Walking straight into the bed area how do you find this

jbrinks · Senior Member

Walking straight into the bed area how do you find this

KeenTravellers · Veteran Member

Hi Jbrinks
We have a 19.6 Kingdom for over 3 years with a left front door - which opens viewing the bedend and walkthrough. My betterhalf didnt want to have a rear door when opened views the loo in the back right corner if the door is not shut (male thing). Actually its great on hotter nights the way it is to allow low air to circulate up, with 4 way roof vents over the bed open to get a night sleep. When we stay anywhere for more than 1 night - we have the awning out anyway - which at its angle - restricts any view of someone still in bed. We also usually slip in/on the side shade which takes 5 min - so just about impossible to see through anyway. So to answer your question from our point of view ... never had an issue really. But I appreciate everyone is different. Personally I wouldnt have the door configuration any other way. It gives more privacy to the rear ensuite.
Cheers
KT

-- Edited by KeenTravellers on Saturday 26th of July 2014 06:13:30 PM

-- Edited by KeenTravellers on Saturday 26th of July 2014 06:16:38 PM

GerryP · Veteran Member

We have had both, with our current van having the front door near the bed as you describe. I think it really is a matter of preference, but one thing you may want to consider relates to safety.

With the bed at the far end, you will have the kitchen between the you and the door while you're in bed. All your gas appliances are in the kitchen, which if ever there was a fire, that is the most likely place it would start. That would put you in a very bad predicament, having to either crash through a window, or dash through the fire zone to get to the door.

I know, it will probably never happen, but it was one thing which was always at the back of our minds.

Gerry

KeenTravellers · Veteran Member

Hey Gerry - Thats another good reason.. no-one wants to plan for the the worst... but if it happens ...you will be thankful you did...

Cheers

KT

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Personally it wouldn't worry me with the bed just inside the door. I like the idea of that fresh air coming in. Another thing is the door is a little further along and is covered a bit more by the awning.

Jonathan · Senior Member

I didn't like the concept .. people visiting tend to sit on the end of the bed while talking with you ..

also .. with my floorplan (as shown) it enables one to come in dripping wet from swimming or in the rain,

and simply access the ensuite without traipsing through the whole caravan ..

This my setup which I prefer ..

New Wanderers · Veteran Member

Hi Jbrinks,

We also tow with a Pajero, ours is a NT diesel, when were looking a vans we found that the ball weight was higher on the front door models compared a rear door, other than that it's really is a personal choice, we choose the rear door option.

PeterD · Guru

You can always install a curtain across the van at the foot of the bed

leevin · Senior Member

GerryP wrote:
We have had both, with our current van having the front door near the bed as you describe. I think it really is a matter of preference, but one thing you may want to consider relates to safety.
With the bed at the far end, you will have the kitchen between the you and the door while you're in bed. All your gas appliances are in the kitchen, which if ever there was a fire, that is the most likely place it would start. That would put you in a very bad predicament, having to either crash through a window, or dash through the fire zone to get to the door.
I know, it will probably never happen, but it was one thing which was always at the back of our minds.
Gerry

GerryP, this is why we have mid-door with the bed up front. I have 2 DCP extinguishers in the caravan, 1 inside the door & the other in the en-suite (just in case).

We also have a 4.5 kg DCP extinguisher in the back of the truck.

You will not save the caravan (believe me), just get out!

leevin · Senior Member

Jonathan wrote:
I didn't like the concept .. people visiting tend to sit on the end of the bed while talking with you ..
also .. with my floorplan (as shown) it enables one to come in dripping wet from swimming or in the rain,
and simply access the ensuite without traipsing through the whole caravan ..
This my setup which I prefer ..

Johnathan, we entertain visitors under the awning, we don't go inside when wet & we designed our caravan with the kitchen on the off-side, so any that the range-hood vents to outside, not into the awning/annex area.

Personally we don't care if someone sees our feet if they want to look inside when the door is open (being nosey?).

We are having too much fun to worry about trivial stuff.

Have a great day.

Bert.

Jonathan · Senior Member

.. Hmmmm !

I'm not "leevin" my friends outside .. I invite them in !

littledick · Senior Member

We did not choose a front bed model as the wife did not like walking straight in on the bed. The mate has one and I made him a box to fit in the door well opening in case he needs to get up during the night .

One way to break an ankle if you have a sunken doorway and you forget it's there ! wink

Dick.

pricey43 · Guru

We have a retreat Hamilton with the door opening at the bottom of our front twin beds. We only have a very low wall at the bottom of each bed . If you walk past a van with an open door, it is usually darker inside and very difficult to see in. Especially at an angle. I have never liked rear door vans. If you have chairs and tables outside your van you have to go through these to get to the back door. If you have an annexe, you have to go right through the annexe to the door. I also don't like looking in at the rear loo. It's all personal preference but a middle door works for us.

leevin · Senior Member

Jonathan wrote:

.. Hmmmm !
I'm not "leevin" my friends outside .. I invite them in !

Hey Johnathan,

You have the whole outdoors to entertain visitors.

Why do people want to come into my 'van when we specifically designed it for two.

Besides different layouts, it's just a box with a bed, kitchen (we cook outside too!), small dining area & en-suite.

If you must look inside our caravan, we would be happy to show you.

But don't get too comfortable, as I will grab a beer and sit outside with you.

Bad weather? Don't bother knockin' as I will not answer unless it is an emergency.

I'll have a drink with you matey.......outside.

Have a great day.