I'm liking Bailey at the moment but I still haven't looked at many of the other makes.
We looked around and ended up buying a second Bailey Ranger.
If you use a 'normal' size and weight tow car they're about the best balance of weight, features and price available.
I really like the all metal construction of their newer vans. Not only do you get this but they are also just about the cheapest for the features you get AND the lightest. However I've heard lots of people have had trouble with Pegasus models with things like build quality and balance.
Not looked at Lunar or Elddis yet.
Lunar Chateau - easily towed by small family car like a focus. Great layout.
We want an area for the kids that is away from the front dinette and can be at least curtained off; and we would like a separate shower cubicle in the bathroom. And a MTPLM of under 1500kg.
Lunar Chateau 400 / 470
The 400 only has a shower from 2005 onwards.
I'm looking at new vans mind.
Elddis are a quality make, best thing is to visit your nearest caravan "superstore" and look at layouts till you find the model that suits. We never use the shower in our van, always use the one on our site, although if you are touring and staying on sites with no facilities that will affect your choice.
I'm sitting in my Bailey Ranger series 6 500/5 now. The layout is great for us as the back end partitions off. We have the 4 year old in the fold out bunk, and the 1 year old in a travel cot underneath. Because of this the loo and shower is in the middle of the van, making it feel narrow. It's also quite unusable as a shower, but it's the price we had to pay for a proper closeable bedroom for the boys.
Build quality is decent, and although the ranger is fairly basic, we find it just fine. If I were buying again I'd go Bailey. The warranty seems very good too.
We intend to use the shower since a) it's fantastic at SITS, b) site showers are often rubbish, c) site showers often have a queue and d) CLs often don't have them 🙂
Thanks for the opinions. Will definitely check out Elddis as I like their chassis design which should be inherently stable.
Ive been thinking about buying a caravan then I checked out this site with good advice about buying a caravan, it does make you think about the pit falls.
http://www.caravanbuyersguide.co.uk/
We have a Bailey Pegasus, and can't really fault it after a year with it. Build quality seems very good, and it tows very well (behind a pretty big car mind).
Seemed like a big step up in quality from the Swift we had before.
Our best move was to go to a caravan show (bit grim) and look at lots of different layouts in one go.
Well good to hear good things about Bailey. The new ones have a layout we really like so that looks like it might be a good option. Just need to find some money now 🙂
What car do you have?
Some friends of ours have a Bailey Pegasus with a fixed double bed, which they like very much. They tow it with a Freelander (newish diesel thing) but reckon their Mondeo Dci would have done it ok.
mol - you know when you were asking if you could rip the insides out and start from scratch? Have a look at this
Coo, that is very interesting. Says 'never been used as a caravan' though, I wonder how on earth it ended up like that?
I have been considering gutting my current old van since I found some damp. Tempting to rip the lot out and start again 🙂
Swift are pretty good, weights similar to the Baileys. We used to have a Ranger for 5 years but when it came to changing it Bailey seemed to have gone lighter weight on interior fittings - so we looked around with the list of what we wanted - fixed bed, end washroom, room for child & dog, and setlled on a Swift Charisma 550 - it is a dealer special so comes with different fabrics inside and practical items like an additiuonal wet locker & BBQ gas point, heavy duty corner steadies, spare wheel, jack etc.
We already had a decent towcar so noseweight etc & kerbweight issues were not a problem.
That unfinished caravan is wierd, I'd be tempted to check the CRIS details to make sure it wasn't a write off/rebuild that had been abandoned.
Swift are cheaper on the whole yes. They are another option. I still like the full metal Bailey construction though.
Just checked though, a couple of layouts I like are the same weight and price as Bailey, and without the metal construction.. can't see a reason to go with them.
Molgrips on his hols 🙂
Mol - we tow our Pegasus (fixed bed with large-ish rear bathroom across the back by the way) with a Hyundai Santa Fe auto. 7 seat version so self levelling rear suspension, which is handy when loaded up with an awning and towing.
Freelander 2 auto here. Multipla before that.
Never tire of that vid, uplink 🙂
Tow car is going to be a Passat TDI 140bhp, which is about on the limit for the vans we are looking at. I think I will get some pump up spring assisters though for sure, that should help.
would it not be better to fit some new springs and dampers to restore the cars ride hieght and replace tired springs and dampers ❓ 💡
If you load the car/trailer/van properly and drive according to road conditions and speed limits there should be no need to "uprate" your cars suspension. You may also invalidate your car insurance by "modifying" the suspension. Are the spring assisters legal in the country/countries you intend to drive through?
