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Apr 2, 2022
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Hi to you all
Been away from touring for almost 30yrs ( where have all those years gone ) but now my wife and I have the (h)itch ( pardon the pun) to get back into it. I've seen a few Baileys ( Unicorn Valencia & Pegasus Verona)at a few dealers , the question I have is that with construction methods changing over the years are Bailey the most reliable? We have around 15k to spend. I like to hear your thoughts.


Thanks

Gaz
 
Jun 20, 2005
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Gaz
On the whole there is nothing between them. What does matter is a FSH including all damp reports. The layout must suit you both. But from a Dealer and you get some after care. Privately May he cheaper but you are on your own.
 
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Nov 16, 2015
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Nothing to state that Bailey are b etter or worse than other Caravans. Coachman are obviousley the best, ( because I have had two lovely vans) but so are all the other vans without problems.
Find the caravan with the layout you like and ask the dealer for the service history.
 
Apr 2, 2022
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Hi Dustydog
Thanks. I take your point on buying privately just may try with a dealer first and see what deal I can get. The main theme I'm getting is that there are not a lot of vans available. Hopeful that one at least will be ok from what we have seen.
 
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Jul 18, 2017
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Hi Dustydog
Thanks. I take your point on buying privately just may try with a dealer first and see what deal I can get. The main theme I'm getting is that there are not a lot of vans available. Hopeful that one at least will be ok from what we have seen.
I would be wary of buying privately as at the moment some are asking silly prices for caravans they could not offload during normal times.
Buying from a dealer, if possible pay a deposit with a credit card which gives you S75 of the Consumer Credit Act protection. May also be wise to take a small amount on hire purchase for S75(a) protection.
However lastly you of course have the protection of the Consumer Rights Act 2015. This gives you up to 30 days from time of delivery to reject the caravan and get a full refund. After 30 days and within 6 months of delivery, you need to give the dealer one chance at a repair before rejecting and requesting a refund. Also remember that everything it goes in for a repair, the time period is suspended until the work in completed.
Enjoy shopping for your new to you caravan and also be careful of the dealer that you choose by checking for any reviews on them.
 
May 7, 2012
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The remaining makers have all changed their construction methods and in the UK only Eldiss use a wooden frame but glue them now rather than use screws. The others use other materials for the frame which should help if you get leak but will not stop them completely. In the magazine's customer surveys Coachman and Adria are consistently coming out as the brands that most satisfy the buyers, but both are heavier than most others which might affect the decision on buying if you have a smaller tow car.
At the moment prices are very high and it is difficult to predict where they will go longer term, so buying now is a gamble.
 
Apr 2, 2022
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535
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The remaining makers have all changed their construction methods and in the UK only Eldiss use a wooden frame but glue them now rather than use screws. The others use other materials for the frame which should help if you get leak but will not stop them completely. In the magazine's customer surveys Coachman and Adria are consistently coming out as the brands that most satisfy the buyers, but both are heavier than most others which might affect the decision on buying if you have a smaller tow car.
At the moment prices are very high and it is difficult to predict where they will go longer term, so buying now is a gamble.
I agree prices are high but so much in demand, I will definitely take a gamble as long as the right van becomes available.
 
Jun 20, 2005
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I agree prices are high but so much in demand, I will definitely take a gamble as long as the right van becomes available.
Take a gamble by all means but please re read the wise words on here about FSH , Dealer after sales service ,some kind of warranty and lastly ensure whoever is selling has genuine legal title to the caravan.
 
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May 12, 2019
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The remaining makers have all changed their construction methods and in the UK only Eldiss use a wooden frame but glue them now rather than use screws. The others use other materials for the frame which should help if you get leak but will not stop them completely. In the magazine's customer surveys Coachman and Adria are consistently coming out as the brands that most satisfy the buyers, but both are heavier than most others which might affect the decision on buying if you have a smaller tow car.
At the moment prices are very high and it is difficult to predict where they will go longer term, so buying now is a gamble.
I am not happy with glue where water is concerned. I once bought a boat trailer and when I was towing the trailer with a boat on it the brakes seized. It turned out that the trailer manufacturer had changed the way they fixed the brake shoes to the shoes, instead of the traditional method of rivets holding the linings to the shoes, they used glue to stick the linings to the shoes. And over a period of years the linings must have absorbed water, soaked the linings, the shoes unglued themselves from the shoes, became loose and the linings became stuck in the brake hub and the wheel locked at speed. .
 
Apr 2, 2022
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Take a gamble by all means but please re read the wise words on here about FSH , Dealer after sales service ,some kind of warranty and lastly ensure whoever is selling has genuine legal title to the caravan.
Thanks for your advice. Will definitely take it onboard.
 
