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 Topic: Bailey Ranger 500/5
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16/2/2013 at 9:48pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Julia Coops on 16/2/2013
Thank you for all your advice, it has been gratefully received. I am concerned about upsetting people so am going to say no more other than some of you have been extremely helpful and very friendly - I do love this forum site!
Oh and we are continuing to look for a caravan........
Definitely final word (and I absolutely should have mentioned this before) if you*are* going to buy second-hand, buy a German van.
They're not magical, and eventually they will also leak - BUT, you can bet your house, husband, kids, and your soul that a German van will resist water ingress for far longer than the UK equivalent.
That is because of the [1] the type of mastic used, and [2] the shape of the aluminium extrusion used to join the thing together.
Briefly, if you look at a UK van (and I'm talking anything older than a couple of years, when they started using acrylic capping's or alutech construction) you will notice that the aluminium strips are basically an 'L' shaped profile.with a long side and a very short side.
You will also notice that (for some bizarre reason) the 'L' shape is positioned so that the very short side is used to try and bridge the gap between the side panel and the roof panel.
Because the 'L' is tiny, it's not wide enough to cover the joint, and you will always see the sealant join (easiest to see at the front, on the curve from window to roof - but it's the same joint all the way along the van)
Because the sealant is not covered by the aluminium extrusion, it dries out in the sun and quickly degrades, and when it's dry it crumbles when subjected to towing shocks - and, of course, when it crumbles it allows rain to penetrate.
When you look at a German van (or any 'Continental' caravan, like an Adria, for example) you will notice that [1] the aluminium 'L' profile is much more pronounced, and [2] that the strip is applied so that the roof/wall joint is completely covered by the wider part of the profile.
This (especially with the more pliable mastic used) prevents drying out and weathering - and is a large part of the reason why German vans have such a good reputation for resisting water ingress.
It's common sense simplicity - but no UK manufacturer has ever copied it.
All of which makes a second hand German caravan a much better second-hand bet - think Hymer, LMC, Dethleffs, Knaus, Hobby (possibly) or Geist (which were LMC caravans made for the UK market)
They tend to be heavier - but if you avoid the really big models, they're not *that* much heavier. The also have longer A-frames that aid stability, and always use shock absorbers for a better ride.
Right, here endeth the lesson - let us know how you get on ;)
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Getting Old, Staying Active (much to Mrs Folder's dismay..)
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22/2/2013 at 12:50pm
Location: Derby
Outfit: Bailey Pegasus II Milan & Honda CR-V
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We're new to vanning, and bought an 07 Ranger 500/5 from a dealer last year.
Simple economics said we had approx 8k to spend on a van, not 13k. No loan for the extra 5k needed.
We actually paid £8450, but we expect to lose a grand a year, so IMO, £7450 is a price we would expect to pay for an 07 van this year. I would also expect this to bottom out perhaps in 5 years time, were I would expect the value to drop by less than a grand a year.
We love the van. Only a family of three, but the layout allows us to have the grand parents stay with us on occasion, (2 doubles and a single), or allows our DD to have the end bedroom all to herself.
Since we've had it, one of the light fittings broke, (replaced myself from Bailey at a price cheaper than it would have cost me to drive to my dealer and have it replace under warranty). To the best of my knowledge it has no damp. I'm sure some Baileys do have damp, but so do ALL other makes, it's not just common to Bailey.
Kitchen space is a little tight, (we came from a trailer tent with oodles of space), but once we've got used to it we get on just fine.
Hope this helps the OP in some small way.
Cheers,
ADL
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2019:
Wye Meadow Camping
Dornafield
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