We are going to start our Grey Nomad adventure in a few months and am looking at buying a caravan with an ensuite. This might sound like a weird question but when buying a caravan should we look at one with an ensuite near the bedroom or up the other end near the kitchen? If you could let us know your own views and the pros and cons of each it would be appreciated.
When you start having a good look at vans you'll figure out which one you like. It will just hit you! Our ensuite is near the kitchen, I honestly didn't even consider changing it around as I just loved the van. It works well for us. Our friends have the bed running East west with the ensuite behind and they love it. It will just be your preference. If you are thinking about smells, it's not smelly and where it is wont make much difference anyway as its a pretty small space anyway. If you are thinking about the weight of the shower, basin etc your caravan builder will have that sorted.
Hope thats along the lines of what you were wondering. Good luck, I know it can be overwhelming but just enjoy it all.
I agree with Dianne. We choose to have the bedroom at one end, the living and kitchen area in the centre and the bathroom area at the end. We didn't really want to loo beside the bed or eating area (and if you free camp frequently and use the toilet a lot, you will get a little bit of smell.
But just pick the overall layout of the van that you like the best:)
Good luck and enjoy your new Nomading folks
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
Welcome to the gang Dizzybirds, enjoy here and out in the playground.
I have recently got a new van with full ensuite at the back and beds at the front. Great for me. It's just like having a home with bedroom, kitchen, dinging and bathroom. Mmmm, it is my home.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
We have the front bed, middle kitchen, rear ensuite layout, it works best for us. We found that east/west beds across the van didn't work for us without a slideout as they were either too short for my husband or didn't allow enough room at the end of the bed for somebody to get around the bed, so that ruled out front ensuites. We didn't like the closed in feeling we got when we looked at vans with the ensuite in the middle of the van separating the living and bedroom areas. That basically left the layout we have. Other people of course like different things.
When we got our new van in 1999, ensuites were a rarity, unlike now.
Our layout has an E W kitchen near the entrance, adjacent to the lounge & meals table leading to a partitionable E W bed & then to an ensuite with another partition across the rear separate shower, vanity & toilet. Would like to put a washing machine in there too.
We chose this layout mainly because the shower & toilet are separate & that the whole area can be closed off to facilitate getting dressed without having to close all the windows .. a possible issue in CPs. We like the toilet removed from the food preparation area.
BTW smell has never been an issue for us and we are extremely pleased with the set up after 16 years.
(E W - 'East West' - refers to the item being across the van as different from N S which places it along the length of the van)
If I was looking at a replacement, I would have either a semi circular lounge/eating area across the front at the left of the entrance or perhaps two recliners, with a N S kitchen vented to the roof on the passenger's side opposite a 3 way fridge with a slide out pantry, leading to a partitioned off EW bedroom and an ensuite, that includes a washing machine, with its door across the rear. Batteries in a slide out at the front boot area. Two solar panels flat on the roof & the power management console in the kitchen area. All of this in a 22' van.
Thanks everybody for your comments and advice. It looks like we will be going for the front bedroom/rear ensuite layout. We are very excited to be starting our journey soon. And this forum is such a great place to stop by and connect.
Happy travels
Dizzybirds
It is not necessarily an easy decision. I am probably too late as you have possibly already decided but here's something to think about. We opted for centre ensuite because I suffer from severe migraines and we need to be able to 'black out' the bedroom. So we didn't deprive my husband of use of the rest of the van including the ensuite, and to allow me quick access to the toilet during a migraine, we opted for the centre ensuite layout. I understand that the length of the van we are buying allows for this and that may not be the case for you. Good luck and happy travels.
Thanks for the advice, Robyn. I, too, suffer from migraines and I hadn't thought about the separation of areas for when I'm in need of a dark room. Definitely something to take into account!
