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THOUGHTS FROM THE WORKSHOP

Campervan berths explained: How to choose the right Orange Campers layout

  • Jul 31
  • 8 min read

One of the biggest questions people ask when they’re choosing a campervan is, “How many berths do we actually need?”


It sounds like a simple question, but it’s not always as straightforward as counting how many people might sleep in the ‘van!

The best berth set-up depends on how you travel, who usually comes with you, whether you need extra belted seats, how much living space you want, and whether you’re hoping to carry dogs, bikes, paddleboards, golf clubs or half the contents of your garage.

The clever bit isn’t just how many people can sleep inside – it’s how the whole layout works around real life.


So, let’s talk through the different campervan berths across the Orange Campers range, from the Micro Camper to the Trouvaille Classique MWB Option 2, the High Roof with Pop Top, and the Fixed Rear Bed layout...


VIDEO EMBED ONCE LIVE


What does “berth” mean in a campervan?

A berth is simply a sleeping space. So, a 2 berth campervan sleeps two people, a 3 berth campervan sleeps three people, a 4 berth campervan sleeps four people, etcetera. That part is easy enough.


The bit that matters is how those sleeping spaces are created – some layouts use a downstairs bed, some use a pop top roof, and some give you fixed sleeping space all the time, while others give you more flexible living space in the day and beds at night.

There’s no right or wrong answer here. It’s all about choosing the campervan that fits how you want to use it.



The Micro Camper can be a compact 4 berth campervan

The Micro Camper is our smallest campervan, but don’t underestimate it. Technically, the Micro Camper can be a 4 berth campervan, with a double bed downstairs and a bed upstairs in the pop top. It can also seat four people, which makes it much more flexible than people often expect from a campervan this compact.


In this video, Richard shows just how quickly the downstairs RIB bed folds out into a double, and there’s also space upstairs for sleeping in the roof.



That means the Micro Camper can work brilliantly for grandparents who’d like to take their grandchildren away too. The children can sleep upstairs in the pop top, while the grown-ups use the downstairs bed, giving everyone their own space in a lovely compact set-up.


That said, the Micro Camper is often chosen by people who want something easy, flexible and properly usable day to day.


We see a lot of solo travellers choosing the Micro Camper, especially single ladies travelling with a dog, but it can work brilliantly for anyone travelling solo.

It can also suit couples who want a smaller set-up and don’t want to commit to driving something bigger. If you want a campervan that still feels like a daily drive, the Micro Camper makes a lot of sense.


The big benefit here is drivability – you can take it to the supermarket, into towns, to the beach car park, or out for a day without feeling like you’re driving something huge. You still have your fridge, toilet, food and bed with you, but in a neat and compact set-up.



Who is the Micro Camper best for?

The Micro Camper is ideal if you want your first campervan, if you travel solo with a dog, or if you want something that gives you freedom without feeling like a big leap.

It’s also a lovely option for couples who prioritise a smaller set-up, easy parking and a campervan they can use as their daily drive.




The MWB Option 2 Pop Top is a true 4 berth family campervan

If you want a true 4 berth campervan in the Trouvaille Classique MWB range, the Option 2 with pop top is a brilliant choice.

This layout is built on an L2 H1 base ‘van, with the pop top included as part of the set-up.


Downstairs, you have the flexible Layout Option 2 bed system, which can work as two singles or one double. Upstairs, the pop top gives you the extra sleeping space that turns it into a proper 4 berth campervan.



This layout is ideal for families who want to travel together, especially if you need four belted seats and four sleeping spaces. It’s also a lovely option for grandparents who want to take the grandkids away. You have the extra seats, the extra beds, and a layout that still feels compact enough to use properly, without moving into a much larger motorhome.



One of the clever touches with this version is that the pop top opens in a way that works well with the kitchen and living space. That means people can get up and down to use the loo at night without causing too much disruption downstairs.



Who is the MWB Option 2 Pop Top best for?

The MWB Option 2 Pop Top is ideal if you want a compact family campervan, if you need four travelling seats, or if you want the flexibility to take children or grandchildren away with you.

It’s a great fit for families, grandparents and anyone who wants a proper 4 berth campervan without going bigger than the MWB.




The MWB Option 2 High Roof is a spacious 2 berth campervan

The MWB Layout Option 2 on a High Roof starts as a 2 berth campervan. You still have four belted seats, which makes it practical for day trips and travel, but the standard sleeping set-up is downstairs.


The downstairs beds can be used as two singles or one double, and there’s also the option to create a huge bed with the infill cushions. In the video, Richard explains that this can create a six foot by six foot bed, which is a proper treat if you like your space.



The High Roof Option 2 is popular because it gives you standing room and a more open feel inside. You also get the kitchen, storage, toilet space and the option of a shower pod, depending on the specification.

