Drop down bed and lounge

olley

olley

Joined
Jul 29, 2007
Posts
6,676
Likes collected
41,811
Location
Ipswich
Funster No
32
MH
RV and PVC
Exp
30 years
Tentatively looking for a slightly bigger motorhome than the PVC we have just for the two of us, after looking at various options we feel a front drop down with a rear lounge or front lounge under the drop down makes the best use of available space. We had a look at Benimar, Autotrail and Swift yesterday and they all do versions of this arrangement. Benimar was the best with a very big front drop down over the lounge, and rear kitchen and toilet with loads of cupboard space but just felt a bit to plasticky for me. what else is out there?
Does anyone make a PVC with a drop down bed?
 
I have to say you get good specs for your ££££ with Benimar, most folk praise them. Mine is leaking and in getting sorted.:fubar:
 
Have a look at the Carthago C-Compactline i-138 A-class - we didn't want to go much bigger than our previous PVC at 6.36m long and 2.05m wide so the 138 fitted the bill perfectly at 6.41m long and 2.12m wide. It has a rear transverse double and a front transverse double over the cab and an L-shaped lounge - not as big as some but more than sufficient for us as the captains chairs are very comfortable for slobbing in to watch TV.
 
Do these drop down beds cover the lounge area, would it be better to have an A class with drop down bed then you wouldn’t lose the lounge, so if somebody wanted or needed to be in bed you still have useable space.
In our Hymer B584 we lose the front seats but still have the side settee.
 
We have a Lanka Kreos 4009 with a front lounge and a drop-down bed the lounge is very open and you do not need to remove seat cushions or lower table when you want to use the drop down bed so very quick to change from daytime to night and a lot of space compared to other front lounge motorhomes we tried.

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Minxy Girl said:
Have a look at the Carthago C-Compactline i-138 A-class - we didn't want to go much bigger than our previous PVC at 6.36m long and 2.05m wide so the 138 fitted the bill perfectly at 6.41m long and 2.12m wide. It has a rear transverse double and a front transverse double over the cab and an L-shaped lounge - not as big as some but more than sufficient for us as the captains chairs are very comfortable for slobbing in to watch TV.
Click to expand...
I looked at the spec for them Minxy but don't want rear beds, just seems a waste of space for us.
 
Hymer B544 has that configuration but not sure if it’s still available new. Ours is just great for the two of us.
 
olley said:
Does anyone make a PVC with a drop down bed?
Click to expand...
Font Vendome The Mondea has a drop down bed, if we were to go the PVC route it's one that would be at the top of the list.
www.font-vendome.fr

Notre gamme de big vans Font Vendôme

Des vans spacieux ne transigeant pas sur le confort malgré un gabarit de moins de 6,50 m. Pour voyager en toute liberté. ✓ 2 à 7 couchages – Porteurs Fiat et Renault.
www.font-vendome.fr www.font-vendome.fr

Also what about a Carthago Compact Line not much bigger than a PVC but loads of room & a big garage.
 
Forgot to say we don't want to have to use steps to get on to the bed, on one of the Benimar's if you removed a few cushions it sat on the lounge seats, nice. It did seem very well spec as you say irnbru large fridge freezer, microwave, hob and oven.

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olley said:
Forgot to say we don't want to have to use steps to get on to the bed, on one of the Benimar's if you removed a few cushions it sat on the lounge seats, nice. It did seem very well spec as you say irnbru large fridge freezer, microwave, hob and oven.
Click to expand...


Not to mention spare wheel, corner steadies, inet system which I love and the 150w solar panel as standard....at least it is on our model.
 
Gaston aires said:
We have a Burstner Ixeo with drop down bed over lounge. It gives maximum space in the lounge when in up position.
Phil
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Nice but again rear beds just wasted space for us.
 
Lenny HB said:
Font Vendome The Mondea has a drop down bed, if we were to go the PVC route it's one that would be at the top of the list.
www.font-vendome.fr

Notre gamme de big vans Font Vendôme

Des vans spacieux ne transigeant pas sur le confort malgré un gabarit de moins de 6,50 m. Pour voyager en toute liberté. ✓ 2 à 7 couchages – Porteurs Fiat et Renault.
www.font-vendome.fr www.font-vendome.fr

Also what about a Carthago Compact Line not much bigger than a PVC but loads of room & a big garage.
Click to expand...
Very similar in many ways to the original Exsis, I wouldn't like to have to clamber up and especially down from that bed though! 😲
 
olley said:
I looked at the spec for them Minxy but don't want rear beds, just seems a waste of space for us.
Click to expand...
It really depends how you use it ... what PVC/layout have you got at present?

