Your blogster and SWMBO will be visiting the Caravan Show at the NEC later this week.
There won't be any Orions there of course having been superceded by the new Pursuit,or "Orion on steroids" as someone has termed it..
I think the pictures and a video I have seen look quite promising but nothing is quite like seeing something in the flesh.
Bailey Pursuit at NEC 2013
Ian
Monday, 14 October 2013
Tuesday, 1 October 2013
First View of New Bailey Pursuit
Below is a .pdf of the new Bailey Pursuit.
Bailey Pursuit
Can't help feeling a little underwhelmed although admittedly this is only a brief view of the exterior.
They seem to have raided the Orion parts bin for the front and kept the ridiculously too heavy front window unless they have reinforced the stays to support it.
There appears to be some sort of separate sun roof rather than the "all in one" of the Pegasus and Unicorn.
Nice to see the door hinging the other way to avoid the front window.
I wonder what happened to the aerodynamic and fuel saving Orion shape of a curved front and rear roof that was trumpeted when the Orion was launched,presumably the Pursuit is not as aerodynamic as its predecessor having what appears to be a more traditional straight back.
At least front locker door seems larger.
Lets hope they have ditched the Al-Ko spare wheel carrier for the wind down apparatus of the Pegasus GT65.
It will be interesting to see the interior layouts of the various models but just from the picture ( which is a little unfair I know ) there seems little to fuel an imminent swap to the Pursuit.
Ian
Bailey Pursuit
Can't help feeling a little underwhelmed although admittedly this is only a brief view of the exterior.
They seem to have raided the Orion parts bin for the front and kept the ridiculously too heavy front window unless they have reinforced the stays to support it.
There appears to be some sort of separate sun roof rather than the "all in one" of the Pegasus and Unicorn.
Nice to see the door hinging the other way to avoid the front window.
I wonder what happened to the aerodynamic and fuel saving Orion shape of a curved front and rear roof that was trumpeted when the Orion was launched,presumably the Pursuit is not as aerodynamic as its predecessor having what appears to be a more traditional straight back.
At least front locker door seems larger.
Lets hope they have ditched the Al-Ko spare wheel carrier for the wind down apparatus of the Pegasus GT65.
It will be interesting to see the interior layouts of the various models but just from the picture ( which is a little unfair I know ) there seems little to fuel an imminent swap to the Pursuit.
Ian
Tuesday, 24 September 2013
Bailey & The Battery Locker Door
I have received a reply to my e-mail to Bailey regarding the lack of a latch mechanism on the battery locker door:-
To
Mr Broadhead
Thank
you for your email
I
am sorry to hear about the problems you have experienced with the Battery locker
door of your caravan.
Your
comments have been duly noted and I have passed your email onto our design and
production offices.
I
apologise for the inconvenience that has been caused
Kind
Regards
Chantelle
Kimmins
Customer
Service Co-Ordinator
E-mail:
chantellek@baileyofbristol.co.uk
You never know,something may happen.
Ian
Saturday, 21 September 2013
Assault & Battery On the Way To Durham.
Have just had three nights at Durham Grange CC site which we can thoroughly recommend.
The place is just off the A1 and about ten minutes walk from the Park & Ride into Durham ( £2 return ).
The site is well laid out,the toilet block is spotless and the wardens are very friendly and helpful.
There are some comments on the CC site and in the guest book regarding traffic noise from the A1 but we didn't find it intrusive at all.
As seems to be the way sometimes with our trips we had a bit of an incident on the way there.
We were tootling along the road from our storage near Castleford to join the A1 when SWMBO glanced in the near side mirror and very calmly asked me to pull over and stop.
She said the battery box door was open and got out to shut it.
Now this happened to us once before and just entailed us locking it and carrying on,not this time.
SWMBO returned to the car and said that the battery had gone,vanished,no longer there.
Naturally I doubted here word and thought she was joking but she was dead right the battery had fallen out complete with battery tray leaving the battery clamps dangling on the road.
To say I was not a happy bunny was a bit of an understatement but we decided I had better go back and look for it.
We were parked by a grass verge outside someones gated house so pressed the intercom to see if it was OK to leave the van there whilst I drove back,no one appeared to be in so we took a chance got the van onto the verge,unhitched it into a muddy puddle and I set off back to our storage.
Now all I can say is that they must be quick in Castleford because there was no sign of it,and I drove there and back,I thought it might have fallen out in the storage compound but of course it hadn't.
When I returned to the van,as there was nothing else to be done we decided to hitch up,set off and call at Ropers in Catterick for a new battery.
When I say hitch up that is where another "problem" reared its head,the hitch wouldn't drop onto the ball even after fifteen minutes of trying.
