Collaborative post with Bailey of Bristol
2020 was the year that changed life and travel for everyone. It pretty much ground the world to a halt.
Now as we come out of the lockdown for what’s hopefully the final time and life slowly returns to normal, we are all looking towards getting our lives back. I’m sure I’m not the only one who will be grateful for that.
For us personally, holidays abroad are on hold for a while. This is not the end of the world as the UK has some beautiful locations to visit. However, the demand for accommodation here in the UK has gone through the roof. With this in mind, we are now looking at our options of buying a caravan or motorhome, giving us freedom more than ever before.
With 2 dogs and 2 kids, trying to find the right location for us to travel to with space for us all and dog friendly is not always the easiest. However, if we had a caravan or motorhome, that would eliminate some of the issues we face.
Things to consider when buying a motorhome or caravan
Purchasing a motorhome or caravan is not your ordinary everyday purchase, it is an investment. With that in mind, we’re now having to think of all the things we want to get – from the vehicle itself to all the equipment – to make our dream holiday. Thankfully Bailey of Bristol caravans and motorhomes are well presented on their website, with a lot of information about the vans and also links to PRIMA, which is the home of Bailey parts and accessories.
The Bailey website allows us to have a bit of a window shop of the ranges on offer to see just what we might fancy. It also means we can rule out things should they not be suitable for us.
The layout of the model we pick will be important to us – as the kids grow everyone wants their own space. As it stands, I have to say I am more drawn towards us getting a motorhome rather than a caravan. I know you lose a little space inside, but practicality wise it is easier for us to store and just get in and go!
Currently, my front runner is the Autograph 79-4T model. The layout just works for us. With a bit of space to separate at night, it also means the kids should sleep a bit better!
One thing I have noticed with all the layouts on both the caravans and motorhomes from Bailey is how clever the storage is. Every little thing has been thought out to make your trips away from home comfortable but compact.
When looking at motorhomes you should check your licence as some of the heavier motorhomes need a C1 entitlement to drive. These are those with an MTPLM weight over 3500kg. If you passed your test before 1st January 1997 then you will automatically have the C1 entitlement, but if you passed after this date, you’ll need to take an additional test to add the C1 category. 12 out of the 17 motorhomes that Bailey manufacture have an MTPLM of 3500kg so these be driven by anyone on a full licence regardless of pass date. The Camping and Caravanning Club have a useful page on motorhome licences here.
Also on the consideration list is the design and build. It is a big investment on our part, and it needs to stand the test of time and travel.
All of Bailey caravans and motorhomes are built with Alu-Tech construction. This is a new form of construction that sees the body panels clamped together using an interlocking aluminium framework. Far more durable than anything else, Bailey leisure vehicles are now some of the best engineered and technically advanced products on the market.
What to do if you are considering buying a vehicle from Bailey of Bristol
If you are thinking of buying a caravan or motorhome but don’t know where to start, why not just have a look?
As non-essential retail opens up after the most recent lockdown, it will start to get easier to visit a retailer to see different vehicles in person. You can find your local retailer on the Find A Retailer section of the Bailey website here.
If you can’t or aren’t quite ready to visit a retailer though, Bailey also allows you to view all of their caravans and motorhomes online with their Virtual Showroom. This is a 360-degree tour of the motorhomes and caravans that you can do from the comfort of your own home. I have been browsing the range of motorhomes already; you can view the motorhome Virtual Showroom here.
Once you have seen the ranges available and the costs involved, it will allow you to start narrowing down your shortlist. As I said earlier, it is a big investment, so you want to take your time to consider all the options going on.
2021 – the year we explore more of the UK
We are planning to use 2021 to explore the beauty spots of the UK. If you already have a motorhome or caravan or are considering getting one, Bailey updates their news and events section with travel inspiration and product news. It is the place to keep up to date with everything that is going on.
Where in the UK is your favourite spot to escape to and explore when we have no restrictions? I would love to get some more ideas!