My fleetwood comes in at around 1700kgs and I tow with a ford ranger pick up (140bhp chipped to 170). It's ideal but I still know I've got it on the back - would probably be a chore at stock 140, although its supposed to be good for 3t
some of the Pegasus have had problems getting the nose weight down
so you may struggle to tow it with a passat.also because of the all metal construction some have suffered with dents to the front of the van.
I also have a Sterling europa 550 and works well as a family lay out,
I tow this with a bmw 3 series estate no problems.
If you load the car/trailer/van properly and drive according to road conditions and speed limits there should be no need to "uprate" your cars suspension
I disagree. Otherwise why do some manufacturers offer self levelling suspension as an optional upgrade? That's all I am doing here. Adding some to make it level. Every report online from people who've retrofitted spring assisters has said it improves towing no end.
Just because it comes from the factory a certain way doesn't mean it's perfect. The car is 5 years old and rides perfectly every other way. The springs are not knackered, nor are the shocks.
I'm a little concerned about the noseweight of the Pegasus. I might not be able to get the front chest of drawers for it, even though I do quite want it.
That Sterling is about the same weight as the Pegasus I fancy, but I don't want a fixed bed. We have small kids and want to put them to bed before us 🙂
5 yrs old, 70 000 miles you said but the springs and dampers have not degraded at all? Sounds very unlikely to me
A sterling europa 545 is another choice to consider.
Fair comment about the chest , you could always carry some of the heavier items like gas ect
in the back of the car.
They've probably degraded a bit but I doubt it's going to make a difference.
Why is it so unreasonable to think one would need a higher spring rate for towing though TJ? A non-adjustable spring is bound to be a compromise isn't it?
I do like the Europas cos of the larger bunks - the Pegasus Ancona has smaller bunks BUT it has separate bunks, a side dinette AND a big bathroom with a standalone shower cubicle. Hard to beat that I think.
Just had a look at the Ancona I think you could be on to a winner there. They seemed to have balanced all the compromises you have to make with a caravan.
molgrips - MemberThey've probably degraded a bit but I doubt it's going to make a difference.
Why is it so unreasonable to think one would need a higher spring rate for towing though TJ? A non-adjustable spring is bound to be a compromise isn't it?
Basic set up. The first thing you do before any alterations is to ensure that what yo have is working properly. Then yo have a baseline to work from.
iamhim - yes, we were looking at vans last year and were undecided, but that layout seems great. Only small issue is that the bunks are kiddie only, so will need a new van in 10 years 🙂
TJ - how do I definitively test that my current springs and shocks are working correctly then?
Agree that it's been fairly tough to get the noseweight to the right level with the Pegasus. Lightweight gas bottles, no chest of drawers (don't miss them at all) and careful packing enable us to just get to the limit of the car. 2010 version by the way.
I do wonder if the 2011 are different. It's almost as if they got a lot of criticisms on the first lot and made some changes quickly. Seems odd to replace a range so soon otherwise.
Only thing I worry about without a chest of drawers is where to put my tea 🙂 Is there a shelf by the window?
Nice wide shelf by the front window, actually wide enough for the flat screen tv/dvd combo that came with the caravan. There's a mains socket there as well to run it. Handy place to put stuff on to charge.
Oh right, that certainly could save some weight and money 🙂 Ta
Swift are cheaper on the whole yes. They are another option. I still like the full metal Bailey construction though.
No idea about caravans, except I overtook a fair amount of them today obviously heading up from the Algarve to Santander to catch the ferry, but curiosity forces me to ask: what's the advantage of "full metal" construction?
Well as I understand it, traditionally caravans are made with an aluminium skin then wooden slats with plywood on the inside, all fixed to a plywood floor and sealed around the edges. The Baileys are made from prefabricated aluminium pieces that are joined with extruded alu bits on the corners. There's no wood to go mouldy, and it's all very rigid to preserve the integrity. They come with a 10 year water guarantee which is unique, and they contain no wood at all in the shell construction.
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http://www.baileyalu-tech.co.uk/index2.php if you are really curious 🙂
Molgrips, our Challenger sounds like it would fit the bill... 🙂
[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5230/5656634895_431c9267c5_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/takisawa2/5656634895/ ]Car & Caravan-1[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/takisawa2/ ]pten2106[/url], on Flickr
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We specifically wanted the double dinette layout, as the rear end effectively becomes a separate bedroom for our two boys. Its great to pull the partition across at night, plus they can sit in there watching tv etc. The separate shower cubicle is spot on. Swift's Challenger & Conquerer are heavy caravans though, ours is 1500kg MTPLM. We looked at Bailey but the lighter weight is evident in the general feel of all the fittings etc. Plus we were further put off by finding damp & peeling wall covering in a 2yr old model.
