Been out today and looked at the Valencia.It seems to suit our needs. Weight, length,layout etc. Not had a Bailey before so any opinions on this model would be appreciated.It says in the brochure limited edition. Does this mean i cannot order one later in the season?
We have just bought a Bailey Unicorn (Seville). Been out in it twice so far and it is great. No problems with it and the Aldhe heating fantastic. We only had to wait 2 weeks for it when we ordered.
We got ours just before Christmas. We have had 2 separate weeks away and are now away again for 2 weeks in Dorset.We are vary pleased with it. The heating is great for winter use,internal storage extensive, excellent shower, lighting is superb. Wardrobe is a bit cramped. Well equipped - TV radio, ATC,Alko locks. It does have Tracker fitted with i year sub.paid. It is quite expensive to renew and I may not bother as I will insure new for old. Do you really want it back after it has been stolen? Insurance competiyive from Caravan guard.I will answer any specific questions.
Can you use the hot water independently of the heating misterg? A friend told me you couldn't but I can't see it. I still want to use it in the summer when the heating isn't on.
The caravan talk forum has an alarming number of posts regarding the noseweights of the Unicorn. Bailey and dealerships seem oblivious to the complaints of many owners. 100kg delivered noseweight not uncommon with owners having to run with near empty gas lockers etc to achieve a noseweight to suit their "tug".
In fact 100kg is the max noseweight allowed on the ALKO chassis and there any many questions regarding the legalities and Baileys "head in the sand" attitude to these genuine worries.
Rizzo - yes you can use the water independently. There is a separate switch to put the pump (ie heating pump )on. The automatic sytem for timing and setting temperatures is a bit complicated till practiced but is really very flexible.it is a bit like a home central heating system .You can have different temperatures at different times set in advance.
We looked at the Unicorn. Not withstanding they don't do the layout we wanted it was the nose weight and Bailey's reported poor customer relations that put us off . Looked good otherwise.
To be honest i don't quite understand the noseweight stuff as i thought how you load the van has an effect on this. We do have calorlight gas bottles and our car takes 100kg noseweight. I know we would be towing at 94% which is an increase from the 89% we tow at the moment but i don't feel too concerned about this as we used to tow our same van with a mondeo which was also a 94% match,and it was absolutely fine. Can anyone explain the noseweight stuff in very simple terms as i think i am missing something!
If your car states a nose weight of 85kg and the caravan has a nose weight of 100kg or more then you are putting an abnormal strain on both the towbar and suspension.
Also possibly breaking the law but I am not sure about that.
Thought that the max tow weight of a CRV was about 1500 which is less than the MTPLM of a Valencia (at least the one I looked at).
What Bailey is talking about here is that the alko chassis tends to be limited to a 100kg noseweight which steers you in the direction of ensuring that the weight distribution in the van achieves that or preferably lower. To exceed it can create chassis problems. Then you need to consider the max that your tow ball can take and if that is lower than 100Kg you go for that or a bit less to allow for movement of your kit in transit.
I think the problems that have arisen are from folk who have found it difficult getting the noseweight down despite moving the kit around.
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
My max tow on my 2008 CRV is definately 2000. It's the cdti. The petrol versions as you say have a max tow of 1500. My max trailer nose weight is100kg, so am i ok then?
If you mean the max noseweight the car can take is 100Kg then that is in order. As regards weight ratios you can always drop that if you can load less in the van.
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
Johnks - if you want good customer service, in my experience with several new vans, I think you are wasting your time looking for it in the caravan industry.I am still waiting for warranty items claimed by dealers for a Lunar I sold last year and a Bailey I sold about 3 years ago.
Quote: Originally posted by misterg on 13/3/2011
Johnks - if you want good customer service, in my experience with several new vans, I think you are wasting your time looking for it in the caravan industry.I am still waiting for warranty items claimed by dealers for a Lunar I sold last year and a Bailey I sold about 3 years ago.
I have had excellent customer service from Swift over the years which is one very good reason for not swapping.
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Topic: Bailey Unicorn opinions please
