Member Since: 26 Apr 2011
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 2990
My advice is to go and set in lots of caravan with different styles. Caravan layouts are a personal choice and one does not suit another. Mine is a swift challenger ta with a fixed bed dinette and toilet at the end. Wife likes plenty of room for washing and cooking so the dinette is important. As their is no ideal layout due to size restrictions it's often a case of what you would be happy to lose.
I use mine a lot and often when working away so it's important to get the one that suits
5th Jan 2014 1:39 pm
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
From a layout perspective, we've sat in quite a few, even going back to the first camping weekend when Russell organised and then brought a load of caravan porn for me (the wife of course, not me )
If Max needs to go to bed earlier, he'll go in ours and well move him when we're done. No problem there.
The older two are not likely to be coming with is and if they do, they can have a tent in the awning r something similar.
Design layout is definately double bed, toilet next to that or right at the end.
Twin seat layout to be able to be two single or one double bed.
Toilet with shower in together or deprecate is more ideal, but not hung up on that.
Don't need to hire really as we know what we want from layout we just don't know which brands are bad or good.
Looking at prices, seems 2003-2008 is possible. But which names or models should be avoided as they get older....?Bodsys Brake Bible
Clock/ SNOTM /3Flash / 4x4Info /BT Update /Service Reset/Error Codes / Gearbox Reset See It Here
5th Jan 2014 1:54 pm
sean 471
Member Since: 26 Apr 2011
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 2990
I don't think there are any really bad ones. I would just stick with swift, bailey or coachman possibly couple of others. Of course individual ones may be a shed but generally quality is
S of a good standard on all vans now.
I am in Newark this week in my van with the layout you like if you wanted to check it out
5th Jan 2014 2:05 pm
bigcarpchaser
Member Since: 13 Oct 2007
Location: Camberley
Posts: 2270
Own up, who's hacked Ian's account? Welcome "Lola"
5th Jan 2014 3:49 pm
Richie63
Member Since: 16 Oct 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 494
We have the Coachman Pastiche 530/4 2006 model which is the layout you describe and IMHO the best layout, and we love it.
Coachman's are known for their build quality and therefore heavier than most ( not a problem for us D3/4 owners), but to be fair you won't go wrong with a Bailey either.
As already said check for damp with a meter in all the corners high and low, behind the seat cushions and around window areas. Basically any aperture that has been cut through the skin of the van, whether it be a window or a vent or where the awning rail is screwed, is a possible cause for damp to enter.
Also check that floor feels solid with no signs of sponginess or springy feel to it.
Good luck.
5th Jan 2014 4:43 pm
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10361
Bodsy - Bailey Olympus 620, fixed bed, toilet/shower not huge, but we always use the shower facilities on site, side diner, two long seats at the front, and more importantly (for us), storage and overheard lockers you can actually put things (like clothes) in, and not some piddling little 6" deep rubbish I've seen on the like of Swift just lately.
And, whilst Bailey not being the sexiest looking 'vans, are good value for money.
take a look
AlVolvo XC90 B5 Plus Dark
Gone - MY18 D5 HSE - Corris on 22's with Black Pack
Now gone - MY16 D4 SE Tech, Loire Blue, Almond Leather, Privacy, plus some other goodies.
Old - MY12 D4 SDV6 XS Auto - Ipanema Sand with Almond Leather - Plus other niceties, and D4.com sticker
Older - D3 TDV6 XS Auto - Lugano Teal with Almond Leather, 20" Stormers, Shiny Tailpipes, DVD/TV - and obligatory D3 sticker
Ancient - D3 TDV6 S - Tonga with Ebony, 20" Stormers, satnav & DVD
5th Jan 2014 5:48 pm
Russell
Member Since: 23 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
Bodsy we have had Avondale, Defthleffs, Lunar, and now Bailey, all have been good. However the Lunar showed its age very very early on in fact after 12 months use it looked like five years use and we are not hard on our vans. Avodale was a 6 birth Dart and we loved it when the kids we young as it had fixed double bunks, Defthleffs was a very solid and well built van, if they still did them new in the UK at competative rates then we would have another in a flash. The Bailey is a TA Barcelona and it has been very good, few minor niggles but overall a good van. Went to the caravan show this year to look for a new one but saw nothing we fancied as a result the Barcelona is staying for a nother year at the least.
Word of warning, Bailey seem to have had issues with water ingress and split panels on the Ranger range and some of the bigger TA of the same era so check for hair line cracks in the front and rear panels and for water ingress. Lad at work has had the front panel changed twice and the back changed three times or the other way round on his Bailey Ranger.
Now hurry up and get one ready for the D3 camping weekend at Easter MY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
MY11 D4 HSE Stornaway Grey Sold and gone
D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
D4 camera club
5th Jan 2014 6:05 pm
robbo770
Member Since: 29 Jan 2013
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 2294
I have a very nice Coachman Laser 650 twin axle, that got from another member on the forum!! (Les)
it is the best build quality I have come across, had a VIP before this single axle, which was also excellent , but the laser has fixed bed which is great, Baileys are also good , but not the same cupboard quality of the coachman, the new design ones are great but well out of the 5k budget you mentioned, you could get a side fixed bed coachman laser for the money your talking, look out for a cheap wanderer as they have the new level 3 insulation if you can push the budget slightly FFRR SC 4.2
Member Since: 22 Jun 2011
Location: West Midlands
Posts: 1218
Keep away from swift I've had mine from brand new and it's been the worst thing I have ever owned & I am only one of many many & they don't care about it never again
5th Jan 2014 6:38 pm
Ajpf5
Member Since: 13 Jul 2013
Location: Manchester
Posts: 84
I've got a Bailey Pegasus and before that another bailey. I used a great firm just outside Huddersfield. I was told the dealer is really important. Shop around as vans can be fixed but dealers are hard to find.
Forget towing the disco will make it a breeze. I had a VW passat before hand and the disco is embarrassing Impressive!
Next is layout I suggest you explore as many as possible. The layout for us was important 2 kids etc. bathroom beds kitchen lounge area should not be ignored. Both Manchester, Scotland and Birmingham have shows on In the next few weeks. Don't go to buy new but check out interior layout then once you have got the right style happy hunting!
get one that floats Home of RLD Hidden winch mounts Spare wheel Locks Trailer Body Fabrication ray@rld-tech.co.uk D3/4 sump plates MY 14 sump plates and the Discovery Sport wheel protectors Discovery 5 wheel locks
more Helsport tents and other things for camping Law of Mechanical Repair:
"After your hands are coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to pee!"
5th Jan 2014 7:01 pm
moorman
Member Since: 05 Jul 2009
Location: East Anglia
Posts: 276
Go on the Caravan Talk forum and spend a long time looking at the different makes and factory back up when things go pear shaped.
5th Jan 2014 7:47 pm
allforus
Member Since: 20 Mar 2010
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 492
i loved our bailey but moved to the hobby a couple of year ago been great and looks the business
6th Jan 2014 10:26 am
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
Bodsy,
while you are deciding which caravan to get, I took the liberty of signing you up to this place http://www.suntreckers.org.uk/join-us/Duncan
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If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
6th Jan 2014 11:54 am
Rescue01
Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Aberdeen
Posts: 2528
WTF Dunc are you a member Poor Poppy Its not the height of the fall but the sudden stop at the bottom that hurts!!
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