Finding the right layout

[Anjistar]

Hi people, I'm new here, so bear with me, please!
Having rented a campervan for 2 months three years ago and loved it, it has taken us this long to finally be on the verge of buying. A lot of research ( and saving up!) has gone on in the intervening time, though.

So our problem has turned out to be finding a PVC that feels reasonable light and spacious (despite the obvious restrictions), has longitudinal beds, preferably dinette style rather than fixed, and where both chairs swivel without the occupant's knees crashing into anything. We'd also like a 3 burner hob and grill/oven.
Are we on a hiding to nothing?

The nearest we've found is the Autotrail V line 636 SE, but the extra passenger seats make the pinch point at the kitchen so narrow even my size 12 frame can barely squeeze through.
There's no way to Google search for specific layouts, but there's a database idea for a techie!

Any input would be most welcome.
Thank you.

 

[JohnJan]

Globecar, Possl, Wildax, Devon the list goes on. It depends on your budget really and if you're buying new or used. Layout is arguably the most important part so try and see as many vans as you can and sit in them, swivel the seats, sit in the loo(don't use it!), stand in the shower, lie on the beds etc. everything you would be doing when you are actually camping in it.
Good luck with your search, keep us posted.

 

[Anjistar]

I know, JohnJan, it's endless in general terms, and we have spent many a happy hour at the three motorhome shows we've attended jumping in and out of 'vans, trying the beds etc. Now, of course, there aren't any shows, so we are trying to limit the driving to dealers by knowing they will have what we want in stock. With regard to budget, the layout is more important, to an extent.

To find exactly the layout I'm looking for - I guess I kind of hoped someone would say ' oh, yes, I've got one with dinette-style longitudinal beds, swivel seats, a 3 burner hob, oven/grill and a light,spacious feel - it's xx brand!'

But that would be too easy, right?

 

[FIDGET]

Rapido v68 , I think this would suit you.
Hi Anjistar & Welcome from Cornwall.
I suggest you pay your subs to get all the information you need as , after 5 posts you become a read only member . Best £15 you'll spend towards your motorhome.
Terry

 

[JohnJan]

I know, JohnJan, it's endless in general terms, and we have spent many a happy hour at the three motorhome shows we've attended jumping in and out of 'vans, trying the beds etc. Now, of course, there aren't any shows, so we are trying to limit the driving to dealers by knowing they will have what we want in stock. With regard to budget, the layout is more important, to an extent.

To find exactly the layout I'm looking for - I guess I kind of hoped someone would say ' oh, yes, I've got one with dinette-style longitudinal beds, swivel seats, a 3 burner hob, oven/grill and a light,spacious feel - it's xx brand!'

But that would be too easy, right?

Wildax Aurora Leisure XL

Aurora XL Range - Wildax Motorhomes

wildaxmotorhomes.com

How's that? Hope your wallet is in good shape!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Anjistar]

Transverse bed, though! Not going to happen!

 

[JohnJan]

Fiat / Peugeot Aztec XL - New and Used Campervans and Motorhomes for Sale: Devon Conversions

Fiat / Peugeot Aztec XL - New and Used Campervans and Motorhomes for Sale: Devon Conversions

devonconversions.co.uk

Fiat / Peugeot Sahara - New and Used Campervans and Motorhomes for Sale: Devon Conversions

Fiat / Peugeot Sahara - New and Used Campervans and Motorhomes for Sale: Devon Conversions

devonconversions.co.uk

Mercedes Benz Sapphire - New and Used Campervans and Motorhomes for Sale: Devon Conversions

Mercedes Benz Sapphire - New and Used Campervans and Motorhomes for Sale: Devon Conversions

devonconversions.co.uk

Take your pick! We looked at these originally but went for the Wildax in the end down to spec and styling. Personal choice!!

 

[Minxy]

Reading your post I suspect you want 2 long 'sofas' that can be used as 2 single beds at night rather than fixed beds, Swift do their 'Select 122' model with sofas in the rear:

 

[Riverbankannie]

I know, JohnJan, it's endless in general terms, and we have spent many a happy hour at the three motorhome shows we've attended jumping in and out of 'vans, trying the beds etc. Now, of course, there aren't any shows, so we are trying to limit the driving to dealers by knowing they will have what we want in stock. With regard to budget, the layout is more important, to an extent.

