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NEWS
Bailey pursues lightweight rivals
New, sub-two tonne caravans close gap in UK/Australian rangeLightweight caravans may still be niche players in our market, but Bailey Australia is aiming for the lion’s share, with two new imported Pursuit models unveiled in Sydney and a new locally-built single axle Rangefinder set to debut at the Brisbane Caravan Show in early June.
In the absence of a major display from chief British rival Swift at the Sydney Caravan SuperShow, Bailey grabbed the high ground with two, new lightweight Pursuit II models – a 17ft and 1247kg tare weight 430-4, priced at $47,990 and the 18ft 9in and 1411kg tare 550-4, wearing an attractive $49,990 sticker.
Both caravans are smart and invitingly presented in the Bailey tradition, with airy front lounges and large rear bathrooms equipped with a separate shower and toilet, with each able to sleep four by re-arranging their front lounges.
The smaller Pursuit, which has an ATM of 1547kg and a ball weight of 66-120kg, comes equipped with a 93-litre Thetford fridge, a three-burner gas cooktop and oven, reverse cycle air conditioning and 15-inch alloy wheels and a roll-out awning
as standard.
The larger 550-4 Pursuit, which Bailey Australia expects will be more popular with Australian travellers, has a full-size 190-litre Dometic three-way fridge/freezer in addition to the 430-4’s features.
The 430-4 on display featured a fixed rear double bed with under-bed storage, while the 550-4 shown in Sydney had twin rear single beds, with a fixed double bed offered as an alternative.
The arrival of the new Bristol-built Baileys appears to mark a clear dividing line between imported Baileys and locally designed and built Bailey Rangefinder models, which currently start in length with the 20ft Astro (queen bed) and Astro (twin single beds) models.
Sales of the larger tandem-axle fully-imported Bailey Unicorn models, like the Barcelona, Pamplona and Cartagena, have slowed in proportion to the growing popularity of local Rangefinders, which have found greater appeal with Australian buyers for their full locally-built chassis and greater ground clearance.
However, Bailey Australia is planning to plug the gap between Rangefinder and Pursuit models with a new locally-built 17ft, single axle Rangefinder model due for release at the Queensland Caravan Show in Brisbane from June 7-12.
While the name of the new model is not yet finalised, it’s believed it will be a price leader in the low $50,000 range, with its concept similar to the Weekender that Bailey Australia boss Adrian Van Geelen introduced in 2013 when he headed Regent Caravans.
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Written byMichael Browning
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
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