Caravan Guard Insurance Blog

Bailey Retreat Leisure Homes are specially designed for seasonal pitch use.

The Sycamore is a six-berth model with a fixed transverse double bed at the rear, a centre kitchen, and dining area and a wrap around sofa at the front that makes up into a double bed. An L shaped sofa with a fixed table in the dining area, opposite the kitchen, converts to sleeping accommodation.

The soft furnishings are much more luxurious than in a traditional touring caravan, with deep pile drop-in carpets, domestic foam filled upholstery with premium quality fabrics, masses of scatter cushions, co-ordinated curtains, a wall hung magazine rack and Alde heating system all give a certain panache.

High gloss work tops and table, contrasting overhead lockers with a dedicated cocktail cabinet, plenty of storage space, a 117 litre fridge (with a removable freezer compartment) feature in the kitchen and are complemented by a four burner hob unit, a 700w microwave oven, an oven and a grill.

A 40 litre in-board water tank is fitted and the Thetford cassette toilet has a ceramic bowl. The shower is circular with a curved door.

The exterior has a gas BBQ point, a 240v mains socket, easily accessed lockers and the front locker will take gas bottles of all sizes. All in all it’s an attractive exterior with a neat looking rear end – shall we say Middletonesque?

Verdict

It’s perfect for shared ownership. Unlike a static caravan that is difficult and expensive to move, a Retreat can be moved to another site when you fancy a change of scenery. There is no doubt that the Retreat has been designed for long-term all year round use and it’s light, bright and spacious.

Remember though that despite the relatively high price-tag, this Bailey doesn’t come with any standard fit security and as such you would need to purchase an alarm and tracking device in order to take out caravan cover.

Cost to insure: £473*

Fact file

• Safety and Security; CRIS identity number etched to windows and chassis, concealed security data chip embedded in caravan construction, AL-KO hitch lock.
• Twin axle
• Bed sizes; front double 6ft 6ins x 4ft 6ins or 1 single 6ft 6ins x 1ft 9ins
• Rear double 6ft 3ins x 4ft 4ins
• Offside single 6ft 1ins x 4ft 2ins
• Overhead bunk 5ft 10ins x 2.0ins
• Grade III thermal insulation
• Internal headroom 1.96m (6ft 5ins)
• Shipping length 8.96m (29ft 5ins)
• Awning size 1213cm
• Overall width 2.48m (8ft 2ins)
• MTPLM 2287kg (45cwt)
• MRO 2094kgs (41.2cwt)
• Internal length 7.29m (23ft 11ins)

In accordance with Road Traffic Regulations as the body length of a Retreat is in excess of 7m it can only be towed by a vehicle with a gross weight in excess of 3.500kg and this is likely to be a commercial vehicle.

Recommended Retail Price £22, 140 on the road, including VAT and a recommended cost of £565 to cover the cost of delivery to your supplying dealer and additional services carried out prior to taking ownership of your Retreat Leisure Home. There will be an additional fee for your Retreat to be transported to a registered caravan park of your choice anywhere in mainland UK.

For more information:

www.bailey-retreats.co.uk
*Caravan insurance cost based on Bailey Retreat Sycamore, £22,140. Fitted with hitchlock, alarm and approved tracking device. Kept at holiday site with 24 hour locked barrier, YO7 3AB. Caravanners over 30 years old, claim free for 3 years and a member of a caravanning club. Quote includes 10% online discount and 6% Insurance Premium Tax and is correct as of 24.07.12.