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The Bailey Orion 400/2, Elddis Xplore 302 and Swift Sprite Alpine 2 all have a price tag of under £13,000, but how do they compare?
All three models are two berth designs; the Sprite Alpine has parallel seating which converts to a 5ft wide double bed, with a chest of drawers; the Xplore 302 has an L shape front end which makes up to a 4ft 4ins double.
The Orion offers a whopping double at 6ft 6ins wide but doesn’t have a chest of drawers.
If keeping the caravan length to a minimum is important to you, then the Xplore 302 wins that category at 16ft 1ins (the Orion is 17ft 7ins and Sprite Alpine 19ft 8 ins). If weight watching is an issue, the Xplore wins again, weighing in at 930kgs (18.26cwt) MTPLM, followed by Orion at 1076kgs (21.2cwt) with the Alpine 2 a beefy, by comparison, 1164kg (22.9cwt)
As far as width measurements go, then only 3½ inches separates them, with Xplore once again the most slimline model and Sprite Alpine being the widest.
Alpine 2 and Orion both have end shower rooms and dedicated shower enclosures with doors; with the Alpine having a particularly spacious shower room, but like the Orion, no carpet and just one blown air heating duct. The Xplore has an offside shower room without a blown air duct and Xplore and Orion both use the Whale under floor mounted space heater.
The Orion kitchen is the only one with a microwave as well as an oven and grill and a three burner gas hob; like the Alpine it’s on the offside whilst the Xplore has an end kitchen.
It’s in the detail where the big differences lie; a spare wheel and AL-KO AKS 3004 stabiliser and a Radio/CD/MP3 player are optional extras on the Sprite but are included with the Orion as standard. The Xplore is on a BPW VTech chassis and a stabliser is an extra cost; the Orion has an AL-KO Secure receiver fitted.
Verdict
There are very few caravans on the market in this price bracket. The Orion is the most expensive at £12,995, then it’s the Sprite Lite at £12,031, and finally the cheapest by over £1000 is the Elddis Xplore at £10,799.
However, it’s important to remember the gaps in prices are probably reflected in differences in equipment levels. Note that the Bailey Orion has a receiver for the AL-KO Secure axle wheel lock, purchase of the optional locking mechanism for this will lead to a big caravan insurance discount.
Recommended retail prices excluding the cost of transporting your caravan from the factory to the supplying retailer and various additional services carried out prior to you taking possession of your caravan are from:
Bailey Orion 400/2: £12,995
Cost to insure: £274*
Swift Sprite Alpine 2: £12,031
Cost to insure: £254**
Elddis Xplore 302: £10,799
Cost to insure: £228**
Caravan insurance cost based on: *Bailey Orion 400/2 £12,995. **Swift Sprite Alpine 2 £12,031. ***Elddis Xplore 302 £10,799. All caravans fitted with hitchlock and wheelclamp in the case of the Elddis Avante and kept on drive at HX4 0BE. Caravanners over 30 years old, claim free for 3 years and a member of a caravanning club. Quote includes 10% online discount and 6% Insurance Premium Tax and is correct as of 16.04.12.
Note insured values do not include retailer delivery and preparation charges.
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