Dreamer camper five - opinions welcome! (1 Viewer)

[RubySparkles]

Hello experts!

Does anyone own, or have an opinion on the Dreamer Camper Five PVC, with a drop down bed and fixed bunk beds please?

My partner and I are very tall with 2 small kids and a cocker spaniel (so transverse doesn’t work, we tried a wildax and feet/ head touched the sides).

We were tenting, then bought a Xplore 304 caravan and are now looking to move into the campervan world. Our drive is exactly 6.3m so can just squeeze a 6.36m campervan on. I like the idea of it being thinner than a CB and we won’t have to make up beds which we have to do in the caravan daily. Also like the idea of a rear space for the kids. If you have any other recommendations please do let me know.

We’re new to the forum so if I’ve done anything wrong please let me know..!

Thanks for your help and advice.

https://www.dreamer-van.co.uk/fourgon-dreamer-camperfive.php
Walk around

 

[Jim]

Hi Ruby
Just to let you know that you aren't being ignored. Your post has only just this minute gone live. We manually check and approve new members first few posts that have links within, just to ensure they are not spammers. Your post was just approved; people can see it now Thanks.

 

[Guigsy]

I've seen the model and I'm intrigued. Dreamer vans are supposed to be pretty well built and they've got some unique designs. The drop down bed at the front looks good. I'm not sure if the lounge remains semi usable when it's down though. My biggest concerns are that there's not a lot of storage, especially for 4 people. And you'll be very close to the 3.5t limit.

 

[MisterB]

have you considered cabunk beds as the children are only small? they are quick to put up and make use of the largely unused front cab area when parked up? it might open up the opportunity to look at different layouts with a max length of around 6m?
Your desire for a fixed bed was absolutely the first thing on our list of 'must haves' ....

 

[Riverbankannie]

Hi Ruby
I looked at the video and my thoughts mirrored Guigsy above who posted as I wrote this. We have a similar sized van and it is close to the weight limit with just the 2 of us and we don’t carry things like bikes.
I think it would be great for dry weather where the kids and dog and you are outside most of the time, but not so great in the great British weather. The sliding door means all the wet comes in (you cannot deploy an awning in windy wet weather).
Otherwise they are great to drive and certainly worth considering.

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[poppycamper]

No personal experience of this van.. but watching the video the one thing that jumps out is where do you stow anything?
The cupboards and storage are almost non existent....

 

[Bramidan]

As has been mentioned, not much storage but a lot depends on where you are going to predominantly use it.
If in Europe where you can normally expect better weather (!) you won’t have to take so much wet weather gear etc and of course most of the time you will be outside.
In the UK, if stuck indoors you might be cramped.

 

[Riverbankannie]

No personal experience of this van.. but watching the video the one thing that jumps out is where do you stow anything?
The cupboards and storage are almost non existent....

I considered that and thought Ok in warm weather where wet outdoor gear not needed. The kids bunks area actually would store a lot of their stuff and the wardrobe for Mum and Dad. We have once when going to Twinwood and needing extra space for shoes and clothes, taken two large but low plastic tubs with lids and stored them under the van once pitched. However, not ideal.
Have only recently discovered how much extra a dog needs!

 

[Riverbankannie]

I would make cotton packing cubes (youtube videos) and kids could use on their beds as cushions etc.
pillow cases also make good storage for clothes.

 

[The Coops]

If you can squeeze just over 6 mtrs have a look for an A class with drop down bed and fixed rear beds with a garage for storage, there was a thread on here about what was out there may be more practical and grow with the kids

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[beachwomble]

If you really want one, contact your nearest Dreamer dealer now as they may tell you that their allocation is sold out for 2024. Dreamer dealers tend to order around June for the following year allocation so you'll need to act fast.
Look "Cali Camper Family" on youtube as the Camper Five is likely to be their next van.

 

[SpeedyDux]

I've seen the model and I'm intrigued. Dreamer vans are supposed to be pretty well built and they've got some unique designs. The drop down bed at the front looks good. I'm not sure if the lounge remains semi usable when it's down though. My biggest concerns are that there's not a lot of storage, especially for 4 people. And you'll be very close to the 3.5t limit.

Dreamer is a Rapido sub-brand and the conversion quality ought to be very good because they are converted in the same factory and Rapido has been in the van conversion game for a long time.

I agree with your points. There is much more storage in my 5.4m Rapido Van than in this 6.4m Dreamer, and we find it barely enough for 2 adults. Payload - hmm? It will struggle to say within the 3,500 Kg MPTLM limit with 4 on board.

I wouldn't like to try to make up the 5th bed in the lounge. The extra bits required might also take up scarce storage. In my 3 berth Van the salesman couldn't put the 3rd bed together when I asked him to demonstrate how it can be done. All the extra bits are permanently stored in my house.

