Hello and any advice?

The current trend in larger and longer caravans lends it'self to fixed beds. Which, if you are aged and infirm is a boon.  If you are younger and reasonably healthy the twin singles of the lounge seats make superb beds.  ( only take a matter of a couple of minutes twice in the day to make them up and then stow the bedding again.)  

So you don't need to buy a huge van unless you need fixed beds.

A good layout to consider is an end toilet and shower room which includes the area to be used as a dressing room. ( no need to close the lounge curtains except when in bed ). 

Hope this helps 

K 

I have a Senator Wyoming which was chosen as having the layout I wanted.  It has been a great caravan all round.  Not bought new as I wanted a very specific layout which was only made during the Series 5 era.

Never made a bed out of the front L-shape lounge, but have used the fixed bed many times for a quick daytime nap - or a lazy lounge watching the TV. When the saleswoman was explaining something in the washroom she couldn't answer a question and called in her boss. It dawned on me that we then had four people standing in the washroom, so it is far from cramped!

Only thing missing is an electric plate in the hob - but Mr Lidl suppled a double one and we always use that when electricity is included. The MTLP can be upgraded to 1800kg which is probably needed with a motor mover, but all that consists of is a new sticker and some more air in the tyres.

If you plan to use your own facilities a lot, you should go for the decent shower room first, fixed bed second.

Our previous van was one with long front seats, side dinette and rear shower room, the seats made a very spacious double and it was also  comfortable.  Our present van has what you are looking for, large shower room, fixed bed, good kitchen, but shorter front seats.  We like it very much.

It is a Swift made twin axle van from 2008, a Sterling Eccles Elite Searcher,  from that year Swift increased the width of some of its range which made  a fixed bed easier to fit in and the whole layout more spacious.

There were earlier models with a slightly different layout which might fit your requirements so take a look at earlier Searcher models, or the Swift branded equivalent.....could be a Conqueror 630?

What a lovely bunch you all are! Thank you so much for making feel part of the club already and for the great input  and thoughts. Very much appreciated.

I have decided fixed bed is first priority with full size bathroom a close second. That does limit things a fair amount, but the aforementioned Bailey Oklahoma (or similar) has a nice fixed bed and a combined toilet/shower that I see many later models and makes also have but later models with a shower screen to divide off the toilet, possibly due to feedback of a wet loo I would imagine.

Yes, I appreciate it is always going to be a certain trade off with space . The Wyoming is VERY appealing and my car can tow it easily, but that moves us onto storage. At 26ft long it would take up  my entire driveway. I had planned to keep it off site at a storage place that does just caravan storage, but was very shocked to read that most thefts are from such places! Any thoughts in that area?

I also had decided I would get tracker fitted but many thanks to other posters in other threads that made me realize that if my caravan was stolen by some lowlife, I would probably rather not have it back as such. So, a good working alarm, VERY good house CCTV and obviously good insurance will probably be the order of the day - unless you know otherwise?

Again, thanks to everyone so far. Great community spirit you all have.

Jimmy fair enough if you have definitely decided on a fixed bed as a priority but the Senator Vermont has an excellent end bathroom / dressing room, a very comfortable made-up large double bed and is easier for storage. Worth a look maybe even if you dismiss it.

Are more caravans stolen from storage as it is easier to do, or because they are newer?  Your budget puts you out of the big money resale value category.

Having your caravan on the drive does mean you can tinker with it all the time though! Or use it as a guest suite.

Yes indeed, this was one of the shortlisted ones already. I do like the bathroom on these. Same on the Wyoming but obviously a lot shorter caravan as a result.

As others have said people will be ordering new c’vans at the NEC in October [often p’xing] so more 2nd hand c’vans will come onto dealer’s forecourts early’ish/Spring next year.  If you can decide on 2/3 models, you could then perhaps talk to or email local dealers asking them to be on the lookout for those whilst also searching yourself.  As you say you have mobility issues bear in mind ensuring you have enough water to shower/wash up/make tea etc can take time & effort unless you choose a full facility pitch or use site facilities.  Good Luck.

Hi...Jimmy....I'm back again....if you decide to keep it at home and have a  motor mover put it on the drive nose first...if someone wants it its harder to hitch up...if you go down the storage route there are storages affiliated to c.a.s.o.a.........bronze.silver and gold sites......gold being the most secure..tv fencing electronic gates etc and persons living on site...if you decide this route they are worth checking out.....by  the way I'm not a salesman for them......good luck in your quest

We go for a fixed bed these days.  Not only does the fixed bed offer a good sized storage are underneath, and, of course does away with having to make up beds each evening, but also enables one person to go to bed while the other stays up for a while longer to finish off the bottle of wine...... 

David