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MrModo
Member Since: 04 May 2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 82
  
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Hi All
Anyone know much about them. Am looking around for a cheap starter caravan and they seem to be pretty good value ...a 4 berth 2000 model for around £2500 - £3000
Might be an open question, but are they any good?
Thx
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 17th Jul 2013 5:35 pm |
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nigel207
Member Since: 26 Mar 2009
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 1344
  
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They've been around for a long time, and like many manufacturers, they've had ups and downs. Generally though, they're very popular. At the age that you're considering, as with a car, go on condition/history rather than make.
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| 17th Jul 2013 5:40 pm |
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Gabbo
Member Since: 26 Feb 2013
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 227
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completely agree with Nigel. Borrow a damp meter when you look too D4 Fuji White HSE with Black Pack, TV, RSE, Tow Pack, Side Steps & Heated Steering Wheel
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| 17th Jul 2013 5:45 pm |
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highbayrack
Member Since: 09 Jul 2008
Location: Northamptonshire
Posts: 2776
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You could also look at Avondale vans, although they have gone out of business since 2006 the build quality on them is excellent, ask anyone in the know. And you can still get bits for them if you know where to look. Very reasonably priced, well maybe not this time of year  we had a brand new Weltbaumer (Tec) which was great but we out grew it and bought the bigger/older Avondale which we love, Ok it's 7 years old now, but its a great van for the family. Highly recommended
Chris On a mission to find the perfect Pork Pie. Just Found it (I think)..(Yes I have)
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| 17th Jul 2013 7:09 pm |
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Landie71
Member Since: 23 Oct 2012
Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire
Posts: 1019
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Just bought a Bailey, not been away in it yet, but had a good look over it & it looks well put together. Hope you enjoy what you get 
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| 17th Jul 2013 7:09 pm |
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DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
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the bailey pageant would do well - we had one about 7 years ago and it was pretty good. for that money there are litteraly thousands to choose from !! Duncan
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| 17th Jul 2013 7:15 pm |
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highbayrack
Member Since: 09 Jul 2008
Location: Northamptonshire
Posts: 2776
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Gabbo wrote:completely agree with Nigel. Borrow a damp meter when you look too
Totally agree with you Gabbo and Nigel, you can buy one from Maplins for under £30, good investment that can save you hundreds . Trouble is this time of year when its very warm and dry, they are not going to tell you much with a damp meter, you need to rely on your nose and visual signs. Also with any van, check the floor for signs of de- lamination which can be easily fixed, but it can be a pain in the ar$e if you repair it yourself and expensive if you get someone else to do it On a mission to find the perfect Pork Pie. Just Found it (I think)..(Yes I have)
Official product sponsor for "Bloodhound SSC" 1000+ mph world land speed record
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| 17th Jul 2013 7:22 pm |
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MrModo
Member Since: 04 May 2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 82
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Thanks guys, without knowing what I'm really looking at it can be quite difficult. I'm sure tomorrow I'll be looking at a different 'brand' !
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| 17th Jul 2013 7:49 pm |
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Richie63
Member Since: 16 Oct 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 487
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Bailey's have normaly allways had a fairly good reputation for a "fair" build quality van, but as has allready been said all makes of caravan can suffer with damp, some more than others.
A damp meter with sharp points is allways a must, you need to look in all the areas inside the van where things are screwed on from outside i.e awning rails and any other trim and vents screwed to the sides and roof areas and around the windows, these are all potential damp penetration areas.
Also check that the floor isn't spongy or springy feeling underfoot this is delamination (damp), even if it feels good, look under the caravan if it has what looks like plugged filled holes in the floor then it has suffered delam but been repaired.
My experience with Avondales has led me to believe that they should be avoided due to there poor build quality.
Richard
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| 17th Jul 2013 7:55 pm |
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highbayrack
Member Since: 09 Jul 2008
Location: Northamptonshire
Posts: 2776
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Richie63 wrote: My experience with Avondales has led me to believe that they should be avoided due to there poor build quality.
Richard
Have you ever owned an Avondale then Richard, On a mission to find the perfect Pork Pie. Just Found it (I think)..(Yes I have)
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| 17th Jul 2013 9:12 pm |
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Richie63
Member Since: 16 Oct 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 487
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wouldn't make a statement like that if I hadn't, thats how I know so much about damp and delaminated floors. 
Richard
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| 17th Jul 2013 9:20 pm |
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Biffysun
Member Since: 09 Jul 2011
Location: Central
Posts: 1787
 
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Well I just bought a new Bailey two weeks ago and am well pleased with it Took a hit on my 18mnth old Swift but worth it 8) I can't speak about the older models as I've only had a Compass and an Elddis before and both were great vans Hated that Swift 
As has been said on here, go in with your eyes open and your nostrils!  I always find that opening the door of a van and going straight in you can smell any damp or mustiness and that's a good indicator, I'd be suspicious of a caravan which was reeking of air fresheners 
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| 17th Jul 2013 9:48 pm |
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riverblanche
Member Since: 31 Aug 2010
Location: retford'ish
Posts: 2210
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Agree as above, buy on condition, one of the best vans we have had was a 15 + year old buccaneer elan
and a layout that you think suits
(you will still end up changing for a different layout that you think will be better)
it wont be, it's just going to be different 
we have even changed our van so the dogs have more room
As for damp look out for small stress fracture lines on front and rear panels as well friend of ours had the front done under warranty few years back, 18 months ago did the other front corner themselves, as damp showing again, it just looked like airfix balsa model when all stripped down last week had the damp test done and the back corner wants doing now, you can follow the damp from a hairline crack found on the outside, still showed up in this hot weather
And yes his van does start with an A 
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Gone RRS HSE 2006
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gone D2 Td5 1999
I plan on living forever and so far so good !
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| 17th Jul 2013 9:50 pm |
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highbayrack
Member Since: 09 Jul 2008
Location: Northamptonshire
Posts: 2776
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Well its interesting to hear your views, I was told by an insurance company caravan expert of 30 years who advises for the CC that the Avondale build quality generally was as good as the best of any British made vans and better than most, especially the ones made by them between MY04 to 06 before they went out of business. As for de- lamination, I happen to know that until quite recently that it could happen to any/every make of british van, even caravans less than a year old could suffer from it as they were all using the same flooring system from the same manufacture. I guess it all depends on who you speak to and the luck of the draw. All I can say is that we have had several high end caravans, mainly European, but we are more than pleased with our Avondale, its as good as new inside and out. The only thing I would say is that compared to the more modern vans today it is looking a little dated now but what would you expect from a nearly 8 year old caravan, but we've decided not to change this one yet until the kids are a little older and less prone to damage things. On a mission to find the perfect Pork Pie. Just Found it (I think)..(Yes I have)
Official product sponsor for "Bloodhound SSC" 1000+ mph world land speed record
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| 17th Jul 2013 9:56 pm |
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