Whilst I was away SWMBO had dropped the front steadies as she said it made here feel better and had mentioned this on my return.
When the ball refused to locate she innocently asked if it was anything to do with the steadies to which I replied with a snort of disgust "NO".
After another ten minutes it shamefacedly dawned on me that is was very much to do with the steadies and as we were winding the jockey wheel down it was just coming to rest on the front steadies and not dropping as far as the ball,oh dear.
Steadies up,van hitched,red of face,and we were on our way.
Had dinner at Ropers and bought another battery and tray ( £87 worth ) all fitted into van.
Now although I had obviously not properly checked the battery box door prior to setting off ( and the safety strap was fastened as I had changed the battery the day before ) I feel that the design of the door leaves a little to be desired.
On the other locker doors there is a latch mechanism so even if the door wasn't locked it wouldn't come open but on the battery box door it is simply a lock so if not locked it comes open.
This seems to be standard fit on most vans I have observed not just Bailey,perhaps there is a reason for it but I can't think of one.
Any way I have e-mailed Bailey and told them it could do with a rethink but I won't hold my breath.
Of course we are now paranoid about checking the door is properly fastened and didn't set off home till we were both satisfied.
So young Chuggers the moral of this sad little tale is :-
"Double check your battery box door is properly shut and locked before setting off ".
Ian
The place is just off the A1 and about ten minutes walk from the Park & Ride into Durham ( £2 return ).
The site is well laid out,the toilet block is spotless and the wardens are very friendly and helpful.
There are some comments on the CC site and in the guest book regarding traffic noise from the A1 but we didn't find it intrusive at all.
As seems to be the way sometimes with our trips we had a bit of an incident on the way there.
We were tootling along the road from our storage near Castleford to join the A1 when SWMBO glanced in the near side mirror and very calmly asked me to pull over and stop.
She said the battery box door was open and got out to shut it.
Now this happened to us once before and just entailed us locking it and carrying on,not this time.
SWMBO returned to the car and said that the battery had gone,vanished,no longer there.
Naturally I doubted here word and thought she was joking but she was dead right the battery had fallen out complete with battery tray leaving the battery clamps dangling on the road.
To say I was not a happy bunny was a bit of an understatement but we decided I had better go back and look for it.
We were parked by a grass verge outside someones gated house so pressed the intercom to see if it was OK to leave the van there whilst I drove back,no one appeared to be in so we took a chance got the van onto the verge,unhitched it into a muddy puddle and I set off back to our storage.
Now all I can say is that they must be quick in Castleford because there was no sign of it,and I drove there and back,I thought it might have fallen out in the storage compound but of course it hadn't.
When I returned to the van,as there was nothing else to be done we decided to hitch up,set off and call at Ropers in Catterick for a new battery.
When I say hitch up that is where another "problem" reared its head,the hitch wouldn't drop onto the ball even after fifteen minutes of trying.
Whilst I was away SWMBO had dropped the front steadies as she said it made here feel better and had mentioned this on my return.
When the ball refused to locate she innocently asked if it was anything to do with the steadies to which I replied with a snort of disgust "NO".
After another ten minutes it shamefacedly dawned on me that is was very much to do with the steadies and as we were winding the jockey wheel down it was just coming to rest on the front steadies and not dropping as far as the ball,oh dear.
Steadies up,van hitched,red of face,and we were on our way.
Had dinner at Ropers and bought another battery and tray ( £87 worth ) all fitted into van.
Now although I had obviously not properly checked the battery box door prior to setting off ( and the safety strap was fastened as I had changed the battery the day before ) I feel that the design of the door leaves a little to be desired.
On the other locker doors there is a latch mechanism so even if the door wasn't locked it wouldn't come open but on the battery box door it is simply a lock so if not locked it comes open.
This seems to be standard fit on most vans I have observed not just Bailey,perhaps there is a reason for it but I can't think of one.
Any way I have e-mailed Bailey and told them it could do with a rethink but I won't hold my breath.
Of course we are now paranoid about checking the door is properly fastened and didn't set off home till we were both satisfied.
So young Chuggers the moral of this sad little tale is :-
"Double check your battery box door is properly shut and locked before setting off ".
Ian
Thursday, 19 September 2013
Aaarghh.....................................................................
After going to the trouble and cost of replacing the wheel bolts as I "lost" the adaptor the f****ing thing has turned up.
It had rolled into the gap by the heater duct under the rear seat where naturally I had already "looked".
So if anyone wants a set ( 4 ) of genuine Bailey locking wheelbolt for a tenner plus postage ( I think they cost about £30 ) then get in touch.
Ian
It had rolled into the gap by the heater duct under the rear seat where naturally I had already "looked".
