Message Forums

Hello

I have just visited Discover in Darlington to view the new Alu-tec Bailey Pegasus. I unfortunately found this van range to be very cheap and flimsy. The catches to cupboards are cheap folded plastic units that will quickly become defective, as the showroom ones had!! I viewed 7 Pegasus vans and found the same flimsy wood and plastic catches defective or jammed? The quality is absolutely rubbish. The van may well remain leak free but you will be forever returning it to the dealer for repairs under warranty. This range of vans is cheap and nasty with a huge price tag. Why they are expensive  I really could'nt see today, rubbish.

I went into a Swift leisure van after the Pegasus and couldnt beleive the vast increase in build and quality. It was immediately obvious. Thicker cabinets. Metal handles and catches. Much more van for your money.

Ditto!  - Viggo.

 I think you'll find that the 'catches' are also fitted to other maunfacturers vans too, saw plenty of them atthe NEC in October.  If someone gave me a Swift - I'd sell it, had one once  - never again heavy, overpriced and overhyped.

Cupboard catches are generally not good in vans I have found - problems with them in Swift, Coachman and Eldiss,  fortunatley replacements were cheap and not something I  bothered claiming on a warranty. 

Half the locker doors in my van don't have catches - they are held shut by the spring on the hinges. It works fine. The other half have those push button catches that go flush to the surface of the door, and are not only very secure but also look good.

Bailey has now changed to flat-fronted locker doors (made in Italy) which are held shut by a bit of stressed plastic that appears to be an off-cut of a length of trim edging, and which the user has to bend slightly with their finger tips in order to open the door. The result is that the cupboards are a large expanse of wood with no other features - no catch, no handle, no nothing. It looks like an aircraft locker, only in wood. I'm not keen.

Quote: Originally posted by Viggo on 08/2/2010

---

Half the locker doors in my van don't have catches - they are held shut by the spring on the hinges. It works fine. The other half have those push button catches that go flush to the surface of the door, and are not only very secure but also look good.

Bailey has now changed to flat-fronted locker doors (made in Italy) which are held shut by a bit of stressed plastic that appears to be an off-cut of a length of trim edging, and which the user has to bend slightly with their finger tips in order to open the door. The result is that the cupboards are a large expanse of wood with no other features - no catch, no handle, no nothing. It looks like an aircraft locker, only in wood. I'm not keen.

---

but oh so much room in them unlike some vans we`ve seen that you cant even stand a box of cereal in without folding the top over. i dont think the pegasus is a large expanse of wood as the bottom section is totally different to the rest so not as bland.the olympus however doesnt have this contrast and does look rather bland

Our Pageant Burgundy has the same catches as far as I know and they are fine,

 We are taking delivery of a Pegasus soon, and are happy with the van, we have had a good look round prior to ordering.

 It will be our 4th Bailey, we like them and our dealer (Salop Cravans at Cosford) are first class.

 The vans are spotless on collection and a very thorough handover is given. The odd few prooblems we have  had were sorted quickly and efficiently.

Quote: Originally posted by John Stewart on 08/2/2010

---

I don't understand this mentality of people starting threads criticising a certain make of caravan. If you don't like it, fine, don't buy it.

I looked at several different makes of caravans before buying mine and none are perfect. I didn't feel the need to start threads sl*gging them off.

Its starting to get boring........

---

Nicely put.

I DO hope you bought a Swift, and fully enjoy its wobbly timber construction for its full 10 yr life. Personally I cannot understand the logic of buying century old building technology, using modern fast grown timber, and Eco-friendly preservatives.

So its a clear choice: replace awning trims and seals whenever you detect moisture ingress, and hope you get it before the rot starts, or replace an internal plastic catch every now and then...give me a second to think about it...

But hey, each to his own!

Strax, warm in his Pegasus in Scotland for the skiing!

we have the pegasus and love it BUT , the standard of finish , ie trim , mouldings etc is not as good as on our previous 2001 elddis or 2005 compass.

the method of construction however is infinitley better as is the layout and the cupboard space.