Thanks Wombat, that is exactly where I got all my info from.  I was hoping someone who might be going to the show, would have a look and pass on their thoughts.  That's all.

Hi guys

I will be getting to the Leisurefest sometime, so I will keep an eye out.  Sandown is only 5 minutes drive from where I live - if you get all the lights.

Hmm, can I play the devil's advocate here? If this van is built in the UK, then it would be built for UK conditions??? How would it stand up to some of the harsher (?) conditions we have here in OZ?

Pejay wrote:

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Hmm, can I play the devil's advocate here? If this van is built in the UK, then it would be built for UK conditions??? How would it stand up to some of the harsher (?) conditions we have here in OZ?

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Darling the issue is have a bump and need a complete new side and you will be waiting 6 months to be shipped from the UK or airfreight at extortionate price. Darling besides spare parts the other issue is resale price. Darling checkout the resale losses on imports and you may quickly change your mind. Darling Jayco is hard to go past if you like that style of caravan. Cannot see anything in Bailey you cannot get in a Jayco. Darling having lived in the UK and travelled in the UK in no hurry to go back to a UK van.

Good comments Jacko - but go easy on the "darlings" - pleeeeeaaassseee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Esmeralda wrote:

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Hi guys

I will be getting to the Leisurefest sometime, so I will keep an eye out.  Sandown is only 5 minutes drive from where I live - if you get all the lights.

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 Looking at Wombats Avatar he's keeping two eyes out.... 

I'm certainly not a fan of Euro Vans, but  Bailey Caravans have probably put more into research and developement than probably just about any other Euro manufacturer.

Vans such as Adria for instance are not built on the usual Alko Euro chassis. but built on Alko's beefed up HD chassis that has been performing quite well in Australia when kept to the bitumen. I can see no reason why the Bailey wouldn't stack up likewise.

Only time will tell, but personally I wouldn't like to be the Guinea Pig.

Of the Euro style vans though, I reckon one would be hard pressed to beat the Jurgens for durability. 

Cheers, ozjohn.

Sorry Eilsnaby - I went to the Leisurefest but forgot to lookout for the Bailey Caravans

Hi, I'm new to this forum.  I have been considering buying a lightweight caravan and been looking into Jayco, Baileys and Jurgens.  I have gone to dealers and checked the vans out.  Personally, Jayco are not in the same league quality wise and what is considered basic for a Baileys or Jurgens has to be added to the Jayco.  However they do have great resale value, or so I am lead to believe.  Baileys are well appointed and well built vans, my only consideration with them would be the 4.5kg gas bottle and the lack of electric brakes, not sure how this would stack up insurance wise.  I have also found that the ball weight for the uk vans include the filled gas bottle and water tanks, also the hot water, battery, fully sprung upholstery, awning, cd player, tv aerial, heater and air conditioner, not to mention the double glazing which not only insulates the van from the cold but keeps out the heat and noise.  However, my favourite is the Jurgens with the 9kg gas bottle and electric brakes with all the standard fittings of the Baileys, but with the added advantage of being Made in Australia too, can't get any better than that.