Baileys V Lunar ?

Tarmyn
Tarmyn Forum Participant Posts: 49
edited October 2016 in Caravans #1

Been looking at changing our present van {Lunar Quasar 2014 )which to be fair has done amongst other trips 2 tours down to Portugal and Southern Spain ,ive allways thought that you have to be a bit of a DIYer to be a caravanner thats been no exception
with the Lunar ,water pump ,fan on the blown air ,and the front windows,but all have been done without hassle and quickly under warranty.But we are thinking of changing to a Bailey Pegasus Rimini ,never had a Bailey in our 40 odd years of vanning ,its just
the Baileys look pretty good this year ,any thoughts anybody ?.

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Comments

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #2

    If you can stand the increase in price I would recommend going for the Unicorn Cadiz. This comes with Alde heating which I think is superior to the blown air. Plus alko wheel lock and ATC as standard. These are expensive options on the Pegasus range. Also I think the roof solar panel, standard on the Unicorn, is optional on the Pegasus.

  • Tarmyn
    Tarmyn Forum Participant Posts: 49
    edited October 2016 #3

    Good point but its a hike to the next level 

  • spk
    spk Forum Participant Posts: 406
    edited October 2016 #4

    I am in similar position thinking of changing our cosmos / quasar for the Pegasus Modena but not sure I can live with the short front seats as I like to slob also the washroom is smaller.

  • cabbiemick
    cabbiemick Forum Participant Posts: 297
    edited October 2016 #5

    Just got rid of our bailey Barcelona and brought a lunar delta ti I would never touch another bailey again cushions in the bailey very poor quilty mattresses very poor build quality ver poor as well  as for the lunar  we are all so disappointment but I do
    think the lunnar is much better build and better upholstery thing we just a poor lunar but if it was out of lunar or bailey lunar all the way

     

  • artyboo
    artyboo Forum Participant Posts: 457
    edited October 2016 #6

    We bought a brand new Baily in 2009, swapped it for a 2007 Abbey two years later (which was far more robust and suited us much better)We now have our own dream forever caravan but that is another story. The Baily was alright, but......... 

  • Merve
    Merve Forum Participant Posts: 2,333
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #7

    I am in similar position thinking of changing our cosmos / quasar for the Pegasus Modena but not sure I can live with the short front seats as I like to slob also the washroom is smaller.

    Write your comments here...is it a fixed bed? That's where you slob - I should know! 

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited October 2016 #8

    Our most recent two vans have been Lunars the first faultless second couple of minor issues so no complaints. I like the smoother lines of a Lunar very easy to keep clean.

  • knilly
    knilly Forum Participant Posts: 62
    edited October 2016 #9

    I would never buy another baileybought a brand new Bailey in May and been back twice in 3 months with two major leaks 

  • Runrig
    Runrig Forum Participant Posts: 186
    edited October 2016 #10

    My Bailey on the other hand, remains as faultless as the day it was delivered. 

    Bit of a lottery !

  • cabbiemick
    cabbiemick Forum Participant Posts: 297
    edited October 2016 #11

    Runrig bet you only picked it up last week

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #12

    My Bailey on the other hand, remains as faultless as the day it was delivered. 

    Bit of a lottery !

    Sadly my view as well

  • Runrig
    Runrig Forum Participant Posts: 186
    edited October 2016 #13

    Runrig bet you only picked it up last week

    February, 3000 miles towed and over 50 nights this year, not so much as a loose screw and as dry as the Mojave. Touch wood ( oh no, there isn't any, except the floor )

    Now, that will have put the mocca's on it  Wink

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,585
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    edited October 2016 #14

    From what I can see both are basically average and are about average for quality. They both turn out similar proportions of good caravans and rubbish ones and I would go with whatever suits you best as there appears to be nothing between them on quality
    and most of the fitted items are the same, so no obvious advantage with either.

