscures 2 good skylights. The bed is there so it can sleep 4 (at a push). We are at a stage in life where we would like total luxury for just 2. If the designers were to concentrate on a van for 2 there would be much less 'waste'. I genuinely believe that almost no potential purchaser would buy this van with four in mind but the option to not have the unnecessary bed is not available.

Totally agree. We looked for a motorhome optimised for 2 and wanted a rear lounge layout to replace our Burstner Ixeo 734 so an A class or good quality Coachbuilt. We also would have considered a large panel van with a dropdown bed over rear lounge.

This lead us to the Rapido 854F which we have now had on order since October 21 and no date in sight. There are not many rear lounge motorhomes (I do get why they don't suit everyone) but having discounted a Mobilvetta (because of their one dealer strategy) and wanting a continental brand , the nearest we could find before seeing the Rapido was a Burstner which had a drop down bed over L shaped rear lounge with one over the front lounge but we couldn't delete the rear one. We were able to delete the one in the Rapido though.

 

[Dart]

The issue arises because dealers believe that a 4 berth motorhome will sell better than a 2 berth one so that is what they order for their stock. However, if you are ordering a van that hasn't yet been built you can often order your motorhome without the drop down bed and have high level cupboards instead. At least, that is what we have found with German motorhomes. Of course, when you come to trade in your 2 berth dealers will then offer less than they would for the equivalent 4 berth so it is something to bear in mind

 

[Manxcat]

If its the van you want and the bed is not used, why not remove it. (you might be able to sell it on Ebay?)

In this case definitely not an option. The fancy lighting is built into the underside of the bed.

 

[enark]

Plenty of 6-7m vans with just the one QB so therefore designed for two.

Carthago Liner for two ( bit longer though!) but many others at less money.

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[L' Hobo]

In this case definitely not an option. The fancy lighting is built into the underside of the bed.

nothing is insurmountable, lighting is reasonably easy to replace especially with LED.

 

[VXman]

Our 7.5 metre van is just for 2. Two rear single beds, front lounge. Ideal for us.

Lots of similar Burstner Models have a drop-down bed but I like the headroom, space and light from the skylight and cab sunroof which you loose when the drop-down bed is added.

 

[jongood]

We to looked at a 6m van today which is lovely and luxurious but is let down by having a drop down bed which obscures 2 good skylights. The bed is there so it can sleep 4 (at a push). We are at a stage in life where we would like total luxury for just 2. If the designers were to concentrate on a van for 2 there would be much less 'waste'. I genuinely believe that almost no potential purchaser would buy this van with four in mind but the option to not have the unnecessary bed is not available.

IMHO the problem is with the publics perceptions, we have a larger motorhome and are frequently asked how many berths it is, in the same way that they sell houses based on the number of bedrooms not the square meterage.

 

[Reallyretired]

Many people who have no experience of motorhomes think more berths the bigger and better. I once looked at a second hand Glendale (showing my age) that had been modified to sleep 12. It wasn't large. No seat belts of course in those days and only the Luton bed fixed.

 

[TeamBandS]

Can you legally remove the 3rd and 4th seatbelts and the heavy metal work that is needed to attach the belts to? Makes the van a 2 person only vehicle and saves weight? My MOT man stated that he only check belts that are fitted and not what is in the is in the v5.

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[BusyBuilder]

Hymer B544 or Frankia 640 ??

 

[jongood]

Can you legally remove the 3rd and 4th seatbelts and the heavy metal work that is needed to attach the belts to? Makes the van a 2 person only vehicle and saves weight? My MOT man stated that he only check belts that are fitted and not what is in the is in the v5.

I thinks thats correct

 

[L' Hobo]

Can you legally remove the 3rd and 4th seatbelts and the heavy metal work that is needed to attach the belts to? Makes the van a 2 person only vehicle and saves weight? My MOT man stated that he only check belts that are fitted and not what is in the is in the v5.

Your MOT man is correct and I don't think its on your V5....just checked, it's not on mine.

 

[Riggers1]

We removed the two passenger seats under the bench seats. We cannot take the grandchildren now.

We didnt have the heart to do that - we only removed one leaving the other in place for our grandson!!

 

[Lenny HB]

My MOT man stated that he only check belts that are fitted and not what is in the is in the v5.

My rear ones have never been checked as they always kept behind the lounge seats.

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[Brains]

There are plenty of two real beth vans out there, look for twin singles, as most convert to a large double.
They have the advantage of massive rear garages, big enough for a motorbike.
Many list a 3rd &/or 4th berth made from seating area cushions, but in reality are for kids or perhaps an adult for one night only.

The Hymer MLT range are two berth, and under 7m.

As you say, the market is out there, which is why by summer of 2022 they were quoting end 2024 delivery dates! Probably 2025 now

 

[Lenny HB]

We to looked at a 6m van today which is lovely and luxurious but is let down by having a drop down bed which obscures 2 good skylights. The bed is there so it can sleep 4 (at a push). We are at a stage in life where we would like total luxury for just 2. If the designers were to concentrate on a van for 2 there would be much less 'waste'. I genuinely believe that almost no potential purchaser would buy this van with four in mind but the option to not have the unnecessary bed is not available.

You have an A Class why not just have a smaller A Class without a drop down bed, that's what we are doing.

Hymer did have their Duomobile & the Duomobile DL but both have been dropped, Hymer very quickly drop models that don't sell.
Carthago have sold quite a few of their Liner for Two but mainly to the British market.

If there was a big market for a van like you suggest I'm sure all the manufacturers would be producing one.

 

[Burgo]

We ordered ours without the drop down twin bed, just having the island bed at the rear, for exactly that reason - much more light and headroom up front. Also it saved a huge amount of payload weight.

 

[Sue and Rick]

We didnt have the heart to do that - we only removed one leaving the other in place for our grandson!!

To be honest, if they want to come I will put them back in. I took them out for our french trip. Saved 60kgs on the payload.

 

[Bustup15]

Dethleff A class grand Alpa I7820-2 is designed for 2 with a drop down over the front seats and a large rear lounge.

The table can drop and create a massive king bed for Extra bodies but we never use ours and don't even carry the infill cushion

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[uzsnowdrop]

All to their own but I never want to sleep in a van with four people in it, it sounds way too close for comfort..

 

[nicholsong]

All to their own but I never want to sleep in a van with four people in it, it sounds way too close for comfort..

Especially queuing for the shower/loo. when wildcamping which is our choice.

 

[Spriddler]

All to their own but I never want to sleep in a van with four people in it, it sounds way too close for comfort..

In that case you wouldn't enjoy sharing one Premier Inn room with five hairy bikers as I have done.
(although I could be wrong..........)

 

[Tony50]

The issue arises because dealers believe that a 4 berth motorhome will sell better than a 2 berth one so that is what they order for their stock. However, if you are ordering a van that hasn't yet been built you can often order your motorhome without the drop down bed and have high level cupboards instead. At least, that is what we have found with German motorhomes. Of course, when you come to trade in your 2 berth dealers will then offer less than they would for the equivalent 4 berth so it is something to bear in mind

We have ordered the configuration we want ( a 2 berth) thinking about resale value never comes into it, pay load does, some people fit seat covers so the next owner can have the benefit, but, not us.