We’re fairly new to Caravanning, after stepping up from a tent last year we bought a clapped out 1997 Compass from eBay which although didn’t have a single appliance that worked, was a nice warm and dry place to sleep.
We’ve changed our holiday plans for this year and next so have decided to upgrade to a Bailey Pageant Loire Series 7. It’s a 2009 model, twin axle with fixed rear bed and side dinette. We’ll pick it up when the sites (hopefully) reopen this year.
I was just wondering if anyone has owned one and has any advice to a newbie caravaner / owner, especially as we now need to take care of the van as it has significantly more value than our last one!
Hitch lock, wheel lock and insurance sorted. Anything else? And any advice for this specific van? We’re 2 adults + 1 x 6 year old.
Hi and welcome to the forum. We have a Bailey Pageant Series 7, it was the last of the older type of construction, after that, it used the Alutech construction. The benefits of the Series 7 Pageant models were that they were basically Senator Series 6s, (reconned by many to be one of the best vans Bailey ever made) so 4" wider, but without the extras, like alarm, TV mount, on-board water, tank graphics, etc. They are great vans and have stood the test of time very well. There are a lot still around and they hold their value quite well.
We have had the odd issue over 11 years but nothing drastic or expensive. It's big, roomy, comfortable with plenty of storage space and tows well. This is the first year we haven't had a holiday in France in it. Enjoy your new to you van and never hesitate to ask questions on here, we have all been there at one time or another.
Dave.
------------- Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you on experience.
Mark Twain.
Hi PG
Welcome to the forum.
Never owned one but i did the series 6 Senator, which i would say still takes some beating even today.
Your van was basically the last of the Senators, it was built with all the equipment that would have gone in a series 6, well built and a great van.
I love the layout in the Pageant and still do today. Wish you could get that lay out in a unicorn.
Your layout still remains today, only in the Pegasus Grande Turin.
Have a great time in your van, once you can get out and about.
As Dave above said a great van to own.
Thanks both. I don’t know about the Senator, was that the one above the Pageant in the range that year? Same sort of size / layout?
Is there a big advantage to an onboard water tank? I can’t work out how you’d fill it up if you weren’t near to a water point? So is it better to have an external one?
Also I’ve read in some places that the Pageant Loire has an external gas supply for a BBQ and some say it doesn’t. Can anyone confirm?
Thanks again for help and advice. This purchase and research has been a good distraction / focus while we’re not allowed out!
You're most welcome. The Senator was the top of the Bailey range for some years with the Pageant next one down. The Series 6 Senator was introduced perhaps a couple of years before the Series 7 Pageant but could well be on the forecourt being sold at the same time, they upgraded a range every few years so there was an overlap in models/years.
If you do have an external BBQ point, it will probably be under a flap near the front on the near-side though not to be confused with the external mains socket under the flap near the door.
An internal water tank you can live without.
Dave.
------------- Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you on experience.
Mark Twain.
Hi
As Dave says above.
As for the on board water tank. Had one on the Senator, and there is one on my Unicorn.
Never used on either van to be honest.
I fill it and drain it every couple months that's all.
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Topic: Bailey Pageant Loire Series 7 advice
via mobile 17/5/2020 at 10:56am
