Hi all although we love our biba (91 bailey pageant 2 berth) we have come to a decision that it not really big enough for me and OH and our 15 year old son ( who says he will still be coming with us forever and is the size of a man now) and the two dogs we have been looking at thinking maybe it's time to move up, we have been looking at vans and think the ranger would be idea for us as the bed at the back would be ideal for our son to have his own space, the age we have been looking at is about 2003, our tow car will be fine so that's ok I'm just interested to see how other ranger owners feel about theirs and if there is any things we should be on the lookout for ( apart from damp, been there don't want that again lol) and if my 5'9 son still growing!!! would get on with the end bed/dinette bit.
Any advice good bad points welcome as if we buy one of these we want to keep it for a good long time.
Donna
We have a 2006 Ranger 500/5 and have had it for bout a year now. Its a nice van and your son will have plenty of space to sleep etc at the back of the van. I would not recommend it as a double bed for two fairly built people.Also to be honest the bathroom is on the small side. We use the site showers all the time so its not a problem if you do too.
That all sounds a bit negative i know, but its not a bad van at all. The rear of the van in the day is a nice space to sit and eat or read or just chill. All in all its a nice spacious van as my parents who both struggle to get about these days only go in the van when we take them and we all have no problem space wise though as i said earlier the bedroom at the back is best for one ( especially being the size i am!) and i usually end up in the awning at night while mum dad and the oh sleep in the van.
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Thanks Marshy,i did notice the shower/loo bit was small but we always use the sites facilities and only use the loo at night for spending a penny lol,so thats not a problem,i really like the layout of the van as like i said it gives my son a bit of space of his own plus having extra seating in the day is good,and when he does decide he dosnt want to come anymore it still willbe a good size for OH and me and the dogs.
At the moment we all play musical beds and take turns of one in the awning,but if its really cold we all have to come inside and look like three blue caterpillars all in sleeping bags in a row up on the opened seating/bed area in our 2 berth lol thank goodness it a massive bed,but its definatley getting cramped.
we have the 500/5 and love it.our grandson has the double bed all to himself but he is only 6 years old.his mum has slept in it and she is about 5' 8in.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
Quote: Originally posted by murano on 22/3/2010
Thanks Michael,i think this is going to be the van for us,not to heavy good layout and in our budget.Now the search begins :)
ours is a spoilt 2003 model.gets cleaned once a week.(keeps me fit) .ours is an MTPLM OF 1272 KGS.not even thinking of changing it.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
ooh you can come an polish ours then lol,our pageant needs a clean lol,we want a 2003 model,one thing i have noticed some have three windows and some one,i prefer the three but wouldnt not buy because of one window,i just wondered why that was is one a later 2003? sorry to pick your brains but as you have the van we like,you are the best to ask...sorry i shall never let up lol
stand corrected but i think it was 2004 when the single window came into being.prefer the three.i would guess that single window would cost £1000 plus to replace.just me.do not think it was liked.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
We had a 1999 Ranger 510/4, with the side dinette and end washroom. The 500/5 will be much better for you as most bunk type arrangements are really only suitable for children. The downside for you is the kitchen and bathroom will be more cramped. We had a lot more kitchen workspace.
The Ranger was a very good van, Light to tow, well equipped, cheap to buy and very easy to live in. The only thing I can't understand is; they don't put spark ignition on the otherwise beautiful cooker.
We had a 1999 Ranger 510/4, with the side dinette and end washroom. The 500/5 will be much better for you as most bunk type arrangements are really only suitable for children. The downside for you is the kitchen and bathroom will be more cramped. We had a lot more kitchen workspace.
The Ranger was a very good van, Light to tow, well equipped, cheap to buy and very easy to live in. The only thing I can't understand is; they don't put spark ignition on the otherwise beautiful cooker.
fully agree
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
they don't put spark ignition on the otherwise beautiful cooker.
I emailed Bailey before we bought our new van and they offered to add it for £88. but in the end we bought ans ex display so no spark ignition. It is a real pain because my wife has an arthritic hip and getting down to light the oven is really difficult. Quite why they still persevere with this silly penny pinching ommision beats me. Even the GT60 we've just bought has a radio & microwave etc but no spark ignition.
But otherwise very good vans and it didin't put us off.
I've just bought a 2008 500/5 and will pick it up next week.
I was very impressed with it, I took my 1996 Swift Challenger 400 in for a service and ended up coming about with the Bailey, something I thought I'd never do!
Looking forward to getting away in it.
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Our 2007 500/5 has been excellent and suits a family of four + dog very well, so should be fine with your lad.
We did quite some searching around for a 'versatile' layout as quite often we use the van without kids too and it just works well regardless of whether we're all in it or not.
The only nagative points have been mentioned already (you could find negative issues with any van I reckon).
Only thing I would say, is that I understand there was an issue with the front panel on some Bailey's circa 2005'ish (Michael might know series), consequently there was an issue with water ingress due to cracking panels.
Just be aware when your on the hunt.
You may want to consider a fixed bed. Ideal for two but also a very good spare bed as well. Bailey did a 520/4 fixed bed around 2003. This gives a lot of room for dogs and a reasonable washroom set up.
Only thing I would say, is that I understand there was an issue with the front panel on some Bailey's circa 2005'ish (Michael might know series), consequently there was an issue with water ingress due to cracking panels. Just be aware when your on the hunt.
yes correct, 2005 to early 2006 had a cracking panel problem giving water ingress.the cracks were mainly where the front panel joins the roof.possibly two to three inch long to look at.so beware as said.odd ones had a crack at the rear too.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.