Is the Bailey Discovery worth considering

[dawn_5120472]

We are completely new to caravanning and looking for either a new or second hand van. I have been looking at the bailey discover 100,200 range as our car is a citreon picasso and we have been advised to carry only 905-955 unladen weight. Is this correct - also are there any other makes and models to look out for which are lightweight? Thanks from someone very confused

 

[Tim_5120839]

We have a Bailey Discovery and thought it was great !...however it seems to dent really easy and it is made very cheaply.Some of the wood used around the A frame cover is not even treated with wood preserver ! If you go on Stowford Caravans web site they make some interesting points about Bailey and wonder how they achieve their low cost vans ???....We are trading ours in for a Coachman. I think for a little more money there are better vans around. My Dad used to say Bailey were the Mercedes Benz of the Caravan world...now a days they are more like the Ford Escort !!

 

[chelsea1]

We bought our 1st van in April so I know how confused you are.

We didnt know what to buy either, we always liked the baileys and ended up buying a Bailey Senator, the discovery/ranger are the cheaper end of the scale (nice vans though) but you will have to weigh up what you want to fork out and see what you can get for your money.

We bought a very well loved "pre owned" van, we have a luxurious, well made van that will last us several years, we did consider a brand new bailey ranger (which wasnt much more than what we paid for our 2nd hand van)...but we ourselves prefer the top of the range fittings in our senator, as we use our van so much.

But some people prefer a brand new van as they dont like the thought of pets/smoking etc being in it. Take your time and have a good look around all your local dealers, write down all the makes and layouts that you like (even the non-bailey ones) and then have a look at the private sales too and see if you can pick yourselves up a bargain.

 

[Iain]

We have today just ordered our 3rd Bailey. First one was bought in '95 and kept for 10 years - it was perfect. The second one a 2005 Ranger - not so perfect, the front panel needed replacing at the first service, but a nice 'van none-the-less. Today we ordered a 2007 Ranger 460/4 for delivery in September/October. I don't think you can beat Bailey for value for money - find a good dealer as we have and even if you do have problems its a painless purchase.

 

[Iain]

Oh and I should have said we tow our current Ranger and latterly the last Bailey with an 02 Picasso HDi - you will have no problems at all if you too have the diesel. We are chaging cars too for an Astra 1.9 CDTi 150 bhp Eastate which should be zippier - but we are very happy with the Picasso.