Bailey- to buy or not?
We have just put a deposit down on our first caravan, a 2013 Bailey Unicorn Madrid. It looks perfect for our needs but now I have been reading lots of discussions on here about Bailey damp issues it has made me nervous. Are they worse than other makes and so should we walk away and find another different van? I know all vans have issues but it does seem to be Baileys that get the most mentions?
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Nice to see that I'm not the only one up at 'silly o'clock'
We had a 2015 Barcelona, from new, for just over three years and although there were a few warranty issues, there was never a hint of damp. All the tests - done in December - were about 10% or less. It was a nice van and the only reason we changed to the Knaus was for better build quality inside, two single beds and the sensible payload rather than the pathetic one offered by most UK manufacturers.
Make sure you get a full damp check before you buy it - especially in the area of the roof strap where the rear panel joins the roof and you should be OK. I would also thought that any initial defects would have been sorted out by now, but I assume you will be offered some sort of warranty on the major items. Getting a check done by an independent examiner rather than the supplying dealer would be the way I would go and well worth the investment for the peace of mind it will give you.
Bear in mind that Bailey probably produce more vans than any other manufacturer, so proportionally, there are going to be more issues - and people are more inclined to complain when things go wrong rather than simply say they are satisfied.
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Always awake!! Looks like you have a cockapoo! We have two! Another reason for a van! We will get a years warranty and it will be damp checked so hopefully ok. Suppose its like anything as soon as you start googling it's a minefield! Think I'm just a worrier!! Another option is a Sterling Elite Emerald but I can't find much about them! Prefer the outside look of the Sterling but the inside of the Bailey! Decisions Decisions!🤣
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Our last 3 caravans have been Baileys and we've had no damp issues with any of them, if that helps?
Of course there are some who have had issues, some of which I put down to the fact that people with complaints make more noise than those who are happy with their purchases, so you are likely to see more negative comments
With your warranty and a full damp check beforehand I think you should be ok.
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Re the build quality - I might have given the wrong impression. I thought the Bailey was fine - and a personal view - don't want to upset Swift owners - was that it was better than the Swift. We certainly had no incidences of bits falling off - but I agree, from the outside Swifts have the edge. The Knaus, however, is in a different league - but that's an aside, although I do miss some of the design features the Bailey had.
Get your van - exercise sensible caution before you part with your cash, which you seem to be doing - and enjoy it. Perhaps with a few years experience of it, you will gravitate towards something else when you find out in real life what works and what doesn't. Because of Ros's knee replacement she couldn't cope with the fixed (French) bed and that was one of the main reasons we changed but you only learn this through experience.
Incidentally, Meg (Cockapoo) absolutely loves being in the van and is currently sulking because we can't go away yet!
PS - if it's your first van and therefore no trade-in - try and get some 'freebies' thrown in as part of the deal. We got aquaroll, wastemaster, battery etc etc included - but that was 2015 and the market at the moment is totally different.
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You will find supporters and knockers of all brands. If you want more info about Swift i would try Caravan Talk forum which has dedicated brand sections and a lot of members of now defunct Swift Talk. For what its worth my mobile caravan tech has a Swift and suggested we might wish to reconsider when I mentioned last year we were looking changing to a Bailey. We bought another Swift and while not perfect, it doesn’t leak and neither did the 3 previous Swift vans.
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I think you're right that people who are not happy make more noise. I really love the van but think I am beginning to over think it all! It's a big investment so just want to make sure we get it right! 😊
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Thanks for this, I just think I'm starting to over think it all. We are getting a full starter pack and a years warranty and the choice of either an inflatable porch awning or 500 off so it's a decent package. Cannot wait to get started on our adventures with the dogs and hopefully it will all turn out OK!!🤣🤞
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Whatever you buy you will have all those reservations.
No one wants to waste their hard earned cash but the safeguards you are taking will apply to any caravan you purchase.
If you're using a good dealer then that should be an additional safeguard as is paying the deposit with a credit card.
Good luck with your choice, I'm sure you'll be fine, enjoy it!
PS I think you've answered your own question really!
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The 2013 unicorn has a one piece roof so no roof strap, 2015 on for that worry. Make sure damp check includes front side lockers. Have a look at tyre dates and check clearance of tyre to wheel arch liner is good + 30 mm or better. Imo the earlier unicorns are better quality than S3 on. Enjoy your van!
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Thanks for that, that's really useful to know!! 👍😊
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For peace of mind why not pay for an independent person, with knowledge 😉, to check it out? I believe the club can offer advice on inspectors? A relatively few pounds for less sleepless nights 🤣🤣🤣
I agree with all the advice above, I'm sure it will be ok but better to be happy in your own mind. Good advice to put at least some if not all on a credit card for section 75 protection, if there is a problem they can help, or finance as the own it and will fight against 'duds'
Let us know how you get on and about your adventures when they start 😀
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If it's any help we had Swift vans and had no major problems. I think second hand vans will be very popular this year so if you have found one you like and have done the checks you should be good to go! If the inside of the Bailey appeals more this is more important than the outside so another reason to go with your choice. Hope you have many happy travels ahead of you.
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We had a Bailey U2 Cadiz from new (2014) and damp readings were within the normal range on each service. Build quality was good, certainly better than the only other caravan we have ever owned, an Abbey (swift) bought from new and kept 8 years, although that was also a dry van. The only issues we had with the Bailey were a locker door that needed replacing under warranty and the Alde heating ( not made by Bailey) PCB packing up just out of warranty. We traded the Bailey in March 2019 for a Motorhome and would have considered a Bailey if they had produced the layout we wanted.
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I think getting an Independant report is a good suggestion. It will provide an objective report that takes away the emotional element. If the dealer will not agree to such an inspection then i would walk away as it suggests they have something to hide. I might also be inclined to get a longer warranty and you need to check carefully what it covers and excludes. There are warranties and there are useless bits of paper masquerading as warranties.....
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Welcome to the Hobby I hope it's going to be the start of a lifelong passion as it has for many of us here. As for quality of your Bailey, at 7 years old it should have already had what manufacturers faults there may have been fixed and providing you get the tests done before delivery it should be as good as any other 7 year old van. However if you really get the "bug"for caravanning and think about buying new in the future look first at anything built in Germany if quality is your number one priority.
I see what you did there AD, very clever
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We had quite a few vans over the years. We had a Bailey Cadiz, no problems with damp or anything else, we loved it, the best van we ever had. We only sold it because we bought a static van. There are good and bad with all, we once had an Eldis, trouble from the start and it was new, couldn't wait to get rid of it, but others will have ones with no problems. If you like it, It's a good deal and a reputable dealer then go for it. Enjoy!
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I know an extra expense however considering the investment I would think about having a van checked over by the CMC service.
A good independant check can allay any concerns as to damp etc.
No I dont work for or have any connection to any club or business connected to the industry.
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We are on our second Bailey after many other makes (several no longer made or swallowed up by bigger companies) we have not had the problems that some seem to have had ,but then as posted by others ,people will complain if a problem but the thousands (Bailey build about 10,000 units a year?)of satisfied customers just get on with enjoying their puchase
One big difference it seems between UK made LVs and some that members buy made overseas is the UK market is for the lightest LV that a medium size car can tow ,as long as it has all the bells and whistles as well,
Where it seems other than UK built LVs seem are not so equipped and the way they are made takes the weight of them out of the reach of most UK owners tow vehicles and without much of the "kit" in UK LVs although it seems they are now trying to compete
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Our Knaus has a MIRO that is actually 10kg lighter than our previous 2015 Bailey Barcelona - but with a 365kg payload. It also has all the bells and whistles (and more) that the Bailey had, with the exception of a solar panel. So, you are right in saying that some European manufacturers are now trying to compete.
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I would say they are equivalent TA vans, albeit that the Knaus is 0.2m longer and whilst they both have an Alko chassis, the Knaus has a longer A-frame and is 8' wide - so I can't be certain that the chassis is the same.
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I’m not sure there is much difference between swift and Bailey. I had a Swift bought new from 2011 and it had a few minor issues which were swiftly sorted out by the dealer (sadly now closed down last year). Replaced it with a new Swift in 2017 and the build quality is shocking. However, it is dry!
I understand that Lunars were definitely one to avoid damp wise
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Hi,
Having recently exchanged our 2012 Bailey for a Swift, I can say that we had no issues with the Bailey it was just a down size thing and the Swift offered a better layout option for us,
We traded the Bailey in at a dealers and they found no damp issues or any issues come to that, they are an expensive item so well worth the servicing and looking after,
A couple of places to check we were told about are round the front light up grab handles and also remove the plastic trays from the front small side lockers to check the floor for any signs of water ingress,
Overall it was a well maintained and put together caravan, hope you enjoy yours as much.
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On YouTube there's a vlog from a guy called Caravan Source - he talks specifically about Bailey and things to check for... I'm sure other brands will follow.
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I have a 2014 Vigo serviced every year by the dealer who I have used for over ten years bought two new caravans from him part exchanging the Vigo for a Cabrera but low and behold the dealer says it’s damp they serviced it in July/august not been used since
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