Avondale or Bailey

[MandM1]

Hi

I am giving some consideration to buying a brand new van. We currently have a 2001 Bailey Discovery 474. Looking for MTPLM of no more than 1300kg so choice is limited if we want an end wash room layout.

Given the choice between a new Bailey ranger 510/4 or a new Avondale Dart 545 what would people have. I know Bailey's are popular but the Ranger appears quite flimsey. What is build quality like on the new Darts?

I don't appear to find much especially positive said about the Avondales - Are they not as good?

Anyone got any idea what approx trade in value my 2001 Discovery 474 would have - never done business with a dealer before?

Thanks

Mat

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Don't know about the Dart but if you want lightness then its got to be flimsy to some extent

We like Bailey vans and they tend to be lighter in weight than some other makes

 

[John_374224558]

We have had both makes, and out of the two would prefer the Bailey, although not by as wide a margin as some might think. I have found that if you get a good Avondale it can be very good indeed (and yes I did have one of those once) but I get the feeling that Baileys build quality is more consistant.

 

[allen1]

Hi,

I have no idea what the dart is like,we bought a 510/4 Ranger and it was our first new van that was in 1999 and without a doubt it was the best van we have ever had for the price.It was totally reliable and apart from a faulty water pump.

 

[ajmacintosh]

We looked at both the Avondale Dart and Bailey Ranger.

The new darts are quite lightweight but have very drab interiors (which i believe have been updated for 2008 models).

We bought a Bailey Ranger 470/4. in our opinion, the build quality is better as is furnishings and washroom and still a very lightweight van weighing only 1172kg (laden).

Anyway good luck whatever you choose

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

i have an 2005 avondale dart 556/6 godiva i wouldnt have another avondale if you gave me one.

i would have the bailey over the avondale anytime.

have you had alook at other makes?.

jo-anne

 

[MandM1]

Thanks for your messages everyone. Very enlightening. Is there no one out that would rate the Dart over the Ranger. Of the two vans in question it is slightly bigger and therfore that bit more spacious but if the van's not as good I think I'll go for the Ranger.

I have scoured the guides are there any other end washroom, side dinette 4 berth vans that come in under 1300k max. that I don't know about?

Mat

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

ill have a look now for you.

jo-anne

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

mat just had a quick look for you but not at all manu sites. the nearest i can get to what you want is a lunar quasar 524 but its 1370 and your max was 1300, the other one is a fleetwood sonata rhapsody and that 1400 again to heavy.

the avondales are very nose heavy just be aware.

what car will it be towed by?

jo-anne

 

[MandM1]

mat just had a quick look for you but not at all manu sites. the nearest i can get to what you want is a lunar quasar 524 but its 1370 and your max was 1300, the other one is a fleetwood sonata rhapsody and that 1400 again to heavy.

the avondales are very nose heavy just be aware.

what car will it be towed by?

jo-anne

Hi Jo-anne. Its a New Zafira 120bhp diesel. Pulls our discovery well (when we get the tyre pressurs right). Max nose weight is 75kg. I had heard Avondales tend to be a bit nose heavy, I guess just another reason not to get one.

Thanks for looking. Choice is quite limited at this weight. I looked at the fixed bed Pageant bordeax and swift charisma - they come in bang on 1300 but they are smaller and less spacious feeling inside.

It would appear the Ranger 510/4 is the ideal van for us without changing the car. I want to avoid becoming a 4x4 caravanner if I can help it.

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

mat, why dont you get a fixed bed yes less space inside but get two bedroom annex and an awning you will proberbly spend more time in the awning and outside than inside. that way you wont need to change your van again for a fixed bed in a few years.

thats what we have done. have a think

jo-anne

 

[Lynda_374322259]

We have a 2007 Avondale Dart 510/5. We too are restricted to weight. I agree the Ranger is flimsy and I think looks a little cheap. The Dart upholstery is practical and probably is a bit dull but is better quality than the Ranger. Only had it for the season but not had any problems yet. Really good deals as well at Reads in Blackburn.

 

[Iain]

I would say the opposite to Linda!

We are on Bailey Ranger number 3 (Bailey number 4), a 2007 460/4.

We have looked at the Dart on many occassions and always found it inferior.

Everyone is different!

 

[GrahamSouthBrum]

Mat,

I do'nt know where you are, but if you can get to the NEC caravan show next week, then you can have a look at ALL the makes & models at your leisure. Should be a good day out.

G.

 

[MandM1]

Mat,

I do'nt know where you are, but if you can get to the NEC caravan show next week, then you can have a look at ALL the makes & models at your leisure. Should be a good day out.

G.

I'm not too far from Birmingham but I have looked at both vans at local dealers. We know the layout we prefer and there only appears to be the Ranger 460/4, 510/4 or the Dart 545/4 that have that layout and come in under 1300kg.

