I am considering moving into the caravan world and and like the specification of the 4-berth Bailey 464 Alu-Tech van (2011 model). However, I am aware from 'ukcampsite' and other internet forums that there have been some reported design/quality issues (in particular the stone dents problem).
To help me to understand how widespread quality problems have been, could you please tell me:
1) Do you/have you owned a Bailey Alu-Tech van?
2) If yes, which model?
3) How long have you had it?
4) Have you experienced any problems?
5) Have the problems been resolved to your satisfaction under warranty?
4) With your experiences, would you consider buying one again?
Your advice could help me decide one way or t'other, so many thanks in anticipation!
Simon for whats its worth
I have had 4 new Baileys over 10 years , the last one was bought 12 months ago although not an alu-tec and have had no real problems with any of them , my local bailey agent is very good at resolving any warranty problems should there be any and has a many customers from all over scotland
If I was buying another new van it would be a Bailey without hesitation but we are changing to a Motorhome early 2011 .
Forgot to add we had a new Explorer Elddis/Compass van not that many years ago which was very poorly built so will never buy Explorer group again after that sorry episode
Simon - we have one of the first models delivered Dec 4th 2009. It's been to Italy for 28 days through snow storms, hail and torrential rain, also been to France for 40 days, and been away for 4 weekends/mid week trips.
Issues:
The awning rail had lots of sealant in it, annoting but not drastic.
We needed a new toilet flush part as it was leaking.
We had the newer thicker front 'film' fitted under warranty - not that we'd had a problem with stone chips but it was an available upgrade so we had it. New models have still thicker 'film' and extra 'bumper'.
Apart from that there have been no problems and it tows like a dream (524 model).
Go have a look at them at Amott's, Hilton - though personally I wouldn't buy from there!!
If you want you can have a look round ours - we live in Melbourne.
Oh and you can get servicing and any warranty work done locally at Long Eaton Caravans.
We have the Olympus 464, only had her since 13th August (Friday 13th), we have found a couple of very small problems, one was the EHU connection, the other was that bailey had accidently put the wrong sticker on the van showing weight, model etc...
The van is lovely, its sturdy, solid, very spacious, nice quality worktops, huge kitchen sink, fantastic bed. We love it.
It has been quite well used, in fact going away for 5 days tomorrow.
It was very warm i it at Easter despite very cold weather in N Wales.
We find it very comfortable .
It tows very well, an easy load for a Sorento!
Problems, not many.
Water heater packed up on gas, needed a new circuit board.
Excess mastic in awning rail-cleaned out with peice of wood.
Couple of cupboard catches adjusted.
One burner on cooker does not always stay lit-needed adjusting.
A few dents on front panel, thicker film panels supplied under warranty.
I purchased a Pro-tech cover for lower front to protect it. (Our storage is in the country so it can get very mucky getting there and back!).
The denting has been a problem with some -see Caravan Talk forum! May be worse with 4x4 tug.
There is thicker protection on the new models, I will get a kit for ours £48-but Bailey are'nt supplying it as warranty at the moment! That is a bit annoying!
May have to pay as I would like it as an extra protection..
I beleive it was bit of a mistake at the design stage, and lack of testing on our grotty roads?
We bought ours from Salop caravans Cosford-they are excellent,all warranty issues put right with no problems.
The van was spotless on collection.-- its our 4th Bailey from this dealer.
Despite annoyance at the denting-yes we like it!
Towed to S of France this June no problems.
New Unicorn is very nice might consider one in future.
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
offside wall replaced due to "hidden" factory damage , rear washroom wall replaced due to cracking off inner grp , kitchen leds replaced ,creaking floor adjacent to fixed bed (repaired but now creaking again) water ingress to nearside wall/roof joint, various interior and exterior trim replaced (3 items still outstanding) ,2 new cupboard door catches replaced, shower door sheared off bottom hinge in transit and holed washroom wall (still waiting for repair/replacement) , stone dents to front panel ( used protech cover last 3 trips) , pink blotches on bumper rubber seals due to no anti - fungal treatment ( to be replaced under warranty) ,light inside voltmeter failed, entrance door locking / unlocking problems (not confined to bailey however , its the hartal door) .
nights used 34 , miles towed , 2905 , days spent at factory /dealer for repair 28 so far.
nice van , good weights, good kit level for price ,great layout , awful quality control
We have used our Peg 534 for 28 nights so far with no problems. We did buy a towing cover and it is excellent, but we had no stone dents. A couple of niggles that the dealers sorted out straight away. We love it. Think the interior is modern and fresh. I myself cannot see the difference in fittings between some caravans so can't comment on the quality, but we think it is well put together and is very well designed.
