Bailey Rangefinder Nebula

If you can’t beat 'em, join 'em…

That’s one way of looking at Bailey’s decision to start building locally-designed and developed caravans in Australia.

While the introduction of Bailey vans on the Australian market in 2011 has been a success, with around 1000 of the lightweight UK-built models now on Aussie roads, local caravan buyers by and large remain a parochial bunch and feel most comfortable buying a caravan designed and built specifically for our unique conditions.

Apart from their desire to buy local, Bailey Australia boss Adrian Van Geelen admits buyers have dismissed Bailey vans in the past due to insufficient water storage, ground clearance and storage areas.

Enter the new, Melbourne-built Rangefinder, which will offer 210 litre water storage, front and rear tunnel lockers and at least 225mm ground clearance across the initial, three-model range.

Prior to the official launch at Melbourne’s Leisurefest in early-October, caravancampingsales got a close look at two pre-production prototypes in action during a trans-Australia ‘real world’ test.

But while a locally-built chassis underpinning cutting-edge, UK-manufactured Alu-Tech composite body panels and other more ‘rugged’ items will add around 300kg to the empty (Tare) weight of the Oz-built versions, the good news is that the Rangefinder models will still be up to 800kg lighter, fully loaded, than similar offerings from well-known Aussie caravan brands.

All Rangefinders will be 20ft-plus, tandem axle vans with a Tare of 1950kg or less and an ATM under 2500kg, to distinguish them from the predominantly single axle, lighter UK-built Bailey vans currently available here.

“We’re still staying with the Bailey philosophy but blinging it to suit the Australian tastes,” explained Van Geelen.

Pricing is also keen, with the 22ft 6in (internal length) Rangefinder Nebula at $62,900 around $10,000 cheaper than the UK-built Unicorn Pamploma with a similar layout, due to unfavourable exchange rates.

SAME BUT DIFFERENT

In many ways the Aussie-built Rangefinder is built the same as the UK vans, but there are noticeable differences.

To beef up the underpinnings Bailey ditched the usual Al-Ko chassis for a bespoke Austrail lightweight Duragal chassis.

Up front the sturdy looking A-frame supports two ‘exposed’ 9kg gas bottles (unless you opt for the retro ‘tea cosy’ covers) and a standard 50mm hitch (the prototype had the optional D0-35 off-road hitch).

Essentially an on-road touring van that’s prepared to rough it, the Nebula comes standard with roller-rocker leaf springs, 12in electric brakes and 15in wheels but there will be an ‘outback pack’ option that includes Cruisemaster CRS independent coil suspension, DO-35 hitch, 16in wheels, front bra and water tank guards.

Further adding to its ‘rough road’ credentials is 25mm more ground clearance than the latest Oz-spec UK Bailey vans, which currently clear the turf by around 200mm.

Also reassuring for dirt road travellers is the additional 2mm thick fibreglass sheeting (borrowed from Bailey’s UK motorhomes) that protects the underside of the 44mm thick ply flooring from water and stone chips.

While the smooth fibreglass exterior finish can stand up to some punishment, the Rangefinder also benefits from front and rear bumper mouldings made from automotive-style, impact resistant TPO material.

Also appealing to budding outback explorers are the two, standard 105 litre water tanks nestled snugly either side of the axle. There’s room for another tank if desired, to boost water storage as high as 315 litres.

Both tanks can be used for freshwater or one can be switched over to grey water storage as required.

The spare tyre is also mounted underneath, released via a winder that connects through the floor from inside the van.

While the prototype got a good pounding over hundreds of kilometres of outback corrugations, the only evidence back at camp was a decent amount of dust intrusion, mainly in cupboards through mandatory external gas vents.

It’s worth noting the optional and removable front ‘bra’ and gas bottles cover did an excellent job of protecting the front of the van from stone chips.

Bailey has also come up with a neat design for housing the gas switches in a protected compartment within the front moulding, to avoid having to remove the gas bottle covers to turn on the gas.

Otherwise, externally the Nebula has pretty much what you’d expect from a $60,000-plus van, including Dometic roll-out awning, drop-down picnic table, external speakers, 240V and TV/Sat 12V outlets, BBQ gas point, LED awning light, UFO-X 360 degree digital antenna, and a Dometic high-security, triple lock CaraD-600F door.

But you need to pay extra for solar panel provision and 120W or 240W panels, and 12V push-button operation for the fold-out, double entry step.

LIGHT AND AIRY

While the entry-level, three-berth Astro and five-berth Rangefinder Gemini models offer typical Aussie grey nomad and family van layouts, including front island bed and rear ensuite, the range-topping Nebula offers the popular UK layout of front lounge and rear island bed.

Rather than walking straight into the front ‘bedroom’, like most Aussie vans, the Nebula features a sun-drenched and inviting six person, wrap-around club lounge with Bailey’s trademark curved front window and large roof hatch. Adding to the feeling of light and space is the extra 21cm of body width compared to the UK vans.

The prototype’s lounge was finished in a soft, creamy leather ($2500 option) but with a large stain already evident the standard green or grey fabric upholstery might be a more practical choice.

Just two interior colour schemes -- ‘Forest Fusion’ and ‘Glacier Fusion’ – are available, with a ‘Rezilience’ matte furniture finish, although a gloss finish is also available for those who like cleaning.

Also gone are the stylish, Italian-made curved cabinet doors on the UK models, replaced by more utilitarian, square, locally-built furniture. The upside is huge overhead lockers with separate compartments that swallow copious amounts of gear.

