We did the same as you. We went to look at second hand in 2009 decided to have a quick peek in a new one and ended up buying new and then again in 2015. The main thing is to check that your car is the correct match with the caravan. 85% is the recommended weight but someone will be along soon to give you the technical jargon. As for make of van its entirely down to your preference and what you can afford. We buy swift and new usually around 22-26k but not sure if you can get a Bailey for 17k. As I say. Check your weights first. You will love the life your van gives you.
You can get a Bailey for less than 17k but it depends what you are looking for. How many berths do you need? What can your car tow? What does your licence allow you to tow? There is a lot to consider but the best thing is to have a look at vans at a dealership where you can compare different layouts and see how they would work for you.
We have a Bailey Pursuit 550/4 with loads of extras as it is a dealer special edition, it has the same kit as many of the more expensive models but is lighter and cheaper. It also has a very long warranty in case there are any problems in the future. It is worth buying your caravan from a dealer near home to make life easier for servicing and any warranty work you may need.
We did the same as you. Initially budgeted £8K but found that this only got us rather old caravans. Upped the budget to £10K, not that much difference.
Eventually bought out 'van new from Grantham Caravans for £15K - over £3K discount. Very happy with it, no-one else has used the loo, probably just keep it forever now.
As far as Baileys are concerned, they seem to have a bit of a reputation for not being put together very well and letting in water - Alu-tech being a good concept but poorly executed. Whether or not it's deserved I'm not sure, but it did put me off. I'm very happy with my Swift and will probably hang onto it until either it or I fall apart.
Post last edited on 23/06/2017 12:42:06
------------- Camping Gear expands so as to fill the space available for its transportation.
We bought ours abroad (Germany) ... much better deals on the continent (though, obviously exchange rate is worse now) ... but worth a look ... we got much more 'van' for our money than buying in the UK.
Sorry and all that if this puts a damper on your intentions, but having bought a new Bailey Unicorn Valencia two years ago, I wouldn't buy Bailey again. I should have kept away from them after my last 5 year old Bailey Senator started to get damp problems. This one isn't showing any signs of damp ingress, but build quality was shocking. I'm going to bite the bullet and keep it because I don't want to take a loss by selling it now, but I was so annoyed with having so many problems with my first ever new caravan, I almost gave up caravanning and am still considering getting a static. I wish I had bought foreign as the exchange rate was good at the time. I would advise that you get a good second hand one that's had the faults sorted out - they don't all smell - we had to get new carpets on a second hand Swift we bought - only way to get rid of the dog smell!
Quote: Originally posted by Simon Thomson on 23/6/2017
Hi All
I am looking to buy a caravan for the first time. I have looked around and I like the 'Bailey' brand. Would you agree with me about quality/price?
My perception is that 2nd hand ones seem to smell a bit so Iam thinking of new at around 17k.
Thoughts please?
You could level this at anything that hasnt been looked after properly. I've certainly been in more than a few that stink of pee in the bathroom. Or stale sweat generally, due to sleeping directly on the seats. Or fags...dogs...you name it. But if you look around, you will get a secondhand 'as new' one quite easily, for half the money.
Our current one smelled 'new' at a year old. It had been 'out' just 3 times from being bought new by the last owners, and it was obvious.
Like jjgderbyshire I bought a new Bailey Unicorn.The noseweight was over the caravan limit on collection, the wheel nuts had to be replaced to prevent wheel detachment and it was of the road 9 months waiting for warranty work on damp to be carried out as the job was too big for dealer who was totally disinterested. The van went back to the factory eventually.The dealer refused to honour the published deal on fixed price servicing.
Like all makes problems happen and it depends on how dealt with.
I now have a Coachman!
Misterg, from your previous posts, I see you used the same dealer as I did for your Bailey. Mine is in for rectification of faults, which should have been sorted before the caravan left the dealers as I told them I would be storing the caravan in France. I'm waiting to see how the faults are going to be sorted out. Good luck with your Coachman.
Jjgderbyshire thanks.re original post,I think the best thing is to find a good dealer. Hens teeth come to mind. Don't be afraid to use Trading Standards. Also pay part by credit card and get section 75 cover.In my case the credit card people were the only ones who gave a proper reply to my complaint and compensated me for the months it was off road.
After years of caravaning we have now plumped for a brand new one. We started with a Sprite Musketeer, which we had for approx 10 years. We moved on to a Compass liberte and had that for about 10 years as well. Recently we bought a brand new Elddis Crusader Mistral, which we hope will last well beyond 10 years. It has a 10 year anti water ingress policy and the floor is also covered for de-lamination as well. Not cheap, approx 17,000, but it is the peros cajones :) :) So if your buying brand new, ensure they offer insurances / warranties for water ingress etc.
------------- Those who sacrifice Liberty for security deserve neither
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Topic: New Caravan