1) Do you/have you owned a Bailey Alu-Tech van? Yes, 2) If yes, which model? Pegasus 534 3) How long have you had it? May 2010, used loads as far as Cornwall and back (from N.E.) 4) Have you experienced any problems? Only really minor issues to be fair 5) Have the problems been resolved to your satisfaction under warranty? I have had the van back once for a couple of things which were fixed without question 4) With your experiences, would you consider buying one again? Yes, definitely. It is fair to say that the issues with the vans seem not to be directly related to Alu-Tech technology itself but more about Bailey's general ex-works quality. Certainly the majority of what I have found wrong I could fix in seconds (so why couldn't the PDI?). None of which detracts from the point that this van suits exactly our needs and we love it, of course everyone is different.
I did get the impression when looking around dealers last weekend that the Bailey ex-works quality could be better in some areas (e.g. minor fixtures), but am encouraged that the problems you have seen (on the whole) seem fairly minor.
Will certainly take on board spideygirls comments about a towing cover to prevent the front end dents!
Having no previous experience with caravans (certainly new ones), your replies really help so that we know what to look for and expect.
I have had the Pegasus 524 since January 2010 and have used it for 46 nights both in France and UK.
Had a couple of minor problems on its first outing to France at Easter;
1.The water inlet to the water heater was leaking, discovered an 'O' Ring was missing, bought a pack of 'O' Rings for about £1.50 in the local french supermarket and fixed it.No problem since
2. Also on first outing the toilet wouldn't flush, checked fuse, connections etc. but these were not the problem, on further ckecking after peeling back the blue flush button, discovered the electrical unit was not clipped into the cradle, I clipped it back in the cradle and it has worked ever since.
No further problems therefore have not returned it for any warranty work.
I have not experienced any problems with dents or stone chips on the front panel but having read of these issues I bought a Pro-Tec towing skirt as insurance, just in case.
We like the van very much, very comforable, warm and like the layout, no plans to change it for several years, would definitely buy again.
Disgusted at the front panel debacle, which is an irritation, but not a huge issue.
The awning rails are awkward, but livable. The interior fitments seem to have been manufactured down to a cost: meaning edge trims come adrift, various lockers catches don't work according to the ambient weather(hot/dry/damp) and worktop edges aren't sealed on hidden edges: meaning the chipbaord starts to swell.
The 'van isn't so warm as one would believe from the hype. Bailey bang huge holes in the floor for services, and don't re-seal them. The draught from behind the kitchen is huge.
The exterior sealant attracts a black reside, which cannot be removed. The door mat is glued to the floor.
All that being said, I'm happier than I would be if I had purchased a timber frame van. The bed building arrangement is good, the front lockers are very usable, the interior is spacious, the body is more rigid,and you actually notice the difference in towing
Oh, and remember the Olympus has a narrower body: its really noticable when you move from one van to the next.
I own a Pegasus 524 (first van) since end of May. we have spent 20 noghts away in caravan. On the first trip from London to Newcastle picked up several largish stone dents to front. first night away fridge had packed up, shower protection had come loose. During trip noticed bad fit on shower and window blind frames had come away, and roof frame in bedroom very stiff., several other faults. Comfortable warm sleep though. Result of this 2 weeks with dealer while they rectified most faults, and they put a dent in the side of van. "What do you expect from aluminium (Comments from baileys).They promised to fix this when van went back to Baileys to repair several other faults found, including bed base slats coming loose and falling out, along with other unidentified pieces of plastic.
Caravan went back to Baileys, when we returned from 3 week holiday abroad in Northern France in Late july early August, during which we picked up a few more dents, and added to the list veneer coming away from kitchen units, shower door loose again.
Total nights away with van since May 20, total time in for repairs to faults due to build quality 40 days +. Excuses from Baileys customer services and Ian Turner "....not our fault stones on roads.(maybe they forgot these when testing)". "What do you expect from Aumnium vans" "Build quality issues down to dealers PDI, " etc, etc.
Due to pick up van from dealers tomorrowr (Tracker alarm works as was phoned several times by them due to the fact when vehicle transported back from Bailieys they had set the alarm.
Van comfort and towing good, customer service and build quality poor, but as stated may be I am unlucky, along with all the others. (see CT Baileys forum and others for broader picture).
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Topic: Bailey Alu-Tech Caravans - Advice Please!