  • xtrailman
    xtrailman Forum Participant Posts: 559
    edited November 2016 #15

    I wouldnt consider a caravan that was constructed from walls or roof that can absorb water.

    So a Bailey would be my choice over a Lunar.

    Unfortunatley my Bailey Unicorn has had ingress to the floor in the first year, been dry now for the last 4. Floor is still wood.

    So I've recently ordered a Swift HT smart model which is woodless.

    No doubt i will have issues because the same "junk" is fitted in practically all caravans made, that just leaves the lottery of who actually puts the caravan together on the production line.

     

  • mbee1
    mbee1 Forum Participant Posts: 557
    500 Comments
    edited November 2016 #16

    As far as manufacturing goes I think they're all much of a muchness.  Most will be good, some will be bad and some will be a Fridayafternoon job regardless of which manufacturer you choose.  I would always go for style, layout, decor, furnishings etc.  Most
    manufacturers have similar layouts so choose the layout then look at the furnishings and decor.  Do you like light fabrics or darker? Look at your budget then make a list of which models, layout, etc. fall within that budget then make a decision.

    If your choice is a Bailey or a Lunar I would go for the Lunar having had one before.  Never been a Bailey fan as I think they're an acquired taste and. whilst lots of people have acquired that taste, I haven't.  To me they're far too old fashioned and chintzy.
     We now have a Swift Sterling as we liked the decor and furnishings and we love it.

  • flatcoat
    flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2016 #17

    Agree with mbee, Bailey = 50 shades of beige..... However beyond that it really is down to luck so go with what meets your needs and you like. 

  • BorisSnowhead
    BorisSnowhead Forum Participant Posts: 50
    edited November 2016 #18

    As far as manufacturing goes I think they're all much of a muchness.  Most will be good, some will be bad and some will be a Fridayafternoon job regardless of which manufacturer you choose.  I would always go for style, layout, decor, furnishings etc.  Most
    manufacturers have similar layouts so choose the layout then look at the furnishings and decor.  Do you like light fabrics or darker? Look at your budget then make a list of which models, layout, etc. fall within that budget then make a decision.

    If your choice is a Bailey or a Lunar I would go for the Lunar having had one before.  Never been a Bailey fan as I think they're an acquired taste and. whilst lots of people have acquired that taste, I haven't.  To me they're far too old fashioned and chintzy.
     We now have a Swift Sterling as we liked the decor and furnishings and we love it.

    Write your comments here.

    As far as manufacturing goes I think they're all much of a muchness.  Most will be good, some will be bad and some will be a Fridayafternoon job regardless of which manufacturer you choose.  I would always go for style, layout, decor, furnishings etc.  Most
    manufacturers have similar layouts so choose the layout then look at the furnishings and decor.  Do you like light fabrics or darker? Look at your budget then make a list of which models, layout, etc. fall within that budget then make a decision.

    If your choice is a Bailey or a Lunar I would go for the Lunar having had one before.  Never been a Bailey fan as I think they're an acquired taste and. whilst lots of people have acquired that taste, I haven't.  To me they're far too old fashioned and chintzy.
     We now have a Swift Sterling as we liked the decor and furnishings and we love it

    Very valid post and sound advice - although as a new Bailey owner have to say preferred the finishing touches over Lunar as we thought the Lunar looked very dated and chintzy! 

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited November 2016 #19

    I started off considering bailey rather than Lunar when I bought the present 'van. I bought the Lunar as I found the seating to be more comfortable

  • Tarmyn
    Tarmyn Forum Participant Posts: 49
    edited November 2016 #20

    Thanks for all your valuble coments still tempted by the Bailey but..............,its that change from Lunar which to be fair from a dealer and manufacturer point have been very good as regards to any warranty issues all over the years have been done promptly
    without any lengthy delays,what are Baileys like on this issue nobody wants the hols twarted by repair delays .

