Swift vs Bailey
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I dont come across many repeat buyers of bailey but do of buccerneer so I brought a lunar shows how mych I know about caravans weve had it 4 months used it 3 times and are off to caravan show to look about changing it for a hobby or American van
.Are Buccaneer an Elddis?.in disguise
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Our first van was an Abbey (Swift) from new. This one a Bailey Unicorn 2 from new. We kept the Abbey 8 years and had significantly more problems with it in the first 3 years than we have had with the Bailey. The Abbey still had vey low damp figures at 8
years. We will have to see what happens with the Bailey, but happy with it to date.0 -
A well known caravan repairer in Lancashire reckoned (2 years ago) that Swift would be his first choice because he regarded their after sales service as the best. However, we are presently thinking about a Bailey Unicorn.
We have a Unicorn Madrid and really pleased with it. Our dealer has said in the past that Bailey are much better with warrenty work than Swift, who question everything.
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Bailey owners all tend to be 90 years of age. They're chintzy, have an old persons grab handle inside the door, have the battery in a stupid place under the floor, can't be bothered to make the bathroom window opaque and look odd. Need I
say more.Swift every time
No, No, & No to your statements. Much rather have our Madrid than any Swift!!
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Bought a brand new bailey a few months ago and been back twice for 2 large leaks,both in different places DON'T BUY A BAILEY I won't again ,
I am afraid buyers of all makes have had your problems. I know it is no consolation but it does less damage in a Bailey as there is no wood to rot in the frame.
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It seems that to own a more or less trouble free caravan we have to buy a foreigner.We have had a really bad Coachman and now have a leaky Swift Conquerer. The English designs are fantastic but the build quality is rubbish and certainly Coachman just didn't
care.So far Swift are trying to put things right.0 -
I just love it when a question like this is asked.
everyone has their opinion even if they have only owned one or neither of the makes.
Well here is my opinion.
I have owned 4 caravans made in the Swift factory and 3 made by Bailey. All bought from new. 3 of the 4 from the Swift factory had to go back to the factory for major work, only one of the Baileys has needed to go back to the factory.
But what I think is more important is that if you need a repair I have found Bailey much easier to deal with, keeping the caravan for far less time.
As I said it's my opinion and will for the moment stay with Bailey.
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We did look at a top of the range Swift the inside looked as if was aimed at a "certain"" mobile market
...but surely the 'market' you refer to, only buy vans that will last, like Hobbys and Fendts......for that reason, theyre tough....
..They only buy them because they are "bigger" that is allowed to be towed by anything other than a "transit" and come complete with no on board water and plastic seat covers
Not true any more. Dry vans are extremely rare now and I've not see plastic seat covers on models for sale.
As far as the original question goes I think there aren't many differences between Bailey and Swift but would echo other posts suggesting other makes.
Adria for a start
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The Adria vans, specially built for the British market are a good alternative. They are well made (or our 'Harrogate van' is at least), they have fittings such as an oven and the upholstery etc complies with British regulations. Not only that, but prices
appear to be very competitive compared with both Swift and Bailey, and similar layouts are available.0 -
I'm about to buy a Swift HT model, having had a Senator for 7 years, and now a Unicorn for 6.
Senator was dry but the front panel had started with the common abs cracks.
Unicorn had minor ingress to the front lockers, but still took three attemps before a permanent repair, now been dry for near 4 years.
But 40 faults didn't impress me, most of them minor.
Problem is Bailey insist in fitting a tall fridge in most models, so our preferred layout the Valencia now has no sensible place to fit a TV or Humax box.
So its over to a 570 Swift with totally woodless construction for me. I'll really miss the clear shower room window and the stable door.
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We on our second unicorn fabulous caravan only looking at the moment at the ALICANTO 2 GRANDE other wise we would stick with unicorns.
they are a great caravan keep their price well never had a damp problem we had a 2nd and 4th addition of
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We had 2 Baileys. First one (Olympus) was not too bad but the second one (Unicorn series 3) was awful - so-called broken axle and damp at the rear all in the first year. Changed to a Coachman VIP which I feel is far better built. Baileys have more attractive interiors which is what attracted my wife but for me, it's a case of 'fur coat and no knickers'.
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