We live a stones throw from the local Bailey dealer & often wander up for a nose round on a weekend. We went for a walk this morning & they've just had a new Pageant model delivered for display. The Ardennes, what a cracking design four berth van. Congratulations to the family who designed the layout, it's lovely.
We've been trying to work out how we can get one on our drive all afternoon but it looks like we'll have to stick with a single axle. We'll see.
'Ere, thought you had given up this tin tenting larky in favour of camping for a bit lol?!
Hope you are all well.
Ali xx
So did I Ali, I can't see how we're going to get all the kit in the cars without buying a trailer & if I have to do that, I'll flog the tent & buy another caravan. The new pageant is a cracking layout, obviously there must have been many entries for the competition but this, IMO, is a worthy winner.
We'll see how things go with the tent/caravan thing for us, keeping my head down & options open.
Have you tried one of these? We have one, it is a thule back up box that sits on a back rack on the towbar. We've taken ours down to the Alps and back without a problem and you have no drag, no trailer restrictions with regard to speed and it gives you another 420 odd litres, ie a medium hatchback boot.
Much cheaper than a new van! If you would like to see ours nip down.
I've just had a look at the Ardennes on their website BB, looks fantastic! Would suit us down to the ground but our seasonal pitch is not long enough for it.
We have bought an Ardennes and have had one short stay in it so far. it is a great van. The layout (for four) is perfect. There is lots of storage both in the main body of the van and in the transverse end shower room as well as under the beds. The TV ariel receives digital signals (at least in Cornwall) and to two TV points mean everyone is happy. The dinette easily seats four and could seat 6 and makes up into a roomy double bed. The front makes up into a huge kingsize bed. We are having another holiday at the end of May
The Ardennes is awesome. We now have ours and went away for a 'test weekend' Couldn't fault it.
We have changed the lighting scheme inside though. We didn't like the greeny/white LED pelmet lighting or the fact that the front windows and side dinette window pelmets are not lit. We have replaced all of the pelmet lighting with blue LED strips and fitted it all round now and it looks amazing at night.
The caravan tows beautifully and rides excellent on the AL-KO chassis. I can't ever see the ATC being needed as it travels so well.
Storage space is amazing too. You'll be hard pressed to fill it all.
The ATC is good. Our Burgundy has it, I think that ATC, together with the shock absorbers gives a good ride.
Ours is definitely less bouncy than our previous Vendee.
We towed back from S France last week when it was very windy ( The mistral!), it was not safe to go much over 50 at times and the van was pretty stable.
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
<A onclick="setEbayLink('{#ss0ViewportLnk#}')" href="http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-5232-2978-1/1?AID=9479574&PID=1428744&mpre=http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll%3FViewItem%26item%3D270329391630&cguid=0a2a9f6011f0a0e203357d25ffac0ed0#ebayphotohosting" name=ss0ViewportLnk><IMG alt=Thule back up box for luggage ( not roof box ) src="https://i11.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/8e/a9/605f_2.JPG" border=0 name=ss0Viewport></A>
Have you tried one of these? We have one, it is a thule back up box that sits on a back rack on the towbar. We've taken ours down to the Alps and back without a problem and you have no drag, no trailer restrictions with regard to speed and it gives you another 420 odd litres, ie a medium hatchback boot.
Much cheaper than a new van! If you would like to see ours nip down.
Ali
Is that a Kia Carens you have stuck that strange object to the back of?
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: New Bailey Pageant Ardennes