     

     

     

  • mbee1
    mbee1 Forum Participant Posts: 557
    500 Comments
    edited November 2016 #21

    As far as manufacturing goes I think they're all much of a muchness.  Most will be good, some will be bad and some will be a Fridayafternoon job regardless of which manufacturer you choose.  I would always go for style, layout, decor, furnishings etc.  Most
    manufacturers have similar layouts so choose the layout then look at the furnishings and decor.  Do you like light fabrics or darker? Look at your budget then make a list of which models, layout, etc. fall within that budget then make a decision.

    If your choice is a Bailey or a Lunar I would go for the Lunar having had one before.  Never been a Bailey fan as I think they're an acquired taste and. whilst lots of people have acquired that taste, I haven't.  To me they're far too old fashioned and chintzy.
     We now have a Swift Sterling as we liked the decor and furnishings and we love it.

    Write your comments here.

    As far as manufacturing goes I think they're all much of a muchness.  Most will be good, some will be bad and some will be a Fridayafternoon job regardless of which manufacturer you choose.  I would always go for style, layout, decor, furnishings etc.  Most
    manufacturers have similar layouts so choose the layout then look at the furnishings and decor.  Do you like light fabrics or darker? Look at your budget then make a list of which models, layout, etc. fall within that budget then make a decision.

    If your choice is a Bailey or a Lunar I would go for the Lunar having had one before.  Never been a Bailey fan as I think they're an acquired taste and. whilst lots of people have acquired that taste, I haven't.  To me they're far too old fashioned and chintzy.
     We now have a Swift Sterling as we liked the decor and furnishings and we love it

    Very valid post and sound advice - although as a new Bailey owner have to say preferred the finishing touches over Lunar as we thought the Lunar looked very dated and chintzy! 

    Each to their own Boris.  I just find Bailey's look strange.  When you look at the rear the window it is usually offset and is usually clear - ordinarily in a bathroom you would have an opaque window. Likewise when the cassette for the toilet is on the rear
    it just looks odd!  I also find them very angular without flowing lines. We looked at a Vigo and really didn't like the "old persons" grab handle inside the front door or the position of the battery under the floor. Furnishings were also too light as we have
    a dog but then so were the Lunars. 

    From comments on here I also felt Bailey's Customer Service was poor. We bought a Sterling Quartz in the end - same layout as the Vigo.  Can't fault it and Swift Talk is excellent. 

  • Rushallmanor
    Rushallmanor Forum Participant Posts: 78
    edited November 2016 #22

    Lunar have side walls that are made of aluminium, Bailey's are GRP, hence the Bailey are far less likely to get marked. Only the Bailey's will accept a wind out F45 type canopy to be fitted and maintain warranty. But the looks of the Lunar is sleeker. I
    also prefer the wind down spare on the newer Bailey's. In the end it's a personal choice.

  • xtrailman
    xtrailman Forum Participant Posts: 559
    edited November 2016 #23

    I never understand why anyone in a caravan requires opaque windows? How the wife and i wish our ordered Swift had the clear one, and on the back wall.

    One site we use required the caravan backing up to the lake so the clear window gives me a view of the lake while shaving or brushing my teeth, sink is below the window.

    We have spent hours watching the world go by out side, birds etc on the site we use, nature etc.

    When we want a shower all we do is pull down the blind and privacy is assured.

    We also love the Bailey interiors and find the Swift Sterling's look cold and too modern, too much white furniture reminds me of the cheap whiteboards bought from Wicks, not of quality.

    Which is why we have ordered a Conqueror with mainly brown furniture. On the other hand the Elegance looks way over the top for our tastes.

  • mbee1
    mbee1 Forum Participant Posts: 557
    500 Comments
    edited November 2016 #24

    I never understand why anyone in a caravan requires opaque windows? How the wife and i wish our ordered Swift had the clear one, and on the back wall.

    One site we use required the caravan backing up to the lake so the clear window gives me a view of the lake while shaving or brushing my teeth, sink is below the window.

