Message Forums

I like the look of it though there is a little less space in the kitchen area and like ours (burgundy) the front seats are shorter, not so bad if there is only two of you (like us) but would be a bit cramped with four.

Not sure I would want to give up living space for the shower area.

It's good for the people who don't fancy stepping over the shower to the loo this I was apposed to before I had this design, having gone from a separate bathroom but now I don't even think about it that way as we always put some carpet in the tray.

Some people may knock Bailey but hats off to them, they are often first and everyone else follows, like the Indiana and then came all the other manufacturers with their take on the design. I guess it will be the same for this model.

Good on you Bailey keep up the good work.

For what it is worth, we have clocked 12 nights in our new California. So far so good. Everything works as it should, and it tows well, albeit behind a 4 x 4, but the anti swerve stuff seems to work, although I suspect it might be a bit like the "anti elephant spray".

2 up no kids etc., and the layout works great. The bathroom is comfortable for a shower, and the "heated towel rail" actually works lovely. Though the bathroom is on the small side, the area in front of the large mirror is spot on for dressing , or posing. The wardrobes are a bit of a compromise, and I do think Bailey could have put in the odd extra shelf, but a bit of D.I.Y solves that.

Personal taste, we don't use a microwave in the van, and I don't like the weight up in the air, so that came out, and it is now a crockery cupboard. Cupboard over the cooker is for cooking stuff like oils spices and so on now, Mrs FM takes charge of the design mods, I just execute. Did n't rate the TV supplied, but again we never use tele in the van, so that came out and is replaced by a good i pod player, wish that could have been a Bailey option.Underbed storage is brilliant, and the front locker is of a good useable size.

Bits I don't like ---Bailey are you listening?. The underbed locker door outside is rubbish. No wonder there is a warniing to "Ensure locks are in place when travelling". On a van at this price, this is a silly cost cutting mistake.Again,  not directly the fault of Bailey, but they chose to ffit it, the Thetford toilet is another example of a cost cut too far. The whole construction seems flimsy, the shutter action scares the proverbial out of me if you will forgive the analogy. I hope it survives the life of the van, but I have grave doubts. This is the real big gripe for me, but no doubt it is the same for all makes .Oh to be back in the days of the turn and press  knob, and a capacity which would stand a family of 4 for a month.

Not to end on a bad note, someone above remaked on the 12v lightiing. There is every permutation possible, and the undershelf led's give a fabulous ambience at night. Overall, the van suits us, and so far no regrets.
FM

Well, we have finally made a decision. Last week we went along to White Arches as they had a display  model of the Swift Charisma 550 (same layout as the Califoria and Sancerre). We certainly liked the end bathroom which seems a little bigger than the Bailey. White Arches are going to do their own version called a Rockingham so we have placed an order and hopefully it will be available early July. The decision wa not as easy as I had imagined as the fixed bed/side toilet model is much more spacious but Margaret was convinced that the end bathroom (which we have now) will be well worth it.

David