To find exactly the layout I'm looking for - I guess I kind of hoped someone would say ' oh, yes, I've got one with dinette-style longitudinal beds, swivel seats, a 3 burner hob, oven/grill and a light,spacious feel - it's xx brand!'

But that would be too easy, right?

We’ve got an IH 630RL. Yes there is a pinch point between sink and washroom but we can pass each other .

 

[rosalan]

Not having any idea of your budget limits things a bit for everything is available, at a price.
As you have visited shows and seen the variety of possibilities you perhaps could also list your lifestyle.i.e.
Do you like inviting lots of people into your van? (Dinette can be awkward to get in and out of). Are you gourmet cooks? (Enough room to prep food and store pans). Do you have pets and or children? (Space for pets to sleep etc). Do you expect to be totally self reliant? (Showers, water tank, toilet) Do you wish to spend long or short periods in any one place (Self contained Awning or wind out awning). Is the van big enough to spend time in on wet days.
Most manufacturers produce a complete range of models although sometimes only making short runs according to sales, but they are about.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Anjistar]

Not having any idea of your budget limits things a bit for everything is available, at a price.
As you have visited shows and seen the variety of possibilities you perhaps could also list your lifestyle.

Hi Rosalan, thanks for your post, sorry for the delay, I had to wait for my subscription to be processed.

Our budget is reasonable, as we are looking at vans from 2017 and newer, and we've seen the prices!

Lifestyle: The idea is touring Europe. We like to cook local food, don't eat out much. Don't expect to entertain. No pets, no children. Self-contained though we may use facilities when at a campsite. Probably not spending more than a few days in one place.

The idea of having a rear dinette that converts to a bed plus swivel chairs is so that we don't HAVE to make the bed, and can even leave them as singles if we're doing overnight stops, and still have somewhere comfortable to sit for meals. There needs to be room for a guitar and attendant guitarist, indoors on wet days. If we stop for a few days, the guitarist will be able to sit on the bench seats, as the driving seats are not the best shape for this.

 

[Anjistar]

We’ve got an IH 630RL. Yes there is a pinch point between sink and washroom but we can pass each other .

Hi Riverbankannie - sadly I think the budget won't quite stretch that far, though it does look lovely!

 

[Riverbankannie]

Hi Riverbankannie - sadly I think the budget won't quite stretch that far, though it does look lovely!

That’s a shame, we find it very comfy especially the rear corners and the settee/bed cushions. No toppers needed. Ours 2015 and like new so maybe no need to restrict yourselves to 2017?

 

[Anjistar]

Reading your post I suspect you want 2 long 'sofas' that can be used as 2 single beds at night rather than fixed beds, Swift do their 'Select 122' model with sofas in the rear:

I saw that, but the driver's seat doesn't swivel, so if we wanted to leave the bed made up, there isn't a nice place to sit.

 

[Minxy]

I saw that, but the driver's seat doesn't swivel, so if we wanted to leave the bed made up, there isn't a nice place to sit.

I'm surprised if it doesn't swivel at all as it's a modern version of the Swift Mondial RL which had a drivers seat that swivelled 90 degrees.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Minxy]

Have you looked at the Vantage Neo?

Example here:

Vantage Neo 2 Berth Luxury Rear Lounge Twin Single Beds Camper Van For Sale

Vantage Neo 2012, 2 berth motorhome for sale in Derbyshire. Manual gearbox and Right-hand Drive with 46,000 miles. Find out more.

www.motorhomedepot.com

 

[Anjistar]

I'm surprised if it doesn't swivel at all as it's a modern version of the Swift Mondial RL which had a drivers seat that swivelled 90 degrees.

I think it does, actually, but as you say only 90 degrees, so that it faces the side of the passenger swivel chair, which seems a bit pointless - you'd have to eat lunch from the passenger's lap! The cupboard and fridge behind the driver's seat means it won't turn 180. It doesn't help that the photos on the Swift web site for the 122 Lifestyle actually show the 184, so there are none of the cab of the 122.

 

[Anjistar]

Have you looked at the Vantage Neo?

