Bailey Senator Louisianna series 5 (2006)

[craigmurray]

Hi how is everyone? We are looking to swop our 2001 Sterling Elite Trekker for a Bailey Louisianna, wot im wondering is has anyone got one? had any problems with? found faults or niggles with? Its my other half that wants a fixed bed as she says the made up bed hurts her back. i said we could get a big cushion made, but she is insistant so im trying to get as much info as i can b4 i spend my cash lol. thanking you all advance for any feedback

craig

 

[Thorpedo]

Hi Craig, I'm backing Mrs Craig, the Fixed Island bed is great as long as you accept that it consumes a lot of space. No putting a bed together or taking it to bits. No need to climb over Mrs Craig at 3am to pay a visit.

We bought a new Series 5 Louisiana in Feb this year and love it.

Used approx 5 weeks this summer (2 weeks no hook up).

Fitting the Alko wheel locks on the double axle means jacking it up.

Switching from External to internal water tank and vice versa is tricky as you have to shift the visitors from the front seat (clutching their glass of wine and bar-B-Q pork kebab) then lift the cushion and squeeze your hand between the seat slats to find the valves.

I'm not sure why they dropped the L seating layout in the series 6, I personally prefer the layout in the series 5 to the series 6.

Can't drink water direct from the tap due to antiseptic taste from the plastic pipes. There again I use a separate container for drinking, who know what's been skuba diving in the Aquaroll.

The Big Fridge is a bonus although a bit slow to get going, the Heating, Kitchen, Toilet, shower and storage are great.

Magnetic catches fell of the lower kitchen doors - fixed with bigger screws and Gripfill.

Ours is stored in a dry barn so I don't know about water ingress.

Towing is stable and a pleasure and the van is light for its size and equipment.

Best of all though - That Island bed !!

 

[Robfooty]

Don't have a senator but do have a 5 berth pageant provence with no fixed bed but do have wife with very poorly back - who is very happy because we have a mattress topper that we obviously put on top of the made up cushions bed and it's lovely and comfy and warm - in fact I'm more comfy in the van than at home. Our topper was about 50 quid - worth a try. Put it inside a duvet cover and then just wash the cover regularly.

 

[willsullivan]

Hi, I am new to the forum and to caravanning, am also looking at a 2006 Bailey Senator Louisiana series 5 at Raymond James Caravan but willing to look around before making final decision

Salesman tells me fixed bed is more and more popular these days, can understand why but does take up space.

Tried the fixed bed in the dealer it seems quite comfortable

Any advice on L shape lounges not sure about them, whats the best type of awning a large porch or a full awning dealer says porches take about the same time to put up as a full one??? seems to have a lot of good stuff like larger fridge freezer than other vans and with the separate shower and loo.

any feedback, advice be grateful thanks

 

[Thorpedo]

Evening William, How many occupants will there be ?,

The reason I ask is that the table in my louisiana is the standard oblong shape which is fine for parallel seating but a struggle with the L shape seating.

Two people can sit at the table on the long side but only 1 on the end unless you bring in extra camp chairs which are always to low.

Try to draw the layout with the table or visit the dealer and have another look with the table out and you'll see what I mean.

Fine for 3 diners.

We love the L shapethough.

I'm in the process of making an optional Full depth Cushion to extend the small side seat into something useful which would improve out seating options further - see seperate topic - 'Altering L Shape lounge'

We use a Full awning which is cavnerous, although it does take a while to put up. I put 1 or two tent bedromms out there when neccessary and I could still park a car inside (If I was that stupid).

Considering buying one of those small lightweight nylon porch Awnings with the whippy poles to use on stops of 3 nights or less at roughly

 

[GeorgeB]

Craig,

Can't comment on the Louisianna, but can on our series 5 Indiana,

we wanted to change from making up the bed every night (2 berth) but as we changed from a 13'6" van to a 18' 5" long van we actually gained space.

Yes for the size of the van you do loose space because of the fixed bed (loads of storage under it though!), but as it's only me & Mrs B it doesn't matter to us, probably might if there were more of you, but on the one occaision that Miss B came with us we had no problems or dramas.

Yes we've got the foul tasting water as well, but to be fair to Bailey's it's not their fault, but the fault of the maker of the water pipes themselves, Bailey & my dealer have been fantastic in the way that they've addressed this (van in at present getting all the pipes changed under warranty).

We have never used the on board water tank, but the late series 5's had the change over controls moved to under the offside seat & accessable through a drop down door to make it easier to use.

Yes,there's been a few other minor issues, mainly cosmetic, but all have been addressed without drama, but credit where credits due, I really cannot praise enough Bailey's & my dealers aftersales service, it's been first class!!

The purchase of this caravan was approachd with trepidation, we previously has a Castleton, who's build quality was second to none, thats what drove them out of business! but we have been pleasntly surprised by Bailey's build quality & commitment to customer care.

I'm sure that there will be others who have had bad eperiences with Bailey's but I have'nt so can only speak from my experience with them, but my recomendation would be go for it!

GeorgeB. series 5 Indiana towed by Audi A4 Avant 2 ltr TDi Auto

 

[willsullivan]

Hi Thorpedo,

Thanks for your reply, good to hear from someone using the caravan we are thinking of buying.

There will only be the 2 of us, but we may have a visitor from time to time, do you know what the fridge problem recall was for, I will check with the salesman at Raymond James to see if it is ok, he says they show everything working before we take it anyway. Good idea with the cushion we will visit them and get the table out to see how that feels

I have seen those porches at the dealer, so many different types to choose from, think we will probably go with the ventura full awning suggested and probably buy the van from there as they seem quite good.

Havent seen anything else yet that takes our eye

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

Hi Thorpedo,

Thanks for your reply, good to hear from someone using the caravan we are thinking of buying.

There will only be the 2 of us, but we may have a visitor from time to time, do you know what the fridge problem recall was for, I will check with the salesman at Raymond James to see if it is ok, he says they show everything working before we take it anyway. Good idea with the cushion we will visit them and get the table out to see how that feels

I have seen those porches at the dealer, so many different types to choose from, think we will probably go with the ventura full awning suggested and probably buy the van from there as they seem quite good.

Havent seen anything else yet that takes our eye

william just remember ask how much for your px if you have one. most dealers tell you price to change so you think you are getting a good deal. i thought i was getting 8400 for my px but that was the price difference to change we were actually getting 7590 thats a lot less so beware.

jo

 

[Dustydog]

Hi William

See the thread "Dometic Recall" Swift sent a note on the 20.11.2007. They give the details you may need if you want to contact Dometic.

Cheers

Alan

 

[woodsieboy]

Hi William,

We have the series 5 Wyoming, same size as Louisiana and we found the full awning was too much to put up for just 2 of us, so we use a 950 Ventura awning that covers from the door to the rear of the van, you just need an extra pole for the corner nearest to the door, and for short stays we use Eurovent porch that covers the door and stops in front of the side window, both work fine on our van. Also we have not had a problem with the taste of the water, perhaps we have just been lucky.