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Our last van was the Sterling Jewel & we were very pleased with the quality. Had it 3 years with no problems & got a good trade-in when upgrading earlier this year.

Good luck with your choice. Regards Gooner.

We have had a Sterling Eccles Topaz for 5 years and the Jewel is on our list if we change although it is now getting a bit expensive so we may go for the Europa 495 if we decide to change. We did look at the Coachman range and quite liked the Amara with a similar layout to the Jewel. I think the Sterling range is a bit more modern in design but that is very much a personal thing. If you can get to the NEC its handy to be able to walk from one model to another to see which you prefer. One thing I did like about the Coachman was the toilet compartment which seemed slightly bigger than the Jewel.

David

We looked at all models last year, we had it narrowed down to abbey and elddis. Did'nt even consider coachman until we stepped inside one at the lawns show, the difference in quality was massive the weight difference was minimal. we also found that we had plenty of extra's that come as standard with ours i.e  external gas point, electric socket,more lights, wet box, alloy wheels, spare wheel and carrier, ipod connection and pre wired for dvd. Many of  these items were optional extras in the other caravans.

I think it was which magazine that tested a pastiche and said it was the best built caravan they had ever seen.

Just look at what faults are reported on the other vans, that should help

Bessie           

I've just pulled this off coachmans website,   

 Coachman Caravans is pleased to announce that Which Caravan Magazine has ranked Coachman’s Laser 590/4 as the “best built caravan they have ever tested” in its March issue. The magazine awarded the caravan 100% for ‘Build Quality’ in its latest ‘Group Test’ – the highest mark ever achieved by 

These are not optional extras on our Bailey Senator Indiana..."external gas point, electric socket,more lights, wet box, alloy wheels, spare wheel and carrier, ipod connection" ours is also fitted with dvd/cd/radio and LCD TV as standard and comes with alarm and tracker too. The finish is excellent and it tows perfectly. We looked at an Eccles, but I can't remember the model, before we ordered our new van but decided the finish just wasn't to our taste. We also use ours year round too and so far it is wearing well, considering the fact that we have been away for approx 70 nights since we got her 8 months ago.

We had a Bailey and we loved it but now have an Abbey. We loved the Bailey but when it comes to the standad of fitments and the build quality the Bailey comes a poor second

Hi Bigmosmrs my coachman is only the Amara which is the bottom of the range, At the time when i was looking for a new van the equivalant bailey, abbey, swift had these on the options list.

Please bear in mind your model is baileys flagship model not the bottom of the range.

Bessie       

Hi bessie500,

I only replied as the original poster (Zipster) was looking at a Bailey Indiana (2008) which is the model we have.