So if anyone wants a set ( 4 ) of genuine Bailey locking wheelbolt for a tenner plus postage ( I think they cost about £30 ) then get in touch.
Ian
Bailey Pursuit
Got told by a dealer yesterday that the new lightweight Bailey will be called the Pursuit.
They should have been going to Bristol for a preview next week but it has been cancelled so the first they will see of it is at the NEC in October.
All seems very hush hush as no other details forthcoming.
Ian
They should have been going to Bristol for a preview next week but it has been cancelled so the first they will see of it is at the NEC in October.
All seems very hush hush as no other details forthcoming.
Ian
Tuesday, 10 September 2013
Bolts Again.
Well the new wheel bolts have arrived,very good next day service from WSL considering it is free postage.
Also got a rather nice digital tyre guage free of charge.
Total cost £49.98 which is about £15 less than Baileys prices ( inc. Baileys £5 P&P charge ).
As you order two packs of five bolts you get two adaptors,I will be keeping a firm eye on these two,no more shenanigans hopefully.
Will put them on in the next day or two.
Ian
Also got a rather nice digital tyre guage free of charge.
Total cost £49.98 which is about £15 less than Baileys prices ( inc. Baileys £5 P&P charge ).
As you order two packs of five bolts you get two adaptors,I will be keeping a firm eye on these two,no more shenanigans hopefully.
Will put them on in the next day or two.
Ian
Monday, 9 September 2013
Wheel Bolts Contd.
I had a reply from Bailey regarding the new WSL wheel bolts,this is what they say :-
Hi
Ian,
Thank
you for your email.
The
WSL wheel bolts are suitable for your model, and the new torque setting will be
130Nm.
Regards,
Neil
Baker
Aftersales/Online
Parts Technical Admin
E-Mail:
neilb@baileyofbristol.co.uk
Ian
Sunday, 8 September 2013
Orion Front Window.
There has been some discussion on CT regarding flexing on the front window of the Orion.
Orion Front Window - Caravan Talk
The upshot is that this can cause scratching/cloudiness between the panes,Bailey are evidently aware of this and will replace under warranty.
Not had any problems ourselves,so it may just be earlier models than ours,just had the repair of the right hand stay anchoring point although I agree that the stays for the front window appear to be made of cheese ( cream cheese at that ) and struggle to support such a heavy item.
Ian
Orion Front Window - Caravan Talk
The upshot is that this can cause scratching/cloudiness between the panes,Bailey are evidently aware of this and will replace under warranty.
Not had any problems ourselves,so it may just be earlier models than ours,just had the repair of the right hand stay anchoring point although I agree that the stays for the front window appear to be made of cheese ( cream cheese at that ) and struggle to support such a heavy item.
Ian
Wheel Bolt Update.
Well following the loss of the locking wheel bolt adaptor ( not had a reply from Bailey yet ) the next problem was to remove the offending bolts and replacing the original ones.
I considered getting someone from a tyre fitters to come and have a go but first I tried putting a suitably sized socket over the bolts,tapping it into place and bingo off they came without much problem.
So much for Bailey's secure wheel bolts.
The problem then was to remove the bolt from the socket as it was jammed fast.
Took a bit of hammering but with the aid of some lubricant ( oohh er missus..... ) it eventually came out ( twice,once for each side ).
I think I may replace the bolts with the new WSL bolts as these are standard on new Bailey's now.
WSL Wheel Bolts
Just waiting for a reply from Bailey parts to double check that this OK and ask what the torque is.
If anyone has a similar problem I used a 17mm socket over the bolts to remove them,it is a very snug fit.
Incidentally I also replaced the handle on the C250 Thetford cassette as well after the disappearance of it down the toilet emptying hole in Scarborough,naturally you couldn't buy just the handle,it had to be the whole extending bit.
Ian
I considered getting someone from a tyre fitters to come and have a go but first I tried putting a suitably sized socket over the bolts,tapping it into place and bingo off they came without much problem.
So much for Bailey's secure wheel bolts.
The problem then was to remove the bolt from the socket as it was jammed fast.
Took a bit of hammering but with the aid of some lubricant ( oohh er missus..... ) it eventually came out ( twice,once for each side ).
I think I may replace the bolts with the new WSL bolts as these are standard on new Bailey's now.
WSL Wheel Bolts
Just waiting for a reply from Bailey parts to double check that this OK and ask what the torque is.
If anyone has a similar problem I used a 17mm socket over the bolts to remove them,it is a very snug fit.
Incidentally I also replaced the handle on the C250 Thetford cassette as well after the disappearance of it down the toilet emptying hole in Scarborough,naturally you couldn't buy just the handle,it had to be the whole extending bit.
Ian
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