From workshop to campsite: How the Fixed Rear Bed layout is performing in the real world
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
Back in April, we officially launched our brand new Fixed Rear Bed layout for the Trouvaille Classique MWB.
After months of designing, testing and development, it was finally ready to show the world.
Since then, we've taken it to Stoneleigh and Newbury campervan shows, welcomed visitors into it at Orange Campers HQ, and handed over the keys to the very first owners!
If you're new to the Fixed Rear Bed layout, you can watch Richard's full tour below before reading about how owners are using it in the real world.
While it was exciting seeing people's reactions at launch, there's something even more rewarding about seeing a campervan leave the workshop and start being used exactly as it was intended.
Over the last few weeks, that's exactly what's happened...
Meet Emma and Jim
Emma and Jim were among the very first customers to choose our Fixed Rear Bed layout.
As keen travellers and dog owners, they were looking for a campervan that offered comfort, practicality and a layout that suited the way they actually travel.
After collecting their new 'van, Seren, they didn't waste any time getting out on the road.
Their first trip took them to Hook Farm in Uplyme, followed by a visit to one of their favourite places in Cornwall.
Emma told us: "We absolutely love the way it's finished and the layout."
Hearing feedback like that is always special, as we spend countless hours thinking through every detail, so seeing customers enjoying their new 'van makes all the hard work worthwhile. 🧡
Straight to Cornwall
One of Emma and Jim's recent trips took them to Churchtown Farm Campsite at Gwithian.
Backing directly onto the sand dunes and just moments from miles of beach, it's perfect for long walks, sea air and four-legged companions!
As always with the British coastline, the weather eventually had its say. After a morning walk and brunch at the National Trust's Godrevy Café, the rain arrived.
Fortunately, Seren was ready for it.
The drying room gets its first proper test
One of our favourite photos from Emma's trip wasn't a sunset shot or a campsite view – as lovely as they are.
It was a picture of wet coats, leads and dog gear hanging up to dry in the drying room!
Emma told us: "Last day in Gwithian. Weather was kind this morning so we walked along the beach to NT's Godrevy Café for brunch. Just made it back before the rain got too heavy. Drying room in action, mainly with dog accoutrements after much swimming in the sea and deep rock pools! 😂"
When we designed the Fixed Rear Bed layout, these were exactly the sorts of situations we had in mind – not showroom conditions, but real life like this: wet coats after a walk, damp towels, muddy boots and dog leads that need drying before tomorrow's outing.
The dedicated drying room was designed to make life easier, and seeing customers already using it exactly as intended has been so satisfying.
We put it to the test ourselves too
Before the first customer handovers, Richard and Sonya spent time using the Fixed Rear Bed layout themselves.
Like many people considering this type of campervan, they wanted to know what everyday life would actually feel like and the answer became clear very quickly!
One of the biggest differences wasn't the fixed bed itself – it was the way the layout changed how they used the 'van.
In the evening, one person could relax in bed while the other sat at the front reading or enjoying a brew. And in the morning, one person could get up and start the day without disturbing the other.
There was no need to rearrange cushions or convert seating into a bed at the end of the day. It made the whole experience that bit more comfortable.
It's difficult to appreciate that fully until you've lived with it, but it's one of the reasons so many visitors have commented on how relaxed and spacious the layout feels.
Has it done what we hoped?
When we started designing the Fixed Rear Bed layout, we weren't simply trying to fit a permanent bed into a 5.4 metre campervan. We wanted to create a layout that worked better for the realities of travelling.
That meant thinking beyond individual features and focusing on the overall experience of using the 'van day after day. We wanted it to feel comfortable, practical and easy to live with, whether you were heading away for a weekend or spending weeks on the road.
The feedback we've received so far suggests we're heading in the right direction.
What's been particularly interesting is that people rarely start by talking about the bed, the storage or the drying room.
Instead, they talk about how the layout feels. They tell us they like having separate spaces to relax in, they appreciate not having to make up the bed every night, and they can immediately picture how it would work when travelling with dogs or carrying outdoor gear.
Those conversations have also sparked lots of ideas about where the layout could go next. The under-bed garage area is already large enough to accommodate two folding electric bikes, and we've spoken to several customers about ways to make that space even bigger. For those carrying bulkier equipment such as electric bikes, golf clubs or other outdoor gear, we can remove the side wardrobe and relocate the water heater and water tank underneath the vehicle, creating an even larger rear storage area.
We're also exploring the possibility of developing a slimmer shower pod for the Fixed Rear Bed layout, building on the shower system we recently introduced in our Layout 2 campervans. It's still in development, but we're excited by the potential to bring that extra flexibility to the layout without compromising the features that people already love.
For us, that's probably the biggest compliment of all. The layout isn't just working as we hoped; it's already helping to shape the next stage of its development. As always, we're listening to customer feedback and continuing to refine our campervans around the way people actually use them.
If you'd like to explore some of the design ideas behind the Fixed Rear Bed layout, you might also enjoy:
Come and see it for yourself
The best way to understand the Fixed Rear Bed layout is to experience it in person.
Open the cupboards, sit on the bed, step into the drying room and spend some time imagining how you would use the space on your own trips.
As a thank you for visiting, you'll receive a free Orange Campers mug set. We'd love to show you around.
Please note: Information in this blog was correct at the time of publishing. Links, offers, specifications and product availability may change over time.
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