As a result of pre-production ‘destruction’ testing, the furniture and some appliances are now more firmly fixed to the super-structure, while cupboard door hinges that worked loose over corrugations will be ‘glued and screwed’ tighter on production versions.

There were no issues evident with the high-quality and expensive Blum soft-close hinges used on overhead lockers though, which appear bomb-proof!

Our only gripe with the furniture was some sharp, head-high corner edges around the entry door, which we’ve been assured will be rounded off for production.

KITCHEN CAPERS

The offside galley appears very workable, with a good-sized stainless steel sink, pull-out pantry and decent workspace on the stone-look benchtops, especially when a flip-up cutting bench is added at one end on the production version.

Standard appliances in and around this area include a low-maintenance Atwood 23 litre hot water unit, Thetford Caprice MKIII cooker with three gas/one electric hob and grille, Sphere microwave, 12V rangehood, Thetford 184 litre three-way fridge/freezer, and a 2.5kg Camec top-load washing machine that's neatly hidden under a hinged benchtop next to the fridge.

The electronics are all brought together by an automotive-style 'plug and play' wiring loom, similar to what Jayco use.

Another section that will be tweaked slightly is the rear bedroom. To make it less squeezy walking around the corners of the queen-sized island bed, the drop-down table under the TV mount on the prototype will be removed, and the toilet wall pushed back 100mm on the other side.

This section offers great seclusion though, with two doors (a sliding door and the toilet door swung wide open) that can be used to close off the bedroom and/or ensuite from the main living area.

A large fold-up table that slots into a wall compartment in the bedroom can be used both inside or outside, although a fixed pedestal table along with additional 240V and USB sockets will be added in the lounge area. 

Also contributing to the clean, contemporary interior look is exclusive use of strip LED lighting throughout the van. Affixed to cabinetry it’s largely invisible until you switch a light on, including the novel reading ‘lamps’ hidden within the little storage ‘nooks’ on either side of the bed.

The rest of the ‘electricals’ were neatly displayed or tucked away under seating including the 100Ah battery, BM Pro battery manager, water level monitor, AM/FM/CD/MP3 radio, and optional RV Wi-fi.

Of course, some may argue the Rangefinder is ‘too’ fair dinkum, with the excellent central heating fitted to Bailey UK vans not even available as an option on the Oz-built versions.

However, it will boast the same Grade III thermal insulation and 10 year body shell and three year general warranty as its British cousins.

GOOD BALANCE

Another strength of British vans, their towing stability, appears to have also carried over to the Rangefinder, thanks in part to an aero shape and thoughtful consideration to unladen weight distribution or placement of heavier items in relation to the axles.

One minor downside of this is a raised floor section, or slight step in the base of the fibreglass shower cubicle, to accommodate the wheel arch.

But with a close to three tonne, 195kW/650Nm V8 turbo-diesel 200 Series LandCruiser on towing duties, getting up to speed was never going to be an issue. The van also proved remarkably stable at highway speeds of 110km/h on the bitumen and up to 90km/h on the dirt.

There was some minor intermittent swaying, possibly caused by incorrect loading of the van, but the optional Dexter DSC system fitted, ensured any over-zealous caravan movement was quickly nipped in the bud by automatic dabbing of the electric brakes.

VERDICT

Even with various options fitted, like Cruisemaster suspension and hitch, leather upholstery, solar panels and front stone protection, the 22ft 6in Nebula should still come in under $70,000, making it price-competitive with similar-sized rivals.

Apart from some design niggles on the prototype that should be sorted out in time for production, perhaps our biggest disappointment was the lack of standard central heating – a major attraction of most Euro vans.

However, we can’t think of another fully-featured, full-sized Aussie touring van with a payload of 500kg, 210 litre water tanks and that can be towed, fully loaded by a Toyota Prado.

For that reason alone, the new Bailey Rangefinder is a potential game changer…

WE LIKED:
>> British flair with Aussie ruggedness
>> Pre-production ‘destruction’ testing
>> Generous water storage and payload
>> Toyota Prado friendly

NOT SO MUCH:
>> Sharp overhead cupboard corners (should be rectified on production models)
>> Dust entry through gas vents
>> TV not standard
>> Central heating not available

BAILEY RANGEFINDER NEBULA

Travel length: 8.42m (27ft 7in)
Internal body length: 6.87m  (22ft 6in)
External body width: 2.49m (8ft 2in)
Travel height: 2.88m (9ft 5in)
Interior height: 1.96m (6ft 5in)
Tare weight: 1950kg
ATM: 2450kg
Ball weight: 150kg
Frame: Aluminium
Body: Alu-Tech fibreglass composite
Chassis: Austrail Duragal steel, primed and painted
Suspension: Roller rocker leaf
Brakes: 12-inch electric
Stability Control:  Optional
Wheels/tyres: 15x6in alloy/ 205/70R15 Ovation VO-2
Fresh water: 2 x 105 litres
Battery: 1 x 105Ah deep cycle
Solar: Optional
Air-conditioner: Dometic Freshjet FJ3200
Gas: 2 x 9kg
Cooking: Thetford Caprice III four-burner gas/electric cooktop, grill
Fridge: 184-litre Thetford N604-M three-way
Microwave: Sphere
Toilet: Thetford ceramic cassette
Shower: Separate fibreglass cubicle
Washing machine: Sphere 2.5kg top-loading
Hot water: Atwood 23 litre gas/240V
Lighting: LED
Options fitted: DO35 hitch, Dexter DSC, front protector cover,  gas bottle cover, leather upholstery, RV Wi-fi
Price: $62,900 (excluding options)
Supplied by: Bailey Australia, Campbellfield, Victoria