I fancy going to the NEC but given my choice is so limited I fear I'd come away deciding we need a new car as well. Could prove to be a very expensive

 

[MandM1]

mat, why dont you get a fixed bed yes less space inside but get two bedroom annex and an awning you will proberbly spend more time in the awning and outside than inside. that way you wont need to change your van again for a fixed bed in a few years.

thats what we have done. have a think

jo-anne

Not keen on fixed beds. I'm 6'2". Also we like to go away after work on a Friday for weekends and often don't bother with the awning so a spacious interior and a big wash room / shower to dump stuff in is ideal instead of the awning.

I'm not sure why if I don't want a fixed bed now, I would want one in a few years. If the beds get bigger maybe. I hear people say once you've had a fixed bed you don't go back

Watching the wife struggle to get the bed made of an evening is one of caravannings pleasures anyway.

Thanks, Mat

 

[Moonstone1]

We have an Avondale Osprey (too heavy for you though), and this is our 2nd Avondale. In between we had Fleetwood, which good as well, but the build quality in both our Avondales was top notch. We've never considered a Bailey at all, simply because the look and feel of them seems 'cheap' looking. On a site recently, a Bailey owner had nothing but bad things to say about their Senator, quoting design faults as the main problem.

 

[Dustydog]

Mandy

I'm prejudiced. Stick to Bailey or Swift Group. Why were they the first to give long 6 year warranties on water ingress? Easy, good build quality.

Cheers

Alan

 

[GrahamSouthBrum]

Hi Mat,

Not trying to push you but, if you go to any show the dealer will be able to offer you better discounts & more freebies that do'nt come on a standard van.

We bought our van last October at the show. It came with loads of extras that would not have been on the van had we gone to a dealer.

G.

 

[MandM1]

Hi Mat,

Not trying to push you but, if you go to any show the dealer will be able to offer you better discounts & more freebies that do'nt come on a standard van.

We bought our van last October at the show. It came with loads of extras that would not have been on the van had we gone to a dealer.

G.

Thanks Graham

Its interesting to hear that you can get better deals if you buy from the show. How do they manage trade ins? Do you agree a deal there and then?

How long does delivery take when you buy from the show? are you able to shop around between Bailey Dealers and see who gives you the best deal?

Mat

 

[DanPaula]

Hi Mat,

Not trying to push you but, if you go to any show the dealer will be able to offer you better discounts & more freebies that do'nt come on a standard van.

We bought our van last October at the show. It came with loads of extras that would not have been on the van had we gone to a dealer.

G.

We went for a Bailey 470/4 and we were searching and saving for 12months before our purchase and now after 8 months of touring with it wouldn't go for any other brand than Bailey. We have had a couple of probs with it faulty water pump (rang bailey direct and they sent a new one) Frayed button rang Bailey (again they sent a few new ones) Problem is - is our dealer is approx 50 miles away - so for little problems like these wasn't worth taking it back. Bailey have been extremely helpul with putting these minor niggles right. Definately can't beat Baileys service. So far anyway.

 

[MandM1]

Right then

I've been to the NEC like I was told to and had a real good look at the Bailey Ranger 510/4 and the Avondale Dart 545/4.

The Avondale is 1' 1" longer. Their is an extra unit on which to put the tv, The washroom is bigger with more practical storage. The furniture is made of real wood and feels less flimsey than the Bailey. It also feels airier inside. In a show hall we like the Dart better than the Ranger. Yet it weighs the same as the Ranger.

For the Ranger, It has a slightly bigger fridge and separate grill and oven and 1 more year's water ingress warranty and is

 

[david_374323875]

Right then

I've been to the NEC like I was told to and had a real good look at the Bailey Ranger 510/4 and the Avondale Dart 545/4.

The Avondale is 1' 1" longer. Their is an extra unit on which to put the tv, The washroom is bigger with more practical storage. The furniture is made of real wood and feels less flimsey than the Bailey. It also feels airier inside. In a show hall we like the Dart better than the Ranger. Yet it weighs the same as the Ranger.

For the Ranger, It has a slightly bigger fridge and separate grill and oven and 1 more year's water ingress warranty and is

 

[willsullivan]

HiMandM

My Sister and husband bought a 2007 Avondale Dart special 545 called the godiva over a 2007 Bailey Ranger as they thought the cupboards and the build seemed a better build quality. they previously had a 2002 ranger which they said was good and were disappointed with the look and feel of the new ranger. they had alot of bad feedback about the avondale before buying it but have been very happy with it just had 2 minor niggles and the dealer sorted them out within a couple of weeks. it seems all manufacturers have good and bad spells its the same with anything these days.

I think alot depends on the dealer you buy it from and their aftersales. they recommended Raymond James Caravans and we are looking at buying a used twin axle caravan from there at the moment.

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

hi, go and have a look at some used avondales. have a look at the front and rear panels and check then out for cracks. there was a topic on this on here a while ago ill go and see if i can find it and bring it to the to again.

dont get an avondale.

jo