Hi there,
I’m looking for our first caravan for my family of 4 (3yo and 1yo kids). Our ideal layout would include the following:
Full ensuite/washing machine option
L shape or U shape/Cafe Lounge
QB + Double bunks
Room divider
Large fridge
Outback model to allow for free camping.
We don’t want anything too huge so we were originally attracted to the expander models, but wanted something without a pop top and where the kids beds were at least fixed in case we had to set up late at night.
So far we like the Expanda OB 20.63-1 particularly for the large cafe dining area, fixed kids beds and the extra room you get from popping out the queen bed (one side only)
Alternatively, we like the Starcraft OB 22.68-1 as it’s all set up but are worried about the length for towing/manoeuvring.
Are there any other models you think we should consider? New or second hand (2011+)?
Any additional advice regarding set up/ layout with little kiddies?
Or If you are selling something like the above please also feel free to PM me.
TIA
Kate
Tow Rig - Jeep Grand Cherokee
Welcome to the forum
@Kateandco, exciting times indeed ahead for you guys. Caravaning is a awesome way to get about, and caravan parks are the best places in the cosmos for kids.
We have a 20.63.1OB and it suits us very very well. Its a big roomy comfortable van, which is 3 or 4 foot shorter than the equivalent hard walled van.
Make no mistake, our van is a big heavy van and I can certainly feel it behind the car. Aside from maybe a Dodge Ram or an F truck youll most certainly feel a 3 ton van on any vehicle you put in on. I dont think at 20ft ours is particularly difficult due to length. As for reversing, bigger is generally easier. A 6x4 box trailer is harder to reverse than a 20ft van, and unfortunately if you cant reverse only practise will solve that ..... maybe. An extended drawer bar is very helpful with any van.
As for setting up late at night, in 20 years of vanning Ive set up in the dark only a handful of times. Its very very easy to not need to set up in the dark. After a few outings youll be able to set up your van with your eyes closed. Its the same every time, so lack of sun light wont make a stopover camp any harder in the dark. If your van is set up to free camp then youll never "need' to pitch camp after dark anyway
We prefer the Expanda because we love the open air feeling of the tent end, particularly because we head up north a lot. At this point I have no intention of getting a hard walled van. If that day ever come, something like the new 19.63.1 with the E/W bed would be the only mild temptation because I see traditional N/S caravan bed set ups as such a huge waste of space.
The tent end has bugger all thermal resistance so it will be noticeably cooler in winter, and noticeably warmer in summer; but on the warmest nights, and with the mildest breeze we never need the aircon particularly at night. On warm days and nights our bed is always significantly cooler than the bunk end of the van which is always humid and stuffy in comparison, but our bed is also cooler in winter but storm covers make a significant difference by providing a thermal buffer, but storm covers can be a bit annoying to have to put on and off. But, but, but. Caravanning is the world of compromise
Set up time is a very "laboratory" or subjective argument. A poptop literally takes under a minute, and an Expanda tent end much the same. Full height non expanding caravan maybe in perfect laboratory conditions with crash test dummies, and without any accessories or outside influence be faster and easier to pitch camp than poptops or Expandas tent ends. But out here in the real world there is precious little genuine set up difference. Ive had both, and 30min or 31min wont ruin your holiday, and dont assume the 31min is the poptop Expanda. Considering individual speed and efficiency, and how many people are involved In my opinion a poptop, and or tent ends van is a minor consideration and shouldnt weigh too heavily on your choice if setup time is the criteria. Layout and function are much more important. If you park a full height height van and poptop Expanda at the caravan park gate and fire the starting pistol, drive to the site, assess the site, reverse in, have an argument, chat to the neighbours, check the position, get the ramps, unhitch, awning, hose, power, bikes, annex, kids, lunch, coffee, waste hose, antenna, guy ropes, matting, chairs, table and the list goes on .... there will no clear time winners here and Ive seen tents set up faster than some vans.
I/we could live with a combo shower/toilet but the Princess wanted the bathroom, so the bathroom we have. It is pretty good to be able to access the basin and toilet whilst the shower is occupied. Washing machine is truly awesome, and public machines creep me out anyway; picture half washed nappies, flee filled dog blankets, and muddy hike boots etc. The club lounge style is great; the picnic table type setup I see is good for eating but crap for lounging around. We opted for a 150ltr single door Domestic because we had that exact fridge in the last van and it performed flawlessly, so it was a matter of sticking with what I knew worked and had confidence in. We have a 40ltr Engel in the car anyway and the Engel with the 150ltr in the van is a capacity that is ample and works well for us, although the Princess thinks she would like a little bigger freezer.
For a food comparison we have me, the Princess and the 12yo Crustkett (who eats like 5 people). We spend upto 10days off the grid and have not needed more fridge space than what we have. We travelled around Oz for 14 months free camping extensively manage fresh milk 100% of the time. We use around a litre per day. We didnt not use a single drop of UHT ... yuk. We carried 3; 1 eventually started to leak, and the other two expired.
3 bunk setups are incredibly claustrophobic, two is much a much better. The top bunks get very very warm and humid in hotter weather, and the triple more so because its higher again. The small bunk windows don't provide much relief particularly if the windows are under the awning side
Good luck