    We have spent hours watching the world go by out side, birds etc on the site we use, nature etc.

    When we want a shower all we do is pull down the blind and privacy is assured.

    We also love the Bailey interiors and find the Swift Sterling's look cold and too modern, too much white furniture reminds me of the cheap whiteboards bought from Wicks, not of quality.

    Which is why we have ordered a Conqueror with mainly brown furniture. On the other hand the Elegance looks way over the top for our tastes.

    At least with Swift you have the choiace of interiors. Wewhittled our choices down to the Eccles or the Challenger. Exactly the same layout but with differing interiors. We felt the Eccles far more modern that the Challenger but that was our choice. Each
    to their own. Apologies to Bailey owners but I will never be a fan of them. 

  • chunks25
    chunks25 Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited November 2016 #25

    a friend of mine bought a bailey and he wishes he had never bought it. he says it was shocking exterior walls for dents. please bare in mind its back in 2014, even i wasnt aware the walls are now grp. myself, however has a lunar galaxy from 2004 and its
    a lovely van. my only gripe is lack of sockets up front. i think its based on the quasar but it was a dealers special at the time. for a 12 year old van the seats are lovely and comfortable and the fixed bed is amazing. recently had seats reupholstered and
    its like a new van. had other vans in the past but ABI and LUNAR are the best built i have come across. anyway i hope you are happy with your new purchase. LIFE IS A JOURNEY, ENJOY IT Cool

  • DEBSC
    DEBSC Forum Participant Posts: 1,364 ✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #26

    Let's face it, it depends on your experience. We bought a Bailey Cadiz three years ago and we absolutely love it, the perfect van and touch wood (please) no problems at all, not one. Love just sitting in it and watching the world go by. Prefer it to our
    sitting room, seats very comfy as are the beds. This is after 30 years of touring and owning numerous different makes of van, this one is by far the best. We bought an Elddis once, now that was a different story, never again!

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,585
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    edited November 2016 #27

    It is all a matter of taste but we preferred the Lunar interior to the other makes but there again we fit the profile of Lunar owners shown in the survey results. To some the Eccles white inerior looks modern but to us it looks wrong. As for quality you
    pay your money and hope you get the good one whoever built it.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited November 2016 #28
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #29

    Our last caravan was a Lunar, we had no problems with it other than the rear panel cracking this was picked up by the dealer and replaced under warrenty. Prior to that we had Coachman, Elddis, Abbey, Eccles and Rambler, not one van had damp issues. The Abbey
    was 30 years old when we sold it.  We never did like Bailey caravans, yet we now have a Bailey motorhome and love it, the interior is lovely clean and comfy. We have had it 4 years now and it still looks like new, we have covered  29,000 miles and an average
    of 5 mths a year in it. Yes we do have damp over the rear off side wheel arch, it is going in to the dealer in December to get fixed. Bailey and the dealer have been great through the whole problem, we have had a few other warrently niggles but again Bailey
    and the dealer have dealt with them with no issues.

    I think which ever make of caravan you choose its the dealer that you have more contact with so choose wisely.

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2016 #30

    Lunar have side walls that are made of aluminium, Bailey's are GRP, hence the Bailey are far less likely to get marked. Only the Bailey's will accept a wind out F45 type canopy to be fitted and maintain warranty. But the looks of the Lunar is sleeker. I
    also prefer the wind down spare on the newer Bailey's. In the end it's a personal choice.

    We had a Fiamma F45 fitted to our Bailey and loved it but there are two things to watch out for. Firstly, as it is fitted to the sidewall and not the roof it is extremely difficult to get a long lasting water seal and you can find water running down the
    side of the van in heavy rain. Our dealer stopped fitting them for that reason. Secondly, you can never remove it so forget about ever having an awning unless it is fitted to the offside.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #31

    i believe Fiamma now make a 'rain gutter' that fits in the small gap between the unit and the caravan side wall. no more drips, apparently.