RV FEATURE
9. NEARSIDE TOILETS
If you think I am being particularly picky here, you might have a point. That said, my personal preference is for the cassette toilet to be positioned on the offside, making the job of removing the cassette a little more discreet.
In caravans with bathrooms stretching across the width of the van in the rear, the toilet is almost always positioned on the offside, though I did see a van late last year that had the toilet on the nearside. When I asked the manufacturer why, I was told it was an intentional choice based on customer feedback. Apparently, customers preferred to see a shower rather than a toilet when they entered their rear-door caravan. Fair enough.
What about vans with rear bunks and corner bathrooms? These bunks are almost always on the offside, with the bathroom immediately opposite, on the nearside, meaning that pesky toilet cassette will be in full view when you remove it. Is there any reason the bunks couldn’ t be on the nearside and the bathroom on the offside? Am I overthinking it? Perhaps.
A nearside toilet means removing the cassette from the side of the van where people might be relaxing. I find it more discreet to have the toilet on the offside... but I admit that I might be being a little picky here.
The switch for the diesel heater inside this Snowy River van was exactly where I would want it to be.
10. HEATER CONTROL
If your van has a separate space heater, the control should be positioned in only one place: beside the bed. That way, you can have the van warming up while you lay there, under the covers. If this switch is placed anywhere else inside the van … well, it shouldn’ t be. At least, not in my opinion!
Are there any common design elements to caravans that you would change? Have you bought a caravan only to realise you wish you’ d changed something during the build? Let us know at info @ gorv. com. au
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