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Gaston aires said:
No rear beds just a drop down on this one. The most usable space I’ve ever had in a van.
Click to expand...
Sorry I was looking at the wrong model, yes that does look very nice and fits the bill, it would appear its not made anymore?
 
Manic said:
Do these drop down beds cover the lounge area, would it be better to have an A class with drop down bed then you wouldn’t lose the lounge, so if somebody wanted or needed to be in bed you still have useable space.
In our Hymer B584 we lose the front seats but still have the side settee.
Click to expand...
Agree with this. A drop down bed that covers the seating area wouldn't work for us as Glenn gets up a lot earlier than me and needs somewhere to sit.
 
olley said:
French bed in the rear, Autocruise 164.
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Storage is what I'm thinking - you get lots with a fixed bed, would not having one still allow you to put the stuff in that you need?

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We looked at a 6m burstner ixeo sovereign last week with a drop down bed. Bed looked big and comfy but no lounge when bed down. Also read that the bed in up position would not take pillows but would take duvet. Not sure how accurate that is though. Lovely van
 
OK I’m biased but the beauty of the B544 is with bed down still room to seat 6 and get to all facilities and hab door.
 
olley said:
Forgot to say we don't want to have to use steps to get on to the bed, on one of the Benimar's if you removed a few cushions it sat on the lounge seats, nice. It did seem very well spec as you say irnbru large fridge freezer, microwave, hob and oven.
Click to expand...
We have a Bavaria with this layout. Love it . Pilote (same stable ) make a version exactly the same . Easier to find a Pilote in the UK I guess as not sure any Bavaria agents in the UK .
As regards build quality none are wonderful these days . Even our dealer agrees the quality of the ‘ posh ‘ makes are nothing like they used to be . Our last van was a 1999 Hobby . Superb quality and solid unlike the new ones of all makes .
 
spitfire said:
We have a Bavaria with this layout. Love it . Pilote (same stable ) make a version exactly the same . Easier to find a Pilote in the UK I guess as not sure any Bavaria agents in the UK .
As regards build quality none are wonderful these days . Even our dealer agrees the quality of the ‘ posh ‘ makes are nothing like they used to be . Our last van was a 1999 Hobby . Superb quality and solid unlike the new ones of all makes .
Click to expand...

Oakwell are Bavaria agents

Home - Oakwell Motorhomes

Extensive range of motorhome repairs and motorhome accessories and awnings with campervans, new motorhomes and used motorhomes for sale.
www.oakwellmotorhomes.com www.oakwellmotorhomes.com
 
Larrynwin said:
Oakwell are Bavaria agents

Home - Oakwell Motorhomes

Extensive range of motorhome repairs and motorhome accessories and awnings with campervans, new motorhomes and used motorhomes for sale.
www.oakwellmotorhomes.com www.oakwellmotorhomes.com
Click to expand...
Ah ok :-) So should we ever visit the UK again and have any problems blend then we know who to contact . Thanks:-)

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olley said:
Sorry I was looking at the wrong model, yes that does look very nice and fits the bill, it would appear its not made anymore?
Click to expand...
Correct and not easy to find. Our friends have one and we always admired it. Then one came up for sale and we bought it.
Phil
 
Lizi said:
We looked at a 6m burstner ixeo sovereign last week with a drop down bed. Bed looked big and comfy but no lounge when bed down. Also read that the bed in up position would not take pillows but would take duvet. Not sure how accurate that is though. Lovely van
Click to expand...
It will take pillows if positioned properly along with a duvet. The bed, when down takes up the whole lounge area but you can use the kitchen, toilet, shower areas. Only a problem if you get up at different times but no problem for us.
Phil
 
Minxy Girl said:
Have a look at the Carthago C-Compactline i-138 A-class - we didn't want to go much bigger than our previous PVC at 6.36m long and 2.05m wide so the 138 fitted the bill perfectly at 6.41m long and 2.12m wide. It has a rear transverse double and a front transverse double over the cab and an L-shaped lounge - not as big as some but more than sufficient for us as the captains chairs are very comfortable for slobbing in to watch TV.
Click to expand...
We have the same model and we love it. We downsized but we aren't missing any extra space at all. We like the fact that the MH is smaller as it's easier to drive and park. It's also 3500kg, which is a bonus for us.

I agree about the captains chairs being comfortable, for watching TV.
 
Very nice, we were in Sheringham at the weekend!

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