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Liz King gets a sneak peak of the new motorhomes from Bailey of Bristol.
It’s one of the worst kept secrets in the industry; speculation has been rife for years, but Bailey of Bristol, known as a touring caravan manufacturer for over 60 years has finally built motorhomes.
Information is scarce until the official launch at NEC in October but we’ve had a quick preview of the prototypes and can bring you the latest news.
The first range of coachbuilt motorhomes will consist initially of three models; a two-berth, four-berth and the six-berth family layout, with two more to follow in February.
All models will feature a highly specified Peugeot Boxer cab and the lightweight AL-KO AMC chassis as standard.
Interiors
Interiors draw design cues from the Company’s popular caravan ranges in that they have neat stylish locker doors and are spacious feeling with good use of popular, yet durable, colours for the soft furnishings. Lighting is modern and energy efficient. Washrooms are practical with a good use of space. Kitchens are functional and have some nice design features.
Construction
Unsurprisingly all Bailey motorhomes will be built using the patented and award winning Alu-Tech construction system. This, the company believes, provides the vehicle with numerous benefits of ownership as a result of the superior performance of the bodyshell in terms of durability and thermal efficiency. The additional rigidity of this type of construction also reduces the amount of flexing in the shell which in turn will minimise the noise levels whilst in motion.
Testing
Prototypes have been extensively and exhaustively tested and harshly treated on a test track at the internationally renowned Millbrook Proving Ground equivalent to six years of heavy use in normal road conditions. The same vehicles were then put into the facilities cold chamber to assess it thermal performance. With safety in mind, a prototype also underwent crash test simulations, which led to additional strengthening being installed to both the motorhome floor and furniture, the re-positioning of under locker lights and the decision to include a dedicated stowage location for side mounted tables whilst in transit.
Pricing and weights
Prices and weights are still to be confirmed but, as with their caravan ranges, Bailey expect the new vehicles to be competitive in both these areas.
First Thoughts
We think Bailey Motorhomes will appeal not only to Bailey caravan owners who are thinking of embracing motorhome ownership, but to a wider audience, including first time motorhome owners.
Further information
Keep an eye out for latest news from Bailey on their motorhomes at www.bailey-mhomes.co.uk/.
Visit www.baileyalu-tech.co.uk for more information of the design story behind the Alu-Tech construction system.
Printed brochures will be available and the new website will go live in the week commencing September 12th.
When and where can I see a Bailey Motorhome in person?
See the new motorhomes from Bailey on stand 19-29 in Hall 9 at The Motorhome and Caravan Show at NEC Birmingham from 11-16 October.
Display models will arrive on dealers’ forecourts from mid-November onwards.
Insurance costs on a Bailey Motorhome
We’ll add some sample motorhome insurance quotes for the Bailey Motorhome range as soon as we have official pricing information and specifications.
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I am considering purchasing a Bailey 740 motorhome. The very keen price of £46k at the motorhome show has attratted me. I have looked at an auto sleeper Broadway FB which is almost identical in layout but is £10K more in price.
Can some one tell what is the catch?
Are the build quality of the Bailey inferior?
Has anybody had any damp problems with them?
The salesman tells me that they are built to modern techniques , e.g.alu tech body ? chasis, no wood , less joints etc.
Does any body out there have one?
Can some one give me any feedback without the flannel off the salesman , or is it not flannel
Thanks
Mick
Hi Mick, thanks for getting in touch. There’s a bit more informatiopn on the Bailey 740 here if you want to take a look.
We’ve also covered a few Auto-Sleeper Broadways (although not the FB model), that might help you compare the two.
Hopefully someone on the blog can offer up some advice or insight on either of the two.
Many thanks
Lucie
Caravan Guard
I love my 740 approach . But ..The locks on the side hatches are flimsy and the key bolts just slide out of housing . Their needs to be ceilant around floor in toilet .power steering notification has come on and lack of steering felt when pulling away in morning. Re er shocks need more spring .when hit a pot hole you get loud bang . Drove down 2000 ft mountain and had smoke come from front wheel assume brakes overheated. Just some things that fine tuning with this great motor home.
Sorry for late reply,just got back after week away in van. I honestly don”t know the answer to your query. I would suggest you phone Bailey Technical Dept at their Bristol factory and see what they say. I have contacted them myself when I had queries both before and after purchase. They were very helpful and informative. We still luv the Bailey, so warm and comfortable. Best wishes.
Thinking of purchasing the Approach 740 but there may be a snag. Can I fit a tow bar to this van to carry my Honda 125 scooter? I have been advised by one dealer that there is no ‘Type Approval’ for a tow bar for this motorhome yet. Is this correct ?
Regards,
Have purchased a Bailey 740 se motorhome,and believe we maybe first owners of this van. Very pleased withe vehicle. Only gripe so far is that we do not have Bailey,Peugeot or Truma Heating manuals so we are “flying blind” Our dealer whose staff are first class,are endevouring to obtain these for us.The 740 is a very roomy and warm two berth second home.
Lets hope Baileys get a good dealer network at the start of launch as we have found many cowboys on our travel only interested in “how much can you spend” and how wil you finance it ?. The North East of England hasnt one honest dealer.
We have recently purchased a new Bailey 745 Autograph from Lowdons in Huddersfield. The sales process was flawless, the staff attentive and the whole process hassle free. We were not oversold to (I despise this) and not pushed into finance deals etc. highly recommend you speak to Andy in sales. Good guy and straight speaking.
Good to hear Mark. Well done Lowdhams.
Regarding Ken Vernon’s comment above, I was repeating what I was told on an Autotrail factory tour. Trigano are a massive group, but Autotrail still operate as an autonomous company, and they say Swift etc get parts cheaper than they do.
Autotrail, and Autosleeper are both expensive in comparison with Swift/Elddis.
Different subject, but the A/S VW mentioned would be a panel van conversion, not a coachbuilt.
so bailey have tested their new motorhomes to near destruction, hope that included reversing them up a hill with the vans fully loaded and without gunning the engine, cause my fiat made on the same prodution line as the boxer struggles like hell to reverse up any gradient.
what drivel written about Auto-Trail not having the buying power of the Tourer manufactuyers.
Auto-Trail are part of the Trigano Group, who are largest manufacturer of leisure items in Europe, making Trailer Tents, Caravans and Motorhomes. Therefore they have more buying power than than any Uk Manufacterer.
Please get your facts right as you have suggested that A/T are not competative on price. Maybe you were confusing A/T with Auto-Sleeper who now charge £50K+ for a VW camper van.
Definitely on my list of possibles for the next change. Bailey have a sound business plan.
Autototrail build motorhomes only – they build good ones, but they can’t get their prices down because they don’t have the buying power the caravan manufacturers have.
Swift, Compass etc, build cheaper motorhomes, but use lower strength caravan style construction methods
Bailey have brought their caravan construction up tomotorhome standards, rather than the other way round.
Cant wait to see the dedicated 2 berth Bailey, why dont manufactours make a sub 6mtr A class..2 b erth any more ?
If the New Bailey Motorhomes are to be put onto Fiat Base,will this be on the New engine which is being produced by Fiat for next year?