As regards towing, we were using a 130hp TDCi Mondeo which did a great job but your sitting at about 95% match & the car does feel it. I was more than happy towing with it but it worried the Wife. The Galaxy above makes a superb tow-car & ironically gives better mpg while towing. (about 32mpg towing). Its rock steady when towing.
Not sure on the levelling suspension idea, modern cars are pretty well sorted & if you load properly you'll have no problems. From my couple of years towing I'd say pay attention to nose-weight & tyre pressures. This is where the difference is felt.
Nose weight and tyre pressures checked and are bang on.
It didn't have any problems towing, but I thought it could be improved. Passat Estates were offered with self levelling as an option, and it seemed like a good idea. I already checked about retrofitting the OEM stuff but it's prohibitively expensive.
I like that layout Taki, same as the Bailey Olympus we looked at. As for damp - 10 year damp guarantee is pretty persuasive.
Well they look gopping inside and out, but I'm definitely interested in smaller manufacturers. However their website is a joke and there aren't enough pictures to generate enough interest to go all the way up there.
Found a link to Hobby caravans though which look much more interesting
http://hobbycaravansuk.co.uk/hobby_caravan_details.php?series=De%20Luxe&1=560%20KMFe
Although it'd have to do a lot to knock [url= http://www.springbankleisure.co.uk/tab_l.html ]Tab[/url] off the best alternative spot 🙂
Some (most) Hobbys are allegedly too wide to be towed on uk roads. I think it's a common thing on euro vans. Plus some sites have a 'no Hobbys' rule. I'd avoid.
[url= http://www.hobbysales.co.uk/ ]another one[/url]
[url= http://www.dumfriescaravans.com/ ]One of my local dealers[/url]
TBH I fail to see the point of caravans for holidays. They aren't cheap to buy new and there's a tendency to run a much bigger car than you would to make towing easier, costing you more cash all year round.
I've always liked the Eriba caravan. They are a little bit like a modern version of the airstream, steel frame, ally skin, streamlined body.
Never looked into them seriously as we all know campervans are better ( 🙂 ) but I think they are priced a bit higher and possibly weigh more, but worth a look.
TBH I fail to see the point of caravans for holidays. They aren't cheap to buy new and there's a tendency to run a much bigger car than you would to make towing easier, costing you more cash all year round.
it gives you the freedom to tour round a lot more than you could otherwise.
[i]TBH I fail to see the point of caravans for holidays. They aren't cheap to buy new and there's a tendency to run a much bigger car than you would to make towing easier, costing you more cash all year round. [/i]
I have a family of four and I can assure you that we recouped the money on it in its first two years against the price we would have paid for a hotel in the areas we stayed in. Plus if you have small children I find the hotel experience (especially meal times) to be nothing but stressful. With a caravan you can plan your day how you want to and not dictated by the hotel.
TBH I fail to see the point of caravans for holidays. They aren't cheap to buy new and there's a tendency to run a much bigger car than you would to make towing easier, costing you more cash all year round
The point is that a caravan is about 10000 times nicer to stay in than a tent, and much easier to set up and pack up. That's the only reason.
And my search in vans is limited to those that can be towed with the car I already happen to have, which is a Passat in this case.
Comparing caravans to hotels though is silly - as above family hotelling is cripplingly expensive and a pain in the balls quite frankly, unless it's a family orientated resort or something I suppose.
as we all know campervans are better
To be honest, I've nothing against campervans, but they are insanely expensive. Plus you have to pack up every time you want to go somewhere. Although I have recently noticed that they are a fair bit smaller inside than caravans on the whole - gigantic American style ones notwithstanding. However even some of those are not big. I've been inside the Torq mobile which is huge and inside it's quite cramped compared to those vans I was looking at.
tron - Member
TBH I fail to see the point of caravans for holidays. They aren't cheap to buy new and there's a tendency to run a much bigger car than you would to make towing easier, costing you more cash all year round.
Who says you have to buy new?
I've just paid £5750 for a 2003 4-berth Fleetwood. It came with awning, Aquaroll, water pump, folding chairs, folding table, gas bbq, microwave, tv/dvd/freeview, kettle, iron, toaster, cutlery, windbreaks etc, etc.
I use it for work, rather than staying in B&B's when working away, I already have a tow-car (work vehicle). We've just spent 5 days on the Gower, will be going to the lakes in a few weeks, maybe France in the summer and other short breaks inbetween.
The freedom and flexibility are making it seem like a worthwhile purchase already - and the family love it.
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