New Bailey 75-2 Autograph
Hi,
We are thinking of making the switch from caravan to motorhome, we really like the feel and layout of the Bailey 75-2, my concern and this may seem stupid but has anyone found the low level body an issue with our not so smooth and speed humped roads with the underside catching, any other advice on the m/h would appreciated. Thanks.
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I had the previous Approach model (same layout and size) on an Al-Ko chassis and didn't really have the problem you describe in the six years of ownership. I did once scrape the spare wheel carrier when turning sharp left and uphill on the way to a site in Austria. On the early models the step well as lower than it is now and I did knock that against a high kerb. However on the newer Autograph models and the Alliance model I now have, (66-2) the step is level with the bodywork so that shouldn't be an issue although its a slightly higher step up. The only issue I see with the new Autographs is that they don't have a very high load margin. I know many people have a weight upgrade but that is driving licence dependent. Although not as luxurious as the Autograph range the new Alliance models have a far higher payload. The Alliance 76-2 might be worth a look?
David
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If you use 'Facebook' you might want to think about joining the 'Bailey Motorhome Owners group' you can chat to owners of that model of vehicle. Its a very friendly group with lots of help and advice.
We had the original Bailey 625 SE model, we never had any issues with catching the rear end or the skirts but I believe some of the longer models have experienced issues with sleeping policemen and in France some of the ramps going into fuel stations etc.
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Not that I'm thinking of buying one, BB, but how would such a vehicle go for towing a box trailer for some of the load - especially the wet muddy large stuff? Would the noseweight kill it? Or the rear overhang lift a trailer off the ground on a hump bridge?
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I think Tammygirl's suggestion of joining the Bailey Motorhome Owners Group of Facebook is a good good one. There are now thousands of happy owners of Bailey Motorhomes who take their vans all over Europe and the UK. Some use sites some don't. It is also a good resource for technical information. We changed to a motorhome six years ago having caravanned for over 30 years. You will appreciate the ease of setting off and and setting up on site.
David
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my van is only 6.4m X 2.12m so considerably smaller than the Bailey and, being an A class is less rear axle biased, but we run at 3400kg incl water, kit, bikes etc and wine allowance....so, ok but close enough to continue to be careful...
Surely a schoolboy error BB not using that extra 100kg for more wine allowance??
I totally agree with the other comments made especially regarding the way you use a MH compared the a caravan. As BB says Bailey do well with people moving from caravan to MH because the layout and feel is that of a caravan so it is easy but to build them with no payload is shocking (not only Bailey).
We bought a new van yesterday, it was on a 4,250 chassis but we opted to uprate to 4,500 to make sure we do not go over as even with a big payload it is easy to do once you fill the tanks, put bikes in garage plus all the other stuff you carry and it became part of the negotiation to get this done before handover so it is easier to register it at the higher load rather than change later. The sales person was even suggesting it to us. We currently have 3,850 and although we are within the limit with about 100kg to spare the rear axle is just about at 100% so with only 3,500 capacity it would be impossible IMHO.
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Hi PJMEG, BoleroBoy has given you a lot of food for thought. To answer your initial question about ground clearance. We have a 2017 75-4 and have just completed 10k miles. Yes the low clearance is something to be considered. I have heard slight grounding noises a couple of times, but think this is more the middle and rear mud flaps rubbing, or my spare wheel carrier which is slung at the rear underneath.
Only damage I’ve had is the waste pipe which is low slung. I’ve knocked it off twice, once on the previous 745, when I lost the tap, and then driver error getting on ramps on this model, so I’ve adapted it to raise the whole pipe work out of the way. It is on a flexible hose now and much more convenient.
I do try and plan ahead looking at the roads to avoid humpback bridges, but we can get into Chatsworth which has a hump bridge at the arrival point.
Turning to BB’s points. You can download the manuals for the 75-2 to get all the weights they include on their payload calculations. From memory, A 70 kg driver, 20 litres of fresh water, no waste and 80% fuel.
