French bed
This redesigned range still includes a French bed layout
Double beds with a cut-off corner
A French bed layout is a good place to start if you’re looking for a fixed bed coachbuilt, especially if it’s a secondhand ’van that you’re seeking. French beds predate island beds (so there should be a good choice of used examples), and the motorhomes tend to be shorter, with less length devoted to the bedroom. They still form a popular part of many British ranges, although they are harder to find in imported line-ups.
A French bed refers to a fixed double bed arranged lengthways against a side wall of the motorhome, either offside or nearside. The design is most commonly seen installed inside low-profile motorhomes, although it is very occasionally seen in van conversions, such as Rapido’s V62. Elddis’ CV60 van conversion is also a sort of French bed design, but here the bed also slides back to form a generous sofa.
There are some important factors to consider when choosing: because most French beds share space in the rear with the washroom alongside, the ratio of bed to washroom is crucial. A decent bed (such as the domestic 4ft 6in wide) leaves only around 2ft 6in for the washroom. However good the bed, the sleeper next to the wall will have to climb over their partner to reach the loo.
Then there’s the washroom door. Sliding or tambour doors often work best but you still need room to access the ablutions, so the bed usually narrows towards the foot to make space. This ‘chopped off’ corner can see the sleeper on that side with a leg dangling; some are far worse in this area than others. Compare a few before you decide.
Another, less common, variation sees the washroom arranged behind the bed and across the rear, so then there’s more space for both the
bed and the reasonably palatial ablutions. Overall length of the ’van will be greater, though – probably 7.50m or more – so then why would you buy this and not an island bed model?
Generally speaking, you might expect more open-plan twin sofa lounges (without rear travel seats) in many British ’vans and half-dinettes (with rear belted seats) in continental models. Some makers (like Auto-Trail) offer the choice.
Check out the underbed storage, too. Some are better than others and some can be cluttered with heaters, tanks and the like, while external access doors can vary in size.
Once seen as a dying breed, the French bed still seems to be popular in the UK and Bürstner, Knaus and Rapido are amongst the European brands that have reintroduced it. Perhaps the French bed is making a comeback?
While French bed layouts have gently been fading away from most European motorhome brochures, there’s still sufficient demand in the UK to keep this type in the ranges of all the mainstream brands – from the Elddis Autoquest and Swift Edge at the entry-level end of the coachbuilt market up to the Mercedes-based Burford from Auto-Sleepers, there’s something to suit all budgets. And there are even brand-new French bed models still being launched. Auto-Trail has completely revamped its Tracker for 2021 but the line-up still includes a French bed ‘FB’ as well as more fashionable island bed and fixed single bed floorplans. Interestingly, this model is also 30cm shorter overall than the other fixed bed layouts in the range – not as compact as some but still a bit more manoeuvrable. It’s also offered on a standard 3,500kg chassis, or upgraded to 3,650kg.
On the outside, the new Tracker comes with a wide range of (Fiat) cab colours as well as a much more contemporary low-profile look. Inside, you can have the standard side settee lounge without rear travel seats or a half-dinette with seatbelts. Those seeking a more familyfriendly motorhome can now also opt for an electric drop-down bed over the seating area.
The rear bed is the main sleeping area, of course, and this measures 1.91m by 1.31m
(according to its maker), but you’ll notice a significant cut-off at the corner, so check it for size. Usefully, the washroom (alongside the bed) has a separate shower, as you’d expect in a modern Auto-Trail.