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But what I find interesting is that the repair guys on here all say that Baileys gave them the least trouble in the workshop.  They had less of them back in for work to be done compared to other manufacturers which must count for something!  I know when we finally buy a new van I will be looking for reliability as well as quality.

Ali

I think you also need to take into the equation how much you use your van in a year.

Was there not a post on here recently where someone had been told they were using their van TOO MUCH?

Obviously the more you use it the more the wear and tear.

Every weekend if the olds weren't about!!

Ali

We are looking to use ours about half the year soon, I wonder if that is "too much" !!??

Would use it almost all year if we could afford the site fees!

Quote: Originally posted by snowy747 on 26/9/2006

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Why do you think that Scarletsfan?

Ali

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Bailey's no doubt offer good value for money but

• They are lighter than other vans, so where are you losing the weight, a compromise has to be made somewhere.
• The list of kit fitted as standard is sometimes restricted.
• The bunks are very rarely full size and are really only suitable for kids.
• The side dinette's are smaller than those in  alot of other vans.

Last year we were in the market for a new caravan.  We went around all the dealers and went to a few shows.  It is my opinion that Baileys are overrated.

Thanks!  Just wondered that was all.  It is interesting and informative to hear other people's opinions and the word "overrated" didn't really quantify why!

Ali

I wouldnt think the pageant series could be considered lighter than the equivalent elddis or swift, sure the discoverys are very light but very basic, the rangers have a bit more about them but are still fairly light, but not the pageants, the senators indiana if i remember right has a max weight of 1500 kgs so its definately not light on a single axle, swift & elddis have just launched exact copys of it recently thats how bad it is. of course they still havent got the bonded roof & rigidity of the bailey. ( as far as im aware, i havent pdi'd either of them yet, but ive been in em.)

Swift have even pinched baileys alloy bar mounting system for the upper locker doors, they are excellent but could do with slightly stronger hinge springs they seem a little weak, but hurrah at last they are ditching those awful hinges that wont last a couple of yrs without replacement.

Having owned a Pageant Provence for the last 16 months which I bought new, I can honestly say that  cannot fault it. We could probably be amongst the 'use it too much brigade' but we have been many thousands of miles already in it, including South of France this summer. We have not had anything go wrong with it, it tows a dream even at its max weight, and feels totally stable on all road conditions. I wash it about once per month and it still looks brand new. I would definately buy another Bailey and in fact are going to look at the Senator range at the NEC next month with a view of buying one.