Bailey Unicorn Valencia or Lunar Clubman SE

[Fred460]

Hi All
I'm on the point of buying a new caravan and I've narrowed it down to a choice of two models - a Bailey Unicorn Valencia or a Lunar Clubman SE. Whilst they have very similar specifications my concern is the durability of their shells. The Bailey uses the Alutech system but the Lunar doesn't. When I asked the dealer which van he would purchase he said the Bailey even though the Clubman is the more expensive caravan. Because we use our caravan extensively throughout the year his argument was that because the Lunar panels are thin then they would flex more when being towed whereas the Bailey Alutech system is far more rigid and less prone to flexing. He was suggesting that flexing over time would contribute to possible damp problems occurring. So, has anybody any thoughts on this?

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Fred,

I suspects it's six of one and half a dozen of the other!

We see reports from owners of both marques about body work problems so its difficult to be objectively fair particularly as neither manufacturer publicises their failure rates.

Whilst reading forums can be a valuable source of information, do bear in mind that it's human nature to make a lot of noise about problems and to keep quiet when thongs go right, so you cannot trust forums to give you a fully unbiased picture of a any make. Crucially don.t assume that just because one make has less reports about their products it means they're necessarily better than a make with lots of reports. As manufactured don't publish their reliability figures, or production figures you have no base line on which to make the comparison.

There are two key issues, the fist is body work failure, like stress fractures and panel joints working loose, and secondly - which can be related to the first is propensity for caravans to leak.

On the presumption that Lunar are still using the long standing construction techniques of wooden framed panels, then if there is movement and a leak occurs there's a risk the internal wooden framing may start to rot. Joint repairs are normally executed form the outside.

By comparison, since Bailey introduced their Alutech construction, I do get the impression there have been fewer reports of panel related issues, and becasue they claim to have removed all wood frames, there is no risk of rotting, But as I understand repairs to joints have to be undertaken from inside the caravan, which means it might be a more invasive job.

In all cases, if you want to keep the protection of manufacturers guarantees, you must follow their instructions regarding regular dealer inspections.

 

[Fred460]

Very many thanks for your thoughts - much appreciated. For your information in 2016 my wife spent 4 months touring Europe towing our 2011 Bailey Unicorn Almeria. The van behaved impeccably throughout with no mishaps on the way. I reckon that trip (all 5000 miles of it) equated to the equivalent of several years of caravanning. However, given the van is nearly seven years old we think it's time for a change. We actually love the layout of the Almeria but of course Bailey no longer produce it. The closest we've seen to the Almeria layout is in the Lunar Clubman SE - hence our interest. But looking at what you've said about Alutech system then I'm inclined to stick with it much to the chagrin of my wife who prefers the Clubman's layout. As far as I'm aware Lunar are still using a more old fashioned construction technique with all the attendant risks that go with it.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello again Fred

5000 Mile tip is quite extensive, but if you look over the forum you will find a number of threads about annual mileage and such high mileages are not uncommon.

If you feel a post has been useful you may wish to consider using the thank you button at the bottom of the page.

 

[Raywood]

We have a Lunar and it did leak but there again many Bailey owners have had leaks so I am not convinced one way or the other as to which is the better buy if you are looking at avoiding leaks. The claim for repairs was dealt with well by both the dealer and Lunar and although we would have preferred to have no problem we cannot complain about the treatment we received.
The last PC survey might have helped you but they have not published the figures for the number of leaks according to make although they will have this information so we are in the dark there. The survey does show a higher satisfaction rate for Bailey and that they turn out a few more fault free caravans, but there is not a lot in it.
I appreciate that the wooden frame of a Lunar can rot if a leak is not dealt with but provided the caravan is serviced and a damp test done as required this should not be a problem as the leak should be picked up in good time. If you do get a leak any workshop should be able to deal with the Lunar because of its traditional build, but not all can tackle the Bailey which can cause problems and delay in getting it repaired. Before buying a Bailey I would check the dealer can do this work if needed.
My impression though is the Bailey is a bit more solidly built, probably because Lunar concentrate on keeping the weight down and weight may be involved in deciding what you purchase.
From a personal point of view we find the internal and external appearance and the design of the Lunar better but others may not agree.
There is no right or wrong answer to the question asked and it is possibly a question of your priorities. I hope I have been fair to both makes and we have always gone largely with our hearts as the deciding factor and not regretted it.

 

[otherclive]

I think that others have pretty well covered the pros and cons of the choices. I would just like to add that I have had my last two caravans serviced at the main brand dealers and both had to have replacement front/rear ends, due to cracks appearing in the front and/or rear panels. They didnt cause any consequential damage and both dealers sealed up the damaged areas until the caravan could be fitted with its new panels. The cracks and damp were picked up at the scheduled services. What was good is that there wasn't any problem in getting authority for the repairs to go ahead from the makers of the caravan. I think having the defects identified by a brand main dealer helped expedite the repairs and speed up parts delivery. Yes I pay a small amount more for a main brand dealer service but the benefits were worth it.

 

[Fred460]

Hi
Many thanks for your comments. I usually deal with Chichester Caravans, Uckfield, and since they sell mainly Bailey Caravans at that branch they are well used to dealing with all the faults & foibles that these caravans present. I note your comments about damp getting into wooden frames and thereby possibly causing some rotting to take place - well with the Alutech system that can't happen. I agree with you that the interior of the Clubman feels to be a little superior to the Valencia - by not much - though the sofas in the Valencia feel more comfortable to sit in. Also in the Clubman there's no shelf to hand near the wash basin which over time could become an irritant.

