Bailey pegasus ugly

[Mikey1]

They quote " The test simulated 3 years of towing.The caravan was towed 657 miles,this included driving the caravan over the equilavent of 208 miles of Belgium pave road,63 kerb strikes 99 cycles over twist humps 24 cycles through a pothole section,63 miles of hill climbs and decents and 214 miles of towing at speed"

Im sorry that does not add up to 6k of normal use.

 

[Royston]

My thoughts are should this model"Pegasus" be a success, cannot see why it could not be, They will make all their range to this design.

Main points being this will eliminate all the rear and front panel problems that must be costing Baileys a small fortune.

No more cracking splitting due to uneven screw holes bought about when fitting the awning rails to the panels.

The exhausting tests the Baileys have done to prove that the Pegasus is fit for purpose, one test that they have yet to undertake is how strong is that awning rail when a full size awning is fitted with the strong winds that prevail within the United Kingdom,I have seen a awning fitted to a Senator, through gusty winds suddenly rip the awning pegs out of the ground blow straight over the caravan, with the metal poles waving about like some enormous octopus. It took about 8 of us to finally remove the awning from the caravan.The awning rail had been ripped from the side panels in some places. The owner got a nasty shock when he returned to site,To repair the damaged awning rail would be a much more easier method than the new all in one constuction.

Royston

 

[BrianStAlbans]

Do you not , oh well ;O)

 

[Martin24]

As I said before the launch, "It's a Bailey"

 

[forestgump]

if awning rail gets damaged or caught dose this mean the roof and sides have to be un done as they are all in the extrusion rail

 

[forestgump]

point beeing if wind gets up at present you could lose your awning rail chaep to repare and done your self

this cuold be a point wear the whole side and roof takes the brunt off it

 

[ANDREW_374368566]

The Pegasus is restricted on its shape due to the construction, after all its built like a commercial van body. Yes the bolts need to be checked every 3 years so expect a larger than normal service bill. Interior wise its no better than a Senator, tracker, ATC,etc fitted and chest of drawers was standard. Add the cost of the drawers then the weight 14.5 kgs and the new range is only slighty lighter in weight. same microwave, Ranger ceiling lights, CD/Radio on full show - no locker, lights around the Heki gone, - great to see some move on construction, but its limited profiles could be a problem.

It will go straight to number one in the caravan charts, but will it stay there? S7 has slowed down, GT60 now selling well. for the cash near 16k before vat and other price increase and put it against its competition and it may just struggle a bit, interior needs to be a little plusher - think it needs some alterations yet but thats my humble opinon for what its worth.

No front and rear full mouldings keep costs down, so all Pegasus has are added on ABS trim. White plastic lined walls-will it attract condensation ? One thing is that its a real marketing success - its given Bailey badge more exposure makes the Airstream launch look like a none starter - and Bailey ought to be given a pat on the back for that.

 

[Sedo]

Hi

Years ago when I started work for a well known tyre maker they'd just bought out a 'revolutionary' tyre, code named the 'X'.

I remember there was a warehouse where they were stored 'secretly' to await a launch date.

Story was amongst people in 'the know' was they were going to be too complicated, too expensive, wouldn't fit everything made etc..

Guess what when the Michelin X radial tyre came out it did quite well. In fact I still use radial tyres now, I can't get Mich tyres to fit my present car, but hey they still sell a few world wide and everyone had to pay them for the honour of making radial tyres for a while (pat pending).

Come to think of it, there's lots of other people making radials now.

Perhaps the Pegasus isn't so special, perhaps it's great to nit-pick but thank goodness somebodies trying something completely new and not just changing upholstery, odd fittings and colours.

By the way it's a full ten year warranty and the chests in the front are standard in some models al-la Senator, I've enquired.

Wished I could afford one.

One thing as well wasn't it always advised you take awnings down in really bad winds/weather.

From what I know the rails only screwed on?Coming to original point, what's a good looking caravan like?

Best Regards

Tomo

 

[xtrailman]

Tom

The chests are NOT standard fit, according to the pegasus brochure i have.

And the more people that critique a new product the better the end product?

 

[Sedo]

Ray sorry about that yes the chests are optional, just checked.

Critique yes Ray but seems that's what we're getting mainly.

As I've said we've been very lucky in seeing the Pegasus in the flesh and I think a lot of people will be surprised at how good it is.

You really get a feeling of a solid qualty product, honest.

I'm not knocking any other caravans, there a lot we really like out there, but have a look at one 'in the flesh' then do crituq ues.

As i've probably said we love our P6 Burgundy and we really had planned on a Senator Indiana next when/if we could afford but the Pegasus in the flesh really is worth looking at.

I fully agree what Nigel says in P.C. chest or no.

Plus the 10 year, yes I've checked 10 year ingress is really tempting.

We're not particulary pro Bailey against anyone else, but we were really impressed.

Tomo

 

[xtrailman]

Tom

I find it difficult to get excited about a new caravan, but i will certainly check out the pegasus. At present i have a 2004 bailey senator vermont, and in the main i am very happy with it.

But am looking to replace it. Obviously we are looking for an improvement, otherwise what is the point?

I only whish bailey gave use a option on the appliances that are fitted, not just the upholstery. My fridge has broken 3 times while we have owned it!

 

[Sedo]

Ray

I know exactly where you're coming from and agree with you.

Our plan, was to probably wait a year or two and change before warranty is up. To that end we just wander in vans to have a look at service time or whenever.

Like I've said I was edging towards a Senator Indiana or Coachman, but we went for a service and as things just happen they did.

Talking to some service guys whilst waiting for the van we got chatting like you do. Anyway upshot was they reckoned their most common problem was cracking in GRP panels on Baileys, although they service quite a few makes.

At the same time Pegasus was on show but not advertised, as it was a Bailey weekend but they couldn't advertise because it pre-dates launch date.

We didn't look at it then because the pic's I'd seen didn't particularly light my fire. Anyway we went back on the Sunday for gas cover sticker and had to walk past the Pegasus and honestly it's not what you think.

Remember I'm a bit of a Senator fan but we really liked it.

Perhaps owning a Senator you won't agree, but on a personal level I much preferred the interior to the Pageant P7, which I thought it was going to like. With having 6'5" headroom as well, I'm 6'3" it felt really roomy.

I admit I'm taking the bumpf about construction at face value, whether i'll seal like they say, but it did defintely feel a very solid va. To the point that we were made a very reasonable offer and we're extremely tempted, don't know if I want to be guinea pig though.

I would also much prefer a chest as standard to a tv/DVD as well.

Taken overall as a caravan though, new tech aside I would still be tempted, gives the impression of a very very smooth solid caravan, and inside light but cosy at the same time, for us a very nice place to be. As I say though these are personnal opinions.

All the same well, well worth a look, defintely stands otu from the crowd.

Best regards

Tom

 

[xtrailman]

Tom

Now you have raised my expectations!

 

[AlanADS]

Hi all

We have been looking to change our 2007 Senator Arizona and contacted 3 Bailey dealers to see if they had any Wyomings. All of them told us that the Senator range would stop in December of this year. They all suggested we should look at the Pegasus as that would be taking the Senators place. Some said they might be able to get one of the last Wyomings for December if we ordered one now - both gave us fairly good offers, so no problem there. Only thing is what would be the re-sale value on a van that has just been terminated in production terms ?

Today I spoke to Bailey direct and they were very coy about giving me an answer about stopping the Senator production but from the conversation we had, to me it looks like it is the end of the road.

We have looked at the Pegasus, and albeit a novel and unique construction it is Ugly, has a ridiculous bottle locker area and the interior is not a patch on the Senator. So where do we go from here ? We have had two Baileys, so is it now time for a change ?

 

[forestgump]

give it a year it will change let it calm down

 

[ANDREW_374368566]

Hi all

We have been looking to change our 2007 Senator Arizona and contacted 3 Bailey dealers to see if they had any Wyomings. All of them told us that the Senator range would stop in December of this year. They all suggested we should look at the Pegasus as that would be taking the Senators place. Some said they might be able to get one of the last Wyomings for December if we ordered one now - both gave us fairly good offers, so no problem there. Only thing is what would be the re-sale value on a van that has just been terminated in production terms ?

Today I spoke to Bailey direct and they were very coy about giving me an answer about stopping the Senator production but from the conversation we had, to me it looks like it is the end of the road.

We have looked at the Pegasus, and albeit a novel and unique construction it is Ugly, has a ridiculous bottle locker area and the interior is not a patch on the Senator. So where do we go from here ? We have had two Baileys, so is it now time for a change ?

Alan you are right - Senator is better interior - feels richer and plusher, Peg feels down market, against Challenger say it will look lower end. If Bailey had given a service interval of three years that would have showed a greater confidence on there part and construction.

I think Senators were on the whole very good, but the construction hype will sell to some but shrewder buyers may step back and go for a last Senator or go for a Challenger/ Lexon ?

Beauty is more than skin deep as they say, but Senator would have needed better spec such as more up maket micro wave, mains lights, panelled furniture poss and at lease a new rear designed back panel

 

[marlot]

I think you'll find all the Bailey ranges switch to Alutech over the next couple of years. And Bailey will get feedback on the cosmetic items people are bitching about, and will make adjustments. So if you're really that put off the Pegasus watch this space - I'm sure you'll find it morphs.

For me, having had serious damp in my 2-year old caravan, I'm willing to sacrifice some of those cosmetic things in return for a better core structure.

 

[Bailey2]

Hi Everyone

I can confirm that there are scheduled Senator builds pre and post Christmas.

Regards

Kelly

Bailey Helpline

 

[Sedo]

Alan

Have you actually looked at the Pegasus or the brochure?

As I've said previously the actual caravan is, we found, far more impressive that the brochures show.

Perhaps because we weren't fans of the P7, and we were expecting a P7 interior we were as I've said pleasently surprised.

I admit they've changed some of the cupboards etc.from the Burgundy to 524 (same layout)we like but we can love with that.

The upholstery as I've said looks miles better in reality to the pictures, but changing from a Senator to a Pegasus is possibly a different proposition than from a P6 to a Pegasus.

I also admit it's tempting to wait possibly a couple of years to see what the opposition brings out and how Bailey move on.

I personally believe the Senator will gradually morph with the Pegasus a kind of Segasus. Whether the interiors get more to one's taste is exactly that taste.

Must admit we love the Burgundy (Indiana) interior, lots of cupboard space and useful pockets, but they've disappeared in the P7 as well.

Possibly Bailey are offsetting the extras ( safety and security) with some of the interior fittings.

Has happened with cars.

Having had a good look, personally I like the gas box set-up as well, but that's more to do with what we load into the car as well.

To reiterate though we went and saw the Pegasus purely by accident,

We weren't planning to change vans and we had decided to not to go the show this year, nothing we wanted and the Pegasus didn't particulary light our fires either in pictures or in the brochure on the net.

When we did see it though, totally surprised, wasn't what we were expecting at all, and after having 2 vans with serious damp in the past ( y'know the smell as you go in?)I'm a fan.

Very clever as well, even if there is ingress where does it go?

Trapped between aluminium outer and GRP inner and no wood to rot! come to think of it how d'you test for damp on GRP walls? Bit like when water gets down the side of side windows of cars, probaly just need drain holes in van sides.

It's obviously up to the buyer but we're tempted against traditional build methods, just need to make a decision now.

Tom

 

[JohnnyV]

I wouldn't dispute any of the technical advances - but the original post was regarding the looks - I am not a Bailey owner so have no position to defend, but to my eyes I have to agree with the original post - as soon as I saw the first picture I thought "why did they make it look like that - it is really ugly"

I know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder but this one just lacks style - if it aint broke don't fix it - why not the new construction with the normal Bailey good looks without the nose locker that really leaps out at you as 'wrong'?

 

[AlanADS]

Hi all

Yes we did look at a Pegasus last weekend - it was the Arizona equivalent. As I said the interior is not the same quality as the Senator and does not have that air of class. If the Senator was to be discontinued, then the Pegasus would not compete with other manufacturers' top-end vans.

We have all heard about the qualities of the new construction and the simulated long term testing but it will be in the long term ownership that will prove whether it works or not. By the way why did they test it on the Belgium Pave at the Road Research - any A class road in Britain would have been a much stiffer test with the state of our roads !

The external graphics leave a lot to be desired - it looked so bland and if you are going to make an ugly van, then try to make it look a bit better by enhancing the exterior. However that external extrusion that joins the panels was well engineered.

The shiny GRP interior is another point - how long before it starts to have dark marks on it (dust impinging on the surface) as the static builds up on it. Also what about the winter time when cooking inside - will you get a build-up of condensation on the surface as you get in the shower and on mirrors etc. Yes the surface temperature of the GRP may, in the living area, be a little higher but will misting on the surface of these panels happen ?

I thank Kelly from Bailey for her response on the Senator manufacture but I have had a call from a dealer today who confirms that the December run will be the last. So who is correct - is Kelly able to say categorically that the Senator will not be discontinued next year ?

As you may gather, we are Senator fans and in the end may order one quickly before they end - they are excellent value, full of 'goodies' and generally well constructed.

Regards

Alan

 

[jmg12]

what i dont get is why they didnt just make this the new senator eg make it better looking with more conventional exterior and it could

have been the sentaor series 7 if they had made it better. however that back panel looks shocking cant believe how much like a van it looks from the back no curves or flair just a very industrial looking unit, looks a bit like the old bailey ranger from 1995 ere from the front, before bailey started going for more curved front panels anyone else think the same look up the old (95,96,97) bailey ranger you will see what I mean

 

[ProfJohnL]

I assume that when designing the Senator the stylists had more free range with the shape because the front and rear panels were moulded. The Pagasus is using an aluminium skin and the tooling to create styled shapes is considerably more complex and expensive to reform metal, compared to filling a mould with a compliant dough. This must limit the scope for stylistic flair.

 

[Sedo]

If you read the article in the current CC magazine, it's explained why and how this new construction technique came about.

I don't know if you've any experience of bending profiled alloy extrusions but believe me it's not easy, in fact it can be far from easy, hence as John says the limitations of design.

I'm afraid I've banged about the looks but it depends what you go for style over function or vice versa.

If it's true of the low ingress theory I'll go for the latter.

Tom

 

[Dustydog]

John L

I think the rear panel is a separate moulding but I don't know what it's made of.

Quite honestly I find nothing more pretty nor ugly about the Pegasus than our Senator. It seems to me the Pegasus 624 is virtually the Senator Wyoming.

Scrap the stupid "black" lockerbox colour and it doesn't look that much different from any other caravan; Airstreams excepted.

The key issue for me is the alleged vast improvement in construction strength and water ingress warranty.

I bet this replaces the Senator range. Remember how Swift dropped the Bessacar recently?

Cheers

Dustydog