Fixed bed v Over cab

[veggiehouse]

Hello, I have a Hymer Tramp T625 with a fixed bed. I use it lots and lots - probably live in it for a third of the year. I've recently been looking at the Hymer B634 with the rear lounge and the drop down cab bed as the fixed over cab beds seem a little too claustrophobic to me. I felt the rear lounge set up would give me more 'space' in the day. Any experience, thoughts, alternatives form those 'who've been there and done it' would be appreciated.

 

[Deleted member 9849]

We've got both but mainly use the fixed rear bed.Both are kept made up with sheets,pillows and duvet.The rear has a winter rated duvet whereas the overcab has 2 summer duvets which can either be used together or split between the 2 beds in warmer weather.I sometimes sleep in the overcab if it is really hot weather which is not very often.I find them both equally comfortable,the rear fixed bed is a sprung mattress whilst the overcab is foam.The only drawback I can see is that it could be difficult for anyone with a disability to climb the ladder up to the overcab bed.

 

[pughed2]

Overcab or fixed bed?

Surely the main reason for choosing overcab or drop down bed is to reduce the overall length of vehicle so that you can have all the driving/parking benefits of a shorter van? Wak 44, I am really struggling to see the benefits of having 2 MHs, or do you travel in convoy with lots of people. Incidentally I been full timing nearly 3 years now with a fixed bed Trigano Tribute 2003, and loving all of it especially the travel..........steve Bristol

 

[Deleted member 9849]

Surely the main reason for choosing overcab or drop down bed is to reduce the overall length of vehicle so that you can have all the driving/parking benefits of a shorter van? Wak 44, I am really struggling to see the benefits of having 2 MHs, or do you travel in convoy with lots of people. Incidentally I been full timing nearly 3 years now with a fixed bed Trigano Tribute 2003, and loving all of it especially the travel..........steve Bristol

Hi Steve,
I don't think I have made myself clear,to clarify-we have an A class with a drop down overcab bed and a rear fixed transverse bed over a garage.I referred to the front bed as an overcab when strictly speaking it is a drop down bed,an overcab is generally just that but in a highline coachbuilt motorhome.We haven't got the luxury of 2 motorhomes but have both a fixed and drop down bed in a <7m motorhome.

 

[Deleted member 12539]

Veggiehouse, my opinion is the drop down bed is far better than the overcab. More headroom, a lower entry point and from experience more bed area.
I have pulled a muscle whilst lifting the bed back up though, because I did not do a warm up beforehand.
We have a fixed bed over a garage at the back and a drop down bed over the driver and passenger seats, with our lounge, Kitchen and washroom in the middle, there are usually only the two of us in it but on occasion we have visitors stay, so ideal.

 

[Cass]

We had a drop down bed in our pervious van, but as ive got older I seem to be against the idea of having to do anything apart from just climbing into bed, we have a fixed bed at the rear and an over the cab bed at the front we use the rear bed and my grandson has the over cab bed.

I guess its all down to personal preference, I want a bed that is there and ready to use without doing anything not even opening a couple of straps and pulling one down. Maybe I am just lazy but been there don't that and happy not to do it anymore.

 

[mossypossy]

Difference between fixed rear and an overhead........about 6mpg.

 

[veggiehouse]

Thanks for all the replies and sharing of experience knowledge. There's a bit of truth/assumption/guesswork in some of the replies - all down to my 'vague' explanation in my original post :lol-053:

Just to clarify. My current set up is the classic fixed corner double-ish bed next to the bathroom. Dinette are that can be another bed if needed and this also has 3 seat belt spaces. Opposite dinette is the kitchen - complete with oven which I use and notice that some rear lounge MH's don't have. It's a low profile so no over cab bed at all.

Just to pick up on a few points....I get what was said about the bathroom at the front. I noticed on the B634 it was a bit badly placed. Regarding the 6mpg drop in economy...surely this would apply more to the fixed over bed MH's with the Nimrod aeroplane type stick up nose? I'd have thought the more rounded front used on the drop downs would be similar to my mpg return - about 30mpg.

Length isn't really an issue - in my case anyway. I just end up parking miles away from entrances and walking - tends not to annoy people too. There's only a few inches differences between mine and the B634.

The extra living space plus the A class cab set up does seem to give the feeling of spaciousness.

Anyway, hopefully clarification made and any more thoughts welcomed

Thanks again:wave:

 

[Deleted member 9849]

Thanks for clearing that up,some of us mistakenly thought you had a fixed overcab bed and were finding it too claustrophobic.I think the B634 will give a lot more available space than the Hymer Tramp.Much more lounging room and the drop down beds in the B series models are excellent.You wont get 30mpg though unless going downhill with a tail wind.I assume it will be the Ducato 2.8 JTD which is a good reliable lump,I usually budget for 25-27mpg depending on conditions,that's with a mgvw of 3900kg.

 

[veggiehouse]

Thanks for the further info Steve. Yes, it is the Ducato 2.8 which is the same as I have in the Tramp and has been excellent. People can't believe the economy. The B series are a little heavier so lower economy sounds fair enough. The extra living space does seem very appealing especially as I seem to be spending more and more time out and about these days. Thanks again