 

[Fred460]

I'm guessing you own a Lunar?

 

[Fred460]

Hi - I wasn't suggesting our European trip should be entered into the Guinness Book of Records but the point I was trying to make that over such an extensive trip our caravan was put to the test and it sailed through with flying colours - this was on top of all the other trips we have taken in our caravan over the years. So maybe I've developed a lot of confidence in the Alutech system and I'm on my way to answering my own question but I wanted to get folks' views about the Lunar Clubman.

 

[Fred460]

Sorry - posted this in the wrong place - I'm guessing you've got a Lunar Caravan

 

[otherclive]

Very many thanks for your thoughts - much appreciated. For your information in 2016 my wife spent 4 months touring Europe towing our 2011 Bailey Unicorn Almeria. The van behaved impeccably throughout with no mishaps on the way. I reckon that trip (all 5000 miles of it) equated to the equivalent of several years of caravanning. However, given the van is nearly seven years old we think it's time for a change. We actually love the layout of the Almeria but of course Bailey no longer produce it. The closest we've seen to the Almeria layout is in the Lunar Clubman SE - hence our interest. But looking at what you've said about Alutech system then I'm inclined to stick with it much to the chagrin of my wife who prefers the Clubman's layout. As far as I'm aware Lunar are still using a more old fashioned construction technique with all the attendant risks that go with it.

5000 miles is a good trip but I think that it’s impossible to link it to a caravans bodywork integrity, particularly as continental roads do tend to be better surfaced than our roads. But even then UK motorways compare reasonably with European motorways so for surfaces that affect bodywork integrity you’d really need to deduct the motorway running. So someone doing 2000 miles on U.K. non motorway roads probably puts their van through as much fatigue as someone who does south of France three times a year. Very complex !!!

 

[Mel]

We have a S3 Valencia. It sits on a seasonal pitch so doesn't see much towing action! We love the layout, especially the long front sofas. However the fixtures and fittings all seem a bit flimsy and we often seem to be sticking something back on. Mechanically and damp wise, no issues. Of course ours may be a one off, but I am not convinced.
Never had a Lunar, so can't comment. Had a couple of Elddis, which contrary to others experience, have been well built.
Hope this helps.
Good luck
Mel

 

[Martin24]

Many of the damp issues with the Bailey's are where Bailey Alu-Tech have introduced a join in the roof. This of Course will be the case on a new Unicorn. We've had our GT65 since 2014, no roof join and no damp issues. Whilst the Bailey's have eliminated wood from their frames they have not done so for the floor so there is always a chance that if there was a leak any rotting would be the floor. Also of course with both vans there will be a the risk of floor de-lamination. Lunar must be about the only UK manufacturer left still using timber framed construction which is a concern. Any leaks and you could well be in for trouble. Also of course I'm fairly sure their roof is not fully bonded, meaning you can't wander about up there for cleaning. If you're only keeping a 'van for as long as the warranty lasts then take a punt on either. Lunar may well allow servicing AND warranty work to be done by an AWS. Bailey will allow this for servicing but you will have to go the/a dealer for any warranty work. I suppose at the end of the day it's down to personal preference and which you prefer. Given the choice, now that quality appears to be on the up again, I would pop along to my nearest Coachman dealer.

 

[Fred460]

Given the responses I've received I think I'm still going with the Bailey Unicorn Valencia. Maybe that's because my experiences to date with the Bailey Alutech system have been positive. Having said that my Almeria was returned to Bristol for a roof respray and when I got my van back the report indicated that they had rectified a number of damp issues of which I was unaware. It would seem that on my model there was an ingress of water into the front lockers via the grab handles. I've since found out this was quite a common problem which Bailey have now rectified.

 

[Raywood]

Hope all goes well with the new caravan. The choice is a personal thing and we all have to weigh up the pros and cons and see where it takes us.

 

[Fred460]

Thanks for your thoughts. Yesterday I actually ordered a 2018 Bailey Unicorn Valencia from a well known dealership. Just before I had my appointment with their sales manager I bumped into their workshop manager. I told him that I had been dithering as to whether I should buy a Valencia or Clubman SE. He told me that he regularly services both makes of caravan but his view was that I had made the right choice in picking the Valencia. His view was that the Clubman is a very nice van but because of its construction they were prone to dampness and all that follows from that. By comparison he felt the Bailey Alutech system was far superior and he had to deal with far fewer damp issues with the Bailey caravans. Having had that impromptu conversation with him that confirmed my decision to purchase a Valencia.

 

[Fred460]

I had a chat with the workshop manager at my supplying dealers yesterday. He did confirm that when Alutech was introduced by Bailey there was a design issue in that the panels were linked together by aluminium strips. However, what Bailey did not appreciate at the time was that whilst the outside of the strips were often exposed to cold temperatures there was nothing on the inside of the strips to prevent condensation occurring because of the, usually, higher temperatures inside the caravan. Consequently the condensation produced would travel down the strips to the floor. Because there was nowhere for the water to go it pooled and caused damp in the floor. This has now been engineered out by Bailey.

 

[otherclive]

Oops wrong submission

 

[Bluebird1]

We were pondering over the two and eventually choose the Bailey. Lunar a lovely van but after much deliberation decided that the longer front seats in the Bailey meant that we would could use them as single beds and turned out to be the deciding factor. We have spent one weekend in the Valencia so far and am really impressed with the design and the layout - notwithstanding a few snags that will need addressing by the dealer