Bailey build quality

spk
spk Forum Participant Posts: 406
edited October 2016 in Caravans #1

we are now seriously considering a bailey Modena mainly for the fixed bed. I have never had a bailey what is the build quality like and what is the allu build like as for water ingress

Comments

  • eiflow
    eiflow Forum Participant Posts: 115
    First Comment
    edited October 2016 #2

    I have had a Unicorn 3 for 16 months with no water issues. Its covered about 6000 miles so probably had a good old shaking about. Alko /ATC LED failed twice...not a Bailey product and fixed by dealer. Nothing else so I reckon build quality is at least as
    good as anyone else..possibly better than some.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,657 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #3

    We've had our 2011 Unicorn Madrid from new, and had no significant faults with it, and so far no water ingress. We use ours for about 260 nights per year so I guess it's actually had about 10-15yrs of avarage caravan usage. 

  • richardandros
    richardandros Club Member Posts: 2,690 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #4

    spk - we have a 2015 Barcelona which is just coming up to its second service.  We are away for at least a week every month, so it has had a fair amount of use over the last couple of years.  At last year's service all the damp readings were 10% or less and that was in November. Whilst we have had a few minor warranty issues which have been quickly sorted by the dealer, the only one of any significance related to soft cushion seats which seems to be an industry-wide problem and I sorted out at my expense.

    We have not had anything drop off / break / fail and overall, my inpression of the build quality is that it's at least as good as any other make and reading of others experiences on here, would go as far as to say that it's probably better than many, given the number of units that Baileys build.

    Almost two years on - it still looks brand-new inside and overall, I am pleased with my decision to buy a Bailey.

  • jennyc
    jennyc Forum Participant Posts: 957
    500 Comments
    edited October 2016 #5

    I have had a Unicorn 3 for 16 months with no water issues. Its covered about 6000 miles so probably had a good old shaking about. Alko /ATC LED failed twice...not a Bailey product and fixed by dealer. Nothing else so I reckon build quality is at least as
    good as anyone else..possibly better than some.

    Write your comments here...

    We had the ATC LED fail on our Swift. The dealer said that they had dozens of failures. It's a faulty design by Alko.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #6

    I reckon they are probably prone to water damage. I always use a hitch cover for that reason

  • Sandgroper
    Sandgroper Forum Participant Posts: 210
    edited October 2016 #7

    Had our Olympus since 2010 and no probs, no leaks etc aprt from front lockers through the hand grips - easily remedies by me. Just extended the water ingress insurance up to the ten years.

    The aluminium extrusions which form the frame are very solid - I tested mine on a brick gatepost and it's solid. I don't know how other vans are constructed these days but being able to put your shoulder to the corners and push does reassure me somehow!!!

    Fixed bed is great and much better for my back than the old make up.

  • Merve
    Merve Forum Participant Posts: 2,333
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #8

    I have a Unicorn Valencia Mk 1 2011 and it's been totally dry and I haven't had any real problems with it. 

  • Runrig
    Runrig Forum Participant Posts: 186
    edited October 2016 #9

    I went for a new Bailey Pursuit after looking long and hard at all the manufacturers entry level vans.

    Really been pleasantly surprised just how well built it is. Yes, you heard right "well built". I can't fault it.

    Over 3,000 miles towed and 50 nights this year, with kids & dogs and it remains as faultless and fresh as the day it was delivered.

    And as for "entry level", speced with upholstery upgrade and ATC, does everything you need, without fuss, cheap as chips.

    Well pleased so far.

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