Advice on buying a caravan

Ready made up bed (fixed bed) but less space during the day than van of equivelent size,

To make up bed is getting  easier as most now have slide out seat bases or from front of van ,and very rarely now a jigsaw puzzle of cushions

Think you have to consider how and where you're likely to be using your van.  If you plan to take it to Europe for example, you might prefer the fixed bed and smaller front lounge as you'll most likely spend more time outdoors.

I still prefer the full length sofas at the front and it's not a problem making up a bed each night.

Fixed bed/layout is really a personal choice.

Pop along to a dealer and have a look about at what there is on show. Not all the good ideas are new.

Then visit a caravan site and speak to a few people about their vans. It does indeed depend on how you see yourself using it.

I like the fixed bed as we can sit up late with a few glasses and nibbles and then hop into bed without any hassle, plus be able to get up and leisurely make breakfast and leave bedmaking untill later.

We chose fixed bed because we wanted to be comfortable and did not want to have to make up the bed every night. Good advice from Naivagateur, go look at the options, it was only by doing that that we worked out what we wanted. Good luck!

The latest "fad" looking at the show that seems to be cathing on more is two singles ,which saves the night time scrum,for us oldies 

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Lots of things to consider, some good advice already mentioned. Most put up beds take only a few minutes to sort out, and you do get the advantage of a larger lounge area, and you are not lugging a bedroom around all the time, which is a bonus if you like to move around. We have used put up beds for the last 32 years without any issues. One bonus you get is three options, a large double when put up, two long singles if you want to hop into bed in seconds, or do as we do and if the weather is nice (contrary to some myths on here, it can be lovely in Summer here as well!) we leave our bed up as we spend lots of time outside. You look on the younger side as well, still lithe and fit, so putting a bed up probably won't be an issue. 

But if all you want to do is pitch up and stay on a site for quite a while say a week plus, then fixed bed might suit you better. Bathrooms tend to be a bit smaller in fixed beds, unless you go for a very big van, which is another factor. As others have said, you need to decide how and where you want to holiday, then go and look at a lot of vans, imagine spending time in them in all weathers. Your tow car needs to be considered as well. Good luck, happy hunting!

I think I must have that "very big van" as there is a huge washroom as well as the full size fixed double. (And a lounge and a galley kitchen).  It won't suit everyone, so do go and look at many vans and talk to as many owners as you can until you start to see what can be done.

It is realy down to how you look at it. If you are happy making up a bed each night and taking it down again next morning then caravans where you do that give you more room. If you do not feel you can be bothered then a fixed bed is for you.

There is a third option with the lounge that converts to a bed at the front and a two seater dinette at the side. This gives you the option of leaving the bed down if you are going to be out all day or take it down if you will not. It is a compromise but can work well for many.

Remember that the fixed bed has the corner chopped off. So your feet are pushed together.Thats not for me. It takes about 5m to make up the bed in my van. No table. Just to pull out the slide and drop the cushions onto it. Not really a problem. You get a bigger bed for your money. Personel choice in the end.