Floorplans Which layouts are likely to suit you best?

Before you head for the forecourts, you need a clear idea of your ideal caravan, starting with the all-important floorplan. Here’s our run-down of some popular layouts, who they are good for and who should avoid them

1 Transverse island bed, rear washroom

Island beds are a surprisingly recent addition to caravans, an introduction from the world of motorhomes. Tourers are a bit wider than motorhomes, so it is far more common to see them with a transverse island bed, which takes up less overall length.

Good for Couples who will be mainly travelling on their own

Less good for Parties with small kids who might need the toilet at night

2 Transverse island bed, central washroom

Transverse island-bed layouts with central washrooms are slightly less common than those provided with end washrooms. With that washroom usually spread right across the caravan, they do offer more privacy for whoever sleeps in the island bed.

Good for Family parties where the adults want some privacy Less good for Anyone who is looking for a really airy interior

3 Rear corner bed, corner washroom

Rear corner beds take up less length and space than island beds, and are almost as popular. With a corner washroom, you can introduce them into relatively short vans, because bed and washroom take up the same amount of length.

Good for Those who want a fixed bed in a shorter caravan, or larger families where the parents want some privacy Less good for People who are seeking a more luxurious washroom

4 Single beds, end washroom

This can often feel like two separate lounges; with a couple of extra scatter cushions, you could turn the single beds into additional seating during the day.

Good for People who like interiors to be airy, and the toilet out of the way Less good for Those with children liable to need the toilet at night. Less practical if you carry heavy sports kit

5 Single beds, central washroom

This layout, with a central washroom spread across the caravan and two single beds right behind it, is just about hanging on among UK manufacturers.

Good for Couples who want luxury but also their own sleeping space, or friends who are travelling together Less good for Those who enjoy a sense of camaraderie on tour

6 In-line island bed, central washroom

Some layouts offer an in-line island bed – that is, one that runs lengthways from the back of the caravan. For obvious reasons, these tend to be longer vans, often with twin axles.

Good for Confident tow car drivers who like a luxurious bedroom

Less good for Anyone planning to travel with bulkier items stored in the caravan

7

Corner bed, end washroom

Having an end washroom behind the rear corner bed overcomes the problem of the washroom being poky, as they are often huge – although that does tend to make for a longer caravan overall.

Good for People who want the luxury of a large fixed double bed and a washroom on hand. Particularly good if there are usually just the two of you Less good for Anyone who travels with children who are liable to need access to the toilet at night

8 Rear lounge

Caravans with two lounges – one at the front, one at the back – were once the mainstay of all tourer ranges. But they have almost entirely petered out, due to the advent of fixed beds. There are still one or two such models on the market.

Good for Large families, or couples where one is an early riser or who want to bring a grandchild along with them for occasional trips

Less good for Anyone who finds putting up beds a chore

9 End washroom

This layout, featuring a large and usually luxurious washroom at the rear, has become increasingly popular with buyers in recent years, particularly in two-berth caravans.

Good for Couples who usually tour by themselves and still want to have some home-style luxuries Less good for Anyone who finds making up beds a chore, or who might travel with an extra guest for a longer period of time

10

End kitchen

If you are a keen cook who thinks that the stricter confines of a caravan should not prevent you from rustling up a quick cassoulet while you’re on tour, then this layout, which has the kitchen spread most of the way across the back of the van’s interior, could just be the right one for you.

Good for Chefs in the caravan

Less good for People who think that a comfortable washroom is a more important priority

11 Lateral bunks, corner washroom

In what is possibly the most popular layout option for families, with this floorplan, you have a pair of bunks in one rear corner and a corner washroom in the other, with the two usually being separated by a substantial wardrobe.

Good for Larger families with children of widely differing ages Less good for Anyone who values privacy above all

12 Children’s room

This layout, with a pair of bunks in the rear offside corner next to a small dinette that can also be turned into two more bunks, appeared in the past couple of seasons and has been rapidly gaining popularity among buyers.

Good for Adults and children who like to have some space of their own Less good for Anyone who thinks the adults should have a fixed bed

13 Lateral bunks, end washroom

As with rear corner beds, this option, which has the washroom spread right across the rear of the caravan, is also a very popular choice.

Good for Families who need a large washroom, or where the children want to be together

Less good for Adults who want easy access to the washroom This arrangement, which provides bunks spread across the back of the caravan, has now disappeared from UK ranges, but is still being offered by some of the Continental manufacturers.

Good for Large families who prefer smaller caravans

Less good for Families who like to spread out during the day