May 12, 2019
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If I was buying privately the first thing I would do is (obviously) ask the name and address of the person selling the caravan, then spend £3 on the Land Registry Website and see who owns the house where the caravan is being sold from. And ask if they have the invoice from when they bought it.
£3 is peanuts for a useful bit of information.
 
Jul 18, 2017
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If I was buying privately the first thing I would do is (obviously) ask the name and address of the person selling the caravan, then spend £3 on the Land Registry Website and see who owns the house where the caravan is being sold from. And ask if they have the invoice from when they bought it.
£3 is peanuts for a useful bit of information.
That is not much use as they may be renting or it could be a council property. surely anyone with a bit of common sense will collect the caravan from the home anyway. What do you do if the caravan is kept in a storage compound?
 
Nov 11, 2009
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That is not much use as they may be renting or it could be a council property. surely anyone with a bit of common sense will collect the caravan from the home anyway. What do you do if the caravan is kept in a storage compound?
A recent utility bill(s) might help too.
 
Jan 3, 2012
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If I was buying privately the first thing I would do is (obviously) ask the name and address of the person selling the caravan, then spend £3 on the Land Registry Website and see who owns the house where the caravan is being sold from. And ask if they have the invoice from when they bought it.
£3 is peanuts for a useful bit of information.
When we brought our present caravan it was one owner from new we went to her address to view it , She brought out a proof of the address we paid a deposit and i checked the vin number with CRlS check and went back a week later with the rest .
 
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May 7, 2012
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I am not happy with glue where water is concerned. I once bought a boat trailer and when I was towing the trailer with a boat on it the brakes seized. It turned out that the trailer manufacturer had changed the way they fixed the brake shoes to the shoes, instead of the traditional method of rivets holding the linings to the shoes, they used glue to stick the linings to the shoes. And over a period of years the linings must have absorbed water, soaked the linings, the shoes unglued themselves from the shoes, became loose and the linings became stuck in the brake hub and the wheel locked at speed. .
I would not worry about the glue, I have seen many reports of problems with Eldiss models. but none of the glue failing. It is a very specialist glue, similar to one used on aircraft and if they stay together, your caravan should.
 
Nov 11, 2009
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I would not worry about the glue, I have seen many reports of problems with Eldiss models. but none of the glue failing. It is a very specialist glue, similar to one used on aircraft and if they stay together, your caravan should.
It’s not so much an issue with the adhesives failing it’s one of repairability. The post indicated that not only was a section of roof removed with its rooflight, but some damage to sidewalls too. Given its a bonded structure that might cause some complications if a repair was attempted. Only Elddis can really confirm or otherwise.
 
Jun 20, 2005
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I would not worry about the glue, I have seen many reports of problems with Eldiss models. but none of the glue failing. It is a very specialist glue, similar to one used on aircraft and if they stay together, your caravan should.
Exactly Ray
I and Clive still want to know how repairs are done when the glue is unbreakable. The poor chap with his sky light cut out brought the glue issue into debate.
 
Nov 11, 2009
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Ray,
apolgies I thought this thread was discussing the repairs to the stolen rooflight Elddis. But on reflection your comments came from a post on construction methods. But nevertheless the issue of repairing a bonded caravan has some relevance. I will still continue to fly on A321, Dreamliner etc. Hoping they dont spend too much time in rainy conditions. 😂
 
Jul 18, 2017
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Gaza
Read this https://forums.practicalcaravan.com/threads/ownership-check.51009/#post-399722
If you can’t satisfy all these words of wisdom walk away.
You must establish the seller has good legal title to the caravan. You have heard of Pop Ups? An address utility bill proves nothing. These crooks are very clever. £15 k us £15 k!
We sold our Lunar Lexon which was on HP with no issue. We notified the finance company and accepted full responsibility for balance of payments. They notified us in writing that they had no issue with this and that we good sell even though we did not have title to the goods. We did not tell the buyer and caravan was sold cash for over £10k and we paid the finance house the same day. The balance was under £2k.
 
Jun 20, 2005
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We sold our Lunar Lexon which was on HP with no issue. We notified the finance company and accepted full responsibility for balance of payments. They notified us in writing that they had no issue with this and that we good sell even though we did not have title to the goods. We did not tell the buyer and caravan was sold cash for over £10k and we paid the finance house the same day. The balance was under £2k.
Sadly not everyone is as decent as you.
 
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May 7, 2012
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Exactly Ray
I and Clive still want to know how repairs are done when the glue is unbreakable. The poor chap with his sky light cut out brought the glue issue into debate.
I am not sure how they do it but they did say at the time they had made sure this could be done without problem before signing it off. I have never seen any posts suggesting it is a problem, though someone on here may know the answer. If you are interested in an Eldiss, the dealer should know.
 

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