Luton or No Luton

Hi there. I'm looking at Autosleepers Broadway current model and I'm wondering about the practicality of having the Luton double bed over the cab? I know you lose the big front skylight etc. Was wondering if the bed is very comfortable for adults and is it easy to get in and out of or do you find it impractical? Obviously I will have to try before I buy but thought I'd ask here if anyone can point out and drawbacks like say decreased mpg, extra height issues, not using it as its difficult to get in or out of etc. or merits such as using extra space for different things etc. Especially helpful if someone has owned both a broadway with no luton and a luton model.
Thanks
Nigel

Hi Nigel

At 52 you may not need to go for a pee several times during the night, but that's a major consideration when you have to abseil down from a dizzy height. 

Also if your partner has to go, he/she will have to climb over you, which is not easy in the combined space - adjacent to a cliff edge, and if your feet are tender creatures like mine, the rungs of the ladder hurt!! 

Who wants the big front skylight anyway, to scorch the bald head and lose valuable storage space? (Obviously we don't.)

You can opt for an overcab locker in a lowline front, with small side cupboards as well, so storing the duvets is very convenient. If you go for the EK layout it's the same as ours. Making the double bed takes quite literally one minute or less. Pull the side benches to the middle and the backrests drop down. Throw on the sheet (from the overcab locker) followed by the duvet and the bed is ready. It takes a bit longer to stow away in the morning, but only because it takes longer to roll up a duvet than to chuck it out onto the bed! 

If you prefer single beds it's even easier. Just pull out the side benches until the backrests have room to drop vertically down, then put on the sheets and duvets.

Hope this helps.

As you can see, we have a Nuevo ES, with the double bed in the luton. I endorse all that Gromit says.

However, in some circumstances having the luton bed can be useful: when we bring with us our 3-year-old granddaughter (and in due course her little brother), the luton enables us to put her to bed "up in the nest", whilst we have full use of the downstairs. The luton bed is safeguarded by the clip-up mesh, so there's no risk of her falling, and the curtains give darkness (and provide fun when she conspiratorially peeps down at us!).

I doubt if the luton + downstairs is convenient for 4 adults, unless they're very good friends and are nimble. It's very good for storage. And of course we have the option of 2 singles or transverse double downstairs (but only 2 singles when the ladder is in place.

Cymro

A difficult choice to be sure! We like the large rooflight, that decided it for us but without intention to worry or change your mind; a friend recently fell to the floor in the night (missed the rungs) very lucky not to have really hurt himself, (skin full after a good night out)
You have to be sensible and know your limitations.
However; they have used the Luton for some good time for sleeping and still use it despite the nasty fall, rare I would have thought and I suspect he will be careful in future 

Ray

Ray

To me having the luton is a no brainer, ok as an occasional sleeper but the real bonus is all the extra storage for bedding etc. Its just so practical. The luton as a no cost option is an absolute bargain. I agree some may say the luton spoils the cosmetics of the van but I bought my van (AS Bourton) to use not to look at. May use a little extra fuel (debatable) but to me its worth it.

My wife was set on the Luton and that's what we bought. I had to sleep on the outside as I need to "go" more often in the night. The first time we used it she got claustrophobia from the low height of the roof and the lack of any ventilation. I think that's the last time we used it as a bed. But it does give lots of storage space and we have valued that. I have used it a couple of times when using the van on my own, but as a "double" it hasn't worked for us. 

Most importantly as you mention, is to "try before you buy".  Your own experience will undoubtedly give you the answer you are seeking. All the aforementioned points are certainly relevant and my personal experience (on our previous Broadway) was the difficulty of positioning oneself to safely come down the ladder and I believe myself to be fit and reasonably agile. If you desire the over cab skylight with plenty of storage, you might consider the Broadway FB? Overall length 7.1 metres with user payload of 305kg that some might criticise as too little.

We have had 2 vans with lutons and 2 without, believe me you miss them when you ain't got one.  Not for sleeping but for the amount of storage they offer

I thought the main purpose of the Luton was to store hats as they are light and do not upset the balance of the van. For more info go to 
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Just joking   this info is of no interest to us. (except that the first A/S was based on a non 'Luton' Bedford van.)


We like the Luton for storage when there is just us and extra sleeping when with the grandchildren.

Fred

I know from previous threads that opinion varies on this one.. We would not have wanted the luton and have no problem with storage. I guess it depends what you're taking.
However, I did consider a Bourton and was put off by the reduced  storage under the offside settee due to the water tank. The Broadway has no such hindrance.

We got the best of both with the Rienza. The Luton is meant for the extra beds in four berth models but ours being a two berth we get a large storage space and a large end lounge making into a large double or two long singles. I couldnt see us two at 60 plus climbing in and out of a luton. Also a two berth has the advantage of no overnight visitors.

We ordered our Bourton with a cupboard over the cab rather than either the roof-light or the small cupboard at the front. Gives lots of extra space but we have to use a step and a litter picker to get at things right at the front.

I do not understand why the Bourton has the fuse box in the offside locker rather than at the back of the wardrobe as in the Broadway and I don't know what else is in the box at the right hand side. The box probably takes away storage space as does the water tank which could usefully have been shifted into the corner rather than dumped several inches away from the end of the locker leaving a space which is virtually useless.

Having said that we have masses of space with a virtually empty wardrobe.

When looking for a van I saw a review video of our choice and the reviewer did try the overcab bed which was definitely too short for an adult.

Each model is different but the useable length does need to be checked as good for your needs.