Example here:

Vantage Neo 2 Berth Luxury Rear Lounge Twin Single Beds Camper Van For Sale

Vantage Neo 2012, 2 berth motorhome for sale in Derbyshire. Manual gearbox and Right-hand Drive with 46,000 miles. Find out more.

www.motorhomedepot.com

Funny you should say that - I am actually looking at it right now - and getting hopeful!

 

[Puddleduck]

Adria Twin?

Product Selector » Adria Mobil

www.adria.co.uk

 

[Anjistar]

Adria Twin?

Product Selector » Adria Mobil

www.adria.co.uk

Fixed bed and no oven, I'm afraid - did I say I was fussy?
The Vantage Neo is top of the heap at the moment, if we can find one!

It appears you'll sympathise with the need to have plenty of storage for my yarn and hooks....

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[mikebeaches]

Rapido v68 , I think this would suit you.
Hi Anjistar & Welcome from Cornwall.
I suggest you pay your subs to get all the information you need as , after 5 posts you become a read only member . Best £15 you'll spend towards your motorhome.
Terry

We also have a Rapido V68 with longitudinal beds (also an oven and 135-litre fridge). Both front seats swivel through 180 degrees and are the comfiest chairs in the house for us. There are of course the two additional seats around the dinette, which aren't at all bad either.

But yes, the beds are fixed, which is exactly what we wanted. They are big and always inviting without having to make them up.

It's all a matter of personal taste and comfort, but having owned a number of touring caravans, we were desperate to escape the style of seating they have. We always found the sleeping arrangements a bit of a compromise, and the seating non too comfortable either after half an hour.

As it happens, Mrs mikebeaches really enjoys relaxing on her bed occasionally during the evening and reading, while I hog the dinette on the laptop.

Good luck whatever you decide! We're all different in our preferences.

 

[Puddleduck]

Fixed bed and no oven, I'm afraid - did I say I was fussy?
The Vantage Neo is top of the heap at the moment, if we can find one!

It appears you'll sympathise with the need to have plenty of storage for my yarn and hooks....

They will put an oven in as an option The beds make into long sofas during the day I think.

The Neo is a nice van - hope you find one soon.

Our van has a transverse bed at the back and I like to sit across the bed with a bulkhead as a backrest (add pillows for comfort) to read.

THe last place I want to sit after a long journey is one of the front swivel seats Dinette and side sofa are comfortable for half and hour to an hour but are too upright and don't have enough leg support for much longer

 

[Minxy]

Hi Rosalan, thanks for your post, sorry for the delay, I had to wait for my subscription to be processed.

Our budget is reasonable, as we are looking at vans from 2017 and newer, and we've seen the prices!

Lifestyle: The idea is touring Europe. We like to cook local food, don't eat out much. Don't expect to entertain. No pets, no children. Self-contained though we may use facilities when at a campsite. Probably not spending more than a few days in one place.

The idea of having a rear dinette that converts to a bed plus swivel chairs is so that we don't HAVE to make the bed, and can even leave them as singles if we're doing overnight stops, and still have somewhere comfortable to sit for meals. There needs to be room for a guitar and attendant guitarist, indoors on wet days. If we stop for a few days, the guitarist will be able to sit on the bench seats, as the driving seats are not the best shape for this.

I've been thinking of what you've said about the guitar and whether having 2 areas would work out better than one main lounge/bed area with a small 'bistro' area for eating up front (ie cab).

Having a camper that has fixed single beds doesn't mean they can't be used as a separate lounging area - that's what we love about our layout, one of us can be slobbing on the bed, reading, snoozing etc, whilst the other can be doing something in the front using the half-dinette, cab seats etc.

I'm just wondering if this would actually work better for you than the layout you are thinking of - you'd still have the advantage of 2 single beds plus no unmaking/making them up all the time which can be very irritating on long trips and you then have to store the bedding somewhere during the day if you want an unrestricted seating area during the day, also if you leave the 'beds' made up just having the front cab seats swivelled round isn't the most relaxing way to sit for a long time due to the restrictive nature of the furniture etc round them even in the Vantage Neo version.

Our first modern campervan was an Autocruise Accent which was 6m with a half dinette and a rear lounge with 2 facing sofas that made a transverse double, we left this permanently made up as a bed as it was such a faff to do and also if we changed it to a lounge we lost all the storage space which we needed.

All I'm saying is don't rule out a single bed and half dinette layout.