The new Baileys come with a fix and go tyre repair kit. If you pay for a spare and the Alko wheel carrier you are adding a lot of weight eating into your payload. We have a second leisure battery as well as a spare and fully loaded with me and the wife, food (we always take too much!) etc with two bikes on the rear our 75-4 came in at around 3800kg. I was glad I asked the dealer to upgrade the weighting’s which they did as part of the package.
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First things first .. Check out the Dealer. See what people are saying about them. They never change their spots and once they have your cash some would not even give you the time of day. We have had problems with a couple of Dealers both local so bought one on recommendation from Dealer 200 miles away. The level of service over the three years has been exceptional. Nothing is to much trouble and they have even sorted a problem out after the 2 year warranty expired.
As for payload it's a very important factor. You will be surprised how much goes in and it all adds to the weight. Build quality which IMPO is sadly lacking in Uk built Motorhomes should always be considered. No point in buying something with all the bells and whistles if it falls apart as you drive down the road. I used to carry a toolkit with our NEW Swift to screw bits and pieces back on and do repairs along the way. You certainly cannot keep taking them back for the niggles as the Motorhome spends more time at the Dealers than on the road.
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We like the look of some of the Bailey models but none of them are provided with auto transmission. I cannot understand the logic of that. If my memory is accurate, Rolls Royce and Bentley stopped offering cars with a manual transmission in 1948. My wife and I gave up on manual transmission cars years ago when less costly auto boxes became the norm. Come on Bailey - wake up!
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For some reason Bailey use the Peugeot chassis v the other 90% of mainstream manufacturers who use Fiat and the rest that us Merc or Iveco (may be others) I do not understand this except not having Auto saves about 17kg of weight on an already overloaded van?
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AS offer the auto Fiat as an alternative base vehicle on their Peugeot models. There must be a reason Bailey don’t do the same.
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Whilst I agree with you about automatic gearboxes, my last four cars have been auto's there must be a reason why Bailey only use Peugeot cabs. The only thing I can think of is cost. Anyone who has looked at Bailey motorhomes will have realised that Bailey don't really offer any optional extras apart from bedding. So it seems they want to keep the production line focused on producing standard motorhomes. (may also apply to caravans?) If you want options you either have to have your dealer fit them or upgrade the model you buy. Perhaps the reason for this is this keep things as simple as possible and as such keep prices down? Surely also Elddis only use Peugeot cabs except for their new van conversions?
David
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I had a panel van with underslung water tank and the bolts protruding down from the brackets didn't stay straight for very long, personally I much prefer something with a good road clearance. Its not relaxing to wonder to be wary of every speed bump and they do like them on the continent.
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We own a 75-2 and can give some balance to the debate perhaps, if anyone peruses this thread.
Firstly we love the space and layout. We searched for a long time to find the right Motorhome to change too.
We wanted a dedicated bed, lounge area with both sofa style seats facing each other, separate shower area, cab air con, 6 gears, large fridge and space for our dog. The kitchen space is ideal. We have never owned a caravan so that had no influence in our decision process. The Autograph is well specified for our wants and needs.
On the issue of size, the 2.5m width is not an issue, we live on a B road and it’s fine. We take the wider route but that’s really made little difference from our previous MH. We have not had grounding issues. Even where we descended a slope into a site with a plastic speed hump.
Weight - we didn’t want or need more than 3.5T. Max loading. After loading everything and going to the local public weigh bridge we hit 3.5 T on the nose. Full fuel and water tank. Dropped the water tank to 20% which is plenty and reduced some of the stuff that we all pile in but don’t really need. Took the cycle rack off, not needed.The ample cupboard space means no more cramming things in. As there are only two seat belts this is very much a couples motorhome. So any comments about children is irrelevant for a 2 seater. Although the 4 seat belt plus units would need further consideration.
One thing we particularly wanted is the all year round capability which we have used.We tend to walk a lot when we are pitched up or pre Covid, and used buses if we needed to.
We also like the insurance and MOT class it’s perfect for us and our dog.We aren’t off to a the South of France anytime soon so we don’t need the heavier capacity style MH.
No regrets and our advise is really think through what you will use your Motorhome for. Then you’ll make a choice that suits you.
Happy Motor- Homing1
