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Gavin

We have been looking at this layout. I think the Sancerre is the same length as the Senator California. It is a compromise because in order to have the rear washroom, not very big in either of the Baileys, you sacrifice living area space so you have to decide which is more important. At the NEC we looked at the Sterling Eccles Ruby which has a much larger bathroom, although still some sacrifice in internal living space. The Ruby is about a foot long and 100kgs heavier. I am waiting to see the Europa/Charisma versions which will not be out in the showrooms until about May. So a decision will have to wait until after our holiday.

David 

Hi Gavin, We were looking at the Bailey Burgundy until we heard that the California layout was to be produced in the Pageant range, weight was an issue for us too.

We waited to see it released at the NEC because we were almost certain that it was the layout for us. However when we managed to sit in it and get a feel for the interior we had our doubts. After much toing and froing between the two we decided that the slightly smaller seating area and the shortened living/kitchen area wasn't for us. A purely personal thing, its always a compromise, that space for the washroom has to come from somewhere. We felt that the living area was where we would spend most of our time and as we usually stayed on sites where the washroom facilities were good anyway we plumped for the Burgundy.

The Limosin layout would have been my ideal van but it was just too heavy for my tow car.

Dave.

We have been wanting a fixed bed and rear washroom for some time. We took delivery of the Baily Senator California at the beginning of Feb and have now had a couple to trip out.

We had upgrade in size for the van so we are happy with the extra living space and of course the bigger bathroom.

Great van love it and was ideal for us as we did not want a twin axle. So from our end a big yes all the way...

Good luck with it, as i said we love our California.

Hi Gavin

We also have recently swopped to a California. Of course to fit everything in, they have had to compromise somewhere, but we are not small people, and not in the flush of youth, and we are totally happy with the bathroom/bed/kitchen layout. Showering is no problem, and maybe not so obvious at first glance, the space in fornt of the mirror, (assuming the Pageant has the mirror just inside the bathroom door, i have n't seen the Pageant), is great for dressing (and posing).

Not eberyones choice, but we prefer the --door at the front--- For us it seems to keep us more in touch with visiitors, and the outside world. We have grandkids, and they are for ever in and out, and the door at the front stops them having to come down the tunnel every time.

Big positive for me is the underbed storage accessible from the big outside locker, and it is on the right side, ie awning side. There is a huge wet tray, great for throwing things in quick.

We have the wrap round seats and not the drawer option. We have dined 6 adults no problem seatingwise, the front seats are deep. The only downside for us is that when we are just 2, for breakfast etc it is a slog to get out the massive table. Solution ? I have made a smaller single pedestal table 2 ft square using DESMO parts, with a single base, and interchangeable legs and tops so you can have it as a breakfast table at full height, and coffee table with a smaller 13 inch square top on a shorter tube. the short version also doubles up as a stool for the head cheffet when she is cooking.

Load distribution seems fine when fully loaded for touring, using front locker and uinderbed storage, (which is of course quite close to the axle). ,giving a stable tow.

So if you have made up your mind, rest comfortable, if the layout suits, the van does what it says on the tin.

FM

Gavin

Not au fait with the spec of the Sancerre, but I know what you mean vis a vis Pageant vs Senator. Difficult to justify the price difference. In fact we had ordered the California before the Sancerre was general knowledge, because we were totally sold on the layout. No regrets, thats life, but the first thing I did was to take out the microwave, and the TV, because we don't use eiother in the caravan ( much rather have a Bose ipod player), so if you are interested in either of the above , let me know.

Obviously I'm a bit of an anorak re caravan fittings, but if it is of any interest, I have also swopped the pots cupboard to where the microwave was, and added shelves to the old pot cupboard, which H in D thinks is much more convenient for cooking stuff like sauces and spices. Cupboards over the bed also need an extra shelf here and there.

£ 16, grand for a caravan and then take it to bits, and rebuild it. How sad is that ?

FM

Quote: Originally posted by canvasquivers on 24/3/2009

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Sounds good frog, we too like it before knowing the Sancerre was on the way...... but very happy. Must admit the only thing i am not happy with is the ipod connection and will have to work on that one.

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Yes it bugs me a bit. hate teles in vans, would much prefer good sound, and these days 10 stack cd is past it. Why can't they fit a good repro system as an option? And why do they fit the speakers down draft over the person in the corners head?

I 've bought a Tecnicks (however you spell it) Bose immitation for the van, around £50 from Tesco. It fits to the TV bracket, so that it is easily demountable (although I can't think why anyone would want to pich it), and the power point for the TV drives it OK. It spins round on the panel, and Mrs FM can go to sleep listening to Elvis, and wake up to Terry Wogan.

Would have taken the Bose we have at home, but thouight i was being clever buying it on the net for nearly half price only to find that they have changed the pins on the i touch and now it does n't charge the later models. the Tec----- thing does. Although presumably because it is solid state, the itouch runs forever without charge anyway.

FM

Way to go TaviGav.

Hope you have days of fun.