The lack of storage and small payload might restrict its use to a weekender. For longer trips you probably need a trailer to bring all the extra stuff.

 

[RubySparkles]

Thanks for all the comments. Does anyone have any other recommendations for a PVC with a long bed and bunk beds please?

 

[gus-lopez]

Have only recently discovered how much extra a dog needs!

+ medicines, bed, food,ball,etc,etc,etc,

 

[RubySparkles]

I've seen the model and I'm intrigued. Dreamer vans are supposed to be pretty well built and they've got some unique designs. The drop down bed at the front looks good. I'm not sure if the lounge remains semi usable when it's down though. My biggest concerns are that there's not a lot of storage, especially for 4 people. And you'll be very close to the 3.5t limit.

To be honest we go to bed at the same time… its not useable at our height… was planning under the bed area for the dog! She currently sleeps under the bed that we assemble in our caravan.

I figured if I was up extra early I could have a brew in the seats by the bunks! Thanks.

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[RubySparkles]

+ medicines, bed, food,ball,etc,etc,etc,

Thanks! She’s a cocker spaniel and takes up a lost less room (and food) than our previous Labrador…!

 

[RubySparkles]

As has been mentioned, not much storage but a lot depends on where you are going to predominantly use it.
If in Europe where you can normally expect better weather (!) you won’t have to take so much wet weather gear etc and of course most of the time you will be outside.
In the UK, if stuck indoors you might be cramped.

Good point. Thanks. The baby has more clothes than the rest of us put together..!
Although we now only pack enough for a week and wash it… after making the mistake for YEARS of taking too much stuff camping. We currently hang up wet stuff in our toilet so guess we’d continue doing the same.

 

[RubySparkles]

If you really want one, contact your nearest Dreamer dealer now as they may tell you that their allocation is sold out for 2024. Dreamer dealers tend to order around June for the following year allocation so you'll need to act fast.
Look "Cali Camper Family" on youtube as the Camper Five is likely to be their next van.

Thanks! I’m keeping my eye out for second hand which is a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack! I think we need to save for another 8 months anyway and hopefully winter will be a good time to buy.

I've seen the model and I'm intrigued. Dreamer vans are supposed to be pretty well built and they've got some unique designs. The drop down bed at the front looks good. I'm not sure if the lounge remains semi usable when it's down though. My biggest concerns are that there's not a lot of storage, especially for 4 people. And you'll be very close to the 3.5t limit.

Do you have any other recommendations please?

 

[RubySparkles]

have you considered cabunk beds as the children are only small? they are quick to put up and make use of the largely unused front cab area when parked up? it might open up the opportunity to look at different layouts with a max length of around 6m?
Your desire for a fixed bed was absolutely the first thing on our list of 'must haves' ....

have you considered cabunk beds as the children are only small? they are quick to put up and make use of the largely unused front cab area when parked up? it might open up the opportunity to look at different layouts with a max length of around 6m?
Your desire for a fixed bed was absolutely the first thing on our list of 'must haves' ....

Thanks for the message. Is a drop down bed considered fixed? I suppose it is. Hadn’t thought of it like that. We thought fixed bunks was a good idea for the kids. We currently have to fold them away in the caravan. I can’t seem to find any others with similar configuration. Have you got any suggestions please?

 

[TheMachMan]

How about a pop top PVC, with high rear fixed longitudinal bed? You’ll get more storage under the bed that way. Still a struggle with kids but then we saw 4 pop out of a VW yesterday so you just need to pack well! I think Adria & Malibu both make them and sure there are others too.

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[MisterB]

A drop down bed is a fixed bed BUT will likely require a ladder to access, not particularly comfortable on bare feet in my experience .... especially in the middle of the night.
As regards recommending a layout, to be honest there are probably dozens that may meet your needs. If you simplify your needs, wants, price range, age and mileage then perhaps others can also add suggestions?

The three most important things in my opinion are layout, closely followed by layout and then finally layout ...... You can add bits but you can't change the layout.

Top of our must have or walk away list were fixed bed for us and drop down electric for the grandchildren (so we didn't have to make beds up every night), large fridge 4 seat belts, decent toilet and shower and an oven. Our wants were all things that could be added if they weren't already installed, LPG, sat dish, solar, B2B, microwave

If we were looking again, we must have fixed bed, facility to add cabbunk, large fridge (pref compressor), min 4 seat belts, decent toilet and shower, refillable lpg and look to add massive lithium, solar, B2B, large inverter and go almost entirely electric and cook using air fryer, microwave, pizze oven and George foreman grill. We don't care about an oven anymore, much prefer a microwave and air fryer. Being able to flick a switch for drinks in bed in the morning whilst being parked up without EHU is so much better as is cooking on a GF grill and not worrying about the gas blowing out. I'm not sure I would even bother with the sat dish now either ....and might actually remove it. It's great for the UK but I'm no longer convinced we 'need' or even 'want' one.

I think the discussion on cabbunks is one for a different thread ....as it really isn't about motorhomes themselves but rather on what you can add to them!

PS ours is an Adria 670 SLT but too long for you, but the two single bed configuration actually gives us a much larger bathroom across the back, so don't rule out single beds

 

[rolosroller]

Have a look at the

Wildax Solaris XL – 4 Berth – 4 Seats – Fixed Bunk Beds​

 

[RubySparkles]

How about a pop top PVC, with high rear fixed longitudinal bed? You’ll get more storage under the bed that way. Still a struggle with kids but then we saw 4 pop out of a VW yesterday so you just need to pack well! I think Adria & Malibu both make them and sure there are others too.

We had looked at pop tops but friends have said it’s freezing for the kids in winter and we were worried about problems in strong winds. I’ve had to rescue awnings and tents in the middle of the night in wales and I’m yet to be convinced a pop top is remarkably different. I will look again as I’ve heard the insulation has improved. Thanks for your message.

 

[RubySparkles]

Have a look at the

Wildax Solaris XL – 4 Berth – 4 Seats – Fixed Bunk Beds​

Thanks for the message. I’ve tried one but heads and feet are touching the sides on the assembled double bed. The bunk works though..! Plus I was hoping to avoid too much assembly following the caravan..!

 

[Guigsy]

There are a few 6m to 6.5m coachbuilds with a rear transverse bed as well as a bed at the front. There's semi integrated vans will have an electric bed drop down over the dinette. There are some rare a-classes with a drop down bed over the cab, so the dinette remains usable. Finally there are overcabs. They are all wider than a PVC, so height shouldn't be an issue. I think the kids will have to share a double bed though.

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[RubySparkles]

There are a few 6m to 6.5m coachbuilds with a rear transverse bed as well as a bed at the front. There's semi integrated vans will have an electric bed drop down over the dinette. There are some rare a-classes with a drop down bed over the cab, so the dinette remains usable. Finally there are overcabs. They are all wider than a PVC, so height shouldn't be an issue. I think the kids will have to share a double bed though.

Thanks very much Guigsy. Our daughter is 6 years older than our son so was thinking bunk beds would better suit them as the years progress. Having a look at the a-class options and haven’t ruled anything out as whatever we get has got to be easier than the caravan! Always have the extreme Devon/ Cornwall/ Lake District single tracks in mind on width (which we currently avoid with the caravan… hence leaning towards PVC). It has to be under 6.36 to get on the drive though. Cheers.

 

[hja]

I’d be most worried about payload. I assume you are driving on an ordinary license not a C1. We have a 6.4m PVC , just the two of us, we pack light, pretty much at the 3500 kg without the weight of two passengers and a dog.

 

[Grianan]

I can understand why you’re attracted to that van but I also agree with most of the posts on here about storage and usability.

I also think your needs will change as kids grow and that van looks quite specialised.

Pop top or high roof might work better for you but they will be more like an extra double rather than bunk beds.

The other option is a pop top above the cab and a single made out of the lounge seats with a fixed longitudinal at the back for you.

Pathfinder Z - Globe-Traveller

Pathfinder Z is a 636 cm long van for four passengers, with four seats and four berths. A 'bike’ version allows to carry 2 bicycles inside.

globe-traveller.eu

Or Hymer pop top vans.

I would also look at slimline A class which would give you a bit more space and storage for less width than a coach built.

 

[RubySparkles]

I’d be most worried about payload. I assume you are driving on an ordinary license not a C1. We have a 6.4m PVC , just the two of us, we pack light, pretty much at the 3500 kg without the weight of two passengers and a dog.

Good point. Thanks. We do manage with our caravan 135kg payload but then again we carry our heaviest items in the car. I have a C1 but not my partner.

 

[RubySparkles]

I can understand why you’re attracted to that van but I also agree with most of the posts on here about storage and usability.

I also think your needs will change as kids grow and that van looks quite specialised.

Pop top or high roof might work better for you but they will be more like an extra double rather than bunk beds.

The other option is a pop top above the cab and a single made out of the lounge seats with a fixed longitudinal at the back for you.

Pathfinder Z - Globe-Traveller

Pathfinder Z is a 636 cm long van for four passengers, with four seats and four berths. A 'bike’ version allows to carry 2 bicycles inside.

globe-traveller.eu

Or Hymer pop top vans.

I would also look at slimline A class which would give you a bit more space and storage for less width than a coach built.

Thanks for the advice and recommendation. I’ll have a look for sure!