Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Caravans and Caravanning

Topic: New to us van Time,Bailey Opinions please

John M0GWR

15/9/2013 at 5:56pm
Location: Nottingham
Outfit: Swift Challenger 530se Ford Galaxy 1.

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 18/5/2011

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 50

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Hi People
I have been lurking around here for a while, from when we bought a van and found it had leaks and other issues covered up etc, But that was quite a while back and i fixed most of the problems and we have had some great times away But the time has come for a bit of a upgrade, old van is a 1997 swift Challenger. So i have been looking around various dealers/websites/ free ads etc looking for a replacement. Well i have a short list now but just wanted some more opinions if possible.

There is 2 vans that i have seen, Both Baileys. One is a Ranger 620/6 2008 and the other is a Senator Indiana Series 5 2006. The ranger is basic and has a porch awning with it. Now the Indiana has motor mover, full bradcot awning with fiber poles, new tyres,Tyron bands plus everything else you could need to go away.

What do you people think of my 2 choices? pro's con's, look at somthing else? Did not really want to spend more than about 8 /8.5k.

-------------

Grampian91

15/9/2013 at 6:14pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 6893

Site Reviews Total:	2

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Forgetting the mover and awning you can easily add those anyway.

Ones almost 2 1/2ft longer than the other, Single or twin axle, 6 berth or 4 berth.

Similar gross weights but one can only carry 200kg where the other has 300kg.

Side diner or not?

You need to spend some time in each van and go through the motions.
Pretend to cook something, Then pretend your all getting up and fighting for the bathroom or mirrors.
Getting ready for a night out etc etc..

Bit chalk and cheese those vans. Except a fixed bed.

Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off!

UKCampsite.co.uk users are rewarded with up to 12.5% off Caravan Guard touring caravan insurance, folding camper and trailer tent insurance, and 5% off motorhome and campervan insurance. Static caravan insurance is also available. Get an online quote now

John M0GWR

15/9/2013 at 6:33pm
Location: Nottingham
Outfit: Swift Challenger 530se Ford Galaxy 1.

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 18/5/2011

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 50

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

The Ranger has the side Diner and is 6 birth. Thing is we do not really need 6 births, Pretty much most of the time there will only be 2 of us sleeping in the van, should and of the kids wish to join us they like sleeping in the awning, i say any, we only have one at home now and he is 17 so he tends to stay at home. The Ranger just looked good and is not too far away.

-------------

Janx

16/9/2013 at 10:45am
Location: lincolnshire
Outfit: Bailey Pageant Burgundy +Kia Sorento

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 19/8/2003

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 3559

Site Reviews Total:	118

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	1
Site Reviews 2022:	1
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	4
Site Nights 2022:	2
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Being a Bailey make sure it's absolutely damp free......can't stress this enough.....won't go into it in detail as I have covered this before but in case you don't know Baileys were prone to cracking front and back.It was brushed under the carpet a bit and only made known in general on sites like this one. They were never recalled so there could be some out there that are still like it. Seemed to be from about 2004 to 2008.

We bought new in 2007 and have had to have both replaced under warranty. You can't always see the cracks so don't go by sight, it was the way they fitted the panels when new.
Just wanted to point it out to you as you could find you end up with a very expensive repair.
I know there will be people say it wasn't just Bailey but if you do a search on here you will find most times it was.

We like the van but didn't expect to buy a new one and then two years later have that happen.

Hope you find a nice van to suit you soon.

-------------
**********
HAPPY DAYS
**********

michael

16/9/2013 at 3:12pm
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Caravan now Sold

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 30/6/2002

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 23517

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

look on

www.caravanfinder.co.uk

bailey page 104

-------------
the only silly question is the one you do not ask.

Jaygo

16/9/2013 at 4:04pm
Location: Southampton
Outfit: Senator+ Mondeo Titanium x Sport

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 05/8/2012

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 96

Site Reviews Total:	3

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

We have had a 2008 Senator from new and are honestly frightened to trade it in. As much as we love the fun of having a new van, we have been so pleased with this one and can't find anything to match the space and layout, it suits us so well, so we are sticking with our Bailey for now.

We have had no real problems with ours it really is often a case of being lucky. This does'nt really help you much but I agree with the others have a jolly good poke around and try them out for size. Do wish you lots of luck.

John M0GWR

16/9/2013 at 6:00pm
Location: Nottingham
Outfit: Swift Challenger 530se Ford Galaxy 1.

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 18/5/2011

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 50

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Quite scary news here about the damp ....... I though looking for cars was a nightmare, seems caravans are worse :). I will do a search and see what i come up with about the panel cracks.

Thank You

-------------

664DaveS

16/9/2013 at 8:23pm
Location: Shropshire
Outfit: Bailey Phoenix GT 75

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 24/7/2007

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4368

Site Reviews Total:	55

Site Reviews 2024:	2
Site Reviews 2023:	8
Site Reviews 2022:	6
Site Reviews 2021:	6
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	3
Site Reviews 2018:	4

Site Nights 2024:	16
Site Nights 2023:	55
Site Nights 2022:	54
Site Nights 2021:	56
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	20
Site Nights 2018:	41

We are on our 4th Bailey, all have been great. We had the Burgundy, which is the same layout as the Indiana, but not as posh!
We are very pleased with our Pegasus, in fact we have been looking at the new Unicorns, but some things we like others not sure! Its good as our current van ticks all our boxes, and has 10 year anti-damp cover.

-------------
DS-There's more to life than football!!!

John M0GWR

16/9/2013 at 9:48pm
Location: Nottingham
Outfit: Swift Challenger 530se Ford Galaxy 1.

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 18/5/2011

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 50

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

So been out and looked at the ranger tonight, my swmbo liked it, problem for me is the bed..... i am 6'4 and it felt too short. The guy also had a Fleetwood/Adria there which we had a look at also, bed was much longer but swmbo did not really like the size as it was quite a small van.....here goes another night of looking on the net.

swmbo says it would not be a problem as you never stretch out in bed etc, but i think it could be and other than asking if i could spend the night in it i would not know :)

-------------

John M0GWR

21/9/2013 at 5:25pm
Location: Nottingham
Outfit: Swift Challenger 530se Ford Galaxy 1.

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 18/5/2011

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 50

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Thank you for all the reply's We have looked at a couple more vans this week, but i still had the Senator in mt head. So this afternoon we have been and looked at a 2008 Senator, loved it and bought it :) Had a really good look around inside and out also on the roof :) Looking forward to trying it out.

-------------

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravans and Caravanning - Top of Page

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

8941 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Shop!]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Contact Us] [Tent Reviews]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024