What layout would suit ?

Our daughter is  considering getting a caravan in a couple of years, she is looking at a Bailey Phoenix, the one with 2 bunks and a dinette opposite that makes a third bed, that would probably suit you too.

She only has 2 boys, 3 1/2 and 8 months, but there might just be a third in the future.

Hi Adam.  I would go along to your local caravan retailer and have a look at what they have.... you may see something that fits the bill.  In normal times, I would have suggested going along to the October Caravan & Motorhome show, but it isn't going ahead this year - they are hoping to do the show in October 2022.

Just be a bit wary of buying a caravan 'on-line'.... They are not all scammers, by any stretch of the imagination, but there are certainly stories of people who have been scammed.  As they say, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is!!  If it's a used caravan you are looking for, be careful of damp... A damp van could cost a fair bit to repair, and some aren't worth repairing.  If someone says the caravan is damp free, check it out carefully, or better still, take someone with you who knows what to look for..  A new caravan should have a decent warranty.

Best of luck.... and don't us know how you get on.

David

There is a caravan, camping & motorhome show at the NEC from Feb 22 to 27 but I think Adam is looking for a S/H van to start with but if buying from a show the dealer could be miles away so it could be a very long round trip for any warranty work 

Hopefully the February show will go on, but I wondered if Adam was looking to buy sooner..  

We bought our last caravan from the NEC show, but we got a good deal from our local caravan dealer, who have serviced our van for years... just 4 miles down the road... 😀   It's certainly worth checking where the dealer is from, if you buy from one of the shows.

David

Hi Adam, just a word of caution about triple bunks, not our own experience but my niece’s who has three boys.  They had this layout for a short time thinking it would be good but there is very little room in them and as the eldest got to about 6/7 he was complaining about it.  They now have the layout KjellNN suggested of a double bunk and a dinette opposite that coverts into a bed for the bigger one.

When my family resembled that of the OP we found the layout with a table at each end and a central kitchen and toilet to be ideal.  It is not only night time/sleeping that needs to be considered but also having a play area during daytime.

Yes, triple bunks can be a bit short on headroom, that was why DD preferred the double bunk plus dinette.  The Bailey she is looking at also has an end shower room, with separate shower, so is not a small van.

I noticed it can get a good payload upgrade, having seen how much "stuff" small children seem to need, I thought that was essential.  Payloads these days are pretty miserable!

Have a look at the Sprite major 6 TD (or it's Challenger equivalent), it has twin bunks on one side and a dinette on the other that converts into a bed easily at night. There is even a fourth bed you swing up above that too.  They are all quite long so should last while they are growing.  Also the dinette can easily sit a few children for during the day (power and tv sockets) while parents can sit at the front.  We have one and it was great, just as good now for only two or three of us.  

That too is a nice van, shower room is a bit smaller though.  

yes I suppose something has to go space wise? We are one of the ones that don't shower in the van and use the shower room for storage, mainly towels, shower cleaning stuff, and any wet outdoor clothing.

we have tried the shower and it's perfectly fine though a little constricted.