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We curently have two caravans as we live in Northumberland and tour mainly in Scotland, so we have our new caravan based up North but our son/family lives South in Shropshire and we are looking at purchasing a Bailey Pageant 5 or 6 series Burgundy model to replace our existing south Bailey 2000 Ranger 440/4 van.

Any comments of what to look out for, or any complaints, does the series 5 have one or two electrics towing plugs? as I can not find a basic specification on line

Currently have a 2010 Bailey Ranger GT60 so we have plenty to compare it with, but the layout I understand is similar

Any constructive comments appreciated

Hi Tynesider,

I bought the Bailey Burgundy (Series 5) new just over 3years ago and have no regrets whatever. It has the two separate towing plugs....black for vehicle lights and grey for caravan internal 12 v system.

I work for the Caravan Club as a volunteer warden and have used my caravan for at least 3 or 4 days every week and so far (touch wood).... the only problem I have had is a blown low wattage bulb over one of the worktops. The only other slight problem with mine is that the small wind up rooflight with the built in extractor fan doesnt want to lift up as you wind it. I have to push a long screwdriver  up through the mesh vents to start it off after which it opens okay.

A lot of people dont like fixed bed caravans, but personally I love it.

I have all the original booklets etc if there are any other queries you have.

Would I buy another? - yes definitely

We have a 2007 series 6 Burgundy and like the caravan, it tows well, and is well equipped. We had the Omnivent extractor replaced in it's first year ( motor ) and that's all until recently when we noticed the toilet door would not stay closed, this has turned out to be a slightly warped wall that seperates the bedroom from the toilet,which I've solved by moving the door sealing strip about 5mm as this is also the door catch. The sealing strip is held in place by screws so was an easy job.

               Jim

Many thanks gents for all your comments and information and I will look out for a Burgundy.

We also have a GT60 520/4 and we find it is almost identical to the Pageant Burgundy series 6 and 7.

We have done some long trips in the GT60 since buying new in April, everything works, everything fits,it tows great, the new TV aerial is brilliant and anyone thinking of buying a Pageant save yourself a lot of money and go for the GT60. ( very few about now as I think Bailey stopped production of them and the Pageant in May).

Mike

Hi All

Following the above recommendations we finally bought a mint condition 2006 Baily Pageant Burgundy 5 Series, 3 hours after it arrived on the dealers forecourt this morning.

As said it is almost identical to our other van a Bailey Ranger GT 60 520-4 just slightly heavier, all we will add is a microwave.

I spent 2 hrs negotiating with the poor sales manager and reduced the first asking price by £1.0000 !, got another £400 ontop of his first offer for my old van, a new telescopic TV aerial (like the one on new  GT60 which works great) and he swopped the rap around cushions for a 'middle table and draws', and just as he thought it was in the bag and I was to sign, I said Opps! what about the 12 months guarantee for £125.00, and all this is ontop of a full service!.

I spent a lot of time in Turkey on business when I was European sales Manager and I thought I could sell until I started negotiating!, you learn fast in Turkey and I loved their princliple of 'You want to buy it' and I want to sell it', its just a matter of what we are going to agree on!

If don't ask, you don't get!

Thanks again for all the information and advice.

Mike

Hi Dave

Yep it should catch on! I would have no problems in visiting caravan groups and advising them.

As It never ceases  to amaze me to see just how some people except a price and pay the full asking price (not just caravans).

If it helps others my golden rule is 'DO YOUR HOMEWORK' before you buy.

What do I mean by homework!

• You can find out on many sites what you existing caravan is worth (not what the dealer will tell you),there are also some sites dedicated to second hand trade in prices, like this one http://www.caravanpriceguide.com/id12.html.
• Once you have an idea of what your vans worth next is to spend an our looking at various dealers prices for the same van you want to buy, I gaurantee they will not all be the same!
• Next go into the caravan shop and price items like Alko hitch locks, wheel lock nuts, the latest TV Aerials etc, then you have some more ammunition to negotiate with, further which it will save you money, as not many caravans come with these items.
• Remember the names of some other dealers who will be compeditors of your local dealer and drop hints you may have to go back to one of them for a better deal if you getting nowhere !.
• If it is a cash deal and a first time buyer YOU are king in the showroom!

Always remember it will be a very poor salesman who will let you out the dealers showroom if he knows you are a serious buyer, he wants an order! many times its part of his salary.

You have just worked hard for your money, so get the best deal possible for all that hard earned money!

Mike