Bailey Ranger 550/6 Series 5

[CRAIG_5077026]

Hi, we are thinking of buying the new Bailey Ranger 550/6. This would be our first brand new caravan and I want to make sure everything goes ok. I was hoping to get any useful advice when buying new in general and also any feedback on the caravan we are buying, the reasons for choosing this model is the fixed bunks at the rear, the value for money and low MTPLM. So if you could help with anything it would be much appreciated, many thanks. Craig.

 

[yvonne6]

craig i replied to your question in the general forum! oops

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

hi craig, ive got an avondale dart 556/6 godiva special (avondales are nose heavy and they didnt tell us we we bought it, so we had to buy a 4 x 4) which is the same layout.when we are not eating we turn the side dinette area into another sofa.

great caravan we dont use the shower though we use the site ones as the bathrooms arnt that big.sprite also do the same layout which is proberly cheaper, i think elldis do to but i didnt like the ladders on those as they were fixed.

good luck and enjoy.

 

[LuisaandMartin]

Hi Craig

we also looked at the 6-berth Bailey (and all the other vans with the same layout - spent months over it!!!), but have today taken delivery of our Sprite Major 6 which has the same layout. A couple of sales staff told us this is better built - eg the bed slats are better than in the Bailey. However, whether this is true I don't know, you know what sales staff can be like! The Sprite was a bit more expensive but we had a really good discount from Highbridge Caravans which helped with this. We were also able to take delivery within a month as Highbridge had a couple in stock.

Personal taste I know, but we find the interior a lot lighter and more modern than the Bailey.

Obviously, it's a heavier van which might be a deciding factor for you. The Baileys certainly seem to be popular.

The thing that helped us most was finding a dealer that sold both models so we could run back and forth between the two, pick the dealer's brains on which was better and decide which we liked the most. Don't know where you live, we went to Golden Castle Caravans in Gloucester to do this. Didn't end up buying from them, though!

Good luck with your decision, we do sympathise as it's our first brand new van and it's a lot of money to part with so take your time to get what's right for you.

Sorry - this has turned into a bit of an essay!!!

 

[CRAIG_5077026]

Hi Craig

we also looked at the 6-berth Bailey (and all the other vans with the same layout - spent months over it!!!), but have today taken delivery of our Sprite Major 6 which has the same layout. A couple of sales staff told us this is better built - eg the bed slats are better than in the Bailey. However, whether this is true I don't know, you know what sales staff can be like! The Sprite was a bit more expensive but we had a really good discount from Highbridge Caravans which helped with this. We were also able to take delivery within a month as Highbridge had a couple in stock.

Personal taste I know, but we find the interior a lot lighter and more modern than the Bailey.

Obviously, it's a heavier van which might be a deciding factor for you. The Baileys certainly seem to be popular.

The thing that helped us most was finding a dealer that sold both models so we could run back and forth between the two, pick the dealer's brains on which was better and decide which we liked the most. Don't know where you live, we went to Golden Castle Caravans in Gloucester to do this. Didn't end up buying from them, though!

Good luck with your decision, we do sympathise as it's our first brand new van and it's a lot of money to part with so take your time to get what's right for you.

Sorry - this has turned into a bit of an essay!!!

Hi Luisa, thanks for your thoughts. I have had a look at the Sprite from the brouchure, it does look very nice and as you said perhaps a little more modern looking. Spec wise again is slightly better, but it's the weight I'm struggling with. I would get away with a max weight of around 1320kg which is fine for the Bailey, the Sprites max is 1436kg so with our Vectra diesel we would struggle. Looks like it's the Bailey, which in fairness we do really like, thanks again for your input and enjoy your new caravan, regards, Craig.

 

[Bluebird1]

I have had 2 Bailey Rangers 500/5 from new and found them both to be good VFM and well built.

Had a look at the series 5 Ranger 550/6 today and found it to be very dark at rear of van due to lack of windows and solid door. If you can afford it have a look at the 6 berth Pageant

 

[Tapestry]

Hi

A friend of mine has the Bailey Ranger you are thinking about. She really likes it. we looked at it, there's no windows on the back, we thought it was a bit dark, also we like being able to see through the caravan, so are buying the Bailey Bretangue

Annette

 

[Darren_5130889]

Just took delivery of a Ranger 550/6 (first new van) and used it for the first time last weekend. Very happy with it. We picked the bailey as it was the best value for money (got it for

 

[Ewan_5130997]

Took delivery of our Ranger 550/6 4 weks agao. Very happy with it. Got the dealer to fit anextra two 230v sockets inside as the two next to the tv point I thought were insufficient. Only probs so far are the oven knob coming off and the rearmost seatback panel on the side dinette becoming loose. Dealer fixing both these minor niggles though.

I do find the van a bit nose heavy. With the gas bottle in the front, I have to put the spare wheel beneath the rear bunk and carry porch awning and wheel clamp etc at the back of the van to bring the nose weight to around the 70kg limit for our car (Fiat Multipla).

Used the van every weekend so far and loving it.

ps. Dont buy the spare wheel and tyre from the dealer. I bought the rim from the dealer for

 

[LuisaandMartin]

Took delivery of our Ranger 550/6 4 weks agao. Very happy with it. Got the dealer to fit anextra two 230v sockets inside as the two next to the tv point I thought were insufficient. Only probs so far are the oven knob coming off and the rearmost seatback panel on the side dinette becoming loose. Dealer fixing both these minor niggles though.

I do find the van a bit nose heavy. With the gas bottle in the front, I have to put the spare wheel beneath the rear bunk and carry porch awning and wheel clamp etc at the back of the van to bring the nose weight to around the 70kg limit for our car (Fiat Multipla).

Used the van every weekend so far and loving it.

ps. Dont buy the spare wheel and tyre from the dealer. I bought the rim from the dealer for