IanT599
Member Since: 24 Jun 2012
Location: Wolverhampton
Posts: 600
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Hi Caravaners,
Looking to purchase our first caravan within the next few weeks.
We need a caravan for long term holidays. We will be using it at least once a month for long weekends possibly twice a month and we will also be using it 2-3 times a year for 2 week holidays in europe. Only 2 adults but 4 medium / large dogs.
We think we've narrowed it down to two vans.
Bailey Unicorn Barcelona and the Coachman Laser 640. We're looking at the 2012 models.
This is our first van so not sure what we should be looking for. We keep hearing coachman have a far better build quality but bailey are cheaper price wise.
Is it worth the extra cost. Only thing we have found is the bailey has a bigger fridge and bigger kitchen worktop. Coachman has slightly bigger bathroom and the different colour wood makes it a bit better to look at.
I have seen guys on here have the Barcelona but does anyone have a coachman for a pro and con to help us?
Thanks Ian
No longer a LR owner
2018 BMW M240i
2011 FFRR 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - Gone
2004 TD5 ES - Gone
2008 TDV6 G4 -Sold and missed very much
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 7th Jul 2012 8:06 pm |
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IanT599
Member Since: 24 Jun 2012
Location: Wolverhampton
Posts: 600
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Forgot to say, if anyone has a different van of a similar size/layout we'd be interested to hear. Ian
No longer a LR owner
2018 BMW M240i
2011 FFRR 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - Gone
2004 TD5 ES - Gone
2008 TDV6 G4 -Sold and missed very much
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| 7th Jul 2012 8:13 pm |
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bambi
Member Since: 10 Apr 2009
Location: south yorkshire
Posts: 2059
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For my money, we don't use the bathroom much (kids and night time number 1's only).
We originally wanted a big end bath caravan, we ended up with a kids end caravan and a small bathroom.
Spend loads of time looking at as many layouts as you can,
I don't really like baileys, no reason why I kinda see em as the ford of the caravan world. Coachmans I do like, can't afford one but we like the 640.
We have a hymer, a fab German tank.
Happy hunting.
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| 7th Jul 2012 9:34 pm |
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Russell
Member Since: 23 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
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We have had german vans Dethleffs and other British vans, never liked Bailey and always steered clear. However 18 months ago took delivery of a new Barcelona Unicorn and love it, tows well, well built adn so far have had no issues. Use it about 7/8 weeks of the year normally  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
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| 7th Jul 2012 10:06 pm |
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Iftiandkate
Member Since: 30 May 2012
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 14
 
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We have a swift 620 (TA) - best of all worlds, large end washroom, fixed bed and good lounge area. We use it at least once a month for the two of us and our three dogs. Two of our pack are Scottish Deerhounds(slightly smaller than an Irish wolfhound) and they love it in the van - third is a grumpy old Westie who certainly is the boss and gets the bit of floor near the heater!!
We couldn't decide which was better the swift or a Bailey - would love to tell you we chose the swift due to a technical reason but SWMBO did not like the locker handles in the Bailey and that was that  Still never looked back - good luck whichever you get you will have many relaxing times - particularly towing with the disco!!
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| 7th Jul 2012 10:23 pm |
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Pelyma
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Patching, Sussex
Posts: 15496
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The Coachman is a much better built van, hence it is more money. But I guess as every other van on the road now is a Bailey there can't be too many issues with them. If it were me though I'd have the Coachman. DS3 TDV6 HSE - Silver with Alpaca (old one) Gone
DS3 TDV6 HSE- Silver with Alpaca (new one) Gone
D4 HSE Lux - Montalcino Red Gone
Porsche Cayenne V8 Diesel S
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| 8th Jul 2012 8:23 am |
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IanT599
Member Since: 24 Jun 2012
Location: Wolverhampton
Posts: 600
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The only reason we were looking at end bathrooms as we will be on CL sites too and they don't always have shower blocks.
We also drawn to the Swifts too with the Island bed.
Just having a look at the German ones now.
Ideally a Bailey Retreat ticks all the boxes for size, beds, sitting area, kitchen and bathroom. Only problem is it can't be towed on the road. Ian
No longer a LR owner
2018 BMW M240i
2011 FFRR 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - Gone
2004 TD5 ES - Gone
2008 TDV6 G4 -Sold and missed very much
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| 8th Jul 2012 10:44 am |
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johnboy3
Member Since: 24 Oct 2010
Location: northamptonshire
Posts: 190
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Hi we have a laser 640, with end bedroom with an en-suite. Excellent van built well & tows excellent behind disco.
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| 8th Jul 2012 11:44 am |
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allforus
Member Since: 20 Mar 2010
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 492
 
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We have a hobby premium 560 cfe biggest hooby you can tow legally we love the extra width makes all the differance we had a bailey senator series 6 but the new ones do t quite do it for us plus the hobby just the dogs what sits
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| 8th Jul 2012 2:38 pm |
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al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10361
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I've gone from Swift and Abbey (Conquorer and Spectrum, so good spec 'vans) to a Bailey (and looked very hard at a Coachman Lazer 655), and whilst the Bailey was a cheaper price, my head ruled my heart, and the Bailey was much more practicle (like overhead lockers you could actually fit clothes in!).
With regard build quality, even the top end brands left a lot to be desired, to the extent that no matter how hard I tried, I couldnt justify 6 grand in price difference.
Al Volvo 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
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| 9th Jul 2012 7:49 am |
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DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
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personally, i would buy a second hand van first and keep it for a few months holidays/weekends away. you will then get a very good idea of what is "your" ideal layout etc....
then , trade in for new/nearly new.
it took us a few months and 2 second caravans until we sorted was was best, then we bought new.... 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
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| 9th Jul 2012 7:54 am |
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countrywide
Member Since: 16 Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 6019
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Have you checked caravan sites and many we have been to, limit the number of dogs to only two.
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| 9th Jul 2012 8:36 am |
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DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
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 you will need two caravans Duncan
-----------------------------------------------------
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
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| 9th Jul 2012 8:48 am |
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Madrunner
Member Since: 23 Oct 2011
Location: Dorset
Posts: 391
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Bailey for me - very much prefer the idea of the new alu tech construction with in built water managerment. Only the floor and furniture to rot should the worst happen.
We have a Unicorn madrid, absolutely superb piece of kit, towed all over the UK on some pretty rough roads for 5-6000 miles and no problems as yet.
But thats my personal view and I do agree with some of the comments above that there really is no top end UK brand, they are all much of a muchness in reality.
Key is to go for the one you prefer the layout and looks of and make sure you buy from a top dealer - they will be your best friend if anything goes wrong.
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| 10th Jul 2012 12:58 pm |
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IanT599
Member Since: 24 Jun 2012
Location: Wolverhampton
Posts: 600
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What are the showers like in the Bailey Unicorns? Power wise and getting you clean.
Last time I was in a caravan was many moons ago when Abbey was a seperate company and not part of Swift and I always used the facilities on sites.
No we are looking at touring all over and CL sites don't have all the facilities. Plus this is going to be a long term van and we will be staying in the van weeks at a time.
I know I am probably asking basic questions but it has been a while since I used a van. Ian
No longer a LR owner
2018 BMW M240i
2011 FFRR 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - Gone
2004 TD5 ES - Gone
2008 TDV6 G4 -Sold and missed very much
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| 10th Jul 2012 3:46 pm |
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