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Hi,

We currently have a Bailey Ranger 650/6, but are possibly looking to 'upgrade' to a bigger van, with an end bathroom.

We are still keen to have the fixed bunks however, and I wondered if there were any other makes with the same layout as the Avondale Argente 640/6, especially since I've read the posts re the cracking which has made me rethink the Avondale.  We have had no problems with our Bailey, but would just prefer the end bathroom now.

Hope someone can help us out.

Thanks

Jules

Yes theres plenty especially from the 'swift' group .We have the abbey aventura 340 which is the same layout but has the benefit of GRP sidewalls . There is also the Sterling 600 same layout but traditional sidewalls . For those on a tighter budget theres also a sprite version 'quattro' i think is its model name . They are great vans & having previously owned a new avondale i wouldnt go back to one again . The floor in my avondale had delaminated at 3 years old but the front & rear panels were ok !

Welcome to UKCS jules66.....Is it possible your 650 is a typo as I would have thought a 650 would be longer than a 640 whatever the make but I know it doesn't necessarily follow.

If you buy one of the caravan mags you'll find just about all the layouts for all the most popular vans on consecutive pages and it should help you to decide on the style your looking for and be easier to make comparisons.

Quote: Originally posted by Rumple on 29/6/2006

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Welcome to UKCS jules66.....Is it possible your 650 is a typo as I would have thought a 650 would be longer than a 640 whatever the make but I know it doesn't necessarily follow.

If you buy one of the caravan mags you'll find just about all the layouts for all the most popular vans on consecutive pages and it should help you to decide on the style your looking for and be easier to make comparisons.

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Thanks Rumple. Yeah it is a typo.  We've actually got a Ranger 550/6.  My mind is currently boggled with all the bloomin numbers.  I have got a couple of caravan mags to be honest, but was just trying to get a personal view on things, especially with the recent posts about the avondale cracks.

Thanks too to rd57chad. The Sterling sounds tempting.  Not sure if the Bailey Senator Carolina might be same layout too, and that looks nice.  As we are happy with the Bailey, we might have a look at that, though its more expensive I think.

Jules

We owned an Avondale that caused us 3 years of endless misery, now the proud owners of a Sterling Elite, the difference in quality is astounding!  and worth that little extra expense for peace of mind! 

We found it useful when looking around to take a pad with us, write down what you liked, where you saw it, price and what your offered part exchange.  Its very confusing otherwise and as you say boggling!  I think it probably also shows to dealers that you are seriously looking and encourages them to give you their best offer!

thanks bobjan.  Must admit Im becoming more sceptical about the avondale the more i hear.  Hoping to get a look at a couple of vans this weekend, but no doubt OH will take forever to make decision!

Then we have to either sell ours or part ex! The joys!

If anyone else has any advice/info, it would really be appreciated.

Thanks all.

Jules

Thanks Terry,

I had seen the Senator Carolina, but only on paper.  Need to get a look round it.  Saw an Argente 640/6 (2005&2006) over the weekend. No doubt that avondale have made some good changes to the newer model.  It was lovely.  Also looked at the Sterling 6 berth, and wasnt too impressed with that one.

Now, my OH has put a spanner in the works and suggested we dont really need 6 berths (we have 2 kids!), but should possibly consider a fixed bed! I now don't know if I'm coming or going! Lol!

Thanks you guys for all your help, but for now, its back to the drawing board for me!!

Jules

DO NOT BUY AN AVONDALE

Have you read this posting...stress fracture on new avondale argente

Hi.

We have the Bailey Senator Carolina and I can certainly recommend it. We love it. the only thing is that we had to change our tow car so that's something to think about but that would probably be the case with the Avondale too.

I liked the fixed bed of the Senator Wyoming but not the L-shaped front layout.

Happy searching and I hope you love whatever you buy!

A fixed bed does sound lovely but we decided against one as we have two kids and the only place they would then have to sleep was either the awning (too young for that) or the seating area (which could become a pain as they go to bed before us!).  But that's our choice.  Its one of the things I love about caravans - there's so much choice of styles and layouts that you're bound to find one you like!!