As you know I'm far from a prolific contributor to this forum, but I felt the need to offer praise to Bailey when I feel it's deserved. We own the 2014 Pegasus GT 2014 model.
I've noticed that Bailey are constantly castigated on this forum due to the apparent poor build quality of their vans. It would appear, from my view, that more have issues than don't, but I'll stick my head above the parapet on this occasion and say that I can't fault them and I wouldn't consider owning anything else after events of this week.
I'll admit to some early teething problems. The light pull in the washroom wouldn't 'pull' and there was an issue with the electronic control panel. However, both issues were easily rectified.
Now the real reason for my post. This last Monday we were driving through Rouen on our way to Orleans in France after nearly 3 weeks in the Dordogne when we found ourselves in the mother of all storms.
Midday became midnight and lights were going on all around us, then it started to rain...torrential rain like we had never seen before. Then the continuous thunder and lightening started. A real brute of a storm which caused motorways to become raging rivers and us wondering whether we were going to make it through the storm. Our 4x4 Mercedes performed brilliantly as the water was getting higher by the minute. Looking in the mirror, all I could see was the wheels of the car and caravan pushing out water like the bow wave from a ship. The engine from the car was racing faster and faster as it pushed on through the water. As the storm progressed, both carriageways of the motorway became littered with with broken down cars, but still we pushed on with fear of what could happen. We even tried following slow moving artics but gave up with that idea when even they were sliding from side to side unable to get traction in the deepening water.
After 1.5 hours the storm passed and we both breathed an almighty sigh of relief. Stopping at the services we found out that cars had aqua planed and crashed into the concrete reservation and our thoughts go out to those who could have suffered injury in these horrendous conditions.
I've read numerous posts on here demonising Bailey with their poor build quality and how they leak everywhere from front lockers to leaks at wheel arches and water flowing down walls. I truly sympathise with those who have experienced this, it must be awful. However, when we went into our 'van, it was bone dry, not a drop of water anywhere. Car and caravan, a Bailey caravan, had performed brilliantly.
So I'd like to send out a massive thank you to Bailey... You made a brilliant caravan!
I've experienced really heavy French rain on the peage and at one point a couple of years ago we actually had to stop on the motorway because simply couldn't see a thing. Wipers on full tilt and they made no impression. I can certainly sympathise on that front!
Our Bailey also didn't leak! Its withstood all kinds of weather conditions and still has no damp. Only a slight leak around the door of the underbed locker. The water lands on the plastic liner so doesn't do any harm.
Forums are full of critical posts on virtually all manufacturers vans and Swift, Lunar, Elddis et al have all had their detractors.
It is a shame that caravan quality control and after sales service isn't on a par with the motor industry.
Well I don't know whether to say lucky you or to be jealous . It is nice to hear good reviews though . I just wish it was me or mine .
Ours is now back in being repaired for the 3rd time . every year . being only 3 years old . Having a water ingress dealt with yet again. Apart from other what people call teething problems . That I don't call teething, I call it shoddy work and materials.
But I wonder was I just unlucky after many years or caravanning and never having had such troubles .
Yes, drove through exactly the type of storm you describe recently down the A75 and cutting through to Ales in southern France, about 4hrs of torrential rain as described and once it got so heavy we had to stop in a layby for a bit.
My caravan did not leak either, its an ABI Monza yr around 1985.
Kind of crazy that we are praising a company for a caravan not leaking.
I would think that should be a given with a year old caravan, just shows our expectations are getting lower.
It should be the Mercedes that should be getting the praise as it seems to have handled better than any of the other cars, trucks etc during the storm.
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
Uncle Festa not all water leaks are visible. What difference does heavy rain make apposed to any other type of rain. If there's a weak spot water will find its way in regardless of how heavy it is.
Anyway Im pleased your happy and I'm reasonably happy with my 8 year old bailey.
Quote: Originally posted by VangoMan02 on 04/9/2015
Kind of crazy that we are praising a company for a caravan not leaking.
I would think that should be a given with a year old caravan, just shows our expectations are getting lower.
It should be the Mercedes that should be getting the praise as it seems to have handled better than any of the other cars, trucks etc during the storm.
Is it really that crazy to be pleased with your purchase ?
Why would I not be pleased for the Op. Just wondering why he expected anything else other than a year old Bailey caravan that was dry inside apart from mentioning it towed well?
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
We are very pleasd with our 5th Bailey in many years! We came through some horrendous rain on our present trip in France, but our trusty 4x4 was steady as a rock. Our van so far great.
None of our Baileys have had major faults or damp.
Then for what you pay they should not! Sadly there appears to be inconsistent quality control with uk manufacturers.
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
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Topic: Fantastic Bailey Pegasus GT 65
