In short “ yes” but in many other areas too. Just look at car dashboard controls. Who wants to faff around on a multi layer touch screen for primary controls to heat and vent. Fortunately some common sense is appearing in that domain.Looking at a used Bailey Cartagena, the successor to our Wyoming an air of disappointment struck us. Smaller circular shower rather than rectangular, Small round sinks and basins to name a few. Is it me or has functionality been overtaken by aesthetics and image design?
Yes a nearby house has a new Discovery D4-4 in a nice pale grey shade. To me it’s a very unfussy external design which I find very nice.We were at a local dealers over the weekend, seen a lovely looking Bailey Discovery D4-4, entry level van apparently but quite a bit different in external design, for a cheaper van it had everything you could need but different in looks. (Anyone else seen these?)
My company car is anew golf gtd, cracking car but tge controls are definitely form over function.
Kev
Agree we looked at an Adria Altea and couldn’t believe that anyone would put something as useless in a caravan, let alone a house.I like tiny vans and still mourn the loss of our Xplore 302 ( succumbed to uneconomic damp). Simple Caravanning is great. Andrew Ditton did a positive review of the D4. I am not keen on the narrow front window though.
As far as the OP goes: can I just say Salad Bowl Sinks!!! Touted as stylish but actually only there to save carpentry. Your hands are wet and so you drip water all over the surface as you pick up the soap dispenser or soap. The muck goes all under the bowl and is a nightmare to clean. You then drip more water as you turn off the tap. If you want to see a triumph of style over functionality, ( not to mention designed by someone who has never cleaned a bathroom) you need look no further than salad bowl sinks. 😱😡😡
Saw one at Wandahome South Cave the narrow window did nothing for me but we like the small oven but would like a microwave as wellWe were at a local dealers over the weekend, seen a lovely looking Bailey Discovery D4-4, entry level van apparently but quite a bit different in external design, for a cheaper van it had everything you could need but different in looks. (Anyone else seen these?)
My company car is anew golf gtd, cracking car but tge controls are definitely form over function.
Kev
Not too difficult to fit a small microwave if required. It is the entry level caravan of Baileys range. Our Sprite did not come with microwave, but the fittings and holes and power point were all installed in a locker above the cooker.Saw one at Wandahome South Cave the narrow window did nothing for me but we like the small oven but would like a microwave as well
The washbasin in the bathroom is even worse. In our of the models it folds up when you are having a shower and it is so flimsy that if you look at it hard, it will crack. However the rest of the caravan looks rock solid.Agree we looked at an Adria Altea and couldn’t believe that anyone would put something as useless in a caravan, let alone a house.
Hi Mel would love to look at Weinsberg caravan they look greatI know I bang on about the Xplore range, which is daft really as ours died of damp, so the build quality can’t be great ( even for an Elddis) but as basic vans go, I loved it. Have to say, the Weinsberg vans look good too though, have you looked at them?
mel
I haven't looked this year, but the Coachman's I have looked, seem to be not as large space wise and a lot flimsier than our 2013, 560/4 VIP. I haven't looked at the 8 foot wide ones.Just spent two hours at Chipping Sodbury Caravans looking at used and new.
Very disappointed with the Baileys
Our Wyoming was replaced with the Unicorn Barcelona which in turn was replaced by the Unicorn Cartagena.
The later models bathrooms are smaller. Have mid transverse island beds. The B has a shaped round piece at the bed bottom which gets moved to the headboard day time!
The C is a bit better in that the top half folds up
No windows in pokey bathroom . Linen container smaller, layout tight for sitting on the throne.
No Omnivent .
No convenient shelf for Sky box nor wiring for satellite.
Kitchen areas look smaller. Pull out table smaller than the flip over.
Both have wet heating. Is that a bonus?
General storage appears less.
So I am holding my cash for now and will nurse the Wyoming through a few more years.
It was quite noticeable the door fits and materials used looked and felt very flimsy.
Are newer Swifts and Coachmans worse or better than their predecessors?