This is a great choice if you want the comfort of a high roof, but you don’t necessarily need four sleeping spaces all the time.


Who is the MWB Option 2 High Roof best for?

The MWB Option 2 High Roof is ideal for couples who want more headroom and living space.

It’s also a strong option if you want a campervan that feels comfortable for longer trips but still stays compact.




You can make the MWB Option 2 High Roof into a 4 berth with an Atek Pop Top roof

If you like the idea of the High Roof but you need more sleeping space, you can make it into a 4 berth campervan by adding a pop top. This gives you the extra sleeping space upstairs while keeping the benefits of the High Roof downstairs.

It’s where the innovation and design really come together – you get the comfort of a High Roof, with the added sleeping space of the pop top roof, without moving into a much bigger ‘van.


The MWB High Roof with Pop Top is a proper 4 berth campervan. It can carry four people and sleep four people, which makes it brilliant for families who want more comfort than a standard pop top set-up.

It’s also a lovely option for couples who don’t need four berths all the time, but like having the extra flexibility. For example, some couples like the option of sleeping upstairs in warmer weather, where the pop top gives you more airflow and a cooler sleeping space.


In the video, Richard shows the upper bed, the ladder, the safety net, the mesh panels, the skylight and the sheer amount of space inside the roof.



One of the biggest benefits is that you don’t lose your downstairs living space in the same way. If someone wants to sleep upstairs, the downstairs can still feel spacious and usable. That’s a big deal when you’re away as a family and not everyone goes to bed or gets up at the same time!


This layout can also include the shower pod in the Option 2 set-up. The shower is built as a purpose-made fibreglass pod, with ventilation, heating and a proper screen door instead of a shower curtain.



Who is the MWB High Roof with Pop Top best for?

The MWB High Roof with Atek is ideal for families who want four berths, couples who occasionally take guests, or grandparents who want the flexibility to bring grandchildren along without compromising on their own comfort.

It’s also a great choice if you want a 4 berth campervan with more standing room downstairs, or if you’re a couple who’d simply like the option of an upstairs bed when it suits you.




The Fixed Rear Bed is a relaxed 2 berth campervan

The Fixed Rear Bed, also known as Layout Option 3, is a very different layout!

This is a 2 berth campervan as standard, and it’s built around ease – the bed is already made, so there’s no setting up at night, no moving cushions around, and no turning the living space into sleeping space before you can relax. You simply spin the front seats around, use the table at the front, and climb into bed when you’re ready.


The bed is a generous size too. In the video below, Richard explains that it’s six foot four by four foot wide, which gives two adults a proper sleeping space and makes the whole set-up feel easy, comfortable and ready whenever you are.



This layout is ideal for couples who want a simple set-up. It’s also brilliant for couples travelling with a dog, because the space underneath the rear bed can be used for storage, dog kit, bikes or anything else you want to keep inside the ‘van.

It’s also a great option for solo travellers who want more room, more comfort, and the benefit of a sit-down loo.


A shower option is also coming very soon for the Fixed Rear Bed layout, making it even more practical if you want a comfortable 2 berth campervan that’s designed for longer trips and more self-contained travel.


Can the Fixed Rear Bed become a 3 berth campervan?

Yes, the Fixed Rear Bed can be made more flexible. An Atek pop top is possible, and an extra rear seat can also be added. However, this layout can only go up to a maximum of 3 berths, so it’s not the one to choose if you need a full 4 berth family campervan.



Who is the Fixed Rear Bed best for?

The Fixed Rear Bed is ideal if you’re a couple, a solo traveller, or someone who wants a more relaxed layout with less faffing about at bedtime.

It’s a brilliant choice if you’re travelling with a dog, if you want to store bikes inside the ‘van, or if you want a layout that gives you more permanent comfort.





Come and see the campervan berths for yourself

The best way to understand campervan berths is to come and stand inside the ‘vans.

You can watch the videos, read the blogs and look at the photos, but nothing quite beats opening the doors, testing the beds, looking at the storage and imagining how your own trips would actually work!


That’s why we always recommend booking a workshop tour.

You can meet the team, see our campervans in build, compare the layouts properly and ask all the little questions that matter before choosing your forever ‘van.


Book a workshop tour and you’ll also receive a free mug set, which is our little thank you for coming to see us.



We’re also out and about at events throughout the year, including Orange Campers open days, coffee mornings and campervan shows across the country. So, if you’d rather meet us at an event first, keep an eye on our upcoming events and come and have a proper look around.


You can also book to speak to us at a show as our VIP guests, which means you’ll get free tickets and a free mug set too.


Because at Orange Campers, it’s not just about how many people can sleep in the ‘van. It’s about choosing the right layout for your life, built with innovation, design and quality, and supported by continuous care long after you drive away.




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