What berth caravan should you go for?

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Caravans come in a range of different sizes. ‘Berths’ are essentially sleeping stations, so the number of berths you will need to go for will very much depend on how many people will be sleeping in the caravan.

What size is your travelling party? Are you going on your own, as a couple or in a family/group? The higher the number of berths, the bigger the caravan will be.

There is also the option to go for a higher number of berths than you need to give you a bigger caravan and more living space. The higher berth caravans usually have more storage, bigger or additional dining areas and bigger kitchens with more worktop space. So if you don’t travel light or like to cook up a storm to make caravan mealtimes special, a bigger berth might be what you need. 

2 berth for couples

If you’re travelling on your own or in a couple, a 2 berth caravan could be ideal for you. It will have everything you need, but will also be compact, light and easy to tow. You will need to convert the front lounge seating into your sleeping area at night, but you’ll be able to choose between a double bed layout and twin single beds.

Swift takes the idea of a compact 2 berth a little further with their Swift Basecamp model. It is a crossover camping vehicle that can be towed by smaller cars and is easy to store when not in use. Although compact, it is comfortable and has a well-equipped kitchen and a functional washroom so you won’t have to compromise on the necessities.

4 berth for couples

Another option that many couples decide to go for is a 4 berth caravan. Many 4 berths are still compact but offer couples the added benefit of having a fixed bed at the rear of the caravan. Various models offer different types of beds so you’ll be able to choose between a french bed, twin beds or island bed depending on your preference and how you want to make use of your space.

By opting for a 4 berth with a fixed bed at the rear, not only will you benefit from not having to make up your bed every night, but you’ll also be able to use the front lounge as a permanent sitting area which is great, especially for couples who go to bed and get up at different times.

4, 5 or 6 berth for families

Whether you have one child or four children, 4, 5 and 6 berth caravans will be able to cater for your family’s needs. If you are a family of more than 6, you can even opt to attach an awning to the caravan to act as an additional sleeping area or just to give you more living space. 

These larger caravans will offer many different sleeping options so be sure to research them all and think about what configuration will work best for you and your family. Would you like the grown ups in the lounge area so you can stay up later in the evenings? Do you want the kids situated next to the washroom for nighttime trips to the loo? Would you rather the children were away from the washroom to avoid disturbing them when you get ready for bed? These are all things to consider.

Awnings

As previously mentioned, awnings are a great way of creating more space on your caravanning trips. Whether you’re a couple who would like additional dining and storage space or a family of four or more that could do with the extra room for children to play on wet or chilly days, awnings are great! They can also provide space for sleeping if you have additional overnight guests or the kids are a bit older and want to sleep ‘on their own’.

We supply a huge range of awnings, from canopy and porch awnings to full awnings which can double your footprint! Read our blog to discover your awning options and find out which types will suit you and your caravan best.

Things to keep in mind:

• Buy for the future
  Before you decide which berth to go for, consider if anything might change in the near future that may mean you will need a different size caravan. Are you thinking about starting or expanding your family? Might you decide to invite friends along on your trips once you’re in the swing of it? Think all these things through to ensure you get the right caravan first time round and avoid having to exchange it in a year’s time which could be costly and time consuming.

• Choose the right bed configuration
  Make sure you give the sleeping arrangements enough consideration. It’s important that you settle on the right type of bed and bed layout for you and your family - getting a good night’s sleep is extremely important, especially when caravanning! This is your holiday so you want to feel rested and being comfortable will play a big part in that.

• Storage
  Make sure you opt for a caravan that has enough storage for everything you’ll want to take. Although you do not want to be laden down with too much stuff, you should have the capacity to take the things that will make your holiday more enjoyable, so a good amount of storage is essential to ensure you’re not tripping over things.

• Weight and towing
  Before you purchase a caravan, you’ll need to check that your car is able to tow one, and if so, what your towing weight limit is. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) will tell you the weight of your car and if you are a novice tower, it is recommended that the weight of your caravan does not exceed 85% of the weight of your car. If you passed your driving test on or after 1 January 1997, you cannot exceed a combined weight of 3,500kg, so note down your maximum combined weight and keep this in mind when browsing possible models. Those who passed their driving test prior to 1 January 1997 are able to tow up to 8,250kg.

Ask our experts!

If you’re still torn about which berth size to go for, why not book an appointment with one of our friendly sales executives to chat through your options with someone in the know? Browse our new and pre-owned caravan ranges online and maybe shortlist a few to take a look at...

 

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