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anyone own one of these ?

looking to get one toward the end of this year but looking at 2005 model,L shaped front dinette style.

Any owners have any issues with them, weak spots to look out for ?

we`ve looked at a couple over the last few months but at the time not in a position to buy.

seems to tick all the right boxes for us but am a little worried about the manouverability of a twin axle, we`d definitely need a mover !!!!!!

so if anyone would be interested in our fixed bed avante 534 (2001) later in the year give us a shout, looking for around £5500 including mover ,dorema awning etc

We have a 2008 6 series.  A great design, attractive and well equipped van.  We are a little dissapointed with the quality of the van.  Faults included, misfitting door allowed rain in, built in TV faulty, wheel lock U/S, edge binding in bathroom came away, door window filled with water, bathroom door jammed, repaired and now massive gap.  Our dealer constantly needed pushing to sort the problems, Bailey didn't want to know and were quite rude and abrupt when I dared to contact them with my complaints.  Most of the problems have been solve and the next owner will no doubt get a good van.  Sadly, we never really felt like we owned a brand new top of the range van despite this being our largest ever investment. We really went out on a lym.  My advice would be to look over the van carefully before you buy, check door fits, door seals, window seals, trim, and general quality before you buy. This was our first and last Bailey.

Don't be concerned about manouverability. The long van reacts to car movement slower and is very controllable.  They tow quite steady too.

Ant 

We used to have a Baily Senetor 5000 until some B####### stole it from where it was in storage. This was a big twin axle beast and quite frankly it was more easy to manouver than the single axle we now have. As someone has already said, twin axles are very manouverable, especially in reverse as they respond more slowly and you can correct as you go. If I had another twin axle I wouldnt bother with a caravan mover, I would save myself the £1000 and go on a nice holiday with the money.

If you are elderly or disabled, then this changes things a little and you would probably prefer to outlay on the `mover`

Lorna 

thanks for the replies,vans already bought just waiting to collect, hopefully in the morning.it already has a twin axle powrtouch fitted and wouldnt have bought a huge van like that without one.

we had a look at the crusader but the ones available were 2-3k more than the senator we settled on and as we were already right at our limit of what we wanted to spend it was a no no.

also with the L- shaped lounge on the elddis i couldnt get comfy sat right at the front, my head was on the window all the time, you dont get that with the Bailey due to the more vertical front  profile.

cheers

jon

Quote: Originally posted by JackieandSteve on 31/7/2009

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Bev and John have you had a look at the Elddis Crusader super sirroco same layout but much better build quality and fittings than the Baileys. It's the van we'll be going for next.

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Quote: Originally posted by antjt968 on 31/7/2009

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We have a 2008 6 series.  A great design, attractive and well equipped van.  We are a little dissapointed with the quality of the van.  Faults included, misfitting door allowed rain in, built in TV faulty, wheel lock U/S, edge binding in bathroom came away, door window filled with water, bathroom door jammed, repaired and now massive gap.  Our dealer constantly needed pushing to sort the problems, Bailey didn't want to know and were quite rude and abrupt when I dared to contact them with my complaints.  Most of the problems have been solve and the next owner will no doubt get a good van.  Sadly, we never really felt like we owned a brand new top of the range van despite this being our largest ever investment. We really went out on a lym.  My advice would be to look over the van carefully before you buy, check door fits, door seals, window seals, trim, and general quality before you buy. This was our first and last Bailey.

Don't be concerned about manouverability. The long van reacts to car movement slower and is very controllable.  They tow quite steady too.

 

Ant 

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Quote: Originally posted by neil and lena on 31/7/2009

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Quote: Originally posted by JackieandSteve on 31/7/2009

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Bev and John have you had a look at the Elddis Crusader super sirroco same layout but much better build quality and fittings than the Baileys. It's the van we'll be going for next.

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Better build quality !!!! I wish your words of wisdom were correct , I bought an Explorer built Top Spec Compass Rally brand new a few years ago , and within a 16 months it was damp , door handles fell of  , on board charger failed , shower tray cracked , and more . Dont think i would buy a Compass/Elddis again after all the hassle i had , now on my 4 th Bailey had no real problems with them to date

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must agree  it tows like a dream and behind the pajero its rock solid, not a twitch and no pitching whatsoever even on poor roads. i managed to reverse it into the front drive easily but had a nightmare getting it through the angled gates into the back garden on the mover.it just didnt want to turn in the space we have. going to have another play at it when we get back off hols but it may have to go to storage site somewhere  or i may have to have a re think about how the back gardens laid out.

love the van though.

sorted.!!   pneumatic tyre on the jockey wheel, dropped low at the front now it almost turns as sharp as a single axle.

for some reason though after 10 minutes of use it wont work for a while, overheating maybe ? i just turn it off and leave it for a bit, switch on again and all is well.

anyone else have problem